Exclusive: Liam O'Halloran Talks Boone's Journey, On-Set Nerves and The Rainmaker Season 2
The Rainmaker is back for Season 2, and the legal drama isn't keeping all the trouble inside the courtroom. Liam O'Halloran joins the USA Network series as Boone McCready, a promising young baseball pitcher whose future becomes tangled in the complicated world surrounding his coach, Tom Cassady (Austin Nichols).
At first glance, Boone might seem like a carefree young athlete who doesn't have much to worry about. But there's more going on beneath that easygoing personality, and O'Halloran says fans shouldn't be too quick to underestimate him.
In an exclusive interview with The TV Cave, O'Halloran opens up about Boone's emotional intelligence, his changing relationship with Tom, and why the character's journey fits into the show's larger themes of corruption and consequences.
He also shares what it was like learning baseball with absolutely no experience and the nerve-racking first day on set that included Lana Parrilla, P.J. Byrne, and Austin Nichols.
What Drew Liam O'Halloran to Boone McCready?
The TV Cave: You join The Rainmaker this season as Boone McCready, a rising baseball pitcher with a promising future. What initially drew you to Boone, and what stood out to you about his story when you first read the scripts?
Liam O'Halloran: What drew me to Boone was initially his fun-loving nature. He's someone who doesn't take things too seriously and naturally sees the best in the people he meets. What stood out to me about him after reading more of the episodes was his intelligence in reading people emotionally. He comes off on the surface as relatively simple-minded, but as he is put in different situations, his intelligence and thoughtfulness are given a chance to shine through.
Finding Joy in the Journey Instead of the Pressure
The TV Cave: Boone is a young athlete trying to make a name for himself in a competitive world. How did you approach portraying someone carrying the pressure of expectations, both from others and potentially from himself?
Liam O'Halloran: That's the thing with Boone. Despite existing in this competitive world, I don't think he has or sees these pressures. I think he reflects myself in that way in regard to how I approach trying to make it in this industry.
To quote the Stormlight Archive, the first ideal closes out with "Journey before destination." Boone and myself don't focus on the destination. We enjoy the moment we are in and focus on giving this moment 110 percent. So, I think that's how Boone, without realising it, doesn't even register the competitive nature and noise.
Boone's Complicated Relationship With Tom Cassady
Of course, Boone's easygoing outlook doesn't mean he's immune to disappointment. His relationship with Tom Cassady begins with trust and admiration, but as O'Halloran explains, the bond between the young pitcher and his coach becomes considerably more complicated as the season unfolds.
The TV Cave: Boone's story connects him to Tom Cassady, played by Austin Nichols. How would you describe their relationship, and what does Tom represent to Boone beyond simply being his coach?
Liam O'Halloran: Tom most certainly represents a father figure to Boone. Young men very often do this, and I definitely saw it in myself in my early 20s, is that we gravitate to an authoritative male figure to give us guidance and, essentially, to set a clear path to allow us not to think and just focus on "doing." Eventually, we realise that there is no way of getting through life without thinking and only doing. So, I think in this story, Tom shows that to Boone through his break of that trust between them. Boone and Tom's relationship starts off as that mentor-and-mentee relationship, but as the season progresses, and Boone and Tom as characters and individuals progress, their relationship finds its footing in what a lot of young people hope to have with an authoritative figure one day: mutual respect and equality.
How Boone's Story Connects to The Rainmaker's Larger Themes
The TV Cave: The Rainmaker is known for its legal battles, complicated relationships, and characters who find themselves in situations they never expected. How does Boone's storyline bring a different perspective to the series this season?
Liam O'Halloran: I think the cool part of Boone's storyline is that it actually parallels or mirrors that of Victor Suffredes. They're not 1:1 in terms of the substance of the stories, but I think they both ground the stories and cases in the people who are affected by corruption and immoral actions of authority. Boone represents a much shallower wound left behind than that of Victor, but I think he serves as reinforcement of this theme in the season: that there are real people's lives being affected and ruined by the illegal and immoral actions of those in power, no matter how small.
Why Fans Shouldn't Underestimate Boone
Boone might not be the first person everyone turns to when things get complicated, but that doesn't mean he has nothing to offer. O'Halloran believes the character's ability to understand people could become one of his greatest strengths, even if those around him don't recognize it right away.
The TV Cave: Without giving too much away, what do you think fans might misunderstand about Boone when they first meet him? Is there another side to him that you're especially excited for them to discover?
Liam O'Halloran: I definitely think people will see him as simple-minded and not the sharpest tool in the shed, but I think that comes from his attitude towards situations. People say "ignorance is bliss," and so when they see a character that is smiling and having fun whilst very serious things happen around him, I think they immediately make an assessment of the character's intelligence. I am excited, however, for people to see how, in certain situations, Boone's ability to connect obscure dots, coupled with his emotional intelligence and control, becomes his power in helping dissolve tough situations.
Learning Baseball With Absolutely No Experience
The TV Cave: How much preparation went into portraying a rising baseball player? Did you have previous experience with the sport, or did the role require you to learn some new skills?
Liam O'Halloran: Oh, I had ZERO experience with the sport! I was a pretty active kid growing up, but baseball has never really been a sport in Australia, or at least not where I grew up in Sydney. I was very lucky to get some training sessions in with some blokes out in Finglas (outside Dublin city), Brendan Scott and Alan Fox. They were able to teach me the very basic mechanics of pitching enough to make it look as good as we could with limited time!But it was such a fun and interesting experience seeing how intricately the bodies of professional pitchers move to generate that power and torque for their pitches.
A Nerve-Racking First Day With Lana Parrilla and the Cast
Playing a baseball prospect was one challenge, but stepping into an established cast brought its own nerves. O'Halloran recalls how a spontaneous line reading with Lana Parrilla, P.J. Byrne, and Austin Nichols helped turn an intimidating first day into one of his favorite memories from filming.
The TV Cave: You're joining an established series with a talented ensemble, including Lana Parrilla and Austin Nichols. What was your experience like stepping onto the set, and was there a particular moment during filming that stayed with you?
Liam O'Halloran: The great thing with this cast is that everybody stepping onto that set is among the loveliest people you will meet! They all made it so easy to feel like I belonged on set with them in that space. I remember my very first day filming was with Lana, PJ, and Austin, and there was a moment we were all getting shuttled from basecamp to set. This was essentially the first time I had ever met these amazing people, and Lana just immediately said, "Okay, let's run the lines!" I could feel my heart in my throat as I was about to essentially perform for these amazing actors, but as soon as we started, the dialogue and scene flowed so easily and naturally. It really calmed me and settled me in for what was an amazing five months of filming! They all said "well done" to me, and that was just icing on the cake of a great first day!
What's Next for Boone McCready?
The TV Cave: Looking at Boone's journey throughout Season 2, what do you hope fans take away from his story, and what would you personally love to explore with the character if given another opportunity?
Liam O'Halloran: I hope through Boone's story people take away that their actions, no matter how small, can and do have consequences to those around them, good and bad! So, choose for your actions to help others rather than hurt. I also hope they take a little bit of Boone's enjoyment of the journey that is life with them, focusing on giving 110 percent here and now rather than keeping yourself looking to a future that doesn't exist yet. I would love to explore more of Boone's story on the pitch and get a chance to better my pitching abilities and maybe actually play a proper game as Boone, as well as explore more of his personal life outside of baseball and outside of the case!
More Than Just Baseball
For O'Halloran, Boone's journey in The Rainmaker is about much more than baseball. Beneath the character's carefree attitude is a young man learning about trust, consequences, and the importance of thinking for himself. And while Boone may not always be the quickest person in the room to recognize trouble, that doesn't mean he doesn't understand what's happening around him.
As Season 2 continues, Boone's relationship with Tom and his growing awareness of the world around him could prove just as important as anything happening on the baseball field. O'Halloran certainly isn't closing the door on exploring more of the character, especially if it means finally getting to play a proper baseball game. After learning to pitch for the role, we can't blame him for wanting to put those new skills to work.
The Rainmaker Season 2 airs Fridays on USA Network.
Comments