Tamberla Perry Had To Ask Her Husband Who ‘Brilliant Minds’ Star Zachary Quinto Was Before Auditioning: “I Said, ‘No, Spock Is Dead’”

Brilliant Minds is the latest must-watch medical procedural from NBC. Zachary Quinto stars as Oliver Wolf, a brilliant, but prickly, neurologist living with face blindness, who accepts a job at Bronx General Hospital, at the behest of his friend and psychiatrist Dr. Carol Pierce ( Tamberla Perry). Wolf is tasked with overseeing a group of interns and navigating a case load filled with extreme patients. Another complication? His new boss is his estranged mother, Muriel Landon (Broadway great Donna Murphy ).

In addition to Wolf’s being such a dynamic character on the page, Quinto was drawn to the role because of the show’s real-life inspiration, the esteemed British neurologist and naturalist Dr. Oliver Sacks. “He was truly one of the great minds of the 20th century,” said Quinto. “I’ve gotten to know who he was very well by digging into his writings and interviews.” One of Sacks’ most trusted colleagues was Dr. Carol E. Burnett. Brilliant Minds creator Michael Grassi chose to mirror their relationship in the show with the friendship between Wolf and his confidante Dr. Pierce. “[Their dynamic] was unlike anything that I’ve seen on television,” said Perry of Wolf and Pierce’s connection.

It was easy for Quinto and Perry to emulate Wolf’s and Perry’s close bond off-screen. “The dynamic that’s shared between Carol Pierce and Oliver Wolfe is reflected in the dynamic that Tamberla and I share,” said Quinto. “She is such an incredible partner in this experience.” Perry felt exactly the same way, describing Quinto as a “humble human being.” “Zach was an exemplary leader, whether he realized it or not,” said Perry. “He showed up every day and really set the bar.”

DECIDER spoke to Quinto and Perry over Zoom to discuss the show, their challenging roles, and their mutual respect for each other.

DECIDER: Zachary, when we spoke to creator Michael Grassi at TCA, he told us that he wrote the role of Oliver Wolf with you in mind. Were you flattered by that? What intrigued you most about the character?

ZACHARY QUINTO: Just because someone says that doesn’t always mean it’s true [laughs] Do you know what I mean? However, the more I have gotten to know Michael, the more I know that he’s a man of his word. So, I have to consider that that’s true. It feels like a great honor because this character was inspired by a real-life doctor, Oliver Sacks. He was a renowned neurologist, prolific author, and truly one of the great minds of the 20th century. He was this brilliant, complicated, fascinating man. I’ve gotten to know who he was very well by digging into his writings and interviews and then applying what I learn to the character of Oliver Wolf which I get to create from my imagination.

I feel deeply flattered by Michael when he says that. The collaboration with Michael and his staff of writers is one of the most unique experiences that I’ve had as an actor. This project—this kind of biopic adjacent project—came at such a wonderful time for me. It’s been such a joy. Everything aligned in all the right ways with minimal effort. I’m hopeful that we get to continue doing it. I’m thrilled to be sharing this character with people.

Stream It Or Skip It: ‘Brilliant Minds’ On NBC, Where Zachary Quinto Is An Empathetic But Eccentric Neurologist

It feels like you were meant to play Oliver Wolf. Your performance is so seamless. It’s wonderful to watch.

TAMBERLA PERRY: He really is wonderful. Michael Grassi absolutely did write this part with him in mind because he’s perfect for it [laughs]. Let me clear that up. Zachary’s a very humble human being. We can’t imagine anybody else being our hero.

ZQ: Thanks, Tamberla. Let me go get a soda so you can keep talking.

TP: Well, go get that soda because this is really gonna bring some humility. I didn’t know who Zachary Quinto was, okay?

ZQ: [Laughs]

TP: When I got the audition, I told my husband that Zachary Quinto was in the show. And he said, “Spock.” And I said, “no, Spock is dead.” I’m not exaggerating.

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ZQ: You never told me that.

TP: I know that’s why I said go get your pop. Go get your drink!

Well, Tamberla, your presence as Dr. Carol Pierce is so important. What made you want to play her? Was Zachary already attached when you learned about the role?

TP: Unlike Zach, nobody wrote anything with me in mind [laughs]. I had four auditions for this and my last one was the chemistry test with Zachary. I first read this script when every audition was a self-tape that had to be ready within 24 hours, no matter if I was dealing with a two page scene or a 25 page scene. I got the script. I finished reading it around 2 a.m. I walked into the living room and said to my husband, “I’ll be ready to tape this in a few hours because I’m about to book this job.” I said: “I am this woman. She is me. We are each other, and we are going to be on the TV together.”

I loved the script from the moment I read it. It was unlike anything that I’ve seen on television. And Carol? She’s just fierce. She’s a doctor. She’s loyal to Oliver. She’s smart. She is a boss. She is one of the most sought-after psychiatrists in all of New York. Everybody wants her time. All facets of her personality excited me about her. As the story unfolds in later episodes, we learn she’s dealing with her own mental health. She has her own issues, which is exciting as an actor. You’ll get to see a nice contrast throughout the season. Everybody thinks that she’s the voice of reason. She’s always calling Olivier out on his stuff. Later, the tables turn a little bit.

I can tell you two really enjoy working together.

ZQ: I think that the dynamic between Carol Pierce and Oliver Wolfe is reflected in the dynamic that Tamberla and I share. She is such an incredible partner in this experience. She brings relentless positivity and joy to the process. There were mornings when I have shown up exhausted or frustrated about things. There are challenges that come with an experience like this which involves telling long form, ongoing stories while working many, many hours a day. She is always so sensitive to that.

She knows how to engage me and make sure that I return to being grounded. She also reminds me that there’s so much fun in the process. It’s important that I acknowledge that part of our working relationship. Her character, Carol Pierce, is based on Carol E. Burnett, who was a confidante of Oliver Sacks, the man who inspired my character. Achieving that same level of alchemy was easy to do with Tamberla.

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TP: That’s right. He’s not lying.

It’s really fun to watch Dr. Wolf and Dr. Pierce mentor this group of young interns. Did you two find yourselves mirroring those roles in real-life?

ZQ: I have never in my career met four actors who more naturally and effortlessly embody the essential qualities of their characters than Ashleigh LaThrop, Aury Krebs, Alex MacNicoll, and Spence Moore II. Each of them is so unique and so talented. I didn’t actively find myself in a position of mentoring anybody. I felt like I learned as much from them as they could potentially learn from me. It was fun to watch them on set. There was just this seamless and obvious through-line between who they are as people and actors and who they are as characters. It was really remarkable.

TP: He’s being very humble, but Zach was an exemplary leader, whether he realized it or not [laughs]. People would call me and say, “should I talk to Zach about this?”

ZQ: Really?

TP: I don’t know that I’ve ever told you that. Yeah, people look up to him. He came to work and had to talk all day. He talks a lot in real life, but he talks a lot on the show too [laughs]. He showed up every day and really set the bar. If anybody else claimed they were tired, I would say, “Did you work every scene yesterday? No? Okay. Go to work.”

ZQ: I was aware of my responsibilities as a number one on the call sheet. Ultimately, I have the responsibility of being a proxy for the creator and the showrunner and to making sure that I am executing the vision. Michael is as generous and collaborative and open and positive as anyone I’ve ever worked with. I knew I was his shadow and that I had to shine a light on his vision. It never seemed like much effort on my part because Michael just makes you just want to be your best.

TP: That’s right.

Brilliant Minds airs Mondays at 10/9c on NBC.

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