The Dawson’s Creek star on turning bad in Dr Death, becoming a pandemic parent, and how the veteran actor helped his career
The Canadian-American actor Joshua Jackson, 43, made his name playing Pacey Witter in teen drama Dawson’s Creek. Subsequent TV shows include Fringe, The Affair, When They See Us and Little Fires Everywhere. He now stars in fact-based miniseries Dr Death, based on the podcast of the same name, about Texas neurosurgeon Christopher Duntsch, who was convicted in 2017 of intentionally maiming his patients.
Were you a fan of the Dr Death true crime podcast before playing him on screen?
No, I came in tabula rasa. [Writer and showrunner] Patrick Macmanus gave me a broad overview of Duntsch’s story, then said: “Go listen to the podcast so you understand who we’re dealing with.” I binged the whole thing in a day. I found myself not only gripped by the story but the question of how this man happened, how he became so troubled and dark. A pit opened up in my stomach, but it was way too good to pass up.