[This story contains some spoilers to the series finale of Jack Ryan.]
Michael Kelly’s nearly 30-year career in television and film has seen him take on a range of characters, from cop to political broker and Italian gangster, as well as villain and superhero ally. But when asked who his favorite is, Kelly doesn’t hesitate to admit that few jobs in Hollywood have brought him more joy than Tom Clancy’s role as maverick/former CIA field agent Mike November Jack Ryan series, which ended its four seasons on Friday.
In the Prime Video series, viewers first meet the character of November in Season 2. November is a low-key CIA agent who commands the agency’s Venezuela office. But corruption and chaos erupt, and the agent under November’s command, Jack Ryan (played by John Krasinski), shows his boss that sometimes directives from Washington may have to be broken to save the life of a fellow operative who is detained in the country against his will. Ryan is unwilling to abandon another agent and November quickly sees the light. Any dreams of a steady upward career trajectory within the CIA are dashed at this November moment when it comes to choosing between his personal career aspirations or doing what is right and looking out for fellow agents he in eventually sees as part of his family in the world of espionage.
The Hollywood Reporter recently spoke with Kelly via Zoom (before the actors’ strike on July 13) about November and his arc on the departing series, from its first appearance to the final episodes airing this week — and why he was such a joy to play.
In season three, Mike November was a bit sour on the CIA (Jack Ryan and November struggle to stop an attempted coup in Russia and a potential conflict between an American and Russian warship carrying nuclear weapons). Still, November comes for Jack Ryan and the agency after all. And the same can be said for November’s heroics here in season four. What makes him continue to help Ryan after he leaves the agency?
This goes back to what happened in season 2, right? When we were created persona non grata there in Caracas [Venezuela] and I’ve been married and divorced twice, my wife and I leave the CIA and I still go with Jack because I felt it was the right thing to do. And I’ve always sided with Jack because I know that if he has a hunch, it’s usually right.
And it’s interesting when you think about it, because here’s a guy who’s dedicated his life to this. He did it in the shadows at the CIA. He had a comfortable job, a comfortable position. But I believe he is guided by a deeper moral compass and knows that Jack was right in this case. He said, “Okay, I’ll throw it all out there; throw it all on the line. I will go do what is right.
And I think he missed the action a little too. And he had to go out on his own and start his own business from scratch. Of course he had all the connections, of course he had all these things and settled in a really sweet place in Greece and November told them to get out. But they were like, no. But sometimes you can’t do everything by the book.
What has November brought back this season? In season four, we knew that a faction of drug and human traffickers in the Asian nation of Myanmar was trying to partner with the cartels in Mexico in an attempt to bring about a form of rapprochement on US soil through acts of terrorism. But at the start of this season, it looks like November has returned to its quiet underground life. Is this for a brotherhood?
Jack and [James] Greer [played by Wendell Pierce], Yes! November knows. These guys are willing to die for each other. If you look at how Mike November changed from the beginning of season 2 to the end of season 4, it’s almost a completely different person. And it’s because of this brotherhood. Because of what he found in these men, I think there’s a part of Mike November where, no matter what he’s doing, he just can’t wait. He knows Jack will call him. He knows Jack will need him. He does his job; he makes tons of money; he lives a good life. But he says, “Oh man! I must go on a righteous mission!’
Mike November’s character also seems to have brought a bit of a comedic element to the storylines. How did you become Jack Ryan’s straight man comedy agent?
I have to thank John (Krasinski) for that and the writers, obviously. But I have to thank John for so much for being one of the nicest and most genuine people to work for and with. As that character has changed, I think the writers have tapped into the relationship that John and I have personally and the humor that we share. I often say that I am so lucky to have a job where I can go to work and laugh so hard I cry every day. And that’s the truth! Most days when we’re on set together, we cry because we’re laughing so hard! A lot of times on set John would say “say this” and “say that” and I’d be like, “Oh my God, I can’t say that with a straight face!” Mike says all the crazy stuff, but it’s so much fun to say those words , man! John has a brilliant sense of humor second only to his wife [Emily Blunt].
What do you think sets Jack Ryan’s TV version apart from other film versions of this story?
I think two things. One, John Krasinski! I think I’ve said in a lot of interviews, and I really believe it in my heart, I believe he’s the best Jack Ryan we’ve ever seen. I think he has the ability to share three things: the humanity that is in the character, the obvious sense of humor that is in the character, and his ability to do the action like any of the best people. He has that by doing so many of his own stunts.
And then you combine that with the fact that this is the first time Jack Ryan’s story has been told in a long-form format. So you take those two things and combine them together, I just think he’s the best and funniest Jack Ryan because you get to spend a little more time with him. Someone is going to be mad at me for saying that! (Laughing) But that’s my opinion, man, and I’m sticking to it!
Enter John Krasinski, Michael Kelly and Wendell Pierce Jack Ryan.
Amazon Studios
Let’s talk about some of the intense fight scenes your character has faced in previous seasons and in the current season.
Even when we’re filming it, there’s something about the stakes being so high. I remember the mass shooting at the palace in season two [filmed in South America], and we used full loads in this marble-clad palace! We would go to these places and I would never say it was like a gunfight because I have no idea what that is. But, the noise! You’re like, I better get this thing going! It’s really overwhelming and it gets scary and you’re like, “Okay, I got you six,” because you’re there for your brother. His motherfucker is crazy and people run away. And you know you can’t aim there and you can’t aim there. You know your life isn’t on the line, but you can feel your adrenaline pumping. And there’s something about that that’s exciting, especially for a 57-year-old.
In the fourth episode of this season, the stone castle where the enemies gather so that the rapprochement can begin, seems to wink at the classic James Bond films and the escape from the evil mastermind’s lair. Can you talk about filming this episode?
I forgot the name of the fort but where we actually go there are like women in glass cases, everything is for sale right? Nothing like that in real life, of course, but this was filmed in Budapest. It was shot in a real old fort and they dressed it up like that. I’m pretty sure that’s where we were, but it might as well be Croatia. Anyway, it was crazy filming there and seeing all that stuff and driving… I forget what a crazy car I was getting into. Every day you say to yourself “Wait, I have to do What?” And this was certainly one of them, but you feel sorry for the caged girls. [The episode also shows the horrors of international sex trafficking.]
But filming the show was a lot of fun. There are long nights and you get there at sunset and leave at sunrise, but that was great. And this was just one of those reminders Jack Ryan spare no expense in decorating and bringing in the most talented people to create these worlds in this otherwise cave-like empty fortress. It’s really impressive; the drug bars! It was amazing, just the smallest details that this team put together,
Do you have a favorite episode, season or location?
I would say Croatia was pretty spectacular. That was beautiful. Mike’s place in Santorini.
Did you do most of your own stunts during the season?
And three of them [also Kransinski and Pierce] they did everything they allowed us to do. But now I’m 50 years old and my wife is a personal trainer/yoga instructor so I keep fit. But you feel it!
I got shot a few times in the show. It’s this season – mild episode five spoiler — where they shoot me on the rocks. When I got shot, I always went back to those rocks. First, you have to go far out into the water to get there. John and I just stood there laughing and crying in typical between takes.
But after about the third or fourth time of hitting those rocks hard, you feel it. The next day you look in the mirror, turn away and say to yourself, “Yeah, that’s a bruise, yeah, that’s a cut.” But I think it’s better to do it than to see someone else do it and think, “I wouldn’t do it that way.”
Will we see Mike November appear in a future spinoff series of the Jack Ryan saga?
I do not know. It’s Tom Clancy, anything can happen I guess. They know that if they continue his character in any way shape or form, I’m all for it because I honestly had the time of my life. It is one of the greatest tasks, from start to finish. And I will always be grateful for that. It was just one of those gigs. I’m really grateful — and it’s the most awesome name!
This interview has been edited for length and clarity and was held before the SAG-AFTRA strike.
The fourth and final season of Jack Ryan now streaming on Prime Video.