Liev Schreiber took an immersive approach to preparing for his role as Jonah Lynn, an ex-soldier turned homicide detective in the Apple TV+ psychological crime thriller Nocturne. To embody the character, Schreiber engaged in "candid conversations" over drinks with a group of Pittsburgh Homicide Detectives.
"One of the things that struck me was the idea that these guys are witnesses to the worst of humanity all of the time. And that’s a lot to carry — that your job is to be a witness to the worst elements of human behavior every day. What do you do with that?" Schreiber told Decider.
While Schreiber acknowledged he could not fully grasp the trauma and emotional toll of such work, these discussions provided him with crucial insight and perspective. He noted a parallel to veterans with PTSD, where shared experiences create a unique understanding among those who have witnessed horrific events. Schreiber explored the detectives' emotional responses to their first encounters with deceased individuals and how they have become desensitized to death over time.
Schreiber, who also serves as an executive producer on Nocturne, credited these real-life detectives and veterans with providing him an "inroad to Jonah." The character, a former tracker for the U.S. Army Rangers, carries a heavy burden of memories.
Director Allen Coulter praised Schreiber's commitment to authenticity, stating in the production notes that Schreiber aimed for a performance that was "real and not false or arbitrary." Coulter added that Schreiber completely embodied Jonah's taciturn and straight-laced demeanor, contrasting with Schreiber's off-camera personality.
Nocturne, based on novels by Lars Kepler, follows Jonah as he investigates Jurek Walter, a man suspected of numerous murders and kidnappings. Although Jonah had retired after Jurek's initial imprisonment, the resurfacing of one of the presumed victims three years later draws Jonah back into the case that profoundly affected him and his family. Stephen Graham also stars as Jurek Walter. New episodes of Nocturne premiere Fridays on Apple TV+.