By Jeremy D. Bonfiglio
MyTVHatesMe.com

Don’t worry, Harry Hamlin is alive and well. The same, however, can’t be said for Uncle Marty, the character he played in CBS’ new murder mystery “Harper’s Island.” The 13-episode, short-run series, which debuted on Thursday, follows a group of family and friends who travel to a secluded island for a destination wedding. The only problem is they are being picked off one by one in classic slasher film fashion. Surprisingly Uncle Marty was the first (well, technically second but who’s counting) to go. We caught up with Harry to talk about this short-lived role, his death scene and his thoughts about the killer.

Question: I have to ask. What made you decide to take on such a small television role?

Harry Hamlin: I loved Uncle Marty. I never played a character who was such an extrovert and just way out there but who also has a dark secret. It wasn’t a huge role but it was a couple weeks commitment, which was perfect for me.

Q: How much do the cast members know about their own fate?

HH: Everyone left in the cast is in the dark as far as I know. They don’t know when or if they will be killed. I knew I died in the first episode because that was the only way they could get someone like me to do it.

Q: What did you think about Uncle Marty’s death scene? That was pretty brutal.

HH: Yeah, I mean, he was cut in half. The title of the episode was “Whap!” so that gives you an idea that it was going to be brutal to whoever was going to get it. When I actually saw it, I said to the producer that I didn’t think the network was going to put it on.

Q: What kind of insight can you give us on the killer? Any predictions you want to share on who the culprit might be or who might die next?

HH: I don’t know who the killer is and I don’t know who the next to die is. I think they’ve kept that pretty close to the vest and only a privileged few know that answer. What I do know is that what happened last night with Uncle Marty being cut in half in the first episode when the way he was introduced you thought he would be around for awhile let the audience know that nobody is safe. As far as who the killer might be, there’s going to be a lot of speculation on that one. Knowing the people behind this, I’m convinced that whoever the killer is, it will be an absolute and utter surprise.

Q: Completely off topic. In a battle between 1980s fantasy film heroes who would win — Perseus of “Clash of the Titans” or “The Beastmaster” and why?

HH: The Beastmaster? Hmmm. … Well the obvious answer of course is Perseus. I mean he could become invisible with his magic sword and he had a flying horse. I mean, come on. So tell The Beastmaster, whoever he is, to bring it on.