MGM Archives Interview 2002
JEREMIAH’S PETER STEBBINGS PLAYS MARKUS ALEXANDER, INTROSPECTIVE LEADER OF THE THUNDER MOUNTAIN UNDERGROUND
By Paul Gendreau
The old saying “still waters run deep” couldn’t ring more true for Peter Stebbings’ character, Markus Alexander, on Showtime’s new hit series Jeremiah. As the quiet, charismatic leader of Thunder Mountain, Markus is faced with keeping the peace in a growing new world order, while still growing as a person.
Stebbings describes Markus as “a good guy. . .very deep and introspective. He makes a great leader, never reverting to the ‘might is right’ mentality.” How can somebody who has had to grow up without role models succeed as a leader? “Markus is good at questioning his own behavior and how it affects others,” Stebbings explains. “He carries the burden of Thunder Mountain—thousands of people’s lives. He’s very mature.” In the scheme of things, Stebbings says, “Markus is Jeremiah—if he were a more patient and reflective person. They are really just opposite halves of the same person, a sort of love/hate relationship.”
Markus’s maturity comes to the character through the work of Vancouver-born Stebbings, a veteran actor who started practicing his trade at the Vancouver Youth Theater when he was just 12 years old. He worked at various odd jobs growing up, including bus boy and bike courier, before making the serious acting move—at age 22—to New York City and the Circle in the Square Theater School.
Following his New York training, Stebbings returned to his native Canada and made his mark on Canadian TV playing Kevin Sharp on the Beverly Hills 90210-esque hit series Madison, a role that earned him two Gemini Award nominations as Best Actor in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role. He also had a notable run as Paul Deeds in the Canadian series Traders before making the jump to American TV, landing guest roles on The Outer Limits and The X-Files.
Markus’s maturity doesn’t mean predictability though, as fans learned early in the series when his secret love interest, Meaghan — an older woman who has survived the Big Death but still carries the virus—is introduced. Meaghan’s existence puts a strain on his relationship with the other woman in his life, Erin (Ingrid Kavelaars), who feels betrayed by Markus. “There is a lot more to the story of my ‘woman behind the glass’ than the audience has seen,” Stebbings teases. “Fans will just have to wait and see.” The same goes for his relationship with right-hand man Lee Chen (Byron Lawson). “Just as Erin feels betrayed by Markus,” Stebbings says, “Markus has the same feelings toward Lee, who seems to have pulled the wool over everybody’s eyes. Again, however, there is more to this mystery.”
Stebbings can’t say enough good things about those involved with Jeremiah. “Luke and Malcolm are great to work with, and very friendly. No egos.” Are there any drawbacks? “Markus gives really long speeches! Sometimes I look at my lines and can’t believe how much I have to say.” Stebbings quickly adds, “I guess it’s a good thing though, to have a lot to say in this instance!” “Joe [Straczynski] has a vision [of] where he wants Markus’s character to go, and I’m on board with that. I always feel that I can throw in a suggestion if I have one.”
Stebbings had been living in Toronto before landing his role on Jeremiah, but has since moved back to Vancouver. “Shooting outside is no big deal for me,” Stebbings says. “I’m used to the weather, having grown up here. Plus, nothing in the world beats a Vancouver sunset.” Peter Stebbings’ birthday is February 28th.
