Nine years ago, a 17-year-old Bret Harrison left his Oregon home and headed to LA in search of fame. “I just went after what I wanted,” he recalls. “Ignorance is bliss. I didn’t think of all the variables. I just hopped in my car and drove.”
Before long, the go-getting teen was landing guest gigs on such high-profile dramas as Law & Order: S.V.U. and The O.C. In 2004, Harrison tested his comedy skills with a recurring role in the sitcom, Grounded For Life.
Now the 26-year-old has finally gained leading-man status with his lead turn in the offbeat fantasy, Reaper. The sitcom casts Harrison as Sam Oliver, a clueless college dropout who, on his 21st birthday, learns that his parents sold his soul to the devil in exchange for his dad’s life. Bret Harrison speaks about his role in Reaper (to go on air on Star World).

What attracted you to Reaper?
Working for the Devil was kind of an attractive thing. I also get to work with Kevin Smith (the cult director who helmed the pilot and serves as a consultant on the series). I felt fortunate enough to be a part of this because I had also worked with the show’s writers Michele Fazekas and Tara Butters on Law & Order: S.V.U.

Sam is drawn into a fantasy world, dealing with demons and the Devil. How can you relate to a character like that?
I relate to Sam in the sense that he has a lot going on. He’s holding down a job (at a hardware store) as well as a job with the Devil. He’s got Andi (Missy Peregrym, Life As We Know It) that he’s in love with and he doesn’t want to tell her. Sam feels like he’s all over the place, and I often feel the same. I think he needs to go meditate ~ and I can definitely relate to that!

Is there pressure being the lead of the show?
Yeah, a little bit! What freaks me out is that the shooting hours are crazy. But at the same time, I wouldn’t want it any other way.

Why does the Devil choose Sam?
I think maybe the Devil might not be who he is! The Devil might not be the real deal, and we’ve only hinted at stuff like that. The devil is somewhat of a fatherly figure and he’s teaching Sam. He hasn’t had to do anything for the last 21 years, so now he’s turning Sam into a man.

How do you see your character changing over the season?
I’d like to see him a little more motivated. He’s a slacker, but I think he has to get excited by these new powers. When Spiderman turns into Spiderman, he starts to appreciate the fact that webs are coming out of his hands. I think Sam will eventually accept his power and be thrilled to be reaping souls.

(Reaper premieres on Star World on 13 April at 10 p.m.)