David Alan Grier Takes a Dramatic Turn: Unpacking His Intense Role as Vern Dunnegan in ‘Joe Pickett’

For decades, David Alan Grier has been a household name, synonymous with groundbreaking sketch comedy on In Living Color, memorable film roles, and acclaimed Broadway performances that have earned him Tony nominations. His career has largely been defined by his unparalleled comedic timing and ability to bring levity to any character. However, with the new Spectrum series Joe Pickett, Grier embarks on one of his most complex and intense roles yet, portraying Vern Dunnegan, a retired game warden whose seemingly affable exterior hides layers of duplicity. This marks a significant pivot for the veteran actor, challenging audience perceptions and showcasing a profound depth previously explored less frequently on screen.

The highly anticipated series, which premiered on December 6, introduces Vern Dunnegan as a pivotal figure in the life of the titular character, Joe Pickett. Based on the bestselling book series by the acclaimed author C.J. Box, Joe Pickett delves into the rugged, often unforgiving landscape of Wyoming, where Joe, a new game warden, uncovers dark secrets and conspiracies. Grier’s character, Vern, plays an integral role in this unfolding drama. HollywoodLife had the exclusive opportunity to speak with David Alan Grier about his decision to embrace the intensity and dramatic demands of a show like Joe Pickett, especially after a career predominantly rich with comedic endeavors. His insights reveal a thoughtful approach to character development and a willingness to step into uncharted territory.

Grier’s journey to becoming Vern Dunnegan was anything but conventional. He recounted the peculiar initial offer: “When producers came to me via my agents and my manager, they said, ‘We’re going to send you these scripts but tell David his character’s not in them. Vern’s not in them.’” This unusual proposition naturally prompted hesitation from the actor. “They were like, ‘They want to talk to you, and they’re going to tell you what they want to write.’ I was like, ‘Wow, I won’t be doing this job, but I’ll meet them.’” Despite his initial skepticism, the subsequent Zoom meeting proved to be a turning point. The creators began to paint a vivid picture of Vern, describing him with tantalizing adjectives: “dark and duplicitousness and really bad.” Grier confessed, “Immediately I was attracted to it.” This fascination with the darker aspects of human nature, a stark contrast to his usual comedic portrayals, drew him in. Yet, he acknowledged the inherent risk: “But I had to operate on faith because it was all about we are going to [write the character].” Unfamiliar with C.J. Box’s widely popular books at the time, Grier embarked on this project with an open mind and a significant leap of faith.

The decision to join Joe Pickett also came at a personally busy time. Grier had just wrapped up production on his comedy series Dad Stop Embarrassing Me and had a young daughter, making an out-of-town commitment a significant consideration. However, what started as a conversation soon “snowballed” into an extraordinary creative collaboration. He described the process with genuine enthusiasm: “Once I got to Canada and I worked a couple of days, they started expanding and writing more and more and more. It was awesome, man. They really based it off on what I was doing as an artist and as an actor. That fed their writing, which was unique because I’ve never done an hour drama. I’ve never done it as a series regular. Nothing like this.” This iterative process, where the actor’s performance directly influenced the character’s development and expanded narrative, is a testament to the showrunners’ innovative approach and Grier’s undeniable talent. It allowed for a fluid and organic creation of Vern Dunnegan, making the character feel deeply authentic and responsive to Grier’s unique contributions.

One particularly intriguing aspect of Vern’s character, as noted by Grier, is the subtle yet significant racial dynamic present in the rural Wyoming setting. He observed with a hint of amusement, “The strange thing is, I don’t think race is ever talked about. It was funny to me. You see this black dude arresting all these white folks. He’s never really talked about. How did he get there? How did this one black dude get to this town? And he’s running sh*t and everybody’s cool.” This unspoken element adds another layer of complexity to Vern’s presence, suggesting a backstory and an established authority that predates Joe’s arrival, which is implicitly accepted by the community. When Grier finally met author C.J. Box, he couldn’t resist asking, “I have one question. How did Vern get there?” Box’s candid response, “I don’t know,” followed by shared laughter, perfectly encapsulated the character’s enigmatic nature and the show’s willingness to allow certain mysteries to simmer beneath the surface.

Vern Dunnegan’s initial interactions with Joe Pickett set the tone for their intricate relationship. As the series begins, Vern assumes a welcoming, almost paternal role towards Joe, his replacement as the town’s game warden. “When the series starts, you see me introduce myself to Joe and his family, and I’m showing them around town. I give him the breakdown of how I did things,” David explained. Vern presents himself as a knowledgeable, helpful local, essentially the “midnight mayor” of the town, guiding Joe through the nuances of his new environment and offering advice rooted in years of experience. He hands over the reins, declaring, “But it’s your job now. I’m going to get out of the way.” This early portrayal establishes Vern as a seemingly benign, supportive figure, laying the groundwork for the audience’s initial perception of him. However, as the narrative progresses, this friendly facade begins to crack. Grier hinted at the impending shift, revealing, “Until stuff starts getting shady. Is this guy really a nice guy? Is he trying to help me?” This question immediately plants seeds of doubt, signaling that Vern is far more than he appears.

This duality is a core element of Vern’s character, making him a compelling figure to watch. Initially, Vern exudes an air of warm hospitality and joviality, a trait that Grier, with his comedic background, portrays effortlessly. This approachable demeanor serves as a crucial misdirection, drawing both Joe and the audience into a false sense of security. Yet, as David Alan Grier foreshadowed, the narrative takes a sharp turn, and “sh*t goes left,” with “things change” rapidly. This swift transition from geniality to something more sinister promises a captivating character arc, where the true nature of Vern Dunnegan slowly but surely comes to light, challenging the perceptions established in the early episodes. This quick escalation of events and the reveal of hidden agendas are hallmarks of the C.J. Box thrillers, effectively adapted to the screen through Grier’s nuanced performance.

The producers’ decision to cast David Alan Grier, an actor primarily known for comedy, in such a dramatically intense and morally ambiguous role was a stroke of genius, and Grier himself initially questioned it. “When I talked to the Dowdles, the producers, directors, writers, my first question was, ‘Why do you want me to play this? Seriously?’” Their response offered profound insight into their vision for Vern. They explained, “We wanted an actor who could really handle comedy.” This seemingly contradictory choice was, in fact, integral to their character design. Grier’s comedic prowess, his mastery of timing, subtle expressions, and ability to build rapport, are precisely the tools needed to embody a character who must appear trustworthy and charming before revealing his true, darker intentions. He elaborates on this point, recognizing that these skills are essential for delivering “all the other stuff, the shady stuff.” The subtle art of deception, he notes, is rarely overt.

Grier intelligently articulates the psychology behind such characters: “Because when you think about it, people like that — politicians, lawyers, policemen — they can’t walk into a room loaded, evil. No, you got to work your way in.” This observation is key to understanding Vern Dunnegan. His initial warmth and helpfulness are not merely a façade but a calculated strategy, a gradual insinuation into Joe’s trust and the audience’s acceptance. The actor added, “So by the time you realize it, you’re in it now. You’re in it. It’s too late. So all those things, that’s juicy, man.” For an actor like Grier, known for his versatility, this role provides an exceptional opportunity to delve into the complexities of human nature, exploring how seemingly benign figures can harbor deep-seated corruption or operate within a morally gray area. The richness of this character, allowing Grier to leverage his extensive acting toolkit in a dramatically new context, makes Vern Dunnegan one of the most compelling figures in the series. Joe Pickett offers a fresh and immersive experience, dropping exclusively on Spectrum and available on-demand, free, and without ads. This accessibility ensures a wide audience can witness David Alan Grier’s captivating and intense performance in a role that redefines his impressive career trajectory.