The Cleaner on A&E tells the stories of people with addictions and about a team of extreme interventionists who do whatever it takes to get addicts clean of the substances that imprison them. The Cleaner stars Benjamin Bratt as extreme interventionist William Banks, a character based on the real life interventionist Warren Banks. Grace Park and Esteban Powell portray the team members who assist Banks in his mission. Grace Park recently took time to speak to Suite101's Christine Nyholm about the series and her role.
The Cleaner Team of Extreme Interventionists
The Cleaner is a dramatic series about an unconventional team of people who are dedicated to helping people get free from addictions. The team members, Akani Cuesta (Park) and Arnie Swenton(Powell) have had addictions themselves and have a passion for the plight of people caught in the trap of addiction. The interventionist team is hired by a friend or family member to capture the usually unwilling addict and help them get clean and start them on the road to recovery.
Grace Park
Grace Park is perhaps best known as the critically acclaimed Sci Fi series “Battlestar Galactica,” playing two leading roles. In The Cleaner, Grace portrays Akani Cuesta, the exotic, tough, streetwise beauty who is an essential part of Williams team. There has been a hint of a past relationship with Banks, but the background on that story has never been elaborated upon.
William Banks (Bratt) has hit a rough patch in his marriage to Melissa Banks (Amy Price – Francis) and has moved out of the house.
Q) Will viewers see a romance between Banks and Akani?
A) “If that was going to happen it probably would have by now. Akani is a smart girl and knows she does not need to read that book again. She will always have a heart love for William because he saved her life, but he is just not that into her and she understands that.”
Will viewers learn more about Akani's back story?
"No, not this season anyway. The storyline is going to be more focused upon the stories of the addicts and addictions."
There is a lot in the news right now about Michael Jackson and his alleged drug use. Might there be a story along those lines in the future?
"That would be a great story idea, but there are no plans for that. It is always sad when such a bright light goes out, just like other high profile cases; such as Heath Ledger and Anna Nicole Smith. There are so many people with addictions that people never hear about. People in all walks of life, everyday people, have addictions and die from them. The Cleaner tells those kind of stories."
Cast of The Cleaner
- Benjamin Bratt as William Banks
- Grace Park as Akani Cuesta
- Esteban Powell as Arnie Swenton
- Amy Price - Francis as Melissa Banks
The Cleaner airs on A&E cable network on Tuesday nights at 10 ET.
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Interview with Warren Boyd who inspired The Cleaner on A&E
