Marsha Thomason :: playing White Collar’s out special agent
You might know her from roles opposite hunky men like Josh Duhamel on the NBC series Las Vegas, a short stint working with Josh Holloway on Lost or dipping into the daytime soap world with James Franco last year on General Hospital but British actress Marsha Thomason is now sharing screen time with blue-eyed, six-packed dreamboat Matt Bomer on the USA hit series White Collar. As series regular Special Agent Diana Lancing, not only is she helping take down criminals and con artists but the character also happens to be gay.
EDGE’s Jim Halterman talked one-on-one with Thomason about how she originally approached playing gay on the show, how Matt Bomer often breaks her concentration with a special talent of his and her very different experiences working on Lost and with Franco on General Hospital.
Working with Matt Bomer
EDGE: How does it feel to step into the family of White Collar now that you’re a series regular?
Marsha Thomason: I’m really, really pleased. I did a couple of episodes last year and then to be brought back as a full-time cast member has been great. It seems a little cheesy to say this but I have a really good time at work and they are really nice people. It’s hard work but we laugh a lot.
EDGE: Since the second season began, you’re sharing a lot of screen time with Matt Bomer, which is not a bad thing.
MT: There’s more coming up between Matt and I and it’s really fun stuff. You get to know the characters better and they connect in a way you haven’t seen before and they’re developing that relationship.
EDGE: Any problem concentrating when you’re looking into those blue eyes of his?
MT: [laughs] The only trouble I have concentrating around Matt is listening to him sing all the time because he’s always singing. He makes up really hilarious songs. He sneezed and then just started to sing. He actually has a really good voice.
EDGE: He’s really broke out last year and there’s a lot of scrutiny and interest on him and his personal life. Is that amount of attention something you would ever want for yourself?
MT: I definitely have thought about that particularly watching it with Matt, who I know so well. I think the scrutiny comes with it. Would I want it? No! But would I want to be the lead in an incredible show? I’d be lying if I said no so it comes a part of that but that scrutiny won’t last very long especially if you don’t feed the monster. I think if I found myself in that position I’d ride the wave and break through to the other side.
