Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with SEAL Team’s AJ Buckley

AJ Buckley’s road to SEAL Team started five years before his first audition for the role of Sonny Quinn; he had finished his time on the hit television series, CSI: NY and Supernatural, and was looking for more in his career. He was tired of being typecast as “the dork” and needed a change, hiring a trainer and nutritionist to get him into the best shape of his life. That dedication helped him land the role of a lifetime. By the time he walked into the audition room for SEAL Team, he was almost unrecognizable and wowed the creative team. Pop Culturalist had the pleasure of speaking with AJ about SEAL Team, what it’s like working alongside real-life veterans, and what’s ahead for Sonny.

PC: Tell us about SEAL Team and your character in the series.
AJ: Sonny Quinn is a cowboy. All he cares about is his country, freedom, women, and whiskey.


PC: We read that SEAL Team came to you at a pivotal point in your career. Tell us about your journey to SEAL Team and what being a part of this series has meant to you?
AJ: The journey to SEAL Team was five years in the making. After finishing up CSI: NY and Supernatural, I was tired of playing those types of characters. Although I am a dork at heart, it’s not exactly where I wanted my career to go. I committed to training extremely hard and hired a nutritionist and personal trainer. I knew I was working towards something, but I didn’t know when it would present itself. Five years later, I got the audition for SEAL Team and when I walked through that door, the same casting director from CSI: NY said, “Holy crap! What happened to you?” I completed the audition and got a call about a week or two later: they wanted me to test and they were going to use the tape. A week after that I found out that I got the role, and little did I know, this was going to be the greatest job of my life. I say that because I get to set every day and work alongside some of the greatest veterans that served in our military. I’ve learned so much from them as an actor, but so much more about how blessed we are to live in a country where men and women sacrifice their lives for the freedom that you and I get to enjoy every day.

PC: Is the preparation different when you’re working on a project like this?
AJ: The preparation is incredibly intense. With this role, I wanted to have a mindset of being the hardest working person in the room, whether that means training at 3 am before my 5 am call time or going deep into the technical side of the job.

PC: How much of yourself is in Sonny?
AJ: I’ve always wanted to be a cowboy and loved Western movies growing up. I love that Sonny sort of has this playfulness about him, but is also someone who always has your back. I can totally relate to him in that sense.

PC: What can you tease about Sonny’s arc this season?
AJ: We go a lot deeper into the psychology of the invisible wounds of war and also cover his relationships with his brothers and other relationships aside from the team. We really push the envelope on Sonny’s PTSD and other effects that might show up from being at war.


PC: How valuable is it to you as an actor to have so many real-life veterans a part of this show?
AJ: I get to listen to the stories of some amazing veterans and their sacrifices. It really puts how lucky we are to be American citizens into perspective.

PC: Besides SEAL Team, do you have any other upcoming projects that you can chat about?
AJ: Yes, I am currently working on a series called Pure on WGN. I play a heavyset cop who is completely degenerate. It’s actually a really great show that I shot two years ago in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
AJ: Ancient Aliens

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
AJ: Braveheart

PC: Favorite book?
AJ: No Easy Day by Mark Owen & Kevin Maurer

PC: Favorite play or musical?
AJ: I just recently saw Frozen on Broadway with my daughter and was blown away, but I’ve got to go with The Color Purple.

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
AJ: Britney Spears

PC: Last show you binge-watched?
AJ: Band of Brothers

PC: Hidden talent?
AJ: I have three kids—ask my wife.

Make sure to follow AJ on Twitter and Instagram, and catch SEAL Team every Wednesday at 9/8c.

Photo Credit: James Dimmock