So, tell us a little about your background.

Peter Francis James: I'm from Chicago originally, but I've lived in New York City for the last 25 years. I've been to the west coast a few times, the last time to do August Wilson's latest play, Gem of the Ocean, which I'm trying to get into town now. That was great, working with him every day in rehearsal. Amazing to see him rewrite. Brilliant, brilliant playwright. It's been a good year and it's getting better.

How did you get started acting? Was this something you knew, as a child, that you wanted to do?

Peter Francis James: Not as a child. I actually thought absolutely I was going to be a lawyer. That probably has to do with the fact that I'm the son of two lawyers. So there was pressure there, but I thought that's just what you did when you became an adult. I really just started acting in high school. Then I went to college, and found that I missed acting terribly. And I applied to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London, not on a lark, but I thought, "If I want to it, I want to do it the way I want to do it." And I was all ready to get turned down and become a lawyer, and say, "OK, I tried to do it the way I wanted." But they accepted me. So I ended up studying in England at the Royal Academy for three years. And I've never looked back. It was wonderful. Life has been full of kind surprises like this for me.

Tell us about your previous work.

Peter Francis James: Oz is the latest thing I did for television. But I did a couple years on ATWT [as Blake Stevens, 1989-90], The Rosa Parks Story [as her husband, Raymond Parks]. Kim [Brockington, Felicia] is my latest wife. I'm running in good company if you know what I mean! I like this role, let me tell you. Actually, I wasn't sure... I got a call on this thing, they said, "Are you interested?" and I said, "Who will I be partnering with?" He mentioned Kim's name, I said, "Great. Absolutely." She's an absolute doll. We almost worked together a couple of times. That opportunity was too nice to pass up. It works out very well. I teach at Yale a couple of days a week, so this is able to fit in very nicely to that.

How has it been stepping into the role?

Peter Francis James: I have no idea, I haven't said anything yet! [Laughs.] All the preliminaries are delightful. There's a beautiful rapport going. If I don't have to do anything but stay out of the way of letting that happen, I'll do just fine. Just join in as things go along. They've got a beautiful thing going. A real nice thing to fall into. Thanksgiving is the right word. [Laughs.] I feel lucky. Very lucky. It feels right.

So, the Thanksgiving setting helps you make a nice entry into the family?

Peter Francis James: Fabulous. I really get to see all the play between the families and everything else right away. Everyone gets to meet me all at once. Because there's so many storylines, it can be a while before you actually have a day where you're working in the same room, on the same set with the whole cast. But I'll get half the cast today. It's just terrific. A nice way to come in. You feel like the new kid for a lot shorter time. Perfect. I had about 10 lines to say, so I'm not too nervous.

Any hints on what they have planned for the character?

Peter Francis James: I don't know. I mean, they've told me there's stuff coming up. Clearly they wanted me to nail this down and be ready. For me, it's just getting through today and not being "the problem child" and then I'll be fine. And I'm sure, with such a beautifully talented family, they have wonderful plans for them.