Michael William Freeman delivers a captivating performance in Netflix’s new series “Pulse”

Netflix’s highly anticipated series Pulse has officially hit the streaming platform. Among the standout performances is Michael William Freeman, who plays a pivotal role across several episodes of the thrilling new show. Freeman, known for his compelling character work, brings a complex and emotionally layered portrayal to his character, Glenn Vogel. In this exclusive interview, Freeman shares his thoughts on the series, his character’s journey, and the impact of ‘Pulse’’s success.

How do you feel now that Netflix’s new series “Pulse” has been released?

I’m thrilled! I’ve been on pins and needles waiting for the release. I was so excited for people to see this show in particular. You know, you work on these shows in isolation to some degree. You might have an idea about how something will be received, but you never really know until it’s out there. It’s a nerve-wracking process, but I had a good feeling about ‘Pulse’ from the start. I had a great time making it, so I’m happy people are responding to it positively. I think I read that it was the #1 series on Netflix at some point this week… so that’s pretty damn cool.

What were the highlights of your experience working on set?

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There were so many highlights. Working with Carlton Cuse was a big one. He directed episode 10. He’s such a master of the craft. It was a treat to watch him operate. I’m really proud of my performance, and that’s due in large part to Carlton. He created such a supportive, collaborative environment; it made it easy to step outside of my comfort zone. I really clicked with Carlton, and everyone on the show, really, and that doesn’t happen all that often.

What are your thoughts on the role you play in the series?

It was a difficult role. It was really emotionally and physically demanding. And he’s a complicated character, but I have a lot of empathy for him. Underneath all the bluster is a guy who’s trying to protect his family. He’s a little misguided, maybe, but all he wants is to keep them safe. Who can’t relate to that? I really tried to lean into his vulnerability, even though he’s a bit of a raging bull. Sometimes characters like this can be portrayed one-dimensionally, and it flattens out the whole show. In my personal experience, people like Glenn are often sublimating a lot of fear. I tried to stay in touch with that throughout the show. I hope that came through a little bit, anyway.

Was there any special preparation required for the role?

Well, I always try to find my way into a character physically. Glenn Vogel has a big energy. He kind of sucks all the air out of the room, so I wanted him to occupy as much physical space as possible. I decided to gain whatever weight I could in six weeks, which ended up being about 12 lbs. It was fun at first, eating heaps of donuts and pizza, but by the time we started filming, I could really feel the drag on my body. I always try to do something to feel different from myself in my day-to-day life. The weight gain definitely helped me achieve that, but it’s not as fun as it looks.

What kind of response did the series and your performance receive from the audience?

Everyone’s been very complimentary. The response has been quite gratifying. I feel very lucky to have the opportunity to do character work like this. It doesn’t happen all that often in television. So the positive response is icing on the cake. And I think people are really liking the show, and that’s a nod to Zoe Robyn, Carlton Cuse, and the whole cast and crew. I hope people continue to watch and spread the word because I think there’s so much more story to tell with all these characters.