There is just something so comfortable about Flashpoint.
Now in its fourth season, the exciting drama about a tight-knit group of SRU (Strategic Response Unit) team members seems to be as popular as ever. Snatched up by American audiences when it first premiered in 2008, thanks in a big way to the writers’ strike of that year, the cast and crew capitalized on the show’s instant success by using it as motivation. I recently spoke with Sergio Di Zio, who plays Bomb Tech Mike "Spike" Scarlatti about the show and the other projects he has on the go.
“A large part of the show’s success was the timing,” says Di Zio. “But that just encouraged us to bring our game up and do our best to stay on American television. All the cast and crew are working hard to keep the quality high; and the pace is high. Flashpoint is really a success story born out of effort.”
Beyond Great Timing
There are a lot of reasons to love the show. The cast members are solid (Enrico Colantoni, Hugh Dillon, Amy Jo Johnson, David Paetkau, Michael Cram and Cle Bennett, along with Di Zio, complete the team), the stories are well written and fast-paced…and for Canadians in particular, there’s that sense of familiarity. Filmed entirely in Toronto and its surrounding suburbs, it’s rather exciting to see those opening aerial shots of the CN Tower and Rogers Centre, and hear street names like Jarvis and Wellesley.
“The fans have an ownership with the show,” explains Di Zio. “They see their city onscreen and think ‘Hey! We’re actually pretty good looking!’”
Di Zio, who is from Toronto and still lives there in the offseason, has had the rare opportunity to film in locations all over the city in which he grew up. For some men, it would be hard to top going on location at Maple Leaf Gardens…but not for this guy.
“I’ve actually filmed there so many times, I associate it more with work than with hockey!” he says, adding jokingly, “But going to Woodbridge was like a homecoming! I could have walked into any coffee shop and had all the espresso and cookies I wanted!”
Playing Mike "Spike" Scarlatti
He’s also had the opportunity to see his character, Spike, grow over the past four years. “It’s been really cool to do,” he says. “Spike was just a small part of the cast at first. He’s the pup of the group and wants to play with the big boys!”
“But be careful what you wish for!” he adds. “The hours are long…’Oh, so you want to be an actor? OK, well you’re going to be an actor a LOT!”
Di Zio Onstage...and on Treehouse!
The schedule may be hectic, but certainly not nearly enough to turn him off acting. When not in production on Flashpoint, Di Zio finds some very interesting projects to keep busy. A longtime stage actor (he was nominated for a Dora award for his performance in Leo in 2006 and also starred in the Dora-winning 2007 production of Wajdi Mouawad’s Scorched), he can currently be seen onstage at Toronto’s Tarragon Theatre in Andre Alexis’ Name in Vain. Wrapping at the end of the month, Di Zio jumps into his next stage project, Dying City, which runs from November 25 to December 10 at Toronto Free Gallery.
Fans of Di Zio will also know that he voices one of the characters on the children’s animated program Babar and the Adventures of Badou. “That was one of the most awesome jobs I’ve ever had!” he enthuses. “I walked out of the recording and felt like a million bucks.”
So how does Di Zio compare with Spike Scarlatti? A character description reads “(Spike’s) an upbeat, likeable Italian guy who likes to see stuff blow up, except when it’s his job to make sure it doesn’t”.
“Well, I’m not a huge fan of the blowing up part!” he laughs. “But I do like the youthful exuberance of Spike; I want to hold onto it. It’s nice to walk away with his sentiment.”
Flashpoint airs on CTV Tuesday evenings at 8:00 PM EST
Ramona Zacharias - Ramona has been a freelance writer for ten years, focusing on arts, entertainment and pop culture, with a more recent dabbling in travel. ...
