Justin Chambers‘ character on Accused is nothing like Alex Karev from Grey’s Anatomy — and that’s exactly what he liked about the role.
“What drew me in was the chance to play someone so different from Alex Karev,” Chambers, 54, exclusively told Us Weekly about playing Tyler in the Fox crime drama after a 15-year stint on ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy.
Chambers has long wanted to try something new, which is where his guest spot on Accused comes in.
“After years of being a familiar face as Karev, it felt exciting to step into a more complex, antagonistic role and show a different side of myself as an actor,” he said, adding that it was “a blast” to join the show. “Grey’s Anatomy has given me a freedom that many actors don’t often experience, and now I’m excited about exploring passion projects both within and outside of Hollywood.”
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The actor appeared on the hit medical drama from its debut in 2005 until his departure after 16 seasons. In January 2020, Chambers confirmed he would no longer be playing Dr. Alex Karev as he shifted his focus to other opportunities.
“I’m choosing to follow my heart in all my artistic and commercial pursuits,” Chamber explained to Us before expanding on his interest in a one-episode appearance on Accused. “I really prefer being part of good storytelling, no matter how long it is. For me, it’s not about the quantity, it’s about the quality of the story and the acting. I want to tell stories that tackle real issues, like those in Accused.”
Based on Jimmy McGovern‘s 2010 British series of the same name, each episode of Accused introduces the accused — who is always just an ordinary person — without revealing their crime or how they ended up on trial. The audience then sees the events that led them there from the defendant’s point of view.
Chambers stars alongside Taylor Schilling in the second episode of season 2, which premieres on Tuesday, October 15. The synopsis for the episode, titled “April’s Story,” teases the tale of a nurse (Schilling) who lets her anger get the better of her during an incident of intense road rage.
“I think most of us have been guilty of losing control behind the wheel or been affected by someone else’s lack of control. Driving is a privilege, not a right, and that hasn’t changed,” Chambers told Us about the lesson he hopes viewers take away from the episode. “For me, the hardest part is resisting the urge to text back while driving. But road rage isn’t really my bag.”
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Not much is known about Chambers’ character — except that he might not be as much of a fan-favorite as Dr. Alex Karev.
“When playing unsympathetic characters, I look for something human — some vulnerability or fear driving their actions. Even if the audience doesn’t see it right away, it helps me understand them better and makes the character feel more real,” he explained. “To get to that aggressive place with Tyler, I tapped into his frustrations and need to prove himself. Watching the final product, I was a bit surprised by how intense it looked, but it really showed how far he was pushed. It came together in a powerful way.”
Chambers also expanded on what was on the page, teasing, “I think he’s struggling with a drug addiction, his marriage is falling apart and he’s relying too much on material things to define his worth as a man.”
While speaking with Us, Chambers praised his scene partner for helping build on the tense dynamic between Tyler and April.
“Taylor Schilling is an incredibly focused and talented actress,” he said. “She’s all about teamwork and embraces the physical demands of a role, which was essential in a high-energy, action-packed show like this.”
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Chambers walked away extremely pleased with his time on Accused — and he would “be open to returning” for another episode “in a heartbeat.”
“It felt like shooting a small film since each episode stands alone,” he continued. “Working on something where you know the ending — unlike some other projects — is really exciting. I believe people will look forward to fresh episodes and new story lines on Accused.”
Accused airs on Fox Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET.
