Ian McShane on decision to nix Deadwood; co****ckers!

By M&C News Jun 26, 2006, 22:03 GMT

Ian McShane, aka, Al Swearengen, the biggest cursing character on HBO’s “Deadwood”, is fit to be tied.

When HBO suits decided to end its popular series "Deadwood" - McShane was quoted by the New York Daily News, "I thought the whole thing was handled shabbily," the actor says by phone from Los Angeles. "But what the f***, HBO and 'Deadwood' have been very good to me. [The show's] Al Swearengen has been one of the great characters of my career.”

McShane elaborated in the NY Daily News article. "However, I think what's been lost in everybody slapping each other on the back, with a possible two two-hour movies to wrap up the series after this season, is that 'Deadwood' is one of the most acclaimed series on TV…. So I was initially shocked. And now I'm sad."

“McShane says that the blame for the cancellation will always be like Kurosawa's "Rashomon," three versions of the same story.” According to the NY Daily News.

"You'll never know what the f*** really happened," he says. "And we'll see if the two-hour movies come to fruition or not. Part of me prefers it to six one-hour shows, because in a two-hour movie you can play with space and time and cover more material. But I do find it hard to believe that anyone wouldn't think that the onset of a new series by David Milch [creator of "Deadwood," as well as "NYPD Blue"] might not affect the old one." Reports the NY Daily News.

The Daily News stated “The British-born McShane, 64, the son of a Manchester United soccer player, took drama lessons at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art to ‘meet chicks’…. He has acted in more than 40 movies and two self-produced BBC TV series, "Lovejoy," and "Madson." He has also been married to actress Gwen Humble for 28 years, and has two kids from a previous marriage.”

But "Deadwood" was McShane’s role of a lifetime, according to the NY Daily News report, winning McShane a Golden Globe award and an Emmy nomination for his portrayal of the violent, foul-mouthed Al Swearengen.

"But the f***ing story of 'Deadwood' wasn't finished, man. So I'm sad about it being canceled like this." Reports the NY Daily News.