Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Shanola Hampton, stars of the NBC series Found, were surprised by fans rooting for a romance between their characters Sir and Gabi, even though they never intended to promote that relationship on the show. Gosselaar mentioned that the chemistry between him and Hampton was organic and happened naturally. He explained that they are good friends in real life, which helps to bring their characters’ relationship to life on screen. Despite the emotional connection between Sir and Gabi, Gosselaar clarified that there is nothing sexual about Sir’s interest in her. He credited Hampton’s acting skills for their on-screen chemistry.
Found, which premiered in 2023, follows public relations specialist Gabi Mosely and her team as they work to find missing people who have been overlooked by law enforcement. While the show primarily focuses on the cases they work on, it also delves into the complicated relationship between Gabi and Sir. The series introduces this dynamic by showing Gabi kidnapping Sir in the present timeline, with flashbacks revealing that Sir had kidnapped Gabi when she was a teenager. Gosselaar acknowledged the challenge of portraying his character’s twisted intentions and showcasing the multifaceted nature of the show.
Despite playing the character of Sir, Gosselaar does not necessarily agree with his actions. He expressed surprise at the fan support for “Team Sir” on social media as it shows a nuanced study of society similar to other complex characters in popular television shows like Breaking Bad and Dexter. Gosselaar referenced his research on real-life serial killer Ted Bundy to inform his portrayal of Sir, aiming to create a character that viewers could find intriguing and complex. He emphasized the importance of maintaining that dynamic to keep viewers engaged with the show.
Gosselaar reflected on how characters like Ted Bundy, who had charming and manipulative qualities, could garner public support despite their despicable actions. He expressed the need to depict Sir in a way that adds depth and complexity to his character rather than portraying him as one-dimensional and always hateable. By drawing inspiration from real-life figures like Bundy, Gosselaar aimed to create a character that could evoke mixed emotions and intrigue from viewers. Found airs on NBC on Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET, with new episodes available the next day on Peacock for streaming.
Gosselaar and Hampton’s on-screen chemistry in Found has captivated fans, even leading to speculation about a potential romance between their characters Sir and Gabi. Despite the characters’ deep emotional connection, Gosselaar emphasized that there is nothing sexual about Sir’s interest in Gabi. The series intricately weaves together the cases Gabi and her team work on with the complex relationship dynamics between the characters. Gosselaar acknowledged the challenging task of portraying Sir’s complex intentions and ensuring that the character remains multifaceted.
The fan support for Sir’s character on social media has surprised Gosselaar, who finds it reminiscent of the public’s fascination with morally ambiguous characters in other popular television shows. Drawing parallels to characters like Walter White in Breaking Bad, Gosselaar highlighted the importance of portraying Sir in a way that allows viewers to sympathize and engage with him on a deeper level. By exploring the complexities of Sir’s character and referencing real-life figures like Ted Bundy for inspiration, Gosselaar aimed to create a character that could evoke a range of emotions from the audience.
