Giancarlo Esposito Joined Netflix’s Kaleidoscope Because He Wanted To Play An Everyman – Looper

While Esposito is known for playing iconic and ruthless characters, his role in “Kaleidoscope” offers something new and refreshing. In an interview with Netflix, Esposito explains what led him to take on the role of Leo Pap, noting that while the experience of participating in an extremely dangerous heist may not be relatable, the emotional core of Pap is: “The reason I took this particular role in ‘Kaleidoscope’ was because I wanted to play an everyman who was struggling with some of the things that normal people struggle with.” Esposito is referring to Pap’s conflicted relationship with his daughter which also brings her into the mission and further complicates their dynamic.

Esposito elaborated on Pap’s trauma which he feels audiences will be drawn to due to the universal relatability we share. Because of the rare ability to watch the episodes in any order, we see Pap and Hannah’s relationship evolve differently. This takes us on separate journeys which have the same emotional destination and illuminating perspective that he shares with Netflix: “As children, we think that everything that’s done by our parents is done because of us, and sometimes that’s not very true. Sometimes things can never be right, but they can be understood in a different way if we’re able to listen to each other and do that vulnerable dance that’s required of us.”