Whether it's as mercenary Martin Keamy in Lost, the vengeful angel Gabriel in Legion, prickly scientist Jason Woodrue in Swamp Thing, or Neo-Nazi assassin Jeeves Tremor in Smokin' Aces, Kevin Durand obviously relishes portraying the villain. Now, he is currently wreaking havoc in Locke & Key. In the horror/fantasy TV series, Durand plays Frederick Gideon, a cruel British Revolutionary War Captain possessed by a demon of the Black Door. Resurrected by Eden to menace the Locke family, the sinister Gideon quickly disposed of her, proving this ghoul is nobody's pawn. Hellbent on gathering the keys, Gideon intends to open a portal to another reality -- one that would destroy the world.

Durand recently spoke with CBR about bringing this latest villain to life. He dove into what makes Gideon bad to the bone, graphic novel adaptations, the Timeshift Key, and being the seasoned pro on set.

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Locke & Key Kevin Durand Woods

CBR: You have worked with Locke & Key co-showrunner Carlton Cuse on Lost and The Strain. Did he simply give you a call about this role? How did this come about?

Kevin Durand: He sent me a message through my manager and asked me to record an audio recording of a British accent. I sent him several different British accents. It was pretty low-stress. Carlton and I know each other really well. I was so grateful to play with him again.

Did you know about Locke & Key? When you read that it's based on a comic book property, which you have done quite a few of, does that factor in?

It's becoming more and more of an appeal to me. I am actually doing a live-action version of a Jeff Lemire graphic novel, Essex County, up in North Bay. I've gotten addicted to reading them. Being able to see how a story unfolds through a good graphic novel, it already feels like you are watching a movie if it's a great writer. It's very easy to get excited to read something from Joe Hill and something from Jeff Lemire. It's a nice luxury. When it transfers over to television, some things are stretched, and some things are taken away. You have a good sense of what the initial intention was.

This isn't your first or even your second crack at portraying a baddie. What draws you to these characters?

I've always been drawn to playing the baddie. I spend my day being such a nice guy, helping little old ladies across the street, changing diapers, and trying not to be too scary because of my size and my face. I love when I can unleash, especially this one because of the nature of the character. I didn't have to search or try to unearth the humanity in the character. He was possessed, so it was great to embrace his evilness.

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Despite that, what is at the core of Gideon? What key components did you want to incorporate into him?

Strictly as a human, he had this hunger and greed that most humans cannot completely understand. His was beyond normal. He was so driven by greed and lust for power and higher rank. Once a demon took over, it was amplified a million. He wanted to be king of the universe. It was fun to step in and luxuriate in that.

How does Gideon measure up to Dodge? What makes him such a formidable adversary?

He's an absolute menace. No one outranks his level of power and his cunning and his hunger. He has absolutely no consideration for anybody else. It's just all about achieving the ultimate power, and that's all he wants. It's very cut and dry. There is no desire about anything else.

Carlton and co-showrunner Meredith Averill previously said Dodge was patient and a manipulator. Gideon just goes for what he wants and has no patience. In the second episode, he's in the Lockes' home looking for those keys.

Gideon doesn't have to wait. That's why other demons bow down to him. He will destroy them. They know how much of a loose canon he is. There's really no need for patience when it's all right there at your fingertips. He's incredibly surprised by the way things turn out.

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Locke & Key Kevin Durand Portal

Gideon is a collector of the keys. Was there one key that stood out for you?

For me, it was the Timeshift Key. Just the fact that you can wield that power, chose where you want to go, and use it for your own benefit... That's what allowed this whole season to happen.

Gideon is cunning, ruthless, and all-powerful. You mentioned he is surprised by the final outcome. What is his Achilles' heel? What went wrong?

I think he lacked patience. He was maybe a little too cocky. If he had sat back and planned a little better... He just wanted it all right now. Just like everybody else in society, we want everything now. He was basically [like], ‘‘I want the universe, and I need it now. There's no time like right now." He had a god complex.

As the old pro on set, what was it like working with Locke & Key's younger cast?

I am the old guy. I felt like the baby forever, then, all of a sudden, I'm looking around the last couple of years, and it's like, ‘‘Oh, wow. I'm the old guy." I like it. I really enjoy it. When you have a veteran around, it's calm, and you are happy to be there. It reverberates. People consciously or unconsciously look to see how you are functioning, what your energy is like, and how you go about things.

I am very comfortable with stepping into that position now and becoming the veteran on the hockey team that everyone looks at. ‘‘Don't worry, boys. We are going to make it to the Cup. Just stick with me. It's all good. I know you are hurting, but let's dig deeper and just be grateful that we are there." I still have that attitude. I've had it from the start. I'm just a Thunder Bay boy that had a dream that maybe one day I could be an actor in film and television. Here I am, 30 years later, and the parts are getting better and better.

Stream the third and final season of Locke & Key now on Netflix.