‘Lost’ alumnus struggles to save mankind in ‘100’

When Henry Ian Cusick describes his new character on the CW series "The 100," it’s easy to understand the attraction.

As Kane, he has a say on the survival of the human race. Who could resist a role like that?

The series premise may sound too familiar — life after a nuclear holocaust on Earth — but Cusick, the "Lost" fan favorite who lives in Lani­kai, said "The 100" sets a different tone from other similar stories. It’s a darker story arc filled with death, and his character, Kane, is a pragmatic architect of the future.

"Kane is not a warm character," said Cusick in a phone call from Los Angeles, where he’s working on an independent film. "He is not someone who loves mankind in general, but he feels it is his duty to make sure mankind survives. Can you imagine being the last human and the human race dies on your watch?"

The story begins Wednesday with the series pilot.

Set 97 years after a nuclear Armageddon, the story places 4,000 human survivors in a space station called the Ark. They believe Earth to be uninhabitable, but the Ark is running out of air, prompting drastic measures that include capital punishment and population control to help preserve dwindling supplies.

So a group of 100 juvenile prisoners is sent to Earth to see what current conditions are like. Turns out it’s a pretty lethal landscape with nasty creatures — and that’s just among the juveniles freed to explore the planet.

"It’s pretty much two separate shows," Cusick said, "the stuff on the spaceship and the stuff on the ground. It’s very ‘Lost’-like on the ground, very ‘Lord of the Flies.’ And up on the spaceship it is a bit more sci-fi with political shenanigans."

The shadowy Kane is a confused misanthrope, someone who dislikes humankind, Cusick said. Fewer people means more air on the Ark, so Kane is quite happy to send a bunch of teenagers — guinea pigs, really — into harm’s way.

"Basically it’s a question of survival, and this is what drew me: the question of the survival of the human race and what would you do to ensure that," Cusick said. "He is totally pragmatic."

Although the CW skews toward younger viewers, the 46-year-old Cusick will likely draw fans who know his work and especially the character who gave him the most fame: the lovesick Scotsman Desmond Hume on ABC’s "Lost." The hit series was shot in Hawaii from 2004 to 2010, and Cusick became one of its most recognized stars. His work on "Lost" earned him an Emmy nomination.

The CW will air 13 epi­sodes, all of which were shot last year in Vancouver, Bri­tish Columbia. The Canadian location turned Cusick, who has lived in Hawaii with his wife and sons since joining "Lost" in its second season, into a long-distance commuter. He said it wasn’t difficult.

"There’s a direct flight from Canada to Hawaii, but I spent quite a bit of time on planes," he said.

MEANWHILE, Cusick’s directorial debut, the short film "Dress," was named best short narrative at the Peace on Earth Film Festival, held March 6-9 in Chicago. In October it received the audience award for short films at the Hawaii International Film Festival.

"Dress" follows Ben Gran­ger — played by Cusick — as he struggles to cope with the death of his wife and how that has affected his relationship with his children.

Cusick said he’s proud of the recent recognition.

"When I made the film I wanted to make something that was nonviolent and sent out a message of hope and forgiveness and compassion and love," Cusick said.

"The 100" will air at 8 p.m. Wednesdays on the CW.

AND that’s a wrap …

Mike Gordon is the Star-Advertiser’s film and television writer. Read his Outtakes Online blog at honolulupulse.com. Reach him at 529-4803 or email mgordon@staradvertiser.com.