Australian actor Luke Cook is no stranger to playing eccentric and charismatic characters, but his latest role in Good Cop/Bad Cop takes things to a new level. Playing Detective Henry Hickman, Cook dives into a character who is both highly intelligent and socially abrasive, creating a dynamic mix of comedy and procedural drama. In a recent interview with Pop Culture Unplugged, Cook shared insights into his experience filming the show, the unique tone of the series, and what makes Henry Hickman such a compelling character.
Finding the Right Mix: Comedy Meets Crime
With Good Cop/Bad Cop combining elements of crime-solving with humor, Cook was immediately drawn to the project. "What drew me to this was mostly just a great comedic role in the role of Henry Hickman," he shared. "It’s a character I didn’t know if I could really pull off, and then over time, I figured out—I can do this."
The show takes a blue sky procedural approach, meaning the crimes may be serious, but the tone remains lighthearted and entertaining. "It’s going to be people’s safe place," Cook explained. "The crimes can be heavy, but they’re dealt with lightly and comedically. We also have the family relationships, which add a dramatic and funny touch throughout."
A Sibling Partnership with Plenty of Clashes
At the heart of Good Cop/Bad Cop is the relationship between Henry and his sister Lou, played by Leighton Meester. The two work together as detectives, but their approaches couldn’t be more different.
"Henry is facts over feelings, mostly playing the bad cop," Cook said. "Louise is happy-go-lucky, friends with everyone. We investigate a small town where everybody knows each other, and Louise fits right in, while Henry is not friends with anybody at all. He’s very by-the-book, which naturally leads to a lot of bickering."
While Henry tries to follow strict rules, he isn’t above bending them when necessary. "When we meet him in the pilot, he’s still training to be a detective and hasn’t been given his license yet. He has all these preconceived notions of how he’s going to do the job—mostly inspired by cop shows and Sherlock Holmes. So naturally, he ends up bucking the order of things to get what he wants."
Strained Family Ties and A Tough Father-Son Dynamic
Henry’s relationship with his father, the police chief (played by Clancy Brown), is another major element of the show. Cook described their interactions as complicated and emotionally charged.
"It’s definitely strained," he admitted. "My father describes Louise as ‘the son he never had,’ which, as you can imagine, doesn’t sit well with Henry. He’s an odd guy—very socially awkward, uncomfortable for a lot of people to be around. Throughout the season, you see my father trying to reach out to me, but Henry isn’t easy to connect with."
Working with Clancy Brown was a highlight for Cook. "At first, you’re intimidated because of his resumé—Shawshank Redemption, SpongeBob SquarePants, The Penguin—but then you realize he’s just a lovely teddy bear. He really embraced that dad role on set."
Avoiding Comparisons: Bringing a Unique Take on Henry
When it came to preparing for the role, Cook made a conscious decision not to base Henry on any existing characters.
"There are people doing roles like Henry out there right now—The Good Doctor, Monk, House, Dwight Schrute—but I didn’t want him to be anything like anybody else. I didn’t watch any of them so I wouldn’t accidentally imitate anyone," he explained.
Instead, he took inspiration from Sherlock Holmes. "I read Sherlock Holmes just to see who Henry’s mentor would be, but that’s it. I wanted Henry to be completely original."
Henry in One Word: ‘Abrasive’
When asked to describe Henry in a single word, Cook didn’t hesitate: "Abrasive."
And any similarities between Henry and himself? "My wife would joke, ‘Have fun at work being yourself.’ So, it’s entirely possible I’m more like Henry than I realize," he laughed.
A Show That Pulls You In
Cook hopes that Good Cop/Bad Cop will be a place for audiences to escape and enjoy themselves.
"I want this to be their safe place," he said. "A cozy, fun show where people can watch great comedy, engaging drama, and just relax. If we can get people off their phones for half the episode, we’ve won."
With its mix of humor, compelling family dynamics, and intriguing cases, Good Cop/Bad Cop is shaping up to be a must-watch series. And if Cook has his way, he’ll be playing Henry Hickman for years to come.
"Good Cop/Bad Cop" is now streaming. Stay tuned for more updates and interviews as the series unfolds.