Sailors Attend "The Last Ship" Premiere

http://www.tntdrama.com/shows/the-last-ship.html

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (EXW/IDW) Xander Gamble

WASHINGTON (NNS)- Sailors attended Michael Bay's "The Last Ship" premiere at the Newseum, June 4.

The cast and producers of the show invited Sailors to join them for the premiere screening two-and-a-half weeks before the scheduled TNT airing.

Capt. Brian Quin, executive officer of USS Essex (LHD 2), served as the Navy surface warfare expert for the show. He served as the commanding officer of USS Gridley (DDG 101) from 2009 to 2011. His expertise leading a destroyer helped provide real-world knowledge for the show. 

"My favorite part of production was when the actors turned and saluted the national ensign during morning colors. It showed the depth of respect the actors had for the uniform and the Sailors who wear it every day. What they did was never going to show up on camera, but they did it anyway," said Quin.

Quin spent time reviewing the scripts, on set with the set designers, and on location with the actors and producers. Every step of the process, he focused on maintaining the spirit and authenticity of how the Sailors and ship were portrayed in the series. 

"I had a lot of fun acting with the Sailors," said Eric Dane, who plays Cmdr. Tom Chandler, the commanding officer, in the series. "The Sailors are really good actors. You get them in the environment where they know what they are doing, because they do it day in and day out, they really add a lot to the show."

The Last Ship will play on TNT Sunday nights starting June 22.