Spring-2023

plays Abby] is the most lovely human being in the world; I just absolutely adore her, and also I want Ryan to evolve even further because it’s more fun to play… Q: You have had to do some gruesome tasks and serious things as Ryan. A: Yeah, on this show we’ve done some bad things. I was thinking about my body count…I’m up there in the top five of killers on the show. Q: How do you think the show manages to make all the violence palatable? How do you forgive the characters for their actions? A: They have to be sympathetic in a way so that the audience forgives them.This is something I know a lot about from being on the show “TeenWolf” for six years. My character was responsible for the deaths of hun- dreds of people…but he could always tell you why he had to do what he did…Not to condone violence, but Taylor writes it in such a way that people get it. If you steal horses or take someone’s land or you hurt their family, there are no rules…we are always right on the edge, then we bring it back. Q: There are some very difficult decisions that the Duttons make to preserve their way of life.What is it like for actual ranchers? A: It’s becoming harder and harder for them to survive.They are being forced out for large-scale industrialized farming…These poor people are getting phased out. And that’s what the show’s about. How is it going to end? Are the Duttons going to keep the ranch? I don’t know…These are the things Taylor thinks about…and he highlights those themes in the most interesting way…. Q: The show also does a very compelling job of showing Native American struggles and raises the issue of who really owns the land. A: It’s ironic, right? All these rich white families say,“This is our land,” and the first people look over and say,“Oh really? How’d you get it?”That subject is never going away…Taylor respects the people and their culture. He grew up with them and he’s been to count- less ceremonies since he was in his teens… Q: Each episode is so densely packed with issues, and at the same time is so entertain- ing. What’s been enjoyable for you to do on the show? A: The horsemanship alone and the roping and the riding is so much fun. I started roping when I was 20; I’m by no means good at it…but I have the best teachers…Next summer, I’m going to try to win a belt buckle at a rodeo… It’s a dream come true. I’ve wanted to be a cow- boy since I was five. I used to pretend I was rid- ing a horse in the garage on milk crates and wearing a hat. It’s funny how the world works. For a while, I thought I wanted to be a profes- sional golfer. Now I just go out and have fun golfing and try not to get mad. Q: What does the rest of the year look like for you? A: We are on break right now.We think we will go back in March and do another eight episodes for the end of season five. And, your guess is as good as mine, then season six and hopefully seven…If Taylor says, “Hey I want you to do this,” you don’t even ask questions. You say, “Let me pack my stuff, where am I going?” He’s terrific. Pictured on Carmel Beach, Bohen plans on retiring to the Monterey Peninsula someday. He says the landscape of forest, rocks and water is unlike anywhere else. Since the pandemic, Bohen has been a Montana resident, but often visits his family on the Monterey Peninsula. 96 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • S P R I N G 2 0 2 3 Photo: Kelli Uldall Photo: Kelli Uldall