We got a chance to chat with award-winning actor Tony Denison.  He originally joined the cast of The Closer, starring Kyra Sedgwick, as Det. Andy Flynn in 2005, which quickly became TNT’s # 1 Drama. Transitioning his role onto the spin-off series Major Crimes, Lt. Flynn is a consistent fan-favorite known for his antics opposite GW Bailey’s Lt. Provenza.

Considering we have seen Flynn since the pilot of  The Closer, has the character progressed, as you would have hoped? What hasn’t been explored yet?

I don’t know, I think a lot of it has progressed pretty well. I’d like to see more episodes dealing with him being in service to people who are alcoholics like himself. You know, and the relationship developing between Flynn and Sharon. Whatever pace that’s on, I think it’s a good pace. Every time I ask [the writers], “hey, I’d like to see this or I’d like to see that” It’s never as good as the stuff they actually come up with for him. Because what they come up with for him is a surprise even to myself, and I like surprises that way.

Considering the end of last season and the premiere of this one, where do you think the relationship between Andy and the captain will go?

I don’t know yet. I imagine it’s going to turn out to be a lot of fun for the both of them.
It seems that Andy is more interested in pursuing the relationship, but he’s not sure how to do it. Do you read it the same way?

I think that’s a pretty accurate representation of it, but isn’t that the way it is all the time with most men? [Laughs]

There have been a few episodes featuring mainly Flynn and Provenza as a kind of comic duo. What has been your favorite and why? 

We just did one recently with Flynn and Provenza helping Buzz Watson on a training exercise. So, that one was a lot of fun. Last year we did one with the woman who had the dog, Precious, and we get involved with this character Dick Tracy appeared again after being on The Closer. That was fun to do. But certainly the one with the Skybox tickets continues to be the fan favorite.

Are we going to see that match up again this season?

Oh yes, we just did one. Two episodes ago, maybe episode number four?

If you take away Provenza is there another character, you would like to paired with for a crazy adventure? 

I think what would be fun is to be involved in a crazy adventure with Kearran Giovanni because she is a young rookie cop, well, not a rookie anymore. That might be fun, but it also might be fun to be on an adventure with Rusty. I don’t what would be the scenario, maybe we get lost or… who knows?

After seeing the premiere, what is with Flynn’s trust issues with Julio? Would he really rather have the new guy on the team?

At the end of the day, Flynn is looking out for the best interests of the squad and even of the captain. While he and Julio have this tremendous relationship, like anything else [he] wants to see how Julio is after his sessions. Even people who are in Alcoholics Anonymous, one or two months does not make for sobriety. It makes for the practice of sobriety. So maybe Andy is projecting a little bit of his own insecurities for how it was for him when he first got sober. But Andy’s respect for Julio as a police officer, as a detective is very deep. Very deep.

Does he think that the storyline will address recent current news, i.e. cops shooting unarmed civilians?

It’s up to the producers to do so. Inevitably, if you do something like that it looks like you’re choosing sides. And if you try not to choose sides then people brain you for not picking a side or point of view. Those things are really hard to do. I’m not trying to be clever here, they have not spoken to me about any plans to do that, but then they don’t talk me about their plans on how they put out the scripts anyway. If that happens that would be interesting.

Can you tease something you can’t wait for the audience to see this season?

No. No, cause then you’re giving away stuff. If I tease it, it gives it away. Given how astute our audiences are, I mean, you’re talking about an audience that really knows the intricacies of the show and characters. If I say anything toward any one of the episodes coming up, [our fans] are really hip, slick and cool about that. When I get fan responses from people who watch the show, I’m not just talking about the “oh, I love your character” or “oh, the show is so much fun”. I’m talking about the people who ask really intricate questions and I’m always amazed how much these people are really into the show.

Be sure to tune in to the season premiere of Major Crimes on TNT  “A Rose Is a Rose” – Monday, June 8th, at 9p.m. (ET/PT).  The squad investigates a double homicide related to an ongoing string of home invasions in the Hollywood Hills. Meanwhile, Sanchez attempts to reintegrate himself in the division after his suspension over a questionable use of force, while Captain Raydor makes a fateful choice in the life of her adopted son, Rusty. Kathe Mazur, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Ransford Doherty, Brandon Barash, Savannah Lathem, Skyler Maxon and Raul Diaz guest star.