Milo Ventimiglia Relished the ‘Trickery’ of His“ I Will Find You” Twist: ‘You Don’t See It Coming’ (Exclusive)

**Milo Ventimiglia Embraces a Dark Role in Netflix’s ‘I Will Find You’**

In a recent interview with *PEOPLE*, actor Milo Ventimiglia delved into his compelling performance as Hayden in Netflix’s new thriller, *I Will Find You*, an adaptation of Harlan Coben’s gripping narrative. Joining him in this star-studded cast are Sam Worthington and Britt Lower, both of whom provide significant contributions to the unfolding drama. Ventimiglia spoke candidly about stepping into a role that offers a stark contrast to his well-loved portrayal of Jack Pearson in *This Is Us*.

Ventimiglia’s character, Hayden Payne, emerges as a wealthy and influential figure who harbours dark secrets. In the storyline, he becomes embroiled in a heart-stopping plot involving the escaped convict David, played by Worthington, who discovers intriguing information about his presumed dead son, Matthew. “I don’t know if people are going to see it coming from America’s Dad,” Ventimiglia remarked, referring to the seemingly innocent image crafted by his previous iconic role, Jack.

The actor described the “trickery” involved in shifting audience expectations, suggesting that his new role allows viewers to witness a side of him they may not anticipate. With Hayden’s eventual revelation as a manipulator who intends to abduct Matthew under the false belief that the child is his biological son, the series takes a notably darker turn. “It gets so dark and so violent,” he stated, finding excitement in portraying such a morally complex character. “There’s always something fun about being the villain, and you don’t see the trajectory coming.”

Ventimiglia’s journey to embrace this character was compounded with personal challenges, including the loss of his Malibu home due to wildfires and relocating to Nashville to work on another film. These life changes coincided with his new role, as he transitioned swiftly from one project to another. “Set-to-set was two weeks,” he reflected, sharing the tight turnaround that marked this period of his life. Although the logistics of moving and settling into a new environment posed difficulties, Ventimiglia viewed the acting process as a welcome distraction.

Interestingly, the actor did not have the opportunity to read Coben’s novel prior to filming. He expressed a preference for focusing on the script at hand, allowing him to tailor his interpretation to the television adaptation. This decision reflected his commitment to telling the right story for the show, even as he recognised that the novel would offer different layers once he had the chance to read it later.

On set, the atmosphere often needed balancing, particularly given the intense nature of the series. Ventimiglia emphasised the importance of camaraderie with his co-stars, noting that moments of levity helped ease the tension inherent in their roles. “It’s fun when you can go from being a fan to being a friend with your co-stars,” he remarked about developing collaborative relationships with Worthington and Lower.

The series culminates in a dramatic finale in which Hayden meets a tragic end. Ventimiglia described this experience as an opportunity to fully immerse himself in the character’s emotional turmoil, aiming to portray a range of poignant sentiments even amidst Hayden’s reprehensible actions. “I wanted the audience to feel sympathetic for what Hayden was experiencing,” he explained. “Even at his darkest, there’s a flicker of humanity that I hoped might resonate with viewers.”

Filming the climactic death scene was particularly intricate, as it required balancing the character’s horrifying deeds with a genuine emotional connection. “It was very delicate,” he recalled, acknowledging the underlying heartbreak in Hayden’s misguided affection for that which he believed was his son.

As Ventimiglia continues to evolve as an actor, his performance in *I Will Find You* demonstrates his willingness to explore complex roles that diverge from his established persona. Through this portrayal, he invites audiences to reconsider their perceptions of him as an actor and to engage with the narrative on multiple levels.

*I Will Find You* is now available for streaming on Netflix, offering viewers a nuanced portrayal of dark themes embedded within a suspenseful storyline.