ManhuntStars Share HowThe SimpsonsandSouth ParkPlayed a Surprising Role in the Lincoln Assassination Show

Mar. 15, 2025

Vivien Killilea/Getty

Adult cartoons played a surprisingly significant role behind the scenes on the set ofManhunt,which followsthe search for John Wilkes Booth in the wake of PresidentAbraham Lincoln’s assassination.

“My first introduction to him was through an episode ofThe Simpsons,” Boyle, 29, admitted. “There’s an episode where Bart is playing John Wilkes Booth and he shoots Milhouse as Abraham Lincoln, and he says, ‘Hasta la vista, Abey,’ which I thought was really funny.”

Accordingly, “I based my whole character onBart Simpson,” theMasters of the Airstar jested. “I used to tell Will [Harrison] before each scene, ‘Eat my shorts.’  ‘Ay, caramba,’ I tried to get in there. There was a lot of that sort of stuff going on. I don’t know if it’s in the final picture.”

The father of four believes actors actually have more fun working on a drama than they do a comedy.

“I think most of the time you’ll find that when you’re making a comedy, people are miserable,” Linklater said. “And when you’re making a drama, people tell a lot of jokes and you have a pretty good time, especially when you’re wearing the kind of outfits we were wearing.”

Boyle jokingly added ofManhunt, “It’s a laugh a minute.”

In actuality, the historical drama filmed on plantations in Savannah, Georgia, where Boyle said he could feel the racial history. “It was quite intense,” he said. “It wasn’t like we were in a studio. We were where this s— happened, and it was a very dark period in your country’s history. It was so divisive at that time that it was hard not to feel it on set.”

Still, working alongsideDaisy Jones & The Sixactor Harrison, 27, andVeepalumMatt Walshmade the experience a career highlight for Boyle.

“I’ve been a fan of Matt for years through his comedy work,” the Irish actor said. “And then working with him on a serious role, I was just so bowled over and really loved it and learned a lot from him.”

Boyle called Harrison “the best actor I’ve ever worked with.”

“I built up such an amazing rapport with him,” he continued. “Will is a phenomenal talent. That feels like a ‘pinch me’ moment for me, getting to work with great artists.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

source: people.com