Anne Heche on Portraying a Deputy Director of Defense Intelligence in "The Brave"

Anne Heche joins the Neil Haley Show to discuss her powerful role as Patricia Campbell, Deputy Director of Defense Intelligence for the United States, in NBC's action drama "The Brave," describing the intensive preparation required to portray such a high-ranking official. Heche explains that her character runs an Omega team—special forces units composed of Delta, SEAL, and CIA operatives—and must make life-and-death decisions that impact operations taking place 5,000 miles away while holding what she describes as an encyclopedia of knowledge about pain and darkness in the world. The show takes viewers to 13 different countries over 13 episodes, exploring how these elite teams work together across international boundaries to combat threats and maintain global peace.The actress reveals that her research included speaking with Pentagon officials who worked alongside Condoleezza Rice, and when she asked if there was anything to smile about in such a position, the answer was simply "no." However, Heche emphasizes that Patricia Campbell is not defined by darkness but rather by hope and the desire to solve the world's problems to create peace. She discusses how the role has changed her perspective on current events and news consumption, noting that someone she met at the Pentagon laughed at her for believing what she read in the New York Times, leading her to search for information in different places and recognize that what the public is told isn't always what's actually happening. Heche stresses the importance of telling stories about military personnel who sacrifice their lives daily, arguing that these teams operating in 136 countries deserve recognition for their service above self.