Joseph Fiennes gets tough in 'FlashForward'

Monica Hesse / Washington Post

After back-to-back leads romancing Cate Blanchett in "Elizabeth" and Gwyneth Paltrow in "Shakespeare in Love," Joseph Fiennes was a shoo-in for A-list Hollywood hunkery.

But the roles that should have launched him instead pigeonholed him: For years, the British actor all but vanished, appearing in a yawning parade of period pieces and one horrendously bad Heather Graham movie ("Killing Me Softly"? Anyone?).

Now Fiennes is back, and playing way out of type. Think: rippling biceps. Think: American accent. Think: gun-toting G-man. In the much-hyped "FlashForward" on ABC, the entire world simultaneously experiences a glimpse six months into the future. Fiennes is the California FBI agent tasked with figuring out how to mess with destiny, save his partner and prevent his wife from having an affair. Welcome to the 21st century, Joe.

How traumatic is it for you to not be wearing tights and poufy britches?

It's very easy. I do miss sliding off the back of a horse, but apart from that, it's all good. It's actually rather wonderful running around, blazing a Glock on my hip.

"FlashForward" is being compared to "Lost." In a smackdown between the two casts, who would win and why?

I've watched "Lost" and loved it, so it's really flattering that someone somewhere made that comparison. But I think it begins and ends with the large cast. There would be no smackdown. I think it would be a meeting of minds.

But there is the long-form, sci-fi mystery connection. How well are plot secrets guarded? Does a scary-looking man deliver your scripts and swear you to secrecy?

There is definitely that burly man -- or woman! -- and I am sworn to secrecy. But there's a riveting map for where it's going, and if you're tuned into the mosaic, all the clues are there.

You relocated to Los Angeles for this series. What's the biggest moment of culture shock so far?

The weather wouldn't exactly be considered a culture shock, but it's great to wake up with a blue sky nine times out of 10. And it's great to be in the megacenter of the industry. When you're in dear old Blighty, you're kind of off the map.

Your big brother, Ralph, is also famous. What's the most awkward experience you've had with a fan confusing the two of you?

Anybody who's seen our work wouldn't -- you couldn't get too much more diametrically opposed. I think I might have had one experience after getting off of an airplane, with one of those sites that tries to slip you up on camera. I think it's called TMZ-something?

TMZ? Had you not heard of TMZ?!

I think it was them. Well, I thought they were very witty, deliberately trying to mix you up. I thought, Oh, how sweet -- adorable people greeting you in the airport.

Flash forward six months in your own life. What are you doing? I read that you and your wife (Swiss model Maria Dolores Dieguez) are expecting a baby ...

I read that, too! Somewhere I supposedly made an announcement about this, but I haven't, and I don't know where it's coming from. It's true I've just been married, though, so flashing forward, I can't wait for a family. I hope that premature announcement eventually turns up.