Bob Brzenchek certainly has the professional experience to qualify as a spy. Now, he’s playing one on TV.
An adjunct professor in the Criminal Justice program, Brzenchek traveled to New York City on February 21 to take advantage of a golden opportunity – an offer to appear with Claire Danes in a scene for the Showtime series Homeland. He and the series star character, Carrie Mathison (played by Danes), were filmed in a park near a museum in Brooklyn.
Based on signs that he saw on set, Brzenchek believes that the scene is slated for Season 6 / Episode 12. Homeland is currently in its sixth season, and episode 12, according to the show’s website, is scheduled to air on April 9.
The instructor has always been interested in acting with a preference, of course, for law enforcement shows. His appearance on Homeland, he admits, “sort of fell in my lap” through conversations he was having with friends in New York. While filming Kevin Hart’s new movie Untouchable at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia on February 9, he networked with other “opera goers” – the role for which he was cast in this movie - and learned some of the ropes for landing appearances in Homeland, Law & Order: SVU, Blue Bloods, and others.
“The experience was just amazing,” confesses Brzenchek. “Even now the hair on the back of my neck is standing up -- in a good way. I’m proud and astonished to have had the opportunity.” He also vows to share this experience and life lesson with his students. “I always tell my students to throw your hat in the ring, get immersed in your field. If I can do it, so can you.”
Homeland is the story of CIA officer Carrie Mathison. She is tops in her field despite being bipolar, which makes her volatile and unpredictable. In Season 6, she is working at a foundation whose goal is to provide aid to Muslims living in the United States. The season features a presidential election, and takes place between election day and the inauguration. Episode 12 is titled America First.
Brzenchek has been teaching at Neumann since 2016. He is also the Criminal Justice program manager at Peirce College in Philadelphia and an on-air security analyst for NBC 10. His background includes experience with the Washington, D.C. Police Department and as a United States Navy intelligence specialist.