Less than four years after his multiseason arc as wealthy charmer Logan Huntzberger on "Gilmore Girls," the 33-year-old actor has moved on to something decidedly more grown-up: "The Good Wife." As the young, ambitious lawyer Cary Agos—ousted from the law firm Stern, Lockhart & Gardner and playing a pivotal role in the state's attorney's office—Czuchry is finding out, along with viewers, that there's more to his character than meets the eye. "What I discovered that's been surprising to me is his vulnerability when he gets fired" at the end of Season 1, the actor says. "That was the first time that he truly really failed at anything." Much like his own journey as an actor, Czuchry says, "We see him grow up."
On the Case
Czuchry's résumé may not be as robust as those of some of his peers, but his thoughtfulness and keen eye have afforded him several career pinnacles. "I've always been selective through the audition process, going after stuff that, if I knew I didn't get it, I would be heartbroken. That was the benchmark," he explains. "It's why I became an actor in the first place."
He landed "Young Americans" in 2000, following his move west to Los Angeles after graduating from college. The series didn't last past eight episodes, but the show would be Czuchry's first foray into the uncertain world of television. "You're not sure what's going to stick, so you just go into it with the amount of preparation and dedication that you have," he says. "Thankfully, I've been fortunate enough to have been on a couple shows that have resonated with people."
A few years later, the New Hampshire native found himself in a recurring role on the drama "Hack," but it wasn't just another rung on the ladder for him. He still finds the experience meaningful, because he worked with seasoned actors David Morse and Andre Braugher. "You want to be like them as an actor and as a person," Czuchry says. "They're family people, they have an incredible perspective on the business as a craft, and they came to work every single day prepared and loving what they were doing."
The sci-fi series "Jake 2.0" was a minor blip on Czuchry's radar, but it ended up being a wake-up call for him. Going into it, he fully expected to be a large factor in the series, but, he says, the creative team had difficulty finding suitable arcs, ultimately deciding to drop his character after the pilot. The actor kept busy with small film roles and the occasional guest spot on TV.
Then, in 2004, he scored a role on "Gilmore Girls," as a spoiled brat who was a thorn in Rory's (Alexis Bledel) side but would become one of her last loves. For three seasons, his character divided fans, not because they disliked Czuchry's portrayal but because of his character's unrelentingly immature ways. He points out that "Gilmore Girls" was a milestone in his career. "There really was a before and after in a lot of ways," he says. "It takes a bunch of small breakouts to have a big breakout. Before that show, I really didn't know what the hell I was doing; and after, I knew a little bit more of what I was doing."
Soon after the series ended, Czuchry was in Texas filming "Friday Night Lights"—a show he had been a fan of since its beginning—as Chris Kennedy, a Christian radio host. During its first season, "I was writing text messages to my friend saying, 'I want to be on this show. I love this show,' " the actor recalls. In the middle of the second season, while Czuchry was appearing at Los Angeles' Geffen Playhouse in Wendy Wasserstein's "Third," the role of Chris was offered to him. Czuchry would also star in 2009's big-screen adaptation of the book "I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell."
Czuchry took the role on "The Good Wife" because of the show's pedigree (creators Robert and Michelle King) and a strong ensemble cast led by Julianna Margulies. "You have to know who you want to be associated with," he says. "Trying to guess what audiences are going to think, that will just lead to unhappiness." To prepare for the role, Czuchry and a lawyer friend studied legal cases and the dynamics in various workplaces. "All those elements lined up for something that I wanted to go after and be a part of," he says.
Czuchry is quick to say he's still learning, even though he has amassed a small but loyal following. "I'm always looking at things and seeing how I can improve upon them," he says. "I think it's my responsibility to focus on how I can do better, as opposed to what I've done well."