Benjamin Bratt Stars as The Cleaner on A&E
Portrayal of an Extreme Drug Interventionist on Cable Television
Sep 2, 2008
Benjamin Bratt stars in The Cleaner, a new drama on A & E about an interventionist who has been in the depths of drug addiction and now makes it his life's mission to reach out and help others. The Cleaner is based on the true story of a real life extreme interventionist. William Banks, played by Benjamin Bratt, is an addict who hits rock bottom and strikes a tentative deal with God. Banks and his unconventional team help people to break away from addictions.
House of Pain
In the September 2 episode, House of Pain, The Cleaner is hired to help an old friend, a principal at a prep school. She is concerned because of the drug related death of student and the apparent addiiction of another teenager. The teenaged addict is a basketball star with potential for a great future.
Banks wants to help the boy, but the intervention team is hindered by lack of consent by the boy's father. When Banks shows the father evidence of the boy's heroin addiction, the father throws him out. The father finally realizes that things are out of control and calls Banks for help, almost too late.
Banks deals with his own ghosts. His teenage son, hurt by his father's neglect while in the grip of addiction, has left home. The separation from the son causes tension between Banks and his wife.
The episode moved along quickly, sometimes shooting from scene to scene too quickly to keep up with. Bratt portrays a man who cares intensely about his work with addicts. In voice over, the viewer hears Banks talking to God in different scenes.
Cast of The Cleaner
- Benjamin Bratt as William Banks. Based on a true life character, Banks struggled with the depths of his addiction. He asked God for a second chance so he could be an avenging angel. Banks struggles with juggling his life's mission and his rocky relationship with his wife and children, who still haven't forgiven him for his absences while in jail and rehab. Benjamin Bratt is an intense actor who portrays a man humbled by his own character flaws.Benjamin Bratt is well known as a detective on "Law and Order." Bratt has most recently been seen in the A & E Miniseries "The Andromeda Strain,"
- Grace Park as Akani Cuesta. Grace is an exotic beauty with a wild side. Park co-stars on "Battlestar Galactica," playing two leading roles.
- Estaban Powell as Arnie Swenton. Team member with a scruffy face and a bad attitude.
- Kevin Michael Richardson as Darnell McDowell. Jovial car salesman who joins the crew as a thank you for the help they gave his brother.
- Amy Price-Francis as Melissa Banks. William's wife keeps the home going and is still dealing with the resentment over William's poor past behavior.
- Brett Delbuono as Ben Banks. The son of William and Melissa Banks, who was forced to be the man of the family too early. Ben is having trouble adjusting to having his father back in the House.
- Liliana Mumy as Lula Banks The 14 year old daughter of William and Melissa Banks.
The Cleaner on A&E
The Cleaner is a dramatic series with an intriguing storyline. The depiction of addiction and the effect that it has on family members seems like a realistic depiction of the devastation that it causes.
The Cleaner airs on A & E Cable Television network on Tuesday nights, 10:00 pm Eastern Time.
Information about the cast is from the official A&E The Cleaner website.
Benjamin Bratt in The Cleaner Season One Finale
The Cleaner returns for season two
