Eagle-eyed fans of The Night Agent may have noticed Peter Sutherland’s neck scar and a mysterious tattoo that stretches down to his lower back. These aren’t makeup effects – they’re real features of actor Gabriel Basso, who brings the character to life. Here’s a deeper look into the meaning behind Basso’s neck tattoo and how he acquired his distinctive scars.
Gabriel Basso’s Real Tattoos and Scars
The tattoos seen on Peter Sutherland’s neck in The Night Agent are not merely part of the character’s look; they are authentic tattoos that belong to Gabriel Basso himself. The show’s creators chose to incorporate Basso’s real tattoos, as they aligned well with the tone and vibe of the series.
In an interview with Mystery and Suspense, Basso shared his connection to his character’s physicality, saying, “What helped is that I have been hit in real life, so I know what it’s like. The tattoos are real; the scars are real. I am real. I did all the fighting and most of the other stuff—except where insurance thought it too risky, so the stunt coordinator would do it.” His dedication to the craft of acting is evident, and Basso’s commitment to performing his own stunts, where safe, stands out.
His neck tattoo, which has been visible on his Instagram since at least March 2021, is not just a random design but has a deeper cultural significance.
The Meaning of Gabriel Basso’s Neck Tattoo
Basso’s neck tattoo is written in Ogham, an ancient Celtic script used in early medieval Ireland. Often referred to as “Celtic tree script,” each letter in Ogham corresponds to a tree. The tattoo on Basso’s neck is an example of this intricate writing system, with the inscription appearing bottom to top. However, reading the tattoo as it’s written spells “rehto,” which does not translate to anything meaningful in English or Irish.
It’s possible that Basso intended the tattoo to be read top to bottom, in which case it would spell “other.” This is particularly intriguing given the placement of the scar at the top of the tattoo, possibly obscuring another letter. Some have speculated that Basso may have meant to have the word “mother” inscribed in Ogham, though this remains unconfirmed.
How Gabriel Basso Acquired His Scar
Basso has had the neck scar since at least November 2021, a few months before the filming of The Night Agent season one. While the actor has not detailed the exact cause of the scar, his adventurous lifestyle likely played a role. Basso is known for engaging in extreme hobbies, including axe throwing, boxing, martial arts, wall-building, skydiving, and mountaineering. His passion for action is not limited to his personal life; he performs many of his own stunts for his roles. For instance, before working with Luciane Buchanan (who plays Rose), Basso insisted they go bungee jumping together to bond. With such a daring lifestyle, it’s surprising that Basso doesn’t have even more scars.
The Disappearing Tattoos in Season Two
In The Night Agent season two, Basso’s tattoos are noticeably absent, but there’s an in-universe explanation for their disappearance. In the second episode of season two, Catherine explains that Peter had to have all of his tattoos removed in Germany before being deployed to Bangkok as a field agent. This change was likely to ensure that agents remain as inconspicuous as possible and avoid being identified by their distinctive tattoos.
To avoid having to use makeup for his tattoos in every scene, Basso’s character Peter is often seen wearing long-sleeved shirts in season two. This decision may also help save makeup artists from the task of applying foundation to Basso’s arms and neck every day.
In the world of The Night Agent, Peter’s tattoos might be gone, but the real-life story behind them, as well as Basso’s commitment to his role, remains a fascinating detail for fans
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