Brian Norris joins the cast of The Cleaning Lady in its latest season, bringing a new edge to the hit crime drama. Known for his versatile performances, Norris steps into the role of “Cowboy Hat,” a tough and enigmatic enforcer working for a powerful figure in the criminal underworld. His presence raises the stakes as tensions rise and loyalties are tested. With Norris on board, the new season promises more grit, intensity, and unexpected twists, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats.

Hi Brian! Thanks for joining us. To begin, what was it about The Cleaning Lady that made you say, “Yeah, I want to be part of this”?

Thanks for having me, I really enjoy getting to talk about The Cleaning Lady and all things Cowboy Hat. The first thing that made me want to jump in was the character. He was such a fun mystery on the page. No name, no attachments. But he's dancing around and throwing molotov cocktails? After the first read I wanted to know more and was excited to start filling in the blanks.

How would you describe your character to someone who hasn’t seen the show yet?

Brian Norris: I'd say imagine Matthew McConaughey as a cartel sicario with a kink for violence and Scarface's sense of style and you've got a good sense of what we're playing with.

Is there a scene you filmed that pushed you — emotionally or physically?

Learning how to dance in those amazing turquoise, alligator skin boots was more painful than I expected, but they looked cool that I can't complain. You know what the hardest thing was? The show takes place in Las Vegas, so it's supposed to be hot, but we shoot in New Mexico in the winter when it's below freezing. Pulling that off was a trick every day.

What’s it like being part of a show that mixes crime drama with so much heart and real-life issues?

I had it easy. All of the other characters like Thony and Jorge have emotional attachments that drive them to try and be good. But Cowboy Hat doesn't have any attachments. He's here for a good time, not a long time, you know what I mean? So I got to have fun being the guy who doesn't take things so seriously. I'm just having fun playing the Marlboro Man while they're worried about real life?

Any fun or unexpected moments on set that you’ll never forget?

The best surprise was how much fun everyone has on set. We're a serious show with life or death stakes and important issues, so I thought the vibe on set might match. But no, everyone's laughing. On one of my last days of the season, we were shooting a really upsetting scene, but someone had brought a whoopee cushion to set and spent the day surprising different people. It was great, and definitely unexpected.

Do you see any parts of yourself in your character, or are you total opposites?

When I got the audition, I laughed because I'd never worn a cowboy hat before. But I always start my process with the question "Who is the role when I play it?" So, for me, no hat. If it were me, Cowboy Hat would be a nickname I'd earn being drunk and funny at a bar. So, I built it from that - he's deconstructed the idea of a cowboy and is taking the pieces that bring him joy. So even though we are total opposites on the surface, all of him comes directly from me.

Has working on the show changed how you think about the real-world topics it dives into?

It's made me way more afraid of Vegas Cartels, I'll tell you that! But seriously, I think we need a lot of empathy around issues of immigration, healthcare, and how we treat children in this country. I hope our show helps bring more of that empathy to the conversation.

Without spoiling anything, can you hint at what’s coming up for your character? Maybe just one word?

Boom.

Finally, what's next for you, Brian? Any upcoming projects you'd like to tell us about? 

I just wrapped on the horror feature, The Doppelganger, that should be coming out later this year. I can't wait for folks to see that. I'm also coaching actors at my studio, The Norris Studio, in Los Angeles.

Season 4 of The Cleaning Lady is now on FOX & Hulu.