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‘The Last Ship’ Star Jocko Sims Reveals Real Name, Talks Daunting Doomsday

The Last Ship, a post-apocalyptic series which navigates a daunting thought: what if a virus were weaponized and it obliterated almost all of humanity? Well, luckily this fictitious, but not-too-distant reality has been picked up for a fifth season on TNT and die-hard doomsdayers will be able to find out (hopefully) if the crew on the USS Nathan James can find a cure– and distribute it to those still alive, before it’s too late! Actor Jocko Sims, who plays Lieutenant Carlton Burk on the sci-fi show, goes into depth with Fan Fest News regarding his role on the eerily captivating series.

'The Last Ship' Star Jocko Sims Reveals Real Name, Talks Daunting Doomsday
Photographed by Steven Gerlich at Aesthesia Studios

From playing Lt. Burk, to discussing his upcoming ventures– Jocko was forthcoming with some pretty awesome details– like what his real name is, his post-apocalypse plan in real life, and guest starring on Showtime’s new series I’m Dying Up Here.  

Let’s get to it!

MCKENZIE MORRELL: Thank you for taking the time to answer some questions for Fan Fest News, can you tell us a little bit about The Last Ship and what more we can expect from you and your character in his season?

JOCKO SIMS: The Last Ship is a post-apocalyptic show produced by Michael Bay. It sort of answers the question, “what would the world look like if an airborne virus decimated the majority of the people on the planet?” I play ‘Lieutenant Burk’ in the United States Navy, and we travel the earth saving the world from bad guys. This season, Burk is extremely pissed off. Everybody better watch out.

MM: Which character on The Last Ship would you want to trade places with? What would be the first thing you’d do in his/her shoes?

JS: I would trade places with ‘Wolf,’ played by Bren Forster (assuming that I would be able to acquire the world class martial arts skills that he possesses as well), and I would do an elaborate fight scene with hand-to-hand combat and kill someone with my bare hands.

MM: What is the first thing you would do if the apocalypse actually came about?

JS: Call up my family members to make sure they were somewhere safe.

MM: You recently guest-starred in Showtime’s new series, I’m Dying Up Here.  What was that experience like?

JS: That was my most challenging role yet. I played a former soldier suffering from PTSD. On the show, I had to have an emotional breakdown at my friend’s comedy show at a comedy club. The hardest part of playing such a serious character was playing opposite Erik Griffin, Andrew Santino and Al Madrigal who all play standup comics on the show, and who are three of the funniest people I’ve ever met.

MM: You do a lot of dramatic roles, any plans to take on more comedic or sci-fi related roles?

JS: Someone once told me that once you have sci-fi fans they stick with you for life. I’m beginning to see that having been on The Last Ship for nearly five seasons now. Sci-fi fans are the best, so I definitely want to do more sci-fi. As far as comedy, I just did my first comedy role in a pilot called The Climb for Amazon. I had a blast, and if it gets picked up, I’ll definitely be back to do more episodes.

MM: Name three facts the fans might not know about you?

JS: Well, in today’s world dominated by social media, it’s hard to tell what fans don’t know especially given that I share most parts of my day online. But we’ll try…

1) I love to cook.

2) I love politics.

3) My real name is Jackie. I’m the third generation, as my grandfather and father are Jackie Sims and Jackie Sims, Jr. Legend has it that day I was born, my grandmother nicknamed me “Jocko,” and no one in my entire family still to this day has ever called me “Jackie.” I found out my name was “Jackie” when I was 6 years old in kindergarten.

MM: What’s the last thing you binge-watched on Netflix?

JS: Bruh…OZARK!

MM: You are active on social media. Do you get good feedback from fans watching your work? Any weird interactions?

JS: Yes, I’m very active on social media. Fans are pretty amazing. After my run on Masters of Sex, I had several women offer to fly me out to their hometowns to go on a date. Flattering… But I’m not too keen on meeting strangers via social media, so I kindly declined. But doing a show like Masters of Sex opens up Pandora’s Box!

MM: If you could guest star in any show currently on the air, what would it be?

JS: OZARK! Or House of Cards.

MM: I like to ask all of my interviewee’s an odd, but fun question:  If you were to concoct a donut based on your personality in real life, what kind of donut would it be and what would be on it?

JS: What immediately came to mind is bacon. That is an American staple, so I wouldn’t be surprised if you’ve gotten that answer before. So to throw a splash of uniqueness on it, I’d add some green chilies inspired by my time living in New Mexico while filming the series Crash (green chili donuts do exist), and milk chocolate.  Damn…I’m hungry now.

MM: Any new projects you can discuss?

JS: As I mentioned, look out for the pilot, The Climb on Amazon, it will be available most likely in November, and after you enjoy the rest of season four of The Last Ship, get ready for our fifth season airing next summer or fall. It’ll be our best season yet!

Jocko Sims stars as ‘Lt. Carlton Burk’ in the hit TNT series THE LAST SHIP currently in its fourth season airing Sunday nights.

Twitter: @JockoSims

Instagram: @JockoSims

Facebook: JockoSimsOfficial