Sean Patrick Flanery’s portrayal of a teenaged Indiana Jones over three decades ago remains a vivid memory. Growing up in Texas and studying acting at the University of St. Thomas, Flanery moved to Los Angeles in 1991 with aspirations of breaking into film and television. When auditions for The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles arose, he had minimal professional acting experience, recalling only a few commercials and minor roles on the Disney Channel’s Mickey Mouse Club. The opportunity to audition for George Lucas for such a prominent role was a surreal experience. Flanery was already a fan of the original film, having been captivated by its groundbreaking opening in Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark, which he described as the first time a film made him feel physically anxious. The idea of embodying a younger version of Harrison Ford’s iconic character seemed improbable, and Flanery admits this lack of pressure allowed him to be more relaxed during the audition process.
The prospect of stepping into Harrison Ford’s iconic shoes was daunting for Flanery. He views Ford as one of the last true movie stars, comparable to legends like Montgomery Clift, James Dean, or Steve McQueen. The improbability of a relatively unknown actor from Texas being cast as a younger Indiana Jones meant Flanery felt “zero nerves” during his audition. This unexpected lack of pressure, he believes, was ultimately beneficial, allowing him to deliver a more authentic performance. In contrast, he notes that he has felt nervous about every acting role since.
Young Indy with fellow spies in Spain.Flanery (center) as young Indy in “Espionage Escapades” alongside co-stars Terry Jones as Marcello and Timothy Spall as Cunningham.
Even after securing the role of the adolescent Indy, Flanery harbored skepticism. He continued working as a waiter at TGI Friday’s, anticipating that the production team would realize his lack of experience and replace him. It wasn’t until two days before his flight to London that he quit his job, still hesitant to fully embrace the opportunity. The experience of filming the series would take Flanery to over a dozen countries, a significant journey for someone who had previously only traveled as far as Mexico. George Lucas envisioned Young Indy as an ambitious project to inspire historical and cultural learning, and Flanery found himself deeply immersed in the educational aspect of the production.
Flanery explained that George Lucas intended to use the fictional character of Indiana Jones as a narrative thread to explore historical events. He felt that each episode of Young Indy served as an intensive history lesson, broadening his understanding of the world. He eagerly absorbed any background information provided, becoming particularly interested in topics like the Suffragette movement and the Bolshevik uprising. This period of intense learning, he states, was akin to receiving 20 years of education packed into the years they filmed the series, a fact for which he remains deeply grateful. His preparation for the role also included extensive training in London before shooting commenced. He underwent costume fittings, received language instruction, and participated in stunt training. Vic Armstrong, who had been Harrison Ford’s stunt double, taught Flanery how to ride a horse, and Simon Crane, a notable stunt coordinator, was also part of the team.
Filming for Young Indy began in the spring of 1991 in England. Flanery appeared in the episode “London, 1916,” where his character falls in love with a Suffragette played by Elizabeth Hurley. He also shared scenes with esteemed actresses Vanessa Redgrave and Margaret Tyzack. The production then moved to Almeria, Spain, which served as the backdrop for an adventure in Mexico involving the revolutionary Pancho Villa. During the filming of this episode, Flanery experienced a minor accident while riding a horse named Hurricane, which had previously been ridden by Harrison Ford. A misstep by the horse led to Flanery being thrown but landing safely on his feet. Throughout the series’ production, Flanery demonstrated a commitment to performing his own stunts, a testament to his athleticism and dedication.
Young Indy leads a charge in Africa.Flanery as young Indy leading a charge of soldiers in “Oganga, The Giver and Taker of Life.”
While George Lucas provided oversight from California, producer Rick McCallum managed the day-to-day production, which involved an initial shooting schedule of approximately 50 weeks. Flanery highlighted McCallum’s constant presence on set and his integral role in assembling the talented team that brought the series to life. He recognized the exceptional skills of everyone involved, stating that McCallum surrounded him with an “all-star squad” that supported him throughout the demanding production. The cast of Young Indy was largely in flux, with actors coming and going between episodes. Flanery found himself forming close bonds with the crew, especially given their shared experience of being in foreign countries where he often didn’t speak the language. This camaraderie created a unique, isolated environment, akin to a traveling circus, where mutual reliance was essential.
The episode “Oganga, The Giver and Taker of Life” depicted an adventure in Africa during World War I, requiring the production team to navigate the challenging landscape of southeastern Kenya. Flanery described their daily commute as taking canoes down the Tana River to reach the set, a journey fraught with the potential danger of hippos and crocodiles. He recalled one particularly harrowing day when a vessel carrying cast members capsized during a take. The sudden commotion caused the crocodiles lining the shore to enter the water, creating a moment of intense fear for those involved. Fortunately, everyone managed to reach shore safely, with Flanery assisting his castmates. He also developed friendships with local Kenyan cast members, sharing cultural exchanges such as teaching them hacky sack and exchanging music CDs for handcrafted items. These interactions provided him with invaluable insights into different cultures and worldviews.
Indy and Albert Schweitzer at his African hospital.Flanery as young Indy opposite Friedrich von Thun as Dr. Albert Schweitzer in “Oganga, The Giver and Taker of Life.”
Flanery’s most nerve-wracking stunt occurred in Prague, Czechoslovakia, where a significant portion of Young Indy was filmed. While hanging from a harness 13 floors up on a spiral staircase, he was required to let go of a thin cable. Despite assurances that the cable was tested and would support his weight, the sheer thickness of the cable made him apprehensive. He acknowledged the crew’s expertise, stating, “They were very good at their jobs!” During another period in Prague, George Lucas visited the production, and Flanery described him as a “wonderful father-figure,” expressing his appreciation for Lucas’s kindness and enthusiasm for the series.
Flanery’s five-year tenure on Young Indiana Jones significantly shaped his career, opening numerous doors for future opportunities. He credits the association with George Lucas for securing him auditions, acknowledging that the series served as his unique entry into the industry. As a fan of Raiders of the Lost Ark, he felt honored to embody the character of Indiana Jones in any capacity. The experience also provided him with an invaluable introduction to the technical aspects of filmmaking, exceeding his expectations of film school. He learned practical skills such as loading camera magazines, understanding different camera models, lens types, lighting techniques, and audio equipment. This hands-on experience proved instrumental in his subsequent work, including his recent film Nefarious (2023), where he reunited with actor Robert Peters, whom he had met during the filming of the Young Indy episode “Hollywood Follies.”
With Young Indiana Jones now available on Disney+, Flanery is eager to share the series with his children, many of whom have yet to see it. He anticipates rewatching the episodes with them, acknowledging that he rarely saw them during their original run due to his filming commitments abroad. Flanery believes the series will resonate with a new generation due to its focus on old-school, character-driven, and historically accurate storytelling. He looks forward to seeing how the show holds up and is excited for its renewed accessibility.
Indy and Remy in the South Pacific.Flanery as young Indy alongside series regular Ronny Coutteure, who played the jovial Belgian Remy Baudouin.
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Lucas O. Seastrom is a writer and historian at Lucasfilm.
