Saved By The Bell star unrecognisable as 'sick and twisted' kidnapper in drama

16 December 2023 , 16:58

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Mark-Paul Gosselaar looks totally different in Found

Saved By The Bell star Mark-Paul Gosselaar is totally unrecognisable in his latest acting role.

The beloved star of the iconic show takes on the part of a "grotesque" kidnapper in his new drama series and it's a far cry from his days as loveable Zack Morris. Mark-Paul, 49, has left Bayside High well behind him to embark on his part in NBC series Found which sees him play a kidnapper named Sir who is being help captive by a woman he previously abducted when she was a child.

The show debuted in October and sees Mark-Paul showing off a new look with dark brown hair and a thick grey tinged beard - a far cry from his days as the floppy blonde haired teen heartthrob. Talking about the new role he described Sir as a "disgusting, grotesque...a really despicable character".

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Mark-Paul is a far cry from his Saved By The Bell days in the drama (NBC)

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However, he did have an unexpected reply when asked by ComicBook if it's the darkest character he has ever played. He said: "I think it belongs to Zack Morris." He then went on to label Zack a "master manipulator" who took part in some "nefarious activities."

He added: "I think I was bred to play roles like Sir just because I started my career playing one of the most nefarious characters on television." He did however confirm thinking that Sir is a "sick and twisted" character and that he was actually partly based on notorious killer Ted Bundy.

Found showrunner and creator Nkechi Carroll told the actor to study Bundy to prepare for his role. Bundy infamously kidnapped, murdered and raped dozens of women in the 1970s, in preparation for the role.

Fans were more used to Mark-Paul's floppy blonde hair (NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)

Mark-Paul explained: “He was very charismatic, he was very disarming, not what you would think as someone who would typically do something like what he did." Meanwhile he revealed that while the plot to Found sees kidnap victim Gabi Mosely operating her own firm to help trace missing persons.

But the character - played by Shameless star Shanola Hampton - is hiding her former kidnapper in her basement and uses his expertise to solve her cases.

Found follows kidnapping survivor Gabi Mosely as she runs a private firm helping to locate missing persons. But Gabi, played by Shameless star Shanola Hampton, is keeping a secret. Mark-Paul admitted that even though the roles have been reversed Sir is still pulling all the strings. He said: "I never feel like Sir is not in control, I've played it that way."

Ayeesha Walsh