Josh McDermittEugene, the most famous of many people Walking zombiesis playing a completely different role – as a high-powered lawyer for NBC Suit. In this interview, McDermitt talks about his character’s working method, his beard that grew up during the downtime unexpectedly became a staple for his appearance, and creative choices that helped shape his performance on the show.
McDermitt Brian Greenberg Throw into the end of the scene. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. For the full interview, please watch the video above or check out our YouTube page.
Look at that magnificent beard.
Josh McDermitt: I mean, I’m trying. They did a great job making it look better than it actually is.
My favorite show is that I feel the actors are exploding on the screen and off. I think this is one of them.
Josh McDermitt: Wow. Thanks for saying that, because I feel this way about the original series. You know, at least from my point of view, it’s obvious that you’ll pick it up.
But I thought maybe it was just because I was an actor and I was more like that actor. But you can tell when the actors are not having fun in the show.
Just like you are not happy, then you will not put in the effort you need. But watching the original series, I just thought it looked like a fun show. Like, you know they look happy.
It’s actually very important to me that we have a strong connection in the cast, obviously we put the work first, but we put each other first, not only ourselves, but each other first, because if I focus on you, then I know you’re going to focus on me and we’re just going to get along with others like every man, you know?
But this is a very interesting point you have come up with because this is something I have to work on at least, and I really work hard to achieve it.
I also feel like when a character first appears on the screen, it says a lot about them and your situation is great. You have that long-term shot, stepping out of the elevator, stepping up and confident, and it looks like a million dollars. How important is it to you to get the right moment?
Josh McDermitt: This is very interesting. I spoke with Victoria Mahoney, who directed our pilot, and she said, “What are your favorite suits? What suits do you want to wear? Do you want this to be the suit you wear in court? I say both suits boil down to. Basically, this is the scene I wear on the court and where I take off the elevator in the opening scene.
We talked a lot about openings, wearing my favorite clothes and the most confident actor portraying the character because it’s important… This is the first time you’ve seen a character and this guy has to exude confidence.
The funny thing is, you know, I never really watched the show I was on, like, “Oh, I look cool.” But I did it in that moment. I was like, “Oh man, I look cool.” That’s great.
And you’ve picked up two things, like I have weird fragile ideas, but that’s because you’re an actor.
When it comes to suits, are they just perfect? Are you ready to go when you put on one?
Josh McDermitt: You know, as an actor, some people would say, “Oh, once I put on my shoes, I play the role,” or whatever. But for me, it’s the whole suit.
I’ll go sit down and then they go put on the microphone and they’ll hold my jacket until everything is done and they won’t give me my jacket. I just feel like I don’t feel like myself until the jacket continues and finishes the look. I mean, yes, it feels good. They are tailor-made for us.
Whenever I see your character, you look completely different. Is this something you love to do to help you play this role? I mean, in fact, most actors go from part to part, and they look exactly the same.
Josh McDermitt: I tried to look different as much as possible. Not every character will let you do this. Because, maybe there is a time issue, or if I shoot something at the same time, I’m shooting something else.
But I definitely want to…see we wear masks, do you know? I love wearing masks and some people look like themselves. I love being able to take off my mask at the end of the day and work in my business, not necessarily worrying about always playing character.
I look like I have a beard now, and I can’t really take it off at home. But when the character is finished, it takes off the mask and I might cut my beard and we’ll go from there. But yes, I’m trying to look as different as possible.
At the end of some scenes on the show, like one or two assistants, you and your scene companion are kind of like throwing away something really interesting. Is it written, or is it giving you room to end the scene?
Josh McDermitt: Yes, we try to do the scene a few times. Then they let us play a little bit.
That’s where I think you guys have a great time, because the final hat of the scene is a nice little button.
Josh McDermitt: I mean, you get it. You want to make sure you end in the same tone. Sometimes I make a mistake and just throw away something interesting, but they never use it because it doesn’t fit where they want the scene to end. Like suddenly, I was going back with some weird improvisation line.
But working with Bryan Greenberg, who is a very interesting comedian and improvised. But we also have writers on site, and if he throws away something or I do, the writer will say “Oh, that’s funny, and that makes me think of that.”
It’s just a collaborative thing, it’s fun to find something and build something. But we threw away 100 things and then they might keep one of them.
At the end of the season, are you going to shave and regenerate it?
Josh McDermitt: Unfortunately, it won’t be that fast. I will keep it.
