When creating an unforgettable, chaotic world boyit all starts with the actors. Behind every twisted superhero and missed villain, are the careful eyes of the actor and director Robert Ulrich and Jackie Davies. In this interview, they shared how they helped bring the show’s creepy characters to life.
From their ideas about outstanding self-drawing to the importance of trust in the audition process, Ulrich and Davies offer what they need to (and take) the roles in one of the boldest shows on TV shows. They discuss the actor’s challenge, memorable auditions and what actors can do to stay in the actor’s director’s radar. This interview has been edited in detail. For the full interview, please watch the video above or check out our YouTube page.
Is it hard to find an actor who can play a role that is a little bit and improve but still rooted in the show?
Robert Ulrich: I don’t think that’s difficult because writing is so good, and I think that again makes it very easy because writing is so good.
Jackie Davies: Yes, I think the only comment we usually give is the world enhancement. You can ground. You don’t need to push it. What you say and do may be crazy, but keep it true.
Robert Ulrich: Eric Kripke In terms of performance, tend to be real and very simple.
Jackie Davies: The actors have been playing games. I don’t think someone is too shy when auditioning because they know what they are entering. We try and are very clear and give them all the information they need when joining one of our crazy characters.
Are there any actors who totally surprised you and reshape your original character’s ideas?
Jackie Davies: Our two new series regulars in Season 4, Susan Hayward and Valerie CurryI think both of them have nailed their roles. Susan’s sister Sage is more elusive, and then seeing her embodied at least makes my character clearer.
Robert Ulrich: Yes, I agree.
Jackie Davies: It makes it “Oh, that makes a lot of sense.”
Nathan Mitchell, who was originally black. Did you know he will be a new version of the character?
Jackie Davies: Yes, thanks to our season 3 flashback, your incling is there you’ll see characters in the costume, not Nathan. In a sense, we were like, “We’ve never seen his face. Why don’t we use him?” They were like “There are plans.” Season 4, we kind of knew it was coming, so we were so excited for him.
Can you tell him how happy he is?
Robert Ulrich: No, unfortunately. That’s the resistance to becoming an actor and director, you won’t. The good thing is that you don’t share the sadness when they don’t work, but the bad part is that you don’t usually really share the joy. I mean, in the past when there were face-to-face networks and studio meetings where individuals worked properly, you would occasionally see actors when they found a job. Although that is rare, because it is not usually alerted until later.
Jackie Davies: Shooting in Toronto, we couldn’t see as much of him. I mean, he saw him after getting him in season one, and he happened to be in town.
Robert Ulrich: We have to meet him, he is great.
Jackie Davies: But otherwise, it’s just that we send emails with their agents and they’re like “they’re having a good time”. We would love to hear this when we receive reports like this.
Antony Starr and Jesse Usher both said they thought the initial audition was terrible. They hate them. Obviously, they are not, but what did you see in those auditions that stand out?
Robert Ulrich: Well, as far as Anthony is concerned, I believe he did it from the trailer. He is shooting a movie like an independent film, which is just bad quality, not his audition, but the tape quality is not good. So we have to let him do it again.
And he is very special. But even I don’t know how talented I think he is, how he will develop.
Jackie Davies: Jesse, he’s also making movies. I think he nailed it, but again, I don’t think I’m there, not there, he just wanted to adjust it. I think if he was in the room and not in the city, it would be a done deal.
Robert Ulrich: Because on the pilot, we did all or most indoor auditions, so this is not scaling because it was all before Covid.
Jackie Davies: I don’t think they were in the room with Eric and the team might have made them suspicious. But when we all look at it, we know that we just need to get those right tapes.
With selfies, is it easier for your life now? Or do you prefer the zoom audition where you can actually talk to the actors and re-direct if needed?
Robert Ulrich: I’m very against the whole idea of scaling auditions because for me my favorite part is interacting with the actors. However, what I think the whole zoom situation has been done is to let us see more people and give more people a chance. Because in those days you might bring six to eight, maybe 10 people per character. So you’ll be a little nervous. Now, we will see hundreds of each character.
Jackie Davies: I’m kind of on the same boat. I miss being able to provide guidance, especially when you see the greatness of the tape and the cast. Maybe their point is not complete and depends on turnaround time, like, do we have time to ask them to go back and record? You have to communicate it to the representatives and they have to re-record and then come back to you.
So it’s not only when you’re in the room, “Hey, let’s try again” and then get it right away.
But you do introduce more people. You have time and you can take risks. I think Zoom is a good balance.
I mean, sometimes the technology isn’t perfect, but at least you can meet the cast because that’s the best part and get to know them. The same is true when producers, when they are like, “We are signing all of these people for a year-long contract, we have never seen them in person.” So it trusts it at the end of everyone. But we’ve been there.
What is the trickiest part you are going to play?
Robert Ulrich: Oh, it’s always a tough question. I don’t think this particular show really doesn’t. I mean, if you ask about other shows, I can tell you the trickiest characters, but this is a show, first of all, everyone wants to do it. So we have the luxury of having a lot of great talent because people love this show.
Jackie Davies: I think back to the day, maybe it was French (Tomer Capone) It’s tough because we have to find someone who feels European enough and can do the accent etc. He is perhaps the hardest. But the writing is so good, and honestly, it was fun to watch the audition because everyone was good. This makes our job harder when you have a lot of people, but it’s fun.
I want to go back to Anthony Starr soon. There are some key points on the show, and he said nothing at the time, the camera lingers in his face, and he experiences 8 million emotions in 15 seconds. It’s just that sometimes I just rewind to watch it just because it’s great.
Robert Ulrich: He is so nice.
Jackie Davies: Like every angle on his face, the control he has is amazing.
How long have you known him and his work before he was performed?
Robert Ulrich: rare. Bansheebut I can hardly see it, I think once or twice. So his actor isn’t really on the tape. And he is not necessarily the type of physics we are looking for, but he now conveys this type of physics. But that’s what I know and I don’t think I’ve auditioned for him.
If you guys just love actors completely, how do you advocate that they like Eric Kripke or other performers and put them in their minds?
Robert Ulrich: Fortunately, I’ve worked with Eric for 20 years and I did it supernaturalso there is a shorthand and trust has been established. If I really believe in someone, I’d text Eric and say, “That’s what I think.” Eric is so wonderful and open that he would at least take that into consideration. It may not be what you end up getting, but there is a level of comfort, which usually only comes with time.
Jackie Davies: Yes, it’s definitely trusting and communicating with your producers. Because sometimes they like, “Okay, who do you like the most?” But I think they also know we won’t send them people who we don’t believe in 100%.
Did any of you do this on the show?
Jackie Davies: Oh, I don’t think there is one of this. I feel like everyone we get, everyone knows they are that.
Robert Ulrich: What’s great is that this is great.
Jackie Davies: When clicked, it clicks.
How do actors impress their own self-recording?
Robert Ulrich: I think the only thing actors should prepare for. As long as you can hear and see it, I don’t care about the appearance of the tape at all.
I mean, it’s nice when you get these gorgeous self-images shot in studios and everything, but that doesn’t have any impact on determining who we’re sending. I don’t care where it is.
I know it’s not easy. It’s not easy to audition and have to self-record, you may not have the chance, maybe you are on vacation. You just need to do it when and where.
So I think it’s just a self-post that can be heard and seen, and then they’re ready. That’s what I really want.
Again, because writing is so good, talent almost always rises. We end up looking for people who are just popular, which you can’t describe.
For those who audition for you, how do they keep your radar?
Robert Ulrich: Well, it’s much harder to have no offices now, but I can prove that they are. I get hundreds of emails; my emails have to be posted everywhere.
Jackie Davies: I think when we watch the tape together we also take very good notes. So, even if they are not right, we should quickly pay attention to what we like about them and what they might choose right. So we are following.
Robert Ulrich: Oh, yes. We remember people, but what they can do, it’s hard, I’m not sure.
I subscribe to something new to Seth Colton do, one of the things that digital postcards is because the actors used to send postcards that I look at every week. But I think it is more about our knowledge and memory of people. Like Jackie said, she took incredible notes.
I always tell people that if you send me somewhere, I don’t know the left left, but I remember what someone wears in third grade, so I won’t forget the actors I like.
Jackie Davies: I think we are just trying to be organized in the people we love and keep them in mind.
Sometimes in boywe don’t have the most roles because it’s the season in depth, which is a lot of regularity, so there aren’t many new actors every week.
When the actors like, “Oh, I’ve auditioned for this 10 times, and that’s because we like you.
Jackie Davies: If we keep bringing you back, we won’t do a great job. We believe in your talent.
Robert Ulrich: This is an important thing because I remember we did it CSI Someone came a lot and they were like, “They have to hate me.” He has already 15 times. He booked a big part for the 16th time. The actors and directors bring you back because they like you and trust you. Unlike Jackie said, not only be friendly.
Jackie Davies: We are not wasting your time.
Robert Ulrich: If you come back over and over again, we like you. Then, when the character is right and everything is perfect, you get it.
