Adrian Holmes – V Wars

By:  Jamie Steinberg

Q) What are the recent projects that you are working on?

A) I did a Christmas movie called You Light Up My Christmas with Kim Fields. I have a comedy that is on YouTube now called “The Hospital Show” that is quite funny about actors playing doctors. Any time I get the opportunity to make people laugh I jump to it. In December I’m going to do a movie that is a psychological thriller called Chains that I’m excited to jump onto. It’s been quite busy. Also, there is a series called “Sacred Lies.” It’s the second season and it’s on Facebook Watch. It stars Juliette Lewis and it’s such a great, great show. It will be out in early February of next year.

Q) Please tell us the premise for the series “V Wars” premise and character.

A) “V-Wars” is about a guy named Luther Swann (Ian Somerhalder) who is a research scientist and his best friend Michael Fayne. He is basically trying to come up with a vaccine for his friend Michael who has been infected by this virus that is unlike any other. It turns certain people who have a certain gene in their DNA into these vampiric type creatures. So, Luther is determined to find a vaccine to save humanity. My character is a good dude. He’s a helicopter pilot who loves fast cars and is a bit of an adrenaline junky. He loves a good party and a good time. He also gets, unfortunately, infected by this virus and has to come to a decision. He has an inner conflict going on where he is struggling with a decision he has to make whether to take on this new mantle as a vampire or just let himself go. He has no choice because this virus takes on a life of its own and he’s basically along for the ride here. His life gets turned a complete one-eighty from the norm. It’s been a great character to play. A lot of layers, very conflicted. It’s what makes it a lot of fun for an actor.

Q) What did you find challenging about your portrayal?

A) When you have characters that are multi-layered you have to just know how far…because you have to find the truth, in every character, in the reality and playing a vampire…This is the first time I’ve ever played a vampire and a role like this. So, it’s to find the levels. You don’t want it to be cheesy and you don’t want it to be over the top. You want it to be grounded in truth. So, I feel like we captured that. That was something I was conscious of going in – just to make sure it was grounded in truth and reality and not a cheesy, over the top kind of show.

Q) Were you familiar with any of your costars before working with them on the series?

A) I was! There were a few, which is great. There were quite a few actually that were friends of mine and that I had worked with in the past. This is the first time Ian and I worked together, but we had met in Vancouver. We were both on a show called “Smallville,” but not at the same time. Laura Vandervoort is a friend of mine and Kandyse McClure and Greg Bryk…There is such a great cast. It’s a talented group of people and we got to spend quality time together. We all had a blast!

Q) Did Ian offer any tips for playing a vampire?

A) [laughs] That’s a question that a lot of people ask me. He was great because he’s a vampire alumnus from “The Vampire Diaries.” There were moments where he would help guide me a little bit, but I kind of had it because it’s pretty personal – the relationship you have with your character. And I think that I had a pretty good take on him. Therefore, he was like, “You got it, pal. You’re right in the wheelhouse there.” So, that was very comforting for me to get the thumbs up from him and the director, Brad Turner, while we were shooting. But it was nice that if I did have any questions or concerns, he was there to talk to.

Q) How did you shake off a long day of filming?

A) Most of the time I hit the gym and just go for a good workout, listening to my music and kind of losing myself in that. That always helps. Meditating is also very helpful. Just spending a good half hour in meditation. I’ll just sleep as well. A good rest. Sleep is a best friend on set, for sure. Whenever you get the opportunity to rest it’s so important. It really helps getting yourself back to factory settings. Sometimes it’s just getting together with your costars and going for a drink, just hanging out and talking about scenes and the day. Those are a few different ways I like to wind down.

Q) What were some of your most memorable moments from filming or some favorite episodes viewers should look out for?

A) I have this really cool scene in the beginning, I think it was the first or second episode. There are some really cool stunt stuff that I have to do and I really enjoy doing action. There is one scene where I have to pick up this janitor and use him as a shield. I literally lifted him off the ground and I’m using him as a shield while they are shooting at me. That was a cool moment. He has this adrenaline and super strength and he’s a big dude at the same time. I think that there are so many cool moments. One thing I learned that in my older age it’s very important to stretch. I had injured myself quite badly on my right ankle when I was training. It had affected my ability to perform a little bit with the stunts, but fortunately I was able to get back in tip-top shape and get it done. I learned very quickly the value in stretching before you work out and after you work out. That’s something that I do now. Do your stretching, boys and girls! [laughs] The show has so many great moments though that I can’t think of one in particular.

Q) You are a part of social media. Are you looking forward to the instant fan feedback you’ll receive to the series?

A) Absolutely! What I really love about that is the artwork that fans that we have made. They make the most incredible posters and banners on their Instagram and stories that we get to repost. It’s just so amazing the time and effort that they put into making these posters of our characters. It never gets old! I can’t get over it because they look so amazing. I just love to connect with the fans because we wouldn’t be where we are, have the career or the work. It’s them! It’s them who make it work. Hopefully, they will love it and it will be well received and we can get a second season.

Q) What do you think it is about “V-Wars” that will make it a fast fan favorite sci-fi series?

A) Well, the viewers are going to love that it is grounded in reality. It’s not your traditional vampire story where vampires can’t go out during the day and they’re effected by garlic and crosses and things like that. We are a new species of humans. It’s a virus that gets exposed because of the polar caps melting. It talks about global warming issues and just the impact that has. But the vampires are all different types, so depending on the co-factor gene you have in you the virus will react a certain way and create a certain type of creature. That’s what makes it so different from a lot of vampire shows and so unique. It’s got a lot of heart because these people that get infected are just regular people. They are not killers and don’t want to kill. They don’t want to harm anyone, but they are just left with an unfortunate decision to make. It’s either kill or be killed. It’s a sad struggle, but it is part of their new reality. So, I think that the audience will take to that and that element will make it stand out and very attractive to the audience.

Q) Is there anything about your time working on “V Wars” that you want to be sure we share with our readers?

A) Like I said, it’s not just action. It’s got a lot of education. I’d say it’s a very “edu-taining” series. So, the audience is going to learn a lot as they are watching and be entertained and grossed out. Obviously, there is going to be some gore. It is going to be quite graphic in some scenes, but that is what makes it entertaining. We didn’t want to go light in certain areas in order to make it really impactful in that way. Very dark and edgy. I think it is going to really resonate well. I hope it resonates with everybody.

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and the work you do?

A) I just want to say thank you so much! God bless you. I love each and every one of you and I wouldn’t be here without you. I’m so blessed and fortunate to do what I do – to get to play make believe and I’m so grateful for your support. Thanks for enjoying my work and being a part of my journey. Hopefully, we have a lot more to go and a lot more to do. So, thank you all so much.