Alex Collins – DC’s Stargirl

By starrymag | October 26, 2021

By: Atiya Irvin-Mitchell

 

 

 

Q) What appealed to you about being a part of “Stargirl?”

 

A) Who doesn’t want to play a superhero? I think growing up in England I was first attracted to the “big” action productions I saw on TV, like “A-Team,” “Knight Rider” and things like that. I loved watching cartoons. Later, I enjoyed seeing superheroes in movies on the big screen.

On a more personal level, I wasn’t familiar with the “Stargirl” story until the show began filming season one in Atlanta and I’d auditioned for the show.  Reading a story about the touching nature of the character of Courtney Whitmore to the creator, Geoff Johns, struck me and I felt like it would be something I’d like to be involved with.  Fortunately, I’ve been able to join the family-like atmosphere of the show and interact with so many wonderful people.

 

Q) What are some of the things you did to get into character?

 

A) Thankfully, my first day on the lot I met with Geoff, and he asked me what I needed. I asked for as many of the previous scripts as he was willing to give me, so I could catch up and know exactly where my character was in relation to everything else happening. Geoff actually got really excited, had me sit at his desk and showed me the first scene of season two-keep in mind this is months before the show premiered for season two. But it allowed me to really understand the headspace that Charles McNider would be in after what happened to his daughter.

The same day I had my initial meeting for the super suit and who can’t just feel amazing when you put on the costume, the boots and the cape.  That really helps.

For the character himself, I tried to tap into his career, his profession, what happened to him that resulted in blindness and how calm he remained, how balanced and measured, always seeking to find reason in his responses, always seeking to see both sides of every debate.

 

Q) How does “Stargirl” compare to some of the darker projects like “Lovecraft County” you’ve been a part of?

 

A) Thankfully, I’ve been fortunate to be a part of several wonderful projects during my career, and “Lovecraft Country” was no exception. I’ve worked with HBO more than once and worked with Showrunner Misha Green more than once. The cast was insanely talented, the sets immense, and the commitment obvious from top to bottom.

“Stargirl” is the warmest, most loving, most friendly set I’ve ever worked on.  The attitude begins with Geoff, but continues with Brec [Bassinger] (Stargirl), Luke [Wilson] (Pat), Amy [Smart] (Barbara) and on down. Everyone treated me as though I had been there since the very first day and it felt like I was returning home.

 

Q) There’s a lot of speculation about it, so what can you tell us about Dr. Mid-Nite’s relationship with The Shade?

 

A) Are they friends? Enemies? Frenemies? It’s really tough to tell. The relationship is complex and probably has three sides to it-Dr. MidNite’s, Shade’s and the truth is probably somewhere in the middle.

What we know is that there is more than meets the eye and, like so many things in “Stargirl,” you have to dig a little deeper to really get at the heart of things.  Nothing is as it seems.  The same can very much be said about the relationship between these two characters.

On a humorous personal note, Jonathan Cake (Shade) and I are both avid English Premier League (EPL) soccer fans and we both support rival teams with a rivalry that extends back to the 19th century.  We had some chats about that on set and continue to tease each other to this day.  For the record, COYS! He’ll know what that means.

 

Q) It was revealed that Eclipso killed Charles McNider’s daughter Rebecca. Will we see any more of what the aftermath of that loss was like for him and the rest of his family?

 

A) Everything that Charles McNider does from the moment of Rebecca’s death is a struggle. A struggle between right and wrong, moral and just versus what feels good for personal revenge. Striking the balance is at the heart of everything McNider does and I think we’ll see just how conflicted he is and how important the very notion of family becomes.

 

Q) Beth Chapel developed a close relationship with Chuck, the AI in Dr. Mid-Nite’s goggles. What insight can you offer into what sort of dynamic the not-so-dead Charles McNider might have with Beth?

 

A) There’s very much a paternal relationship between characters and their younger versions, none more so than with Beth (Anjelika Washington) and Chuck, especially because of all of the things that Beth has been through with her relationship with her parents, the normal struggles that any teenager has to endure, plus the truly horrible encounters with Eclipso.

Even though Beth and Chuck haven’t had any direct interactions, the AI has served as sort of a surrogate, offering Beth answers where she often doesn’t get any from her parental figures.

 

Q) If it won’t spoil too much, what are some of your favorite moments of season two?

 

A) Episode 211 was really special to work on and I think the audience is going to really love it. Many of my favorite moments happened between shooting scenes, working with wonderful craftspeople in front of and behind the camera. Simple conversations with Amy about her family, sushi with Anjelika, and most regrettably getting my rear end kicked by Brec at chess…every…single…time.  She’s very good.

 

Q) Do you feel you have anything in common with Charles McNider?

 

A) Charles McNider has a servant’s heart, and I can relate in that I coach and mentor people and have for many years and hope that I can be of service to them and help them grow in their career pursuits and as people. Being of service and really asking “what can I give” to any interaction as opposed to what can I get really helps set me up for success in life and I think Dr. McNider would be proud of me for striving. I don’t always succeed, but I work at it.

 

Q) What did you personally take away from your time working on “Stargirl?”

 

A) That it is possible to dream big, be welcomed with open arms into a big role on a big show, to deliver the goods when called upon and even after twelve or fourteen hours or more, to still go home with a smile on your face, excited to return the next day.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. What kind of fan response did you receive to your time on the show?

 

A) So far, it’s been great. The fans are so knowledgeable and have so many questions and it’s really fun to interact, to hear some of their theories and to see their passion, even through a screen, and knowing that there are so many stories left to tell that the fans will love.

 

Q) What are the other recent projects you have been busy working on?

 

A) Like with a lot of film and TV projects, there’s things I can’t talk about. But I can say that for people who love “Stargirl,” if they haven’t seen “Lovecraft Country” yet, to go back and check it out. It has a comic book feel to each episode, it has wonderful throwbacks to big, popular movies of the 80’s, it’s got some serious villains and twists and turns galore.  It’s not for the younger kids out there, so viewer discretion advised, but it will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat.

For folks who’d like to see me in a more wholesome project, they can catch me in the first episode of “Genius: Aretha on NatGeo,” playing Rick Hall, a famous music producer who worked with Aretha Franklin during the early part of her career.