Alyssa Diaz – The Rookie

By starrymag | October 16, 2018

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

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

A) I just wrapped “Narcos: Mexico” in June and then I hopped over and shot an episode of “Ray Donovan.” I’ve been filming “The Rookie.” It’s been a really busy year!

Q) How was your character Angela Lopez on “The Rookie” originally described to you?

A) Angela Lopez was just described as a training officer who was looking to work her way up and become a detective. She’s really layered. She came from a family of boys and was raised by a single mom in Chicago. She’s trying to make her way through this industry that is predominately men. Eighty percent of the force are men and twenty percent are women. I found that really interesting and I find the fact she is a training officer even more fascinating because when you’re a training officer you’re getting recruits straight out of the academy who have no field experience. So, it’s a lot trickier in terms of not having a shorthand with them and you’re teaching them. It’s a lot of responsibility for the training officer, but also for the rookie because something can go wrong. In the first episode a character basically freaks on a shootout so that’s a big thing, but he’s also the son of the Commander of Internal Affairs. There is a political component to it as well, which I found really interesting.

Q) Was there anything you added to the character that wasn’t in the initial breakdown?

A) I think there is a playfulness to her that I’ve been experimenting with, which is really fun especially on the show because it is a dramedy. So, we do have some comedic elements, which is really nice. It’s a nice thing to have when the stakes are so high – we need to laugh. That’s what the show does beautifully and that’s been a fun thing to experiment with.

Q) John is a rookie on the force, but he’s also a forty-year-old rookie! Did you get much training into being an officer as well as training to teach older rookies on the force?

A) I did some ridealongs with the LAPD and spoke with an officer about working with an older rookie. One of the things she mentioned was that they have good instincts because they have lived life versus working with a millennial, which is completely different. There are a lot of different components involved, but the biggest thing I’ve gotten from these ridealongs was following your instincts as an officer and also being able to have a lot of empathy. One of the sergeants said to me, “If something happens to a woman, what if that’s your mom? What if that’s your sister? What if that’s your cousin?” That’s how I see it – as someone’s family member. So, I want to do everything I can to protect that person.” I found that really moving and so selfless in that way.

Q) Did you have do anything in particular to physically prep for the series?

A) Yeah, we had to do gun training. We learned how to clear rooms. We learned how to arrest people. I do a lot of running and kickboxing to kick down doors and I learned how to walk with a weapon, how to load it and unload it. You have to be alert constantly because any one thing can go wrong so you have to think five steps ahead. That’s another component of being an officer. So, I have so much more respect for what the LAPD does for us. Especially growing up in LA, it gives me a greater understanding of what is involved.

Q) Talk about working with costar Nathan Fillion.

A) Nathan is awesome! He’s super fun. He is fascinated with gadgets, so he always has cool new toys like electric bikes and light sabers. He is just really about having fun and having a good time. He makes sure that everyone on set feels good. So, it’s really nice to go to work in that environment and build a bond. When you are an officer, your partner kind of becomes family. You’re with that person twelve hours a day and it’s the same with being on a television show. We work twelve or sixteen hours a day, so you start to understand this person’s life, dreams, motivations and fears. So, it’s really nice that everyone is on the same page, giving and thoughtful of one another.

Q) Is much room to improv on set?

A) We do play around when the moment calls for it. If it feels right, we definitely go for it.

Q) What were some of your most memorable moments from filming “The Rookie?”

A) I think, for me, it’s been the shoot outs. Even though we have blanks, there is so many things…It’s very technical and being able to act, stay in the moment and be technical with a gun is a challenge, but it also leaves me like, “Wow! This is real life and what so many of these officers have to face.” So, it’s a wakeup call, how precious our life is.

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

A) Yeah! I’m so open and for the most part everyone is so lovely and supportive about it and they are looking forward to the season. So, I hope people enjoy it and also get inspired because I think it’s a great message of someone who is middle aged and wants to make a change and wants to make a difference, go for it and follow their heart despite what other people say. I think that’s a really powerful message for people to do what is right for them no matter what other people do or say like, “Oh, you’re too old” or “Oh, you’re too young!” I don’t believe in any of that. I believe in doing what feels right for you.

Q) You often take on dramatic roles. Is there something about this genre that draws you to it?

A) I think so. I love putting myself in intense worlds and situations and the complexities involved with it. I’m fascinated by it and really kind of diving in deep to these characters is fun for me. It’s just been my path, I guess. [laughs]

Q) How do you shake off such intense characters at the end of the day?

A) Exercise. I go for a run. I think moving my body is a big thing. I take a lot of baths to decompress. [laughs] Yoga is really helpful, breathing, mediation – anything to bring me back to the present moment. And gratitude as well!

Q) What advice would you give to up and coming actors and actresses?

A) I would say to be honest, to be yourself and to really focus on the process versus outcome. For me, that was a big a-ha moment when it became about the work rather than the job. To really learn and become curious, not just be, “I have this part and I’m going to do this…” You want to think how is it going to evolve me as a person? I really think empathy is a powerful tool for people to open up to one another and to create dialogue, conversation and change. I would say just be yourself, be consistent, be patient and trust.

Q) What else do you want to be sure viewers know about “The Rookie?”

A) I think it’s going to be really interesting. I love how we’re shooting it. It’s a lot of handheld steady cam and body cam shots so I think it adds that grit and in the chase kind of field. I’m really proud of it. I’m really proud to showcase LA, the city that I was born and raised in. I hope audiences will enjoy it as well.

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

A) I’m so grateful! I’m beyond appreciative. It means a lot that people care and I feel very humbled by it.