Annie Wersching – The Vampire Diaries

By starrymag | March 12, 2015

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

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

A) We shot “Bosch” all last Fall from August to November. Then, I went and did a few “Castles” and then straight on to “Vampire Dairies,” which I am still in the middle of filming.

Q) How was your character originally described to you on “Bosch?”

A) When you first get an audition, you get a breakdown that sort of describes it. It said she was an ambitious rookie police officer who crosses paths with Harry Bosch and along the way there is some sparks and a connection.

Q) What made you want to be a part of the show?

A) The really neat thing with “Bosch” is that it is based on Michael Connelly’s best selling novels and I think there are nineteen of them. So, it was kind of a cool project because you already knew there was a huge fanbase for this character. That’s not something that always happens in television so that was really intriguing. In the same respect that there were these nineteen novels to pull storylines from was also intriguing because a lot of times in television they start writing, but they don’t necessarily know where they are going with the story. And that can get writers in trouble if they don’t necessarily have it mapped out. That was nice that we knew there was a lot of material to draw from so you knew you would be in good hands as far as the writing. Then, once I read it, it read kind of like a book and had a different pacing than a lot of crime shows. It was slow, methodical, but really drew you in with pacing to it and I was excited to play it. When I was on “24,” I played a law enforcement type, but she was very well trained and had been in it a while. She was at the top of her game while Julia [Brasher] is fresh out of the academy, even though she is older. Even though they are both in law enforcement, they couldn’t be more different.

Q) Did the chemistry between you and the cast come instantly or did you and Titus take some time to bond?

A) We shot the pilot almost nine months before we started the series. That’s really fun, but then you’re really only together for three weeks and then you are waiting until you start the series and get the pickup. Once we started the series it was really fun. Obviously, most of my stuff was with Titus [Welliver]. The show centers around Harry Bosch and the people within in his world. It was just a great group of guys, great character actors. I really felt like I could watch them work and listen to their stories and soak up all their knowledge and years of being on the job.

Q) What do you think it is about the series that has made it a quick fan favorite?

A) I think besides the fact that there already is a huge fanbase (like I said) for the character and I think this is a character that people have been seeing in their mind for the last twenty five years that once they saw it come to life onscreen the majority of the people were very happy with Titus as Bosch. I think the opening titles of it and the vibe to it has a cool old school film noir vibe to it, but is still down, dirty, current and gritty. You see a side of Los Angeles that you don’t normally see in movies. Maybe you see Beverly Hills or Malibu, the glamorous side and “Bosch” looks at those of us who actually live here. When you watch “Bosch,” it’s much more realistic in terms of how LA is shown. Also, I think there is such really cool old school characters, actors that people have  seen for years. I think people are responding to the cast a lot.

Q) Bosch or Bauer?

A) Wow! You are not going to make a girl choose, are you? They are very different. Obviously, I’m forever indebted to “24.” I  was a huge “24” fan before I was even on it so it is hard for me not to immediately say Jack Bauer. I’m currently in the world of “Bosch” so he is a little bit more familiar to me in this time. That one is going to have to remain up in the air…

Q) We are also getting to see you on “Vampire Diaries.” Talk about Lily (Mama Salvatore) interacting with Elena.

A) She has been trapped in this 1903 prison world. I don’t think it is too much a secret to give away that Damon is trying to get her out of there and learn her story. As far as he knew, she died of consumption in 1858 (I think?). So, obviously there is a lot of mystery there. With that, he does find a way to go rescue her and he goes to that prison world. So, at the same time she first sees Damon after all these years she sees Elena. I think that is kind of fun for the fans because Elena is in this bizarre scenario. Even though it is super strange, Elena is meeting her potential mother-in-law for the first time. Of course, as “Vampire Diaries” goes, there are always twists and turns. No character is ever all good or all evil. Mama Salvatore ends up causing a little bit of trouble in the world of our “Vampire Diaries” friends and Elena is included.

Q) What was your reaction to learning you had gotten the part?

A) I was excited! It is a big deal to me to be traveling back and forth to Atlanta because I have two sons and the baby has been traveling with me, but the four year old has been staying in LA because of school. I really wanted to know more about the character before I committed because it is a big deal to travel. One of the producers sent me an email with the plan for this character and this role. The second I read that, I said, “Yep! I’m in!” They just kind of told me their plan for her and her importance to the world of the story. The second I heard that I was really excited.

Q) What is it like working with Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley?

A) It was great! I really only worked with Paul for the first time last week, which is crazy because I am already on my fourth episode. So, that relationship is new, but I feel like I have known Ian forever. He could literally not be a  nicer, kinder, more generous soul. He is just so, so nice! They are all so funny. All the guys! I also recently met Zach [Roerig] and Michael Trevino. It is just so cool! Obviously, they have been together for a long time so they have a ton of inside jokes and they are all just so funny together.

Q) Who are you hoping for more scenes with that you have not worked with much?

A) I have only had one scene with Paul and Caroline was in the very beginning of it ever so briefly, but we didn’t have much of an interaction. I would be excited to have some scenes with her down the road. Mama Salvatore ends up having a pretty interesting connection to someone else in Mystic Falls that is not someone people are expecting. I have already worked with this person a bunch and I really like that storyline as well.

Q) Were you a fan of “The Vampire Diaries” before coming on the show?

A) Obviously, I had heard of it, but I hadn’t been able to see any. I hadn’t seen any before I joined the cast. Then, before I left to Atlanta I watched the first four episodes of Season One. When I’m not working, I’m in the hotel room with my little one year old and I would totally just binge watch it! I’ve already watched the first three seasons. That’s a lot of episodes! I hadn’t seen it before joining the cast, but I’m doing a good job of catching up.

Q) What were some of the most memorable moments from filming?

A) She ends up being a vampire so all of those moments where I got to do vampire stuff for the first time was super exciting and super fun. My first couple days there I got to do the molds for my teeth and the first time Ian vamps me into the wall. And the first time I got to do the veins in the eyes, when a vampire is turning or kind of getting excited. All the first time vampire things I got to do was really exciting. Even just having to give someone some of my blood, to see how they do that with the fake cutting of the hand and a sponge. I like doing all that stuff. Any of the scenes that are the big moments between Mama Salvatore and a character that either thought she was dead or hasn’t seen her in a while have been really fun. There are a lot of them!

Q) What do you think it is about the show that has captured so many viewers?

A) I think it initially comes down to the characters. Everybody has such strong feelings. You’re either Team Stefan or Team Delena. Everybody has a whole love story and relationship. I feel like once the fans are one side they are so hardcore for that couple or those people. I also think it is the writing and the storytelling. Julie Plec and the writers really weave such a wonderful tale and keep you guessing at every corner. So much happens in every episode, which I think is really fun and interesting. Just when you think you have had the big twists in the episodes another thing happens. I think it is the beloved characters that people are connected with and the storytelling.

Q) Are you Team Stefan or Team Damon?

A) They are both my sons so I could never choose…Oh my goodness! I can’t play favorites. Mommy can’t play favorites. I will say I am Team Defan. It’s both my boys together.

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

A) Oh yes! I’m already aware of how hardcore the “TVD” fans are. They are awesome! The “24” fans are awesome and the “Castle” fans of recent have been just super great. So, it is funny to be introduced to a whole new fanbase. And there are a lot of “TVD” fans and they are passionate. So, I’m sure they will tell me all about what they think!

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

A) I would just love to say most people discovered me through “24,” but it has been fun getting to know them and them getting to know me. I’d like to thank everybody for following along and enjoying the goofy behind-the-scenes pictures I post all the time. Thanks for being cool!