Chris Vance – Rizzoli and Isles

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

A) I’m doing a series that will be airing on TNT later this year and I am working on “Rizzoli and Isles.”

Q) We’ll be seeing you on the season premiere of “Rizzoli and Isles,” where you have been playing Jane’s love interest. Did your chemistry with Angie Harmon come naturally or had you known her prior to the show?

A) I did! I didn’t know Angie before the show and the chemistry was evident from day one. We had a great time together and really hit it off. We kind of messed it up on the first day of shooting because we were having a good time laughing. The truth is, we went out for a couple of drinks, sorted out our stuff and then came back strong. We worked really hard on making the relationship between Casey and Jane realistic and enjoyable, maybe even heart warming at times for the audience. It came naturally because we were very good friends. I can’t speak for Angie, but I think that we respect each other as performers and we have a lot of trust and confidence in one another and it make the whole thing really enjoyable.

Q) Was the chemistry the most challenging aspect you found to portraying Casey?

A) I don’t think that was a challenging aspect. I think it came quite naturally. I think the challenge was making the half on, half off part of the relationship believable. I know it was a challenge for the writers and a fun aspect to the Jane and Casey storyline. Making the love and the obvious commitment to each other…navigating the obstacles that came between them was us doing our best to make it believable.

Q) What kind of reception have you gotten from fans? A lot of people wish for Mara and Jane to be together, too.

A) On my end, the reception has been very positive. It’s Angie and Sasha [Alexander]’s show and I just come in as a guest. I love it when they ask me back and, ultimately, it’s up to the production team, TNT, Angie and Sasha to decide what goes on and what is right for their show. I just come in, have fun and do my best. I’ve really enjoyed it!

Q) Is there anything you can tease for fans to expect in the February 25th premiere?

A) I really don’t like to speak for the people. I don’t know how Angie feels about it. Her character is facing a challenge, a crisis. I imagine she will play it with intelligence and heart and I imagine the fans will respond very well because she’s a doll.

Q) Please tell us about the new series you are working on.

A) It is called “The Transporter” and it is based on the movie series. We shot season one and it aired in I think one hundred and thirty countries. We’re in preproduction on season two and it should air on TNT, then Nexflix and some aspect of FOX. I play the lead character in it named Frank Martin, who transports packages in various risqué assignments with various fun obstacles to overcome. It’s a good, straight-down-the-line action romp and a lot of fun. My name was put forward some years ago as the front runner in doing this and it came to me. I thought it would be a lot of fun to do and it was a departure from what I’ve done before. Playing a strong character in an action series I thought would be a challenge, physically and mentally. Doing big action sequences in movies can be quite be slightly different than television. I was up for the challenge and got lucky enough that things went my way. I went through the auditionprocess and I got very lucky and they gave me the part.

Q) As you mentioned, the role was originated by Jason Statham. How do you set yourself a part from his portrayal?

A) I enjoyed the movies long before the television series came to be. So, I was aware of what Jason [Statham] had done. He was very strong and charismatic. When I came to do the part, myself, I tried to put my own take on the character and how that would develop within the medium of television (one I’m sort of very familiar with). I approached the character in my usual way, which is to ask a lot of questions about the character and answer them. I ask the producers and writers their take on things. Then, eventually, I go with my own instinct and give it my best shot.

Q) How did you prepare to handle the stunt work involved with the show?

A) I try to keep reasonably fit and I did some professional sports when I was younger. I worked very closely with the stunt coordinator team and the fight coordinator. They are the best at what they do. I went into the training routine, which was a lot of stretching and a lot of stamina. I think, personally, it was very important for me to do as much as I could because I didn’t want to cheat the fanbase in any sense. If I’m playing Frank Martin and embracing the character, then I should do as much of the physical aspects of the character. I gave it my best shot!

Q) What would you like to say to your fans and supporters?

A) I’m not very good at making shout-outs and stuff. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for watching and sticking with it. I hope you enjoy more!