Dan Amboyer – Younger

By: Lisa Steinberg

Q) Does it feel more like you are playing twins or a split personality?

A) It feels like two different people for me, it really does. Just being put into the different wardrobe because with Thad ninety percent of the time I wore a suit. Then, I’m now in an oversized Cosby sweater and glasses for Chad. So, the wardrobe actually helps. It’s funny because what also made me feel different was that the cast immediately treated me differently, which I thought was fine. It was kind of like they did the work for me because I felt like they responded to me like I was a different person. It was kind of a little easier for me because I just took that on. Thad for me is not close to who I am as a person so it wasn’t like I was playing myself. I was playing an extreme version of a part of myself – maybe. So it’s fun to go in the opposite direction with Chad and explore something very different with him. How often do you get to do that on one TV show?

Q) Was the twist you knew from the start?

A) I had no idea! They like to keep things very secret from all of us. So, with any of the seasons, we have never had any clue what was coming. It was one of those moments that happen and you look back on it months later and go, “Oh! There was a clue.” I think we were filming the first episode of Season Two and one of the producers/writers named Alison [Brown] stopped me in the hallway and said, “Can you believe what is coming for you this year? It’s crazy, right?” I was like, “What are you talking about?” I didn’t think much about it and then the proposal came up. So, I thought that was what she was talking about. It wasn’t until we were filming that episode where I got an email from Darren [Star] asking if we could meet tomorrow for dinner to talk. Getting an email from Darren Star saying, “Let’s talk,” you don’t know what is happening. Either it is going to go really well or it is going to be the worst possible scenario. It was painful because I was actually leaving town for a week so I had to wait a week. Then, he asked me what I thought was going to happen. I remember Sutton [Foster], Molly [Bernard] and I had been sitting around a month before and wondering where this was going. It got worse and worse so we thought something was happening. I was like, “Am I getting hit by a bus? What is going to happen?” He said, “No, but you’re going to get killed in a construction accident.” [laughs] So, that was crazy. He did say at that time that they didn’t want to lose me so they had an idea to write a twin for me. That was pretty special. As an actor, you always just want what is best to serve the story and plot and the best for the show. I understood that Thad had to go, but it was pretty awesome to have Darren say that. He wrote the season finale with Chad so a big thank you to him for coming up with that idea and putting it into action.

Q) Thad had quite an adversarial relationship with Liza.

A) In the very first episode, the pilot, I thought it was interesting because he was the only character who questions Liza. There was a scene in the bar where I’m like, “What year did you graduate? You knew who?” I was kind of a little suspicious of her. So, it was kind of a cool development that by the end of the season it was cat and mouse and caught her. That was an interesting throughline for the character.

Q) Will we learn more about Thad’s relationship with his brother Chad?

A) Yeah, I will say that this past episode there was some big reveals for the backstory. It’s a fun episode for Chad. You’ll get some good little pearls.

Q) Kelsey is harboring this secret that she is glad the wedding didn’t happen. How long do you think she can keep it in?

A) I can’t say exactly, but she definitely has her ups and downs a bit.

Q) How will Thad’s death effect Kelsey’s relationship with Liza?

A) I think you are going to see “the ghost of Thad” will constantly be coming up as something that she has to deal with and the loss that Kelsey has to deal with. You’ll see that and in the season finale of Season Two was Chad having Thad’s laptop.

Q) With TV Land, they allow the show to push boundaries. What do you think it is about the network that makes it so progressive?

A) I think they completely trust Darren. So, I think he kind of changed HBO and how single camera comedies are with “Sex and The City.” When you have someone like that who says he wants to come to TV Land and do a new show for them you have to recognize his history. This man knows what he is doing and we want to give him whatever is appropriate to his needs to do that. I think they are really smart to do that and to reinvent themselves with a new audience. I think what is great about “Younger” because a lot of programming beforehand was appealing to maybe an older demographic. They bring in a whole new youthful demographic to the table, but I don’t think they have alienated an older audience. I think it appeals to all audiences. So, I think it was really smart of the network to kick things off with this show.

Q) Well, through your character Liza and Kelsey have really seemed to bond.

A) It’s really interesting how closely bonded Liza and Kelsey are and how you feel that on screen. With this lie, it’s really interesting. If the secret ever comes out it will be interesting to see how all the relationships will be effected by that. Only time will tell!

Q) You all have these great off camera moments as well and we see a little outtakes shared by the show as well. What have been some of your most memorable moments?

A) I think the most fun we have on set are the group scenes. So rarely all of us are together in one scene. I think some of the most fun we have had were in the first season the “Hot Mitzvah” when it was the very first time most of the cast was together in one scene. We all got to be on set together and have a crazy party. Those are some of my favorite memories. Also, the engagement party when we get to hang out and enjoy each other. There are so many random takes. Actually, at the end of the engagement party when Liza corners me and says she saw the video of me having sex in the bathroom stall there is an explosion of confetti. So, the first time we did it Sutton and I are to maintain contact through the explosion so they explained there would be some confetti. We do the scene and they had used like Super Bowl confetti cannons. They pointed them at us so you would see them on camera. All of a sudden there is this whoosh that you felt in your ears. My fight or flight instinct kicked in and I was like out of there! We were supposed to hold eye contact to have this dramatic ending to the episode and it was hysterical because I just freaked out! I hit the floor. I didn’t know what that was. It was a funny moment for us both on set!

Q) You are a part of social media. Do you enjoy the instant fan feedback you receive to episodes?

A) I think that’s one of the great things about the show. I love how the cast and the network find ways we can involve people who love the show with it and make it a more interactive experience. I think it is great because the wonderful thing about social media is that as an actor you can actually communicate with people. When I was growing up if I was able to tweet to an actor and say I enjoyed their work or had a question…I think that is such a cool thing now. It’s great to have that instant interaction. You feel the love and support from them. I think it has all been pretty positive. I have kind of learned to separate myself from the negativity, but I don’t take it personally because it is not me. It’s the character. I think people have valid points about his mistakes. It is interesting to start a dialogue, for sure.

Q) What have you taken away from working on “Younger?”

A) I think for me the most rewarding thing has been working with a really great team. I have always really loved Darren Star’s stuff and really respected him. I hoped to be a part of something he has done. Honestly, the writers are such hysterical and cool people. Everything that happens on screen is just a reflection of their personalities and sense of humor. We get to portray that! So, there are some really cool people behind the camera. As an actor that has gone show to show, I’ve really found like a family with a lot of the people who work on “Younger.” That’s new for me. I come from theater so you get that a lot more with your cast when you are with them twenty-four hours a day and eight shows a week for months. It kind of naturally happens. For me, this is the first time on a TV show where you really feel that bond and connection with people that continues over the course of years. I think it is special for all those reasons and I’m glad people love the show! It’s great to be on a show that people really enjoy and respond to.