David Ajala – Supergirl

By starrymag | October 28, 2018

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

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

A) “Nightflyers” and “Supergirl” have mainly been what I’ve been working on.

Q) How was your character Manchester Black on “Supergirl” originally described to you?

A) I spoke with the showrunners of “Supergirl,” which are Robert [Bernstein] and Jessica [Queller], and they just basically described to me a character or person that I may have met. Their description of the character felt like a very real person and, of course, it takes a lot of elements from the comic books. In essence, what they described was a guy with a good heart who is just the victim of circumstances and we see how these circumstances affect him and how he tries to protect his moral compass.

Q) Was there anything you added to Manchester that wasn’t initially scripted for you?

A) I suppose when Robert and Jessica were describing the character what was really, really important to them was just that this character felt real. He felt like a person… a person who just so happens to have special abilities. So, I think for me going into the role, I just really tried to keep it as simple as possible and as human as possible. So, I just embraced the mindset of a guy who has the best of intentions. He’s trying to make the world a better place. I literally just started from a very simple mantra like that and I just kind of worked my way through it. I think Manchester Black’s journey throughout “Supergirl” will be trying to protect his moral compass.

Q) What was it like for you to join such a tight-knit already established cast?

A) I tell you what, I know David Harewood and he’s been in it since the beginning. I worked with him on previous series in the UK called “Beowulf.” So, that was really cool to be working alongside a familiar face. He’s someone I really admire as a person and as an actor. Aside from David (but also including David), the cast has just been so awesome, kind, welcoming, friendly and fun to work with. I’ve been having a lot of fun with a lot of the cast on set. They have been fantastic.

Q) Was there anyone you were looking forward to working with when you joined the cast?

A) I was looking forward to working with everyone because it seemed everyone had a good vibe and were a really talented bunch. As the episodes unfold, I work a lot more with Melissa. What’s really fun is how Manchester Black and Supergirl (Melissa Benoist) interact and the journey that they share. To do that was really, really cool and getting to work with Melissa was really, really fun. She was really up for trying things and I’d like to think that we really pushed each other and we’re still pushing each other, which is what you want as an actor.

Q) Did you need to do any prep work in order to get into character?

A) Oh yes. [laughs] Oh yes! And I’m really happy that I started prep work. I was working on “Nightflyers” and wrapped in June. Then, I had like four weeks off. I was just going to take some time out to do some other things. I love going to the theater, watching plays, swimming, relaxing and hanging out with friends and family. But when Robert and Jessica called me for this character, it sounded really, really cool. So, once I go the role they told me I would be doing a lot of stunt work. I knew I’d be doing a bit, but I didn’t think it would be a crazy amount, so I thought I’d prepare anyway. So, as soon as I signed on I began to collaborate with my personal trainer. We were just boxing, weight training and core work. I’m so happy that I put in the work because right on my first episode I’ve had stunts. In fact, I’ve done stunts in all four of the episodes I’ve shot so far.

Q) What have been some of your most memorable moments from filming “Supergirl?”

A) There are a few, but I don’t want to spoil anything! [laughs] Manchester Black’s introduction episode was a lot of fun. It’s always a lot of fun when you get to play a character that can break the rules and right from the off he arrived, and he started to break the rules. There is no warm up with Manchester Black. When you meet him at the train station, where the train is static, you meet but the train station is already in motion, so you have to jump on. I’ll tell you what, there is a stunt sequence…[laughs] And I’m grinning as I’m talking about it…There is a stunt sequence where you think Manchester Black has arrived, but he arrives again. It’s like he makes another entrance in another episode. I’ll just say that. It’s very cool.

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

A) [laughs] I don’t know. I’ll be looking forward to it if fans of the show enjoy the character, enjoy his story and if they have interesting questions. I’ll always have an ear for that. Let’s just hope that they can connect with the character. I hope so. Once I’ve kind of done my work, I have no control over it. It’s there for anyone to watch and have whatever opinion they want, but I’ve had a great time so far.

Q) We’re also seeing you on “Nightflyers.” What is the premise for this series?

A) It’s set in the future, the year 2093. It’s about a group of scientists who blast off into space to try and make contact with an alien who they regard as a celestial being. Earth is in such a bad state that it’s becoming uninhabitable and if these scientists, along with a telepath, can make contact with this alien being then hopefully they will be able to gleam some information that will allow them to save Earth. That’s the premise and the journey; however, they are slightly anxious about way lays ahead for them. What makes them more anxious and scared is what is on the ship. I think once that is revealed you’ll see that no one expects to deal with what is on the ship.

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

A) It was getting called to do some science fiction. Also, having George R.R. Martin attached and it being his original source material. I’m a fan of “Game of Thrones” and just being able to work on something that George has created was instantly very appealing to me. And just the enthusiasm of the team. They had so much enthusiasm when I spoke to them about the role and the project that it really won me over.

Q) What did you find challenging about portraying Roy Eris?

A) I think one of the most challenging things was because Captain Roy Eris is a hologram. He appears to his crew as a hologram. Unknown to viewers (but they’ll start to understand), he’s had little and limited contact with human beings. So, when we meet him it’s almost like appearing as a hologram allows him to keep a bit of a distance, so he doesn’t appear as vulnerable. Because he’s a hologram that means me, as the actor, has no physical interaction or connection with physical objects. That was a really weird experience. So, for example, if I’m playing a scene I had a really weird impulse in character to reach out and hold someone’s hand I was denied that possibility since as a hologram I couldn’t do that. It was a really weird thing to kind of overcame, but once I became at ease with it (which was quite early on fortunately) it just became part of the character’s internal struggle and battles.

Q) You have been a part of a number of blockbuster films like Fast & Furious and Jupiter Ascending. What have been some of your favorite projects to work on?

A) Fast & Furious was so much fun because it was a huge franchise that’s been running for many, many years and there is such a great energy on set when you work on these movies. Jupiter Ascending was fantastic because getting to work with the Wachowskis…They are artists and they have fascinating minds. Again, their passion and enthusiasm were infectious on set. I fondly remember working on The Dark Knight with Christopher Nolan and Heath Ledger. There is one scene that I appear in during the movie and, fortunately, it’s with Heath as The Joker. I just remember how special it was on set when Heath was doing his takes. I just remember the atmosphere and just being very aware. And it wasn’t just me being aware that this guy was creating something very special no one has seen before and it was an absolute pleasure to be in his presence and see him creating something so special. I’ll never forget it. What an awesome, awesome guy. Absolute class on and off set.

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

A) That’s even super sweet to hear that! I would say for those of you out there who watch what I do and support what I do, I hope in one way or another it inspires you to pursue your dreams because that’s one thing that I did. And I’m thankful for it. I think if anyone watches me on TV or in a movie I want them to know that I was someone who is blessed to be in this position not because I’m the best, but because I never quit. It’s not about being perfect. I think we all have the potential to be great, but I think perseverance and hard work should never be underestimated. Also, I’d like to say never wear black shoes with white socks. [laughs]