Harold Perrineau – From

By starrymag | February 20, 2022

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) Please tell us the premise for the new Epix series “From.”

 

A) “From” is the story of a group of people trapped in a town, that once you enter there is no way to leave. They are also being hunted by unknown creatures from the forest that surrounds them.

 

Q) How was Boyd originally described to you?

 

A) He was described simply to me as the sheriff of this town, who is haunted by his recent past.

 

Q) The show reunites you with former “Lost” EP’s Jack Bender and Jeff Pinkner. Is that what drew you to wanting to be a part of the series?

 

A) It really is one of the main reasons that I wanted to do the show. I knew the show was in the horror genre, which is not usually anything I’m interested in doing, but what I did know is that these gentlemen knew how to do a show that’s really about people. A show that is compelling and scary without having overly gratuitous gore.

 

Q) Were you familiar with any of your costars before working with them on “From?”

 

A) I didn’t know anyone personally beforehand but, Eion Bailey and I were in each other’s atmosphere. We came up in the business around the same time and even shared the same amazing agent for a while, Ms. Susan Smith. I’d seen Catalina’s [Sandino Moreno] work and beyond that I didn’t know anyone else in our fantastic cast.

 

Q) What have you found particularly challenging about your portrayal of Boyd?

 

A) One of the things I find most challenging about Boyd is walking around carrying his pain for all those months. I don’t walk around off set as Boyd, but I am always contemplating his pain and keeping it close to the surface so that I can have access to it at all times. That’s quite challenging, especially when my family is around. I never want to burden them with my work.

 

Q) What were some of your favorite episodes to film or even memorable moments from working on the show?

 

A) To be honest, while I would love to tell you that, I’d be giving away things about the show that are better off being discovered form watching the show. Just know that we had a great time in Halifax and the entire cast and crew were a joy to work with. We really had fun in this crazy world we were creating.

 

Q) With such intense storylines, how do you tend to shake off a long day of filming?

 

A) White wine. That’s the simple answer.

 

Q) What do you think it is about “From” that will make it such a fast fan favorite series?

 

A) I think what will make “From” resonate with the fans are the characters. There is someone for everyone to relate to or be scared of or repulsed by or cry for. But it’s a really rich world full of PEOPLE, in a scary situation.

 

Q) Sci-fi has come to be such a nice niche for you. Have you come to prefer that genre over say drama or comedy?

 

A) No, I don’t prefer it over another genre. I love to act. Sci-fi poses really interesting problems because quite often the audience has to really suspend their disbelief and I have to find ways to make sure that they are not even considering that. I have to find ways to be as real as possible. It’s a fun puzzle to solve.

 

Q) I’d be remiss if I didn’t say how incredible it was season after season seeing you on “Claws.” What did you take away from working on such a special series?

 

A) Oh, well thank you for watching, I really appreciate it. What I took away from “Claws” is an AMAZING group of friends that I will be close with forever. I know people say that all the time, but this is a really special group of artists, and we still talk or text every single day. Also, while it was very tricky, the challenge of figuring out how to play Dean Simms was really rewarding. I feel like it expanded me as an actor.

 

Q) Were there any memorable items for you that you took home as a souvenir from your time as Dean?

 

A) Well, I took home an NAACP award. That’s memorable and really special because I am such an advocate for representation. It’s what I’ve fought for my entire career and being able to represent a person living with real learning and processing differences was a real gift.

 

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

 

A) I’ve been working on a piece that I’ve been producing for a few years now called “Slay the Dreamer” partially about the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King. We will hopefully begin shooting that soon. I am also about to begin the next installment of The Best Man. We are reuniting with Malcolm Lee and most of the original cast for a limited series on Peacock.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who are fans and supporters of you and the work you do?

 

 

A) Thanks everybody for years of support and trust. I don’t take lightly how fortunate I am to get to create and share it with so many people. It’s all been quite a ride so let’s keep going with “From.” I think you’re gonna like it.