Harvey Guillen – The Magicians

By starrymag | February 14, 2018

By: Lisa Steinberg

 

 

Q) Congratulations on your new FX show! Is there anything you can tell us about it?

A) My friend Mimi Michaels was in town with her husband and newborn and they were getting away from the cyclone that was happening on the West Coast. She came to town and said she was having a wine and cheese night at her brother’s home in Silver Lake, which is not too far away from where I live. Unfortunately, I thought I couldn’t attend because I had already made plans for that evening to hang out with Victoria Justice. I was wrong though, so I called her and said I could attend. I went down to wine and cheese night and it was her, her husband, her newborn, her two brothers, a friend of theirs and her friend Yvonne. We were having a good time and the next morning Yvonne texted me to say she had gotten my number from Mimi. She said, “You’re the funniest person and last night was a hoot.” I told her to keep my number and that we should stay in touch. She wrote me back and said, “Actually, I was writing you because I thought you’d be great for my fiancé’s new show for FX.” I said, “What?!” She said I had to move quickly though because they had been auditioning for the role since November and they needed to find this guy that week. She told me she thought I would be perfect for it. She told me I had to get my agent to call and get me into the casting office. They cast “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air,” “The Office,” “Golden Girls” and Bridesmaids! This casting director does amazing projects! So, I said, “The opportunity to be seen by her is amazing and I’d check in on that.” I spoke to my manager and then within twelve hours of having gotten a text in the morning from Yvonne I had an audition for the next day. I got the material, picked out an outfit for him and made a decision for him to wear glasses. I went in and did it. Once in a while you have these auditions where you are so grounded in the character of who you think he is and you’ve found his niche. Then, you do the audition and you walk away and you just walk out of the room not remembering what you did because you’re so grounded in him that you are completely someone else in there. It’s nice to be able to do that because you’re completely immersed in the character. Within twelve hours of that they called to say I was testing for the role. That means you’re one of their top choices. Over the weekend they decided I was the guy. I was expecting a call from my agent, but I actually got a call from the creators Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi. They said, “You’re the one, mate!” The rest is history.

Q) It’s great to see this season of “The Magicians” how these side character have more fleshed out storylines.

A) It’s so great, and like I previously had said that I love the whole series, but this year is my favorite so far because I got to work with so many great writers and directors this season. Episode 306 is actually my favorite episode this season and I’m just super excited. It was directed by Carol Banker, who is a leading female director in Hollywood, which we need more of. Every time I get directed by a female, ninety-nine percent of the time it ends up being my favorite episode of the season or that series because there is something about being directed by females. For me, personally, I feel like I connect with them more and I’m spoken to and directed in a way…it’s different. Sometimes you get people who have directed big action films and they’ll just say, “That was great Harvey! Do it again.” That’s fine if you don’t need a lot of direction, but I like when someone kind of hones in with you, your character and talks to you about your choices, you get to voice your opinion.

Q) As we explore how to get magic back on “The Magicians,” what can you tease we’ll get to see from your character Benedict this season?

A) I’m really excited that he’s been put up front to help with this quest because we’re on a mission to find the keys and his expertise is needed. From here on, it’s helping navigate through mysterious waters. That becomes integral. I remember shooting the scene where the pirates mention what their ship wants. It’s metaphorical. I saw it as this is a human being who has feelings and a beating heart, literally, in the center of it. The person who speaks for someone else. No one should ever speak for anyone else on their behalf when it comes to that kind of scenario. Everyone’s ship is their own ship and they have control over their own ship and should decide where that ship is steered. The idea that it is happening today is so topical. Why do we have a room full of white males telling a female what she should do with her body? That sounds like a made up story, but’s not. It’s not a TV episode. It’s life!

Q) This season has left us awestruck by everyone, but especially Summer Bishil’s performances.

A) I don’t want to play favorites, but I’ve said this in an interview before, Summer is my favorite. In real life, she’s nothing like Margo. She is not Queen Margo. That’s not Summer. Summer is the kindest and sweetest – not to say that Queen Margo is not! Summer is an actress though and a great one at that. We’ll be doing scenes and Riz [Manji] and I will look at each other and say to her, “You killed the scene!” It just gets better and better. I’m a big fan of Summer Bishil and she knows that.

Q) There have been such touching moments between Margo and Eliot. This is her love, her best friend and her life. She’s having to send him out on this quest where she can’t help him or protect him.

A) She has to be tough. And that’s a misconception that strong, powerful women have to be tough. They will say, “She’s a bitch.” Why is it when a woman is strong and powerful she’s a bitch, but when a man does it he’s just a good leader? It always blows my mind. The way that Summer plays Margo is so incredible where you see that softness because we as the audience gets to see it when she drops her guard. She has a kingdom to rule so when she drops her guard and is being honest with someone you see that humanity and endearing trait that she has. It makes her human. It doesn’t just make her a leader and a queen. She’s human at the end of the day and she really does care for them if she’s connected with them.

Q) The entire cast of characters have so many layers and different dimensions to them as we continue to dive more into their stories.

A) Especially Benedict, they introduced him last season where he is very matter-of-fact and all he knows is cartographical elements and what not. We see him as this one-sided character, but is he? He starts getting asked questions this season and Benedict will answer them and you as the audience will say, “WOW! I didn’t even know that was your background and that’s how you ended up being who you are.” Things that have happened in your life make you who you are so we will see his backstory. I can’t wait for everyone to see it.

Q) We’ve had a number of great Buffy references already this season. What has stood out for you this season with the writing?

A) Like I said, the writers are so incredible. I got to spend more time with them the last season. Going into the writer’s room and playing four-square with them, I think it’s so fun. You get to go and hang out with these talented writers, but they also get to know your personality and see you in a different light. I think this year they played well for that. They see who is playing the character and then they can write to that. They really do write to your strengths and this year is no exception. I’m always amazed at how quick the writing is. You have to be tuned in every second because you’ll miss something. The snarkiness or set up for the next scene and where it’s going and making it pop relevant while still being in Fillory…It’s so cool to hear pop relevant words.

Q) I like that not every episode is key involved as well. It would make the story go too quickly.

A) You’re right! If it were every episode involving a key it would go just too quickly. It’s like nice taffy that you have to stretch out. You know it is going to be delicious and worth the wait. You don’t mind stretching it too because it’s pretty to look at. I’m super excited for all of it. This is a great season!

Q) We got to see you last season working with Arjun [Gupta] last season and now on the Muntjac. Hopefully, we’ll get to see you work more with Hale. Is there anyone you have wanted to work with on the show but just haven’t yet?

A) I was just thinking about that the other day! I got to work with Summer and Hale [Appleman]. Already they are my favorites, probably because I work with them. Arjun is always fun because we work together on set. I saw Olivia [Taylor-Dudley] at the wrap party and said, “We haven’t had scenes together! It would be so fun!” Benedict has never crossed paths with Alice. I would love that. I wonder what that interaction would be because Alice is weird in her own way and Alice is definitely seen in a certain light with all she’s been through. So, I wonder what that interaction would be like. It would be great to shoot with Jade [Tailor]. I would like to have a scene with everyone. I guess I’m selfish. [laughs]

Q) Everyone has just leveled up as has the storylines this season. Can you tell us anything about what’s to come?

A) All the actors are amazing. Summer has so much great stuff coming. I love Benedict’s stuff coming up. Sometimes you make assumptions about people and you think that’s all they are – the studious one, the funny one, etc. It’s always great to hear people’s backstories though to see how where they are at.

Q) Can you talk a little about how the wardrobe help sets the tone for your character?

A) Especially for the Royal Court, they are pretty much uniform. It kind of sets the tone and a place where you belong. We talk about that later in the season – what you aspire to be. If you are aspiring to be a police officer or a dentist, it comes with the uniform. Police have to wear the blue uniform and the badge. It’s no different being a part of the Royal Court and we wear our uniforms with pride. No one else is wearing that garment, you are. You achieved that goal of being a part of the Royal Court and here you are. It’s who you are representing and who you are a part of. So, wearing those clothes is an honor. The costume designer is so amazing! Whenever she sees me, she says, “It’s Benedict!” Something about her saying my full name makes me feel like I have put on a shield or coat of arms. Her costumes are so amazing! Benedict has been in the same outfit of all of Season 2. For all of the diehard “The Magicians” fans, during season 2 and season 3 the belt buckle for Benedict has changed. It’s very subtle, but if you look really closely when they go on the Muntjac you’ll see his belt buckle encrusted with the tree. The details are so small, but you’d have to be looking really closely. That’s what makes the designer so amazing! She’s doing it for the person who is stopping frames going, “Wait a minute! Let’s look closely!” If you just look closely, the smallest detail makes a difference. It shows and it comes down to the final product. We’re so lucky and fortunate that Magali [Guidasci] is the costume designer.

Q) Speaking of costumes, Candis Cayne looks absolutely fierce as The Fairy Queen!

A) When we are hanging out in our chairs, her coat that goes over her chair is almost a see through – I don’t even know how to describe the material because it was almost like a piece of art. You can see the coat part hanging on the chair…that alone looked like a piece of art in a museum. I could stare at it for fifteen minutes and contemplate life. Candis has done an amazing job and she’s so friendly. We really haven’t had scenes together, but she has great energy and is lovely.

Q) Is there anything else you can tease about the ripple effects will be from here on out?

A) I’ll say that things are never easy. I will say nothing is what it is seems and nothing is wrapped in a nice bow this whole series. That’s why we love the show. That’s what we love about life. It’s unexpected and we don’t know what is around the corner. It’s such a great season and the fans are going to love it. It’s being called “the best season yet” and I’m so excited for what is to come.