Jade Hassouné – Shadowhunters

By: Lisa Steinberg

Q) What was the original description you were given for Meliorn and what drew you to the role?

A) It’s a dream role that I have always wanted to play. Playing a very elf being has always been a priority on my list so my friends have been laughing, “Of course that’s what you’re playing!” The description was that he had been living for a while and had a very articulate way of speaking. He seemed very thoughtful and wise. He only spoke when he had to and said the right things in the right way. It’s a lot of fun to kind of play around with the truth and it seemed very clear to me who he was in the description. I kind of jumped in and it worked. I was told they were looking for someone very different from me, looks wise.

Q) How long is process for you to get into character?

A) I had to get molds of my ears done and then they designed the ears. They made these plastic ears that are rubbery and it takes about half hour to an hour, which got easier each time. Then, they paint over the material to match my skin. Then, I go to hair and makeup. The whole process is about an hour to get to set. I think Harry’s [Shum] process is a little longer.

Q) What was most challenging aspect of being a part of series or your role?

A) Good question. To me, it was more of an inner challenge where I had to find a confidence and kind of own it. It is a big production so you want to do your best. I wanted to represent the world I grew up with when I read the books. I feel like I really grew as an artist, actor and person because a lot happened in that year. And I’m so glad because this is what I have been asking for in terms of development. It was a struggle of self-confidence. I had to really find it and step up.

Q) How involved were you with the stunt work for the show?

A) There was a room where the cast went to train and my fight scenes are later in the season. So, I got to join in on the fun and tried to keep up with the training because they were on a strict workout. I tried to do that on my own time, while I had the time off. When it comes time for a fight it gets creative and sometimes it goes very fast. My experience was pretty fast. I had to learn it pretty fast and shoot it in two days. There is a great stunt team who is very collaborative and you feel safe. You know what to do. It’s super exciting and a lot of fun. There is big Lord of The Rings type of elf fighting and I can’t wait for people to see it. Building a fight scene is very technical so we have to balance the creativity and the technicality.

Q) What was the most difficult part to film of those action scenes?

A) There were no bruises, thankfully. But it was about keeping timing since it involved more than two people. I can’t wait for everyone to see Meliorn’s powers. I was so excited to see what he could do and I think it is going to be a cool surprise.

Q) What were your thoughts when you found out about his powers?

A) I thought it was going to be epic! I think the writers did such a good job of fleshing him out, what kind of person he is, what he does and what his environment is like. It’s cool! They created a lot of moments of Meliorn that you don’t get to experience in the book. I think they gave him a perfect voice and I really felt it was true to who he is.

Q) How might dynamics shift in the series when Meliorn enters the scene?

A) At first, it is an intimate scene between Isabelle (Emeraude Toubia) and Meliorn. You’ll see them alone and see how they are with each other. Others come in. It does shift things. I don’t want to ruin anything though. It will be cool to see him integrate into the main circle of our favorite characters.

Q) What was a surreal moment for you being a part of the series?

A) It is what I have been dreaming about – my teenage dreams. The whole thing has just been that. It’s just a beautiful production and for a large fanbase to experience it before a project is so strange and magnificent. The whole thing has been a big wave of a dream come true. I’m just trying to stay grounded and present to do it because it seemed so big even before it started. I had to come down before it started because it had to be shot.

Q) What do you hope fans take away from this arc or you have taken away from being a part of the show?

A) I hope that it satisfies their hunger for their world because I know what it is like to be a part of a fandom where you just crave more and more. I’m still following the story. For me to be there and see the people that I love and see what they are up to…Plus, I hope they will feel fulfilled. I hope they also enjoy the new way of telling the story because I think TV is very different. Timelines have to be shifted around. Hopefully, they go along with it and want more because it is a big story and I really, really hope we get to tell it all. It gets epic. I want to do it and have everyone be a part of it. I think we have a great thing going on already with the collective excitement and the family we are creating. I hope we continue in that direction because it is really uplifting.