Jade Tailor – The Magicians

By: Lisa Steinberg

Q) Viewers of “The Magicians” got hooked on Season One and told a friend over the summer who watched on Netflix.

A) Yeah, it’s been amazing. I’m grateful that Netflix gave us a whole new audience since Syfy is really a nice audience. But it expanded the fanbase to so many more and it’s been quite a dream for many reasons.

Q) The network seems to have embraced the show as well by giving it such diversity. How does being a part of the Syfy network help to push boundaries?

A) It’s been incredible. It’s sort of a niche audience, as I said, but it has been really beautiful that Syfy has been expanding their horizons quite a bit. To be a part of that has been really incredible to witness. I think Sera [Gamble] and John [McNamara] (our Executive Producers) really do push the boundaries and I think that is really beautiful to see them then create that and also to see the fan feedback as far as how that goes as far as the impact. So, it’s bene amazing.

Q) With shows like “Van Helsing” and “Wynonna Earp” on the network there is great female empowerment and diversity. Why do you feel that is important for “The Magicians” to push boundaries during our current political climate?

A) In this day and in age it is imperative! I’m such a women’s advocate in so many ways and for so many reasons. Being that Hillary [Clinton] was so close to winning it really opened the door for women, in particular, to step up and allow themselves to be equals. As much as we’ve come a very long way in history with women’s rights we still have a very long way to go. It’s been really incredible for me to be able to play such a strong powerful woman and to be amongst such strong powerful female characters on the show that four them are really prevalent on the show and to see the fans be so impacted by that and uplifted and feel inspired that they can then be their strong beautiful selves is the greatest gift. To know I’m being impacted in that way…On the show we even talk about choice and giving light to those circumstances that often times TV or film don’t talk about. They avoid those subjects and it is really important to give women such insight and opportunities to learn about what it means to have a choice in this world.

Q) There is this relationship between Kady and Julia who are “best bitches.” How feel about development of their friendship, especially with Kady helping Julia through such a rough patch.

A) They have gone through quite the ringer, those two. It’s been a beautiful development because I think they have bonded over both their adversaries and also the fact that as much as they have people in their lives they really are alone in this world at this time and I think they both saved one another’s lives in some capacity. Kady really feels obligated to Julia (Stella Maeve) because she saved her in many ways. So, their bonds are deeper than that of just a superficial friendship. It is a matter of survival and a matter of really being these two independent women and finally feeling like they have someone on their side. So, it’s a really beautiful relationship and a really powerful one. It is developing and it will continue to do so in many ways. I can’t reveal quite where it goes, but it definitely goes on a rollercoaster ride, especially the next few episodes. For me, it’s just really beautiful to see two women advocating for one another and fighting for one another. I think at first it was about Kady doing what she needed to in order to redeem herself and she felt obligated to Julia because she is going through this horrific rape and then ran away from it. I think though as time progressed she really found this loving bond with her. And it really runs deep.

Q) Will we see new facets to Kady behind her relationship with Julia?

A) Yeah, there is definitely a lot of other stuff that comes into play. I’ll just say that there are two new characters that come in that are significant in everyone’s journey, specifically for Kady and Julia. That is in regard to their mission to get Reynard. So, there is a brand new character. I can tell you the character is played by Chris Gorham, who is amazing. He is wonderful in it and he’s such a different element to the show. So, it was really, really powerful to have him as a part of it. What he brings is really incredible so I can’t wait for everybody to see that. Another character, who I can’t reveal, hasn’t been released yet since it is a really big name. She is one of my idols and I get to play opposite her, which is a life-long gift and dream. It has been incredible so you get to see her and she’ll definitely be in a lot more of Season Three. It definitely changes the dynamic and adds a lot to the relationship Kady has with different characters.

Q) Can you talk a little bit then about what you took from working with her?

A) It would be hard to say it without giving anything away because it is so specific. But I learned as an actor how to listen in other ways and it was just such a gift to be able to…[laughs] I’m trying so hard to tell you without telling you! I wish I could tell you…She is just an incredible person and an incredible actor. It forced me to see acting from a whole different perspective, if you can imagine that. I’ve been doing this since I was nine years old so to change my perspective within my one time of working with her was amazing!

Q) There have been some great transformations this season and the costumes breathe new life into the characters. How do they lend to your performance?

A) That’s a great question because that is one of the biggest aspects for what I brought to Kady this year. At first, they were giving me a new wardrobe and Magali Guadasci who is our wardrobe stylist is incredible. She doesn’t just visually look at a character, but thinks, “What are they going through in this moment? What is the feeling of it?” she really delves deep into all aspects of the character and their journey. So, that really dictates where they are at and what they look like in that moment. So, for me, with the wardrobe I went, “Wow! So, Kady is in a very different place,” because at this time I hadn’t read the scripts yet. I had just seen the wardrobe. So, it was like, “Okay. Where is she at then?” Realizing that she was in such a vulnerable page and the she has such a journey and transformation that she didn’t really care about having to look good or put on her many earrings. That wasn’t a priority. The priority was survival and taking care of Julia and taking care of herself. So, I think the wardrobe really dictated the emotional and mental space that she was in. And I’m seeing that with all the characters. You’re seeing a vast difference from Kady and let’s say Margo and what that looks like, but that also dictates so much about where Margo is at. So, again, Magali is incredible in that sense that she really feels into that character and their mental space and that then dictates and allows the wardrobe unfold, which then supports me in creating where my character is at emotionally and mentally at that time. It’s a huge factor.

Q) Besides costumes change, how does everything level up and raise the bar this season?

A) Everything is heightened this year in so many ways. We go to Fillory and there are talking creatures and elaborate costumes. Everything I think was taken to the next level, even the dynamics of relationships and I think Kady is going to be in an even more heightened space emotionally. I think she is going through so much. I think the writers and creators felt they had a lot more leeway now that they have established the characters. So much expands this season in so many ways.

Q) The show plays a lot with light and dark coloring and the cinematography also makes the setting feel like a character.

A) Our DP Elie Smolkin is just incredible! He’s absolutely just a magical, magical genius. He creates different feelings, moods and different colors for each environment and it is so subtle that it is not noticeable to the eye. And that’s the beauty of what he does. It’s just effortless. For instance, whenever we are in New York it is blue tones. Then, in Fillory he angles the camera in a way that gives it this other worldly feel. So, I really have to give 100% credit to Elie on that because he just really creates visual masterpieces with every shot. Also, with how he sees each world as being so different and creates it so beautifully.

Q) What do you hope fans take away from watching this season of “The Magicians?”

A) That is a good question. I think it gives everyone a little magic in their lives. I’ve seen that it has in so many ways. We get really beautiful messages from fans. We had one recently from a fan who said she was recently diagnosed with MS and that for one hour a week she disconnects, feels pure joy and doesn’t have to think at all about what she is currently going through. So, hearing that is what I hope. I hope that people can feel just pure joy and feel a little bit of magic in their lives and be inspired by the characters and the individuality of those characters and the strong women. Also, I think the show progresses in so many ways so I hope it will allow people to be their authentic selves and that they can be and that it is celebrated.