Jonathan Keltz – Reign

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

A) We’re barely over half way through the season of “Reign.” So, that’s the main focus I have going on right now. We shoot twenty-two episode seasons and that’s about nine and a half months. We start the first week in July and then we’ll finish about April 15th for the season. So, that’s definitely the dominating force in my work life right now. I’m also trying to get some behind the camera stuff going on. I have shot a couple of PSA’s and I just shot a PSA for the Canadian Transplant Society. I’m trying to get some other stuff on the go as well. Outside of “Reign” my focus has been doing some directing.

Q) It’s been quite a season so far, but what can you tease is in store for Leith ahead?

A) As we know, everything sort of ended in a dark place last week. This is about avenging the deaths that have happened and bringing those who are guilty to justice. This way this will spiral out of control and take the tensions that have already mounted between the Catholics and the Protestants and go bananas from there. So, this of course effects Greer and Castleroy due to their accidental involvement in the attack and my relationship with Greer. The history that we have is something that is a huge part of the motivation of my character. So, I will be put in a tough spot in upcoming episodes between what is right for the crown and for France and what is right for Greer. How can I appease my friend and king or the woman who is the love of my life?

Q) Along those lines, what can you tease is on the romantic horizon for Leith and Greer?

A) The thing I would say (and you’re asking me and I’m Leith), as far as I’m concerned, there is always the hope and the longing for that to happen. We’ll see in the next number of episodes and see where we are at the end of the season. I would say Leith is operating with hope so let’s have everyone do that as well.

Q) Originally, how was your character described to you?

A) If we look at where we were at the beginning and where we are now, the show has moved at such an unbelievable pace and we have covered so much ground already. I’m very fortunate that my character has had a tremendous arc. When I was first talking to Laurie [McCarthy] and them about Leith, it was sort of just about this upstairs/downstairs servant and upper-class love dynamic. It was exploring what family duty and responsibility and structures and class system of the time can be superseded by feelings of the heart. This was definitely a love story from the get-go. I think that the way that it has evolved has changed so much, but that is still the heart of it. I was supposed to be there just for a couple of episodes and Castleroy was supposed to be like a one episode gag! We both have sort of stuck it out a bit. It is great work and the way we have all fit together has been a nice dynamic. They surprise us just as much as they surprise you. When they brought Yvette, Castleroy’s daughter, into the mix I was convinced what they were setting up was this rhomboid love whatever. They sort of put that to bed and turned it on its head. I’ll be interested in seeing how things turn out.

Q) Was there anything you added to Leith that wasn’t originally scripted for you?

A) I think a lot of it was there and I just sort of brought it up and amplified it. The cheekiness, good heartedness is something. They knew me as an actor and they knew me personally when they brought me in since I had met with them about the show previously. So, I think they were like, “Alright, if we bring Jon in, this is sort of what he’ll bring to the table.” I think the thing that we found was the truth and honor of the character. That’s something we will see in upcoming episodes as well. But no matter what, how strong he feels or how passionate or the position he gets put in he always tries to do the right thing. So, I’d like to think that we have done that together.

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

A) We have a lot of fun! It was definitely fun getting to ride around the woods with Torrance [Coombs]. We had a blast messing about. Some of the cast has pets. Adelaide has a cat that is named Ron and he will come and hang out. She’ll play with him in her trailer and then we’ll go shoot a scene at the castle. It’s hilarious the dynamics that are going on. It’s been a really cool experience because all of the detailing and everything. We just get to tromp around a castle every week. The studio sets are unbelievable. The way they have recreated the details and the painting on the ceiling, I just love getting to hang around the studio. Most people dread having to be on the studio, but it is a fun place to be on this show. We’re lucky that the cast gets along so well so we spend a lot of time together. Anna Popplewell will organize Raptors games outings for us and we’ll hang out and have some dinner parties. It’s a lot of fun!

Q) Talk about Leith’s relationship with Francis. Will they be uniting?

A) I think that we have a very interesting relationship, in a way that is similar to his brotherhood with Bash. Obviously, Leith has a tremendous amount of respect for Francis. I absolutely believe him to be my king and honor that position. Because we have been arm and arm in battle together, there is a depth to that relationship in a way that I can be outside of being just his subject. I can be there for things he can’t tell his subjects and I can be there to put him in his place if he needs to be. That’s sort of the dynamic that we get to play with in this upcoming episode. I think there is such a level of mutual respect and an understanding of what motivates each other. I think there is a very brotherly bond and there will definitely be more of that throughout the season.

Q) What do you think it is about “Reign” that has made it a fast fan favorite show?

A) I think the thing about it is that it is a really fun show. It gets the hooks in quick. The thing I find is a lot of people (and even friends of mine) will watch the first episode and they will get glued. Before they know it, they will have watched five episodes in a row. I think the pace with which it moves and the unbelievable dynamics of the ensemble and the execution adds a lot and brings people in. The speed with which we move along is hard to keep up. I think people have latched on and are getting taken along for the ride. It’s definitely a good Netflix show. I think people are burning through the episodes on Netflix.

Q) You are a part social media. Do you enjoy the instant fan feedback that you receive when episodes premiere?

A) Yeah, there are a lot of mixed views in terms of how social media effects the industry and effects a show like ours. I think it is something you have to be careful with, but I really enjoy being able to connect with the fans and have that interactive experience. It’s something that I love live tweeting the episodes on Thursday nights because it’s like we all get to go to a movie theater and watch the episodes together almost. You get to have that real time feedback from fans and you get to interact and hear what they are thinking. You get to go back and forth, whether it be jokes or revealing something from during the filming or just us getting swept up with everyone. I definitely enjoy the live tweeting and the social media experience. There are some people who bring negative energy to it and I find it best not to engage with them and let that take care of itself. I like to engage with the people who are connecting with the show and relating to the characters and enjoying it. I like hearing what they have to say and hearing what they like about it.

Q) Is there anything else you would like to share with fans about this season?

A) Don’t worry! This is a dark period in France and there is a sun rising. This period of darkness is something that we are in the midst of, but we are fighting through with everything happening on the show. The light will start to peek through soon. So don’t worry!

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

A) I would just like to say thank you so much for the continued support, for the loyalty and for all the kind words that people say. It’s really generous and lovely. I couldn’t be on this ride without you. So, thank you so much for the generosity and support.