Judd Lormand – SEAL Team

By: Jamie Steinberg

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

A) To tell you the truth, since I started working on “SEAL Team” it is zero. And that’s because we shoot nine months out of the year and we shoot from like mid-July all the way to the beginning of April. So, what that does is it leaves me three months to fly home, get home to Atlanta, and hang out with my kids, do vacations in Spring and Summer with them. I am not like closed. I guess I’m not against the idea of doing something, but I haven’t pursued doing anything else with the same force that I used to during my breaks because I like to catch up with the kids.

Q) What can you tease is new this season on “SEAL Team” and with Lt. Commander Blackburn?

A) Well, I think we’re going to see even more sides to his job that get a little challenging. In other words, I think the first season they did such a great job of showing the different directions that he’s pulled in during one of the missions that he’s on. Then, in Season 2 even more so. He’d pull the guys aside every now and then and then give them a little wisdom in their ear with a problem they are going through because he’s likely to come from the same situations that they’ve been in. So, I think that we’ve established that and I think in Season 3 we are going to see even more of that. And from what I can tell we’re shooting, so far, I think we’re going to see even more outside-of-the-box challenges come Blackburn’s way that nobody was expecting.

Q) Have you had much of a say in how your character continues to develop?

A) You know, I like to let the writers write and let me interpret what is on the page and do the best I can to tell the stories that they are writing. So, as far as my input, I’m kind of the type to let them see where they go with it. I love our writers to death. It’s very rare that I talk to them about direction because, to tell you the truth, I really just enjoy being a part of telling a story. To me, it doesn’t matter what part that is. If they are writing a great story about what these men and women do then I’m so excited to be a spoke in that wheel. I let the writers do their job and they do a wonderful job.

Q) What keeps challenging you about portraying this role?

A) That’s a great question. First off, the dialogue. [laughs] Our show doesn’t really dumb down. We go full force as far as the jargon goes. If we’re holding a briefing, let’s say, and I’m briefing the team about what’s going on with this mission it’s a challenge every day when I work. The words that they use in their line of work are not words we normally say in our every day world. Number one, I think dialogue is a challenge because it’s almost like a different language. When you’re playing a doctor, it’s a different language they speak when they are working. Number two, I always try to create a reason for the decisions that Blackburn makes. As we get scripts, as the new obstacles hit Blackburn, it’s a challenge for me to figure out the backstory as to why he decides what he decides. Part of it comes from me, personally. I draw from that. But I also try to talk to as many men and women who are currently serving about their day to day challenges. I love to talk to someone who has actually gone through combat and actually has to make decisions because instead of reading the words and just acting something out I try to get as real with it as I can to make sure I know why he is deciding something. I don’t ask the writers. I just research and figure it out myself. So, I think the challenge is that I’m looking forward to for Season 3 is that I do know there are more obstacles for Blackburn that I do my research and make sense out of the decisions he makes.

Q) Was there any kind of new physical prep you had to do in order to be “SEAL Team” ready for this season?

A) [laughs] As the human body ages it is harder to maintain what you did when you were much younger, right? I know a ton of people can sympathize with that. I have the same issues. Pretty much year-round I’m dieting and exercising more than I’ve ever done in my life because as Lt. Commander I’m often in the control room. I’m often in the meeting rooms and those sorts of things, but there is always the chance that Blackburn may be out in the field doing a job with a gun in his hands – doing something in the combat nature. I always want to make sure that if that comes up…We don’t always get a lot of notice on that so you might get a script a week or two in advance of an episode and go, “Oh gosh! I’ve got to get out into the field! I’ve got to put the uniform on and go!” And I always want to be ready to represent the SEALS properly when those scenes come around. So, I just try to exercise and diet all year.

Q) Going into this new season, was there someone(s) you were hoping to work with more?

A) That’s a great question. As Lt. Commander, I spent about half of my shooting time with Toni Trucks and Jessica Pare. Then, the other half I spend with the entire group as we’re going over mission objectives – the game plan type of situation. This season is going to be more of the same. I’ve got some one-on-one stuff coming up with Neil Brown, Jr. and that’s always a blast. Neil and I are great buddies and I’m looking forward to that. I’m friends with everyone on the show, the entire cast. So, any time I can do some one-on-one stuff with those guys and girls I love it. I think if I had to look at my checklist, the only person I haven’t shot one-on-one stuff would be Max [Thieriot] who plays Clay. So, hopefully this season I’ll get to do that because Max and I are great friends. His family and mine know each other so we’re really close. I would love to do some one-on-one stuff with Max.

Q) Who are some of the guest stars we’ll be seeing this season?

A) I don’t know. Jamie McShane, who played a nice role on the series “Bloodline” on Netflix, has come on board to do some guest star work in multiple episodes. I can’t wait to see that on screen because he is a fantastic guy and a wonderful actor to work with.

Q) What are some of your favorite moments from filming the series?

A) Wow. Any time that our dog, whose real name is Dita, is working and has to do one of her tricks where she has to jump into a car window and grab a bad guy or climb up a ladder or sky dive…Any time she is working that is a highlight for me. I’m a tremendous dog lover and that dog is so amazing. Any time we’re all together. Just recently we shot internationally our first few episodes of Season 3. It was something that we hadn’t done yet and we went overseas and shot in Serbia. To hang out with the entire crew and the cast before work and after work at the hotel…We’re all thrown into a foreign environment. That was a tremendous memory that I’ll never forget. Working with everyone when ever we’re all together is great, but in a foreign country that was a new challenge. It was a blast!

Q) You are a part of social media. Do you enjoy the fan feedback you receive to episodes?

A) It’s been incredible! Since we started that’s been one of the best parts of this job. When you get pulled over by someone in the service and they say, “Hey man, I watched the show and I served with (whichever group they served with) and you guys do an incredible job. It’s the most legit military thing I’ve seen.” We hear that all the time. It’s a tremendous…It’s humbling and it’s a compliment at the same time. It’s probably the best part of the job. I’ll fly home to see my kids and I’ll fly through the Atlanta airport. There are always troops going through the airport in uniform to be deployed or coming back. They pull me said and say, “Are you on ‘SEAL Team?’ We love the show!” They’ll start talking and say, “Everything from the weapons to the way you guys move…It’s obvious you guys are working with real military. You do a great job.” I hear it all the time and it never gets old because our goal on the show, top to bottom from the producers all the way down through our cast and crew, is number one to tell the stories that these men and women go through both on the field and at home. Number two, the goal that is there daily (and you can feel it every day at work) is to do it authentically. To get it right. We’re not going to cut corners for the sake of saving time or shooting in a certain way. We try to get it right from the patches on the uniforms, the way someone breaches a building and just the way people are holding weapons. It’s a tremendous compliment when we’re told by the military themselves that we’re doing it right because we are trying so hard to do so.

Q) What do you think it is about the show that has made it such a fan favorite?

A) I think it’s the mixture of two things – the action, the suspense of what a SEAL Team does. In addition, I think it’s the stories that are telling the viewers who these individuals are. I think it’s that perfect hybrid of the personal side of these people and then the incredible action-packed insane job that they do. That and it’s something very relevant in our times, unfortunately.

Q) Is there anything else you want to be sure our readers know about this new season?

A) I just want to say get ready! Buckle up! I know that we’re just a handful of episodes in now shooting. All the scripts so far as just action-packed. I think people are just going to love them. There are new stories coming along that I think are going to catch peoples’ attention. I can say more of what you love on Season 3. Basically, I think you are going to see some differences as well. Like I said, the first few episodes were shot overseas. The little bit of footage that I’ve seen from those episodes is incredible! It looks like nothing else on TV.

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

1. A) Thank you! Thank you for watching. Thank you for all the feedback that we get on social media and in person when we meet people. Thank you so much for watching. And for all of our service members, both active and veterans, who do watch the show thank you not only for watching, but for everything you’ve done for the country. We are doing our best to tell your stories. So, thank you.