La Brea

By starrymag | November 15, 2022

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

JOSH MCKENZIE

 

Q) Going into Season 2, were you looking forward to sharing more scenes with someone(s) in particular?

A) Rohan [Mirchandaney] and I always have a lot of fun with our scenes, and there’s a trust and comfortability between us on set, so was looking forward to more of that. But I was made aware going into the new season that Lucas was going to have more to do with Veronica (Lily Santiago). She and I got along really well in Season One (regardless of the fact that I think we shot only a handful of scenes together), so I was very excited by the prospect of working with her more. Lily is such a talented actor and gives me so much to work with. And after working with Karina Logue (Marybeth) in season one, who is just such a wonderful actress and a joy to work with, I felt very lucky to then be able to play with another great actress in season two.

Q) What episodes were the most memorable for you to film or maybe challenged you the most?

A) Certainly, the final episode of Season 1 – the scene where Lucas’ mom dies in his arms was a really sensitive thing to shoot. On paper the scene ended when she passes away, but for me (and Lucas) it felt like that was when the scene started…Fortunately, director Adam Davidson gave me the freedom to explore what comes after the moment she slips away, keeping the cameras rolling and letting me be in that moment. Consequently, what we see in the final cut is exactly that.

Q) What do you think it is about “La Brea” that continues to make it such a fan favorite show?

A) It’s pace and its fearlessness to do anything and everything. Even with the four extra episodes this season, the writers were still able to pack each episode with endless adventures, twists, revelations, creatures and drama. There is absolutely no holding back for fear of exhausting ideas – and I think people really respond to that. I know for a fact that by the end of this season, fans will have their minds blown about where this series is willing to go and I’m here for it.

 

 

ROHAN MIRCHANDEY

 

Q) Going into Season 2, were you looking forward to sharing more scenes with someone(s) in particular?

A) Going into season two I was looking forward to sharing more scenes with Josh McKenzie who plays Lucas Hayes. Our characters Scott and Lucas developed a very interesting unlikely friendship that organically grew from quite a contentious place. They butted heads very early on in Season One and looked like they were to become enemies. They had huge glaring differences in their behavior towards others, their outlook on their situation and approach to life. Coming from extremely different backgrounds Scott and Lucas both seemingly had nothing in common with each other and probably would never have crossed paths in the real world. Throughout the adventures these characters find themselves in, they get to learn more about each other, see each other’s value and find out they work better together than just alone. Over time both these characters come out of their shells to share more about themselves and develop a solid trust and deep respect for one another. Scott and Lucas really see each other and develop a strong understanding that goes beyond words. Josh is generous to work with and very focused on elevating the material we have. We love discovering moments in the text and opportunities for connection. Our shared enthusiasm for the work really shines through & doesn’t make it seem like work at all.

Another person I was looking to share more scenes with in Season Two was Jon Seda, who plays Sam Velez. On a project like “La Brea,” we are extremely lucky to have someone as talented and respected as Jon join the cast. As this was my first American series regular role, I was new to many elements of production on such a huge scale. Jon has been a great role model in how he treats everyone, his super professional attitude throughout the long shooting schedule and his down-to-earth relatability. He always creates a great collaborative working environment for people to do their best work and has always been very supportive of the newcomers to the American film industry like me. I’m inspired by Jon’s work ethic and kindness and have learned a lot from having him around. Scott is one of the few characters in “La Brea” that didn’t fall down the sinkhole with a family member or a loved one. Dr. Sam plays somewhat of a paternal figure in Scott’s journey giving him perspective, guidance and wisdom. Can’t wait to see how these characters continue to relate to each other and the story continues.

Q) What episodes were the most memorable for you to film or maybe challenged you the most?

A) The episodes where I did my own stunts were challenging and rewarding, episodes 5, 7 and 10. I surprised myself with the stamina I had to last every take. This season Scott becomes a bit more physical in how he approaches situations, a slight shift from his usual cerebral approach we’ve come to know him for in season one. Meeting the mysterious character Taamet (Martin Sensmeier) gave Scott a serious arc in which he overcomes more of his fears to protect his friends and loved ones. Working with Martin Sensmeier was an absolute joy. He makes strong choices, commits one hundred percent and was a great action scene partner. You can tell that he’s incredibly natural and a pro and we developed a real trust and friendship. Survival is a key theme of “La Brea” and we find in season two that Scott really develops those instincts and grows a confidence while overcoming several near-death experiences.

In the final two episodes of the season we meet a new character that Scott interacts with quite a bit. This new dynamic is something I’m excited to see continue in season three. Working with the new actor has been really refreshing and a huge shift from anything Scott has experienced in the show so far. I’m excited for audiences to see our chemistry and potential for new story. The scenes I shot for the last few episodes 13 and 14 have been some of the most memorable of the show for me in terms of character connection. Another unlikely friendship has a potential of forming, one that I hope audiences will really enjoy.

Q) What do you think it is about “La Brea” that continues to make it such a fan favorite show?

A) I think “La Brea” continues to be a fan favorite show because the concept is just so fun and exciting. Time travelling sinkholes that can pop up at any time! What’s not to love? Being an action sci-fi adventure we really get to throw our characters in some really wild situations. The mysteries are everywhere and every time we come close to solving a puzzle, we find that the mysteries go even deeper. When we discover a new group in the world, we are forced to open our minds to a much larger story being told that our characters have fallen into. I love to try and pick what is going to happen next in film and TV shows, especially in the suspense and mystery genre and I love how “La Brea” is able to stay ahead of the audience in terms of expectations, story threads and character developments. Being a fan of the show helps. I’m extremely curious about the great lore of the story & also speculate some of my own insane theories to try and understand the larger picture. I think the unique characters really shine through and audiences love to see the cool various creatures we come across in 10,000 BC. The show doesn’t take itself too seriously also which helps. I love stories about time-travel and how time is a big part of the storytelling. I think audiences also love the different rules of time travel and how the show explores them, too.

 

 

LILY SANTIAGO

 

Q) Going into Season 2, were you looking forward to sharing more scenes with someone(s) in particular?

A) We have a powerhouse of a cast, so I was eager to be in scenes with literally everyone. In Season One, I spent the majority of my time with the incredible Chloe De Los Santos, getting to explore our traumatic and complex power struggle of a sisterhood. So, for Season two, I was certainly looking forward to sharing scenes with Michelle Vergara Moore, who plays the grown-up “Lilly,” because I was excited to see how the dynamic of their relationship shifted and the new challenges they would have to face together. Altogether, Season Two provided a great opportunity for my character to start interacting with everyone more openly, and I couldn’t wait to see how new friendships developed with “Veronica” amongst all the survivors.

Q) What episodes were the most memorable for you to film or maybe challenged you the most?

A) I’d say the whole first half of the season was challenging for me because Veronica is going through so many shifts. The backstory I was given and the details I had imagined for myself in Season One allowed me to feel very confident in portraying Veronica as a mysterious, secretive, turmoiled survivor. But in Season Two she is allowing herself to explore breaking free from her past, which I initially wasn’t sure how to navigate. It was interesting incorporating my own discomfort with the unknown into the character, because she herself doesn’t know how to exist in this new way. And then the second half of the season, it was so fun to finally embrace it all and just hop on for the wild ride!

Q) What do you think it is about “La Brea” that continues to make it such a fan favorite show?

A) I believe the endless life-or-death stakes, the unanswered mysteries, and the hope for resolution have consistently kept this show exciting. This season we’ve also really been able to dive deeper into so many relationships, so there’s an opportunity for a better understanding of each character.

 

 

MICHELLE VERGARA MOORE

 

Q) Going into Season 2, were you looking forward to sharing more scenes with someone(s) in particular?

A) Yes – Lily Santiago, who plays my character’s sister Veronica is such an exceptional actor. I thought Lily’s work in the first season of “La Brea” was a stand-out and I was very much looking forward to work with her and explore more of our characters’ complex relationship with each other. During the filming of Season Two, we worked together really well and also had a lot of fun together on our shoot days, which is always a bonus! I also enjoyed the screen-time I shared with Jon Seda, who plays Dr. Sam Velez – Jon and I are old mates, but we’ve never worked together; Jon’s body of work is so impressive, I’m glad I had a chance to work alongside him in the show.

Q) What episodes were the most memorable for you to film or maybe challenged you the most?

A) Episode 1 of the second season was personally very memorable to film, as my character, Ella, was re-entering the world of 10,000 BC and faced lots of physical and emotional challenges on her journey of reuniting with her sister, Veronica. I relished doing a bit of action-adventure and working with CGI during that episode, as I’d never yet had the opportunity to do those types of genres before in my career. Also, Episode 12 was particularly emotionally challenging to film – my character’s involved in a real turning point that affects the whole trajectory of the world of “La Brea.”

Q) What do you think it is about “La Brea” that continues to make it such a fan favorite show?

A) I think “La Brea” is a fan favorite show to watch because of its unpredictability – one is not ever a hundred percent sure what to expect from episode to episode and it keeps the audience on their toes! Also, the characters and their dynamic interactions with each other, as well as the challenges they face in the world of 10,000 BC are compelling and complex.