Liza Weil – How To Get Away With Murder

Q) What are the recent projects you have been busy working on?

A) I’m pretty busy with “How To Get Away With Murder.” Over the summer, I worked on sort of an experimental indie film with a good friend of mine named Noah Buchel and the movie is called The Situation Is Liquid. That was a lot of fun. I’m pretty much super focused on the show right now though.

Q) How was your character Bonnie Winterbottom originally described to you?

A) She was described to me as one of the two associates that works under Annalise Keating. She sort of presents as a warm den mother type who oversees all the goings on with the students. It was pretty clear from the get-go though that there was going to be more than meets the eye with Bonnie, in terms of an edge coming out. There are layers that are going to be peeled away with Bonnie and there is more going on with her that is originally presented.

Q) What made you want to be a part of the show?

A) I’m always down to be a part of anything that is going on in Shondaland. I was lucky enough to be a part of “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Private Practice” and had an arc on “Scandal.” As an actor, it’s always nice to know that you are working for somebody that is going to give you an immense amount of material to work with – Shonda’s shows and our show that is created by Pete Nowalk. It is interesting to be able to play someone that is going up against very extreme circumstances and very high stakes. So, it is very compelling and interesting as an actor to play somebody who is going to have to question everything about themselves and really explore the dark sides of humanity. Going in, I sort of knew it was going to be a big ride and that you were going to be able to do a lot of things and go in all different directions. Nothing is ever off-limits with characters. That’s always very interesting.

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

A) I don’t know. I think I always try to find little beats and moments. We are really, really lucky because our cast is just so incredibly strong. So, as an actor, you can kind of just show up, behave, listen and respond. I think all of us are sort of surprised in ways that we didn’t necessarily expect to come up in the midst of playing a scene. I think that is really typical of how great Pete Nowalk’s writing is. I think the writers pay very close attention when they are watching daily’s that we do that maybe developed into something else and come up later in the series. That is really exciting as an actor, too; to know that you are being watched in that way and that they see things that you may not of known you were doing and then have it turned into really interesting and compelling stories.

Q) We saw in the premiere that Bonnie gives quite a look to Annalise’s husband.

A) There is definitely something going on there. I think that is going to be a really interesting story to watch as that unfolds. I think there are going to be more moments like that where you are sort of left thinking, “That is an interesting beat. I wonder what that is exactly.” The great thing about our show is that all these questions and all these little strange beats that are being set up will be answered. By the end of season one, we are going to find out who the murderers are and we’ll learn a lot more about each character.

Q) There is such great cast chemistry on the show. Was that an instant connection or did it take some time for everyone to bond?

A) I have to say that there was an instant chemistry with everybody. It’s a really amazing cast that Linda Lowy assembled. I think everybody is showing up, bringing their A-game and being fully present with each other. That is really exciting to have happen every day and we’ve had so much fun making these shows. It’s just a lovely place to go everyday. You really feel like you get to go, explore and play with each other in a way that just feels like what acting should be. It’s a really, really lovely environment to be a part of it. I love all these actors so much and I love watching them work, even in scenes that I’m not in. I’m just constantly blown away by all the stuff that they are doing.

Q) You talked a bit about it, but what is it like working with Shonda Rhimes and Peter Nowalk?

A) It is pretty much the best thing ever! She is extraordinary and an extraordinary storyteller. She creates very interesting characters. This is really Pete Nowalk’s baby and brain child. He came up in Shondaland so I think he has it in his bones a bit, but he has his own unique voice that is extraordinary. Pete is also very adept at making people very real and putting them in very intense situations. It’s very exciting, again, to be a part of a show that has such high stakes. I think the thing that is a bit different about it for me is that Bonnie is kind of a watcher and an observer. So, there is a lot of internalized behavior that have been a lot of fun to play.

Q) What have been some of your most memorable moments from filming the show?

A) It’s like every day something happens where I sort of say to myself, “You are a really, really lucky. Remember this always.” It’s just really, really special people. Viola Davis, being able to breathe the air with her and have scenes with her is a pretty remarkable thing. She is one of the most human humans that I have ever come across and that is onscreen and offscreen. It’s just sort of a next level experience. I think the pilot is very memorable for me. I’m from Philadelphia so it was sort of super special for me to go back where I am from and have an experience of this level there. And to go to City Hall and actually be at City Hall – those things are always really extraordinary. The scenes where we are all together are just really, really memorable because there is so much going on and you have just so much to respond to. It’s hard to pick an all time fave because there is still so much coming up that is really exciting to play. Every day, honestly, there is just something really awesome going on.

Q) What do you think it is about “How To Get Away With Murder” that will make it a fast fan favorite?

A) I think it is a show that really has all the elements. At it’s core, the best way to describe it is a murder mystery and that alone is so compelling. You have all these really well drawn out characters that are so diverse and unique. You are putting them in a very intense situation and so you get to sort of watch human beings behave in ways that are questionable and it’s very interesting and compelling to watch a real human drama and struggle. It’s just a very fast paced, exciting show and I think it is going to leave people wanting more all of the time. It’s just very, very high stakes edge of your seat rollercoaster week in and week out.

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is it important to you to interact with fans that way and do you enjoy that instant fan feedback you receive during episodes?

A) I think social media is such a huge part of television now and I joined Twitter after becoming a part of the show. “Scandal” is a very great example as sort of the model of how you can really interact with audiences and sort of feel like there is a community in an interaction between cast members and fans. It was really exciting and it felt really special last week to live tweet. Working in Shondaland also has a really familial feeling. So, it’s really lovely to feel like we’re all sort of in it together. There are so many people who are working so hard to make good television. There is a nice gratification in being able to see the excitement instantly with viewers. I think it is just really lovely to interact with them. We have so much fun making these shows that it is great to see that people are responding.

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

A) Thank you! It’s lovely to feel that type of support. It’s lovely to see people excited about seeing me on a show again. I just hope to continue to be able to do good work. I encourage people to keep watching the show because it is just going to get better and better. I’m grateful!