Lorenzo James Henrie – Fear The Walking Dead

By starrymag | August 24, 2015

By: Lisa Steinberg

 

Q) Your character’s mother on “Fear The Walking Dead” is played by Elizabeth Rodriguez, who plays a nurse. How does the relationship and her occupation conflict with her being a mom and having direct access to knowing about the outbreak?

A) That’s a good point. You see more from the perspective of her character because she sees things no one else sees so she is more protective over her son. Then, I want to protect my mom, but there is sort of a clash between the two worlds because she knows more than me and I just have to listen to her. I have to really be a son because I don’t know as much as her.

Q) Is your character going to be in denial of the outbreak or will he accept it knowing his mom is a nurse?

A) Christopher is not a character that goes into denial. He’s really has high hopes. He is an innocent sixteen year old kid who is a Sophomore in high school. He wants to see the light at the end and he definitely has high hopes.

Q) He has an extended family with his father remarrying and having other kids. And, as we have mentioned, he also has a mom. How will those dynamics effect his family and what is transpiring with the outbreak?

A) That definitely has a big play in the show because you see two different families trying to become one. You see a kid that doesn’t want to become one with this other family. He resents his father for trying to blend his family together. He doesn’t like these other kids, one is a drug addict and the other is a picture perfect girl who has her whole life planned out ahead of her. So, he doesn’t want to blend with these other kids. You can’t blame him because he represents a lot of kids who are in this situation.

Q) Will the kid be united in this common concern or will they be more at odds because they are from one father, but have different mothers?

A) I think that the common denominator between them is that they all don’t know what is happening and their parents are trying to make this one blended family. So, there is kind of this mutual thing where our parents are trying to make something really uncomfortable into something that is normal. We just kind of have to go with it. As far as maturity level, obviously, there is a difference between Christopher because he is sixteen years old and Alicia (Alycia Debnam-Carey) is a little bit older than him. Then, there is Nick (Frank Dillane) who is this drug addict. So, he’s experienced life a lot different than them and there are different maturity levels between all three of them, but I think with all three of them being under twenty years old is this common denominator.

Q) On a more personal level for Christopher, what is he most concerned about in this situation?

A) I would say he is most concerned about my family. As the outbreak is happening, I want to protect my mom. I have to survive and his concerns are with his family. It’s through this journey that he becomes more charitable towards people he doesn’t know.

Q) The show is this really high octane program. Are there certain scenes you are excited for fans to get to see?

A) Yeah! I can’t reveal a lot of things, but at the end of episode six there is a huge season finale that is going to be epic and exciting. It was crazy to be a part of that scene! In episode one, it is a slower burn, but then there is a great season finale that is epic!

Q) The show has already been picked up for a Season 2 without airing at all! How does that make you feel?

A) It’s crazy! It’s weird.

Q) What separates “Fear The Walking Dead” with “The Walking Dead?”

A) The difference between our show and “The Walking Dead” is taht they have the comic so everything is laid out for them. So, we don’t know what is going to happen, but the writers are very open to talking about character development and character arcs. Especially going into Season 2, they have been very awesome about hearing our input with where we think our characters are going. It’s kind of like a little family we’re creating.

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

A) I would say we shot in San Pedro, this really beautiful place in Los Angeles and we all had an intense crying day with a lot of drama going on. It was really cool after working that all of us went for drinks and food together. We really separated work from real life while creating a bond with our cast. .

Q) Are you looking forward to the fan feedback you will be receiving when the episodes premiere?

A) I’ve already gotten a bunch of feedback from different countries and different fans. I’m very excited to see what they think of the first episode and the series.

Q) The show has a very dominant Latino cast. That’s something we haven’t really seen enough of from high octane shows. How does it feel to be a part of something groundbreaking?

A) I’ve been so blessed to be a part of this cast. It’s packed with people who are amazing like Kim Dickens who is a star and Cliff Curtis who has been in like every movie in the world and is so good! Frank Dillane has been working forever and it’s such an established cast. I’m definitely learning from everyone and taking in their wisdom.

Q) What have you taken away from your experience working and being a part

A) I’ve taken a lot! I guess just from an acting perspective I’ve learned a lot. I’m used to doing movies and the people on this show are veterans. Just to see how they work, on and off set, from scene to scene to see what they do and how they do it has been beneficial to my acting. Also, going into season two, I know to do more.

Q) Were you a fan of the show “The Walking Dead” before being a part of this project?

A) Yeah, I was a fan of “The Walking Dead” for sure. I never watched it though because this is a prequel show that answers questions to the mother-ship and I didn’t want to know the world I was getting myself into. So, I was a fan in the sense that I respect “The Walking Dead,” but I didn’t dive into it like most people do.

Q) Are there similarities between you and Christopher?

A) Definitely! I would say Chris is a kid who is trying to become his own man. It’s hard not to relate to a kid who is trying to be his own man and find himself in this world. I think this character is very relatable. He’s young so he is very moldable. It reminds me a lot of myself.

A) Is there anything else you want us to be sure we share with fans?

A) I would say in regards to “The Walking Dead,” you don’t need to have seen it to understand this show.  It’s important to know that because this is a new storyline and a new journey. There are the same elements to “The Walking Dead,” but it really follows two really beautiful storylines and a family dynamic. It explores new characters. It’s a really cool journey.