Lorenzo James Henrie – Fear The Walking Dead

By: Jamie Steinberg

Q) How was your character Chris Manawa originally described to you?

A) Everything is very secretive with the scripts, descriptions and story arcs. When I first auditioned for it, there was just one line about him saying he was just a rebellious angry teenager because his dad broke the family bond by divorcing his mom. That was the description and it instantly hooked me to him because I thought a lot of kids could relate to this. He’s rebellious and angry at his dad and it creates good story.

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

A) In the first season, we stuck pretty much to the page. We didn’t really vary off. When you write something it seems one way on the page, but then when you have a person act it they add their own little quirks and things. I remember the scene where we go into the barbershop in Season One and there were a lot of little mannerisms I added when it showed us walking around and I grab the knives. The part of the scene where I pick up the knives and screw around with them, that was all I added that wasn’t on the page. The director ended up using it to add to the intensity of the scene.

Q) After losing his mom and putting her body in the ocean, how complicated are things going to get for Chris this season?

A) Things are going to get really complicated. With the backdrop of the zombie apocalypse and not knowing what the world is coming to be, it really confuses Chris and where he finds himself in this world. It creates great drama because this kid just wants to help and one thing after the other takes him onto a different path. He is going to be at a very dark place this season and that is going to be his journey.

Q) The show is very intense. How does the cast keep things light?

A) I think when we are not working we are all just joking around and having fun, being with our families. From the second the director says “Cut,” we are instantly talking to each other and having fun. We love what we do so it isn’t really work.

Q) You seem to be quite close with Alyica [Debnam-Carey] and have great onscreen chemistry. What is it like working with her?

A) Alycia is great! She’s such a sweet, nice girl. She, like everyone, is so excited to work and I think that’s what brings the chemistry to our cast. We all know how tough it is to get a job in this industry. I remember Alycia said she flew out here from Australia not really knowing what to do and if she could get a job. Then, she gets these two shows…There are a lot of kids that come out here and leave their families behind, not knowing if they are going to work. To be on set, it creates a joy. It’s a joy!

Q) What are some moments that you are most looking forward to fans seeing this season?

A) Chris is going to have a lot more action, in the sense of zombies – not girls!

Q) You often do a lot of “#AskLorenzo” with your fans. Why is that such an important way for you to interact with them?

A) I think it is an advantage, to be honest with you. I think it is an advantage to be able to ask the audience and interact with them then and there. You could bring that back to set and say, “The audience wants this…” We’re writing for the audience, to please the audience. If they are not tracking the character or the story, it’s kind of a cool way to do a poll. It’s like, “Writers, you aren’t on social media, but I am. Everyone wants to see X.” I was just at an event and everyone was wearing shirts that said “If Darryl dies we riot!” I guarantee you that just speaks numbers. If someone were to die on a show, people wouldn’t watch the show any more. Social media is an advantage for my generation to make a product better. It’s got its pros and cons.

Q) From your Q&A’s we learned of dance breaks during filming. Tell us more about them.

A) We have a very energetic cast. Randomly, Mercedes [Mason] and Alycia will start dancing out of nowhere. Then, one thing leads to another and the wardrobe people will join them and next it’s the makeup people. Then, all of a sudden, it’s one big dance party on the ship and everyone is breaking it down. There is music; they will use their speakers on their phones. I like bursting out into random songs and everyone will just follow me. It’s just one big energetic, annoying cast! [laughs]

Q) Is there anyone on the show you haven’t filmed with that you’d like to or maybe wish you had more scenes with?

A) I would love to work more with Frank [Dillane]. We have some good scenes together and we had a scene together in the first episode this season where we were in the ocean. But I would love to have more screen time with Frank. It’s easy to work with people that you connect with. We all connect together, but Frank and I have a good connection together on and off screen. I think he’s interesting to work with.

Q) What do you think it is about “Fear The Walking Dead” that has made it such a fast fan favorite show?

A) I’ve been wrapping my head around the same question. I have no idea! It’s pretty insane how the fanbase of the show and of the mothership “The Walking Dead.” I think it is the story. People get connected to the story arcs or the fantasy of the end of the world and what if it were the end of the world. There are a lot of bad things going on in the world that it is like if this infection actually happened what would I do. I think people live vicariously through the show. They want to be Andrew Lincoln or Norman Reedus or Travis or Madison. I think they love living vicariously through this and that’s what good content should do. People step out of their lives for an hour and a half. That’s why during The Great Depression film ticket sales were up the most because people went to the movies because it [brought them joy.

Q) We know your brother [David Henrie] is an actor. Has he expressed an interest in being a part of the show?

A) Yeah, he definitely has. I get the episodes before it goes out as breakdowns for people to audition. So, I’ll sort of be like, “Dude, there’s a role. It could be cool!” He’s like, “Get me on the show! I’ll do it.” He would definitely love to be in the show and he’s such a fan and supporter of the show and our cast. It’s just a matter of every character fitting the right description. So, they’ll cast the person who is right for the show and the look is almost the most important factor in this business. If they look the role and they can act, it’s pretty much theirs. I know our show is an international cast and David might not have the right look for our show for now. Maybe if we put some tan skin on him it will work. [laughs]

Q) Who would you most like to work with in the future?

A) It’s been on my mind lately. I was watching Catch Me if You Can and I would absolutely love, love to work with Leonardo DiCaprio. I really respect a lot of his work and looking at when he was young and his platform and his growth as a young actor to an adult – with this show I hope it creates the same platform that can really launch me into the category and caliber of acting and being part of such good scripts. Leo started off in TV and BOOM! One thing led to another and there was Romeo and Juliet and then Titanic. It’s a good career path for me to look up to and try to tailor myself to. And we’re both Italian so it works out like that.

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 how grateful I am for everyone watching the show and watching me and supporting the cast and my career. I do this because I love it and I want to get better and better, not for myself but to use what has been given to me for the world. Love is an outward thing and I want to give it back to the world.