Matt Peters – Orange Is the New Black

By starrymag | July 26, 2019

By: Kelly Kearney

 

 

Q) How did the role of Luschek come to you and what was your audition process like?

A) Umm…I didn’t audition. Jenji [Kohan] is pretty much solely responsible for getting me on the show. I was on “Weeds,” her previous show and I had a four-episode arc in it but, more importantly, I was a PA in her writer’s office for years. So, my legitimacy as an actor is questionable, but she seems to like me so that’s good. So, when “Orange” was starting up she approached me directly and said there was a part specifically that she thought I would be good for. He was actually a character from the book.

 

Q) Luschek is kind of the comic relief in this oppressive prison environment. Did you model his character after anyone? Or was the character pretty well mapped out by Jenji?

A) It’s been so long. I can’t remember. [laughing] If there was any kind of character description that I got. I think from the first script I knew…Actually, from the book you sort of get an idea of what kind of guy he is and I think immediately I understood that he was um…He certainly didn’t care about his job and he was a bit of a dumbo, not to judge the character that I play. [laughs] So, yeah, there were some details that I knew and then it got developed from there. I think writers tend to write what they think the actors are capable of.

 

Q) Last season Luschek had his hands full as the head of recreation in Max, first with dance class and then the kickball wannabe shank fest in the yard. Without spoiling anything, what can we expect from Luschek in this final season of “Orange is the New Black?”

A) Not as much dancing, unfortunately! Honestly, I don’t know if I could handle it again physically. That was some pretty arduous days at work. I did feel great. I felt like an aerobics class because it takes several hours to shoot. Yeah, those were good days where I felt like I could really work on my core. [laughs]

 

Q) When we last saw Luschek he was driving away from Litchfield in what many assume was his way of avoiding the kickball game that was rumored to turn violent. Is Luschek done with Litchfield or was he just being a coward and avoiding the fall out of another possible prison riot?

A) I don’t know. I can’t say. I don’t want to spoil anything. I will say he is still a coward.

 

Q) Do you think the decision to ignore Gloria’s warning about the kickball game was a defining moment for your character?

A) Umm…sure? Yeah, and I think there’s been other moments on the show where Luschek has had to deal with his feelings of guilt. I’m thinking specifically on his responsibility of putting Nicky (Natasha Lyonne) in Max. That was probably some similar emotions that came up for him. Whether or not that was a turning point for him, I cannot say.

 

Q) Luschek spends a lot of time with the ladies of Litchfield, but Piper, Nicky and Gloria take up the bulk of his attention. What’s it been like working with Taylor Schilling, Natasha Lyonne and Selenis Leyva?

A) They’re all great and super talented. I feel like a fraud whenever I’m working with them because they’re so good. It’s been a pleasure though. They’re all really, really, nice.

 

Q) Will we see more awkward and aroused moments between Gloria and Luschek this season or has Gloria’s time in the SHU and her knowledge of the Fantasy Inmate game soured their flirtatious friendship for good?

A) [laughing] I would like to tell you that I am just generally aroused all season. I would imagine that Gloria (Selenis Leyva) is a smart enough character to never trust him again.

 

Q) If there is one thing you would like this show to be remembered for, what would that be?

A) The big thing would be prison reform, but also the binge-watching thing. I think as a television show, it sort of pioneered kind of the way we view TV now, which seems like it’s been around forever, ya know, the binge watching. But it was really at the beginning of streaming media. I think when it started nobody had any idea how people would respond or even be attracted to shows on Netflix because it’s not traditionally the way people view TV. Certainly, I didn’t think people would watch them in binge stretches like they do now with everything. Obviously, more importantly like I said, prison reform and I think the show is revolutionary in a way that it brings humanity to characters that maybe people would normally turn a blind eye to. I think its also a diverse cast and I think over the course of the seven seasons you see a lot of those characters develop and it’s been a great showcase for these really phenomenal and diverse actresses.

 

Q) Talk about the last day of filming for you.

A) Um, I will tell you…well…I don’t know. I don’t want to get into trouble. I had to do a scene with someone that I had worked a lot with before, which was great. I had to do three scenes and working with a lot of people I had worked with over the years and gotten to know and they’re all so great and just wonderful people. It was really sad. It was kind of an odd day because some of the scenes we were working on were funny, and I really wanted to kind of bring it and be weird on set in these scenes, but the whole day it was hard to ignore the fact that afterwards it was the end.

 

Q) When you think back on your time playing Luschek, is there one memory or scene that stands out as your favorite? Maybe an unforgettable moment you had?

A) One scene that was really great was the scene with Natasha when I visited her in Max. I won’t ever forget that scene. Also, I got really tight with the other CO castmates during the riot because we were in our underwear and locked in that bubble for so long. So strange and all the scenes were very weird and funny and we all just became so tight during that period. I really do love those guys. That was very memorable. [laughing]

 

Q) What’s next for you, Matt? Do you have any other projects in the works that the fans can keep an eye out for?

A) Yes, yes, yes! I really want people to see it. I just wrapped on Lifetime the show “American Princess.” Jenji actually produced it and it’s another like fish out of water story. It takes place in the renaissance fair world and working on that show was a blast. Very funny. Very different from “Orange.” It’s a lot lighter. The episodes are available on iTunes and Amazon and I really want people to watch them because I would like to do another season of it.

 

Q) Do you have any plans to do more stand up in the future?

A) I haven’t done much stand up lately. I’ve got a young son and late nights are no longer a go. I’ve also gotten kind of sick of my own voice. That’s why I do acting work, because it’s somebody else’s writing. Comedy and the world in general, it’s just not as funny as it once was. I would rather wallow in the misery. I used to be a lot better about trying to find he lighter side of the absurdities of our existence, but I don’t know. When you have a kid it gets a lot tougher. It just becomes so sad. [laughing]

 

Q) Is there anything you would like to say to the fans who have been following this show and your character for the last six years?

A) To the fans, obviously, thank you so much. I don’t think anyone thought the show was going to become the phenomenon that it is. So, I can’t say enough about them. They’re extremely loyal and wonderful and I am sure everyone in the cast appreciates them. The fans changed all of our lives.