Meredith Eaton – MacGyver

By starrymag | September 28, 2018

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

Q) What can you tease is new this season on “MacGyver” and with your character Matty?

A) Season 3 brings the stakes way up!!  There is shock, intrigue, secrets, danger, and tons of action-packed MacGyver moments that will truly blow your mind. In terms of Matty, you can look forward to some more layers being peeled back, we learned quite a bit more about her past. A lot of interesting things on the horizon for Matty.

Q) How was Matty originally described to you?

A) Peter Lenkov, our brilliant show creator, described the character of Matilda Webber to me as strong, intellectual, bold, feared, and highly capable of running The Phoenix Foundation. A force to be reckoned with but also infused with warmth and affection for her team.

Q) Was there anything you added to Matty that wasn’t initially scripted for you?

A) As with all my roles, I like to bring components to the character that might not necessarily have been originally imagined. I draw from my own life experiences as a mother and an assertive woman who knows how it feels to have to fight to be taken seriously, to lead and to accomplish!

Q) What continues to challenge you about your portrayal?

A) There are many things that I love about Matty. One of the most exciting aspects of her character are her secrets, her past. There’s still so much we just don’t know about Matty. I love when I’m given the opportunity to pull out different crayons to color her personality with shades no one has seen yet.

Q) Talk about working alongside costar Lucas Till. 

A) Lucas is extraordinary. I continue to marvel at his work ethic, talent and abilities on a daily basis. He works hard. Very hard.  He is a consummate professional and truly the most perfect MacGyver. He’s a good friend. He is also funny as hell! He gives the best hugs, he does the best impersonations and he can dance! I simply adore him.

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

A) From the moment I joined the cast of “MacGyver” I have enjoyed every moment. We work very hard, but there’s a lot of laughter and good times. We have become a family of five. Some of my most favorite moments:

 

When it is finally revealed at the end of Season 2 that Matty was guiding Mac toward his father all along. And the embrace Matty and Mac shared was so poignant.

 

The staring contest between Matty and Jack in Season 1 was really fun. (I won by the way.)

 

There is a scene in Season 2 that we shot in Bozer’s lab. Justin Hires makes me laugh until I cry, all-the-time. And he decided he was going to wipe his finger on the back of my jacket in this scene where MacGyver is talking about dirty money. No one could keep a straight face. We had to do multiple takes until we finally got a clean one where we were all not cracking up.

 

Q) We have seen you take on these dramatic diverse roles that really test and showcase your range. They have this incredible balance of vulnerability, complexity, and are innately compelling. How does this extend with this series and what draws you into or connects you with these characters?

A) That complexity and vulnerability is what draws me in and drives me. Life is complicated. People are complex. I love what I do and I love that I have an opportunity to play such multidimensional characters.  Matty is going to have many challenges ahead.  You’ll see a lot of this in Season 3. Her relationships with her team continues to evolve. But there are some fascinating things on the horizon for Matty.

Q) What do you think it is about “MacGyver” that has made it such a fan favorite series?

A) People love creativity and ingenuity. I know I do. Who wouldn’t want to see MacGyver rescue an entire city in danger with some shoelaces, a toothpick, and some mayonnaise!

Q) You are a part of social media. Do you enjoy the instant fan feedback you receive to episodes?

A) Seeing the support that our show receives on social media is extremely gratifying. It means a great deal. We have fans all over the globe and their love is so affirming. Thank you!

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

A) I am extremely humbled and grateful to all of the fans who watch and support our show. Thank you and stay tuned! We’ve only just begun!