Rebecca Wisocky – Devious Maids

Q) “Devious Maids” became a fast guilty pleasure show. Why do you think that is?

A) I think it has all the deliciousness of a soap opera and the complexity of a satire. You get to go a little bit deeper with these characters and with their psychology, finding out why they are the way they are. All their relationships are so intense and dangerous. We also are very grateful that the fans have responded the way they have and we are certainly having a blast with everyone, tweeting with them and interacting with them when the show airs.

Q) It seems to have the Marc Cherry signature where there is comedy thrown in with the drama.

A) Marc Cherry is very good at revealing the absurdity of human nature. I think the Powells are a great example of that. They are ridiculous in many ways, but the stakes are so real and so high that you can find the absurdity in their tragedy. Everything is a little bit outside and I think it reveals real relationships and complexity. Tom [Irwin] and I spend a lot of time discussing why the Powells are the way they are. They don’t just say the things they say and they aren’t just horribly cruel to one another. They are doing those things for a reason. We try to ground those things in reality as much as possible. I know we all have a lot of fun doing that on the show.

Q) How would you describe Evelyn Powell?

A) Evelyn is very, very smart. She has undeniable privilege, but she is sad and she is angry and she is lonely. And she has a lot of time on her hands. That’s a very dangerous combination, both for people around her and for her. She is very vulnerable underneath that tough, gnarly shell. I think that people have enjoyed experiencing that side of her this season with her love affair.

Q) Evelyn Powell seems to have this love/hate relationship with everybody. And the fans have this love/hate relationship with her, too. Yet, she does have some redeemable qualities that come out every now and then.

A) I know she does and it is so much fun to play. Marc allows her to be a little bit adorable while she is saying reprehensible things. She’s not a woman on who on the surface you should really be rooting for yet you are because I think somewhere deep down buried under a whole lot of pain there is an innate goodness and a capacity for love and a desire to be loved. And I think those things are very relatable.

Q) What can you tease is in store for Evelyn towards the end of the season? We know Adrian knows she has been sleeping with Tony. 

A) That has now entered the landscape of the cat and mouse game where Evelyn’s affair with Tony (Dominic Adams) has become even more about Adrian than it is about Tony. We will see what Tony is up to this week. This is a very exciting week for a lot of characters. A lot happens! There will be a very surprising act of selfless kindness that will be followed by an act of extraordinary violence. Someone will die. There will be dancing. A lot of things come to a head and they set up a juggernaut into the finale in a big way.

Q) We know that Evelyn and Nicholas know each other well. What can you share about their relationship?

A) You’ll have to wait and see! You’re going to find out just what Nick has been hiding. You’ll find out whether Nick (Mark Deklin) and Marisol are indeed star crossed lovers (the way we have so many star crossed lover characters in the show) or you’ll learn if she is in danger and needs to get out. Everything comes to a head. I can’t say too much about that, but it is exciting.

Q) We’ve watched scenes between Evelyn and Valentina and scenes between Evelyn and Marisol. Who haven’t you worked with that you hope to have scenes with in the future?

A) I have loved Edy Ganem at the Powell house this year. I love so much that her presence there kind of took on a daughter and confessional vibe. She kind of revealed truths about Adrian and Evelyn, separately, which if they would have revealed to each other things might have been different earlier in the season. I loved working with her and having her there. I love every scene I get to play with Ana Ortiz. Evelyn and Marisol have an unlikely simpatico relationship that I hope continues to develop. I loved working with Rosie (Dania Ramirez) last year. That was wonderful and comedic. I doubt that Rosie will ever want to step foot in the Powell mansion again though. I have not had any interaction with Carmen, played by Roselyn Sanchez whom I adore. I really think that those two would set off a lot of fireworks. That would be a fun thing to pursue. And I’d love to work with Judy (Reyes), who I think the world of as an actress and a woman. Although, I don’t know whether Zoila would want to have too much to do with Evelyn. Marc would have to pull something out of his hat to make that work. I had a very brief interaction with Susan Lucci last year. But I’m dying for Evelyn and Genevieve to get into an epic catfight in a fountain or something. I think Genevieve would kick Evelyn’s ass. That would be the way I would love to see it go.

Q) We know the Powells had a son named Barrett. Will we be learning more about him this season?

A) I think you will see a bit. You might see a little flashback. I don’t think there is a single scene with the Powells that is not at least a little bit about their son.

Q) What is your favorite aspect of Evelyn to portray?

A) That’s so hard to answer that question! I like her softer side. I like the side that she tries to hide from the world. I like her ridiculousness. I love the complexity of her relationship with Adrian. It has been continuously fascinating for me to play and it is so much fun working with Tom as a scene partner. I hope we continue to get to do it for a long time.

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

A) Marc Cherry is a pretty smart guy. He thinks very musically. There are a lot of things that may seem very off-the-cuff, but were actually very carefully planned. You would have to ask him. I am sure there comes a part when he starts writing for us, our strengths and our individual voices and the musicality of our voices. I am quite sure that has happened and I am very grateful for it.

Q) You are a part of social media. Have you enjoyed the instant feedback they provide during episodes?

A) It’s brand new to me. It’s exciting and it’s very humbling. I’m so grateful that people have responded to Evelyn in the way that they have and the kindness they have shown me and generosity. It’s really nice. I enjoy it a lot.

Q) Is there anything else you’d like to share with fans?

A) I can’t wait to live tweet the finale with everyone. I wish I could tease more, but it is very exciting. This week, in particular, people will really be excited by. I hope they are. I’ll see them on Twitter. As I said, I continue to be amazed and grateful for their support.