Riley Smith – Deliverance Creek

By starrymag | September 13, 2014

Q) What are the recent projects that you are working on?

A) I just wrapped the final season of “True Blood” and have Deliverance Creek coming out September 13th on Lifetime.

Q) How was your character Toby in Deliverance Creek first described to you?

A) He is an outlaw bushwhacker with a sensitive side and past secrets.

Q) How did you prepare for this role?

A) We spent a lot of time in Austin, Texas leading up to the shoot riding horses at six in the morning and rehearsing with the cast all day.

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

A) Not really. The characters were so rich to begin with and the writing was perfect. When it’s like that, you don’t need to touch it.

Q) Why didn’t Toby speak up at Belle’s wedding before she married Harlan?

A) He wasn’t around.

Q) There is such great chemistry and intensity between you and Lauren Ambrose. What is it about Belle that attracts Toby?

A) You never forget your first love.

Q) What was it like working with director Jon Amiel?

A) Jon is amazing! He is such a funny guy with an amazing eye to direct. His rehearsal methods were intense and long and I credited him immensely to the performances being so authentic and great.

Q) What were some of your most memorable moments from filming Deliverance Creek?

A) It was getting to do two things that are close to my heart: act and ride horses.

Q) What makes the film such a great fit for the Lifetime Network?

A) Well, first off, it’s a TV show! We need people to know that. Because if they tune in and like it, we will be making it a series! And I think it’s perfect for Lifetime because it has very strong female characters that  the female audience can relate  to and look up to. It also has bad ass dudes, guns and horses for the male audience. It’s a fresh concept with a rich pedigree from the producer Nicholas Sparks. He seems to fit perfectly on their network.

Q) You are a part of social media sites. Why is it important for you to connect with fans that way and are you looking forward to the instant feedback you will receive when the film premieres?

A) When I was growing up, if you wanted to hear from someone you looked up you had to send a handwritten letter snail mail and prayed they got it. When I first started acting I would receive shoe boxes of letters from my manager and it was impossible to sift through them. Now with social media, I can hear instantaneously from supporters and have the chance to respond that second. That part is amazing. I just try not to let it consume me or take away from doing my job.

Q) We recently saw you on the series finale of “True Blood.” What was the last day on set like for you?

A) It was very emotional for me because it went so fast and for them because they had such history. It was an amazing opportunity for me to be a part of something I strive to have soon, a family for years at work.

Q) What mementos did you take home from set?

A) I got my fangs, wardrobe and some signed posters that I give away for special things, charities and such.

Q) What do you hope the legacy is for “True Blood?”

A) I hope it is one of the biggest shows of an entire generation.

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

A) Thank you, sincerely. Because of your support, I get to live out a dream.