Sergio Osuna – The Magicians & Colony

By starrymag | July 25, 2018

By: Arlene Allen

 

 

Q) What projects are you currently working on?

 

A) I just finished filming an independent short film called Save Yourself, written and directed by Michelle Morgan. It’s a beautiful story about inner strength, overcoming obstacles and finding the power within, it was amazing working with all the cast and crew including, Fiona Vroom and Travis Milne. We shot it in beautiful Tofino, BC. The whole experience, from start to finish, was breathtaking. I will also be co-producing a short film this fall called Empty with my creative partner Katherine Hill as well.

 

Q) How was Rafe on “The Magicians” originally described to you?

 

A) Rafe was described to me as just the interpreter for Abigail the Sloth. He was there just to deliver Abigail’s thoughts to Eliot (Hale Appleman) and Margo (Summer Bishil). A very straight-forward kind of character from the get-go.

 

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

 

A) I think that his whole quirkiness and admiration for Abigail was something that I initially thought it would be fun to present during the audition. I thought, “Here is a guy who is having to say some outrageous things because it is his job, so, what if he is slightly excited about what he is describing and in awe of Abigail’s imagination?” So, I just went for it and added layers that became so much more fun to play with!

 

Q) What will be his role in Fillory now that King Margo is gone?

 

A) Unfortunately, I can’t speak to what’s going to happen in Season 4, but I think that Rafe was very happy and fulfilled at the end of the last season once Margo was named High King of Fillory. She was the only one who spoke about the need for a more equal society between animals and humans. However, when Margo left Fillory and placed Fen (Brittany Curran) as Acting High King in the finale, I’m sure he will be hoping the promises made by Margo remain intact.

 

Q) What is it like working with Sassy a/k/a Abigail?

 

A) It is THE best! I was very excited when I found out that I was going to work with a real sloth! She is the sweetest, most gentle creature. Even when she is a bit stressed and pacing back and forth on her branch, she does it calmly and in a very regal way, if I may say so.

 

Q) Rafe has an unwavering bond with Abigail, what is it that ties their bonds together so tightly?

 

A) I think it’s the fact that they can communicate with each other so freely. The way that Rafe does not judge or criticize anything that Abigail says is because he respects and loves her so much.

 

Q) What are some of the best moments you’ve had on set with Sassy and the rest of the cast?

 

A) With Sassy, I remember while shooting last season on Episode 12 (The Fillorian Candidate) she seemed very excited to be shooting it and at one point tapped on my shoulder, ever so gently. I felt it and just put my finger up as to say, “Just one second, dear,” and she slowly backed up. It was the cutest moment! And with all the cast, shooting the musical episode on Season 2 (Lesser Evils) was so much fun! I remember just after shooting for hours laughing and making jokes on the set of the throne room. We had to keep the energy going! It was a musical number after all.

 

Q) What is it about the show’s writers that they understand the significance in crafting such a witty, dynamic, inclusive, and diverse series & set of multidimensional characters other TV networks haven’t seemed to grasp or recognise as well?

 

A) I believe it’s their immense talent and unique voices. The way that they have created this bigger than life world in which every character is true to themselves and real is truly amazing. I am glad that the audience sees the diversity and inclusiveness in this show and makes me so proud to be a part of something that is making an indelible mark in television.

Q) Networks like SyFy and with shows like “The Magicians” and “Wynonna Earp,” have moved to the forefront of feminism. Female leads who are fierce and flawed at the same time. What is it about this balance that is important for females audiences to see represented on television?

 

A) I think it’s not only important but crucial to have female writers and showrunners who create these incredibly strong, independent, relatable, and most importantly, real characters. For viewers to see a woman like Margo who speaks her mind and is unapologetically bold in her choices, or a character like Fen, who last season went through an incredible loss and came out of it on the other side stronger than ever, is simply priceless. These female characters are a much needed mirror of society and help make it even more solid.

Q) What are some themes that you hope resonated with fans this last season of “The Magicians?”

 

A) There was one specific one that resonated with me and I hope with fans as well. It was the emancipation of The Fairy Queen (Candis Cayne). There was one scene where she spoke to all the fairies being held captive and gave them back the strength of who they are. Everyone goes through highs and lows and the words she spoke about the power within us are words to live by.

 

Q) What I love about the series is that there are so many areas shaded in gray. We saw Tick (Rizwan Manji) become a villain and even the animals taking a stand and surprisingly electing Margo as High King. As they say, no villain sees themselves as a villain, they see it as doing it for the greater good. Can you speak about how we explored this theme in season 3?

 

A) I think that is exactly it, how you put it just now, that everyone is making the choices they are making because of the greater good, whatever that might be. And, of course, we saw it in many ways this past season, whether it was to bring magic back, or to be able to love and intermarry whoever they’d like (as the animals said), or to just look after the people in Fillory, like Tick Pickwick (Rizwan Manji) did. And no one can second guess those choices because, as you mentioned before, all the characters are multidimensional and every decision they make is very much coming from an honest place.

Q) “The Magicians” is always pushing boundaries and showcasing pop culture and politics in powerful, provocative, and quite often, poignant ways. What makes you most proud of being part of this series?

 

A) The fearlessness of the writers and Executive Producers Sera Gamble, John McNamara and Henry Alonso Myers to choose controversial subject matter and to not shy away from political motifs and amazing pop culture references. It makes the show nuanced and beautifully rare.

Q) We’re also seeing you on “Colony.” What can you tease us about the arc for the rest of the season?

 

A) Yes, this whole season of Colony has been an amazing story, beginning in the woods among color and earth and then culminating towards a very dark, clean, industrial Seattle bloc. It’s highly emotional as well, with the death of Charlie, played by Jacob Buster (spoiler alert!) and how Will Bowman (Josh Holloway) and Katie Bowman (Sarah Wayne Callies) cope with it. All I can say is that the rest of the season will not disappoint…

 

Q) What have you found the most challenging about portraying Glen?

 

A) His loyalty, funny enough. That quality is what I have found most interesting and endearing in him and the one thing that I have questioned myself as I look deeper into this character. Even though he is pretty direct in his emotions, I find him quite fascinating and complex to embody.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Do you enjoy the instant fan feedback in response to the work you do?

 

A) You know what? The instant feedback is something that is still fairly new to me and I have to say, I kinda like it! I see it as the new-age theatre experience that TV and film were lacking. You get that immediate reaction to the stories you’re telling and even learn new things about your character!

 

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

 

A) Oh gosh, all I can say is just a massive thank you!…Being an actor, you can only hope that people relate or are moved by your work. When you work on a project it is such a long process that once it is presented to audiences, you are just happy that people watch it, so again, thank you!

 

Want to keep up with Sergio Osuna’s exciting projects and daily life? Follow  him on Twitter, @osuna_sergio, on Instagram, osuna_sergio and/or on Facebook, @itssergioosuna.