Silas Weir Mitchell – Grimm

By starrymag | November 13, 2014

Q) So at the end of the last episode obviously we saw a couple of troublemakers sitting outside of the Spice Shop. What can you tell us about those guys and what their intentions might be?

A) I mean it’s been pretty sweet for me and the lady. The only hiccup really was my parents being a little old school as far as the inter-Wesen relationship and we got over that hump pretty well. But I think what went down at the wedding has sent a kind of a bad signal is now out in the Wesen world. They know what’s going on and I think there’s a lot of people who have issues with it. And I don’t think it’s going to be as easy as it was convincing (these) people that we’re okay as it was to convince my parents. So I think there’s a target on our backs, basically.

Q) If we go back to the start of when you guys first started with this show there’s probably about a maybe a half a dozen or so new characters that have been introduced. And you guys obviously have a pretty good size cast at this point. A lot of time with shows when that happens the story lines they tend to get a little bit watered down. But it seems like the more people are added to your show the more characters we’re getting introduced to that the richer the storytelling becomes, the more interesting it becomes for all of us. I wonder if you can speak to that a little bit about how you guys all tie it together so well and about the way in which they do this and to not have anything that’s really watered down.

A) That’s a really good question. And, it’s interesting because at this point now we are in the middle of season four and I have more of a – I don’t take as macro a view of things because I’m really invested in my life as Monroe more than I am invested in the overarching narrative structure. So I can answer your question only from my point view and through my lens. But what I see in relation to that question is first of all the show runners David and Jim really have a very, very strong sense of what makes the show work. The mixture of dark story lines and comedic elements and marrying the real world that we live in with the world of Wesen’s who represent elements of our psyches. And they have a way of marrying these two things so that when more people are involved I think what happens is they are such good writers that they’re able to integrate these people into the world and the world is more important than anything else. And they’re invested in it in a way that they still – when new characters are introduced in fact they distill things further rather than dilute them. And I know that’s some kind of magic trick of writing because I know what you mean. They don’t dilute it, they don’t diffuse it – somehow they use the new characters really well in order to clarify story lines rather confiscate them. And I don’t know how they do it except that they have a very strong grasp of what makes the show work. And right now it feels as though we have about six story lines chugging along. And each story line is very, very tightly wound. And they choose when to integrate those story lines with each other or when to keep them separate. Like Adalind, I don’t really know what’s going on with Adalind. But she goes away and then she reintegrates into the other story lines and they’re just very good at doing this dance. I don’t know how they do it but they do it.

Q) So you mentioned obviously people are going to have a problem with them being married. But can you talk about is that going to make it hard on their relationship or does it not bother them too much? Like how is that going to go?

A) No, I think it’s one of the things that again as I was saying to the last question; one of the things that these writers are able to do is marry the world that we live in, you and I, with the world of Grimm where you can paint these psychological social issues with a kind of richer brush than you can if you’re completely bound to reality or our reality. So this mixture that they’ve come up with allows for this type of storytelling and I think that it will be complicated for us as characters. Because that’s true to life. Even though we’re in this other we’re in this imaginary world I think one of the things the writers do really well is use benefits of the – yes, okay – excuse me I’m in a cab so I have to pay the cab. I’ll be right with you in one second, okay.

Q) Talk a little bit more about what’s ahead for Monroe and Rosalee. Now that they’re married and they know they have some people kind of maybe not happy with them, but how are they going to keep their storyline exciting. Because sometimes in shows when the couple that’s all like will they or won’t they and now that they’re married what do you see happening for them?

A) Well I think that again it was the will they or won’t they for me and her was pretty much not even will they or won’t they. It was kind of like when are they. And people still seemed interested because – so that’s a good sign right there. Because I think the will they or won’t they is something that sustains shows to a fault sometimes, you know? Where it becomes just a big tease. And I don’t think we did that really. We didn’t do the big tease thing. We sort of did these people falling in love thing. And that’s a different story. And it may not have the cutesy will they or won’t they but it has a different kind of – it holds a different kind of interest for people. And I think that if people are interested even though they know what’s going to happen which is that we’re going to be together. I think people pretty much knew we were going to be together. Then I don’t think they’re going to have a hard time being interested in the complications that follow. And there will be complications and they’re not going to, I don’t think, soft-peddle them. These writers are interested in real stuff. Even though the show is “a fairy tale” show, our writers are very interested in real human stuff. And that’s what makes the show interesting.

Q) Any word on a Monroe/Rosalee baby?

A) No. But whenever I’m asked that question, I just say forhasha and you can figure that out. There was an episode when we were asked by other people – in fact we had to explain to Nick and Hank what would happen if we had a kid. And the upshot is a thing called a forhasha, which is a mixture of two Wesen having a baby. I don’t know what it means, but that’s the word.

Q) What are your feelings about Wu and him beginning to question what he’s seen and now with trouble staying with Nick? Do you think that they should tell him what’s been going on and kind of clue him in or do you think they should try to keep him in the dark about it?

A) Well that’s a good question. I mean I think in a lot of ways Wu – he’s already been through the wringer pretty big time as far as having his mind really messed with when the Aswang was the – when they were dealing with that because of the Filipino nature of that myth that he always thought it was a fairy tale and then he starts to see that maybe it’s actually true. So in some ways the soil has been there’s a fertile ground there for him maybe being able to deal with these things in a way. But on the other hand it could send him over the edge. So I just think that whatever happens Nick and Hank will have to be very deliberate as far as how they handle it with Wu. And he obviously keeps pushing, then they’re going to have to make a decision. And the decision’s going to be based on what’s going to be best for Wu. Because he’s going – will he lose his mind completely or will he be able to handle it. Because he’s already sort of been down that road and, you know what I mean?

Q) You’re in season four of Grimm which we’ve been watching from the beginning. What are some of the challenges of being on a show in its fourth season? Good challenges and what are the great parts of being on a show that’s lasted this long? And will longer?

A) Well I would say mostly it’s great stuff because what’s great about it is, you know, like I said is manifold reasons why it’s great. Primarily it’s that we’re a pretty well-oiled machine now so there’s not a lot of distractions. You can economize your – the way you work in the sense that you know where all the locations are. You know the city, to get around the city. The crew is really at the top of their game. So when the machine is humming along it makes it easier to do better work. So that’s one of the great things about it. And the only real challenge about it and this isn’t a challenge that I face – it’s for the writers to keep the thing fresh. And I think they’re doing a bang-up job of that. But that’s not my problem so to speak. I take what they give me and I do my best to make it real and have fun with it. But I don’t have to worry about story lines. I just, you know, live the life they give me to live. So for me it’s really all upside.

Q) The writers teased for a long time with Wu’s name. So are we ever going to find out if Monroe is the first or last name and is that coming and do you know?

A) If I knew I wouldn’t tell you. How’s that for a riddle?

Q) Oh, fair enough. So now that you’re coming into this episode that unfortunately we haven’t seen yet but it does sound really intriguing. Was it difficult to have to play the character that is being persecuted for this inter-Wesen marriage?

A) No it’s not. It’s exciting. Because it’s a different, you know, it’s a different life experience that I’m getting to live and that’s the fun of the whole game. It’s just living different life experiences and I mean that’s the fun of being an actor. So to me was looking forward to things getting sticky and difficult because like I said earlier I think the only real hiccup last year on the way to the altar was my dad being a jerk. And that’s not that big of a deal. And this is a much bigger deal. And I tell you a lot of things that are smaller in magnitude than having a Grimm be on the altar with you at the wedding have happened that have led to terrible things. So I think that’s a big deal. When that gets out in the world not only the inter-Wesen thing but the fact that we’re friends with a Grimm and if that gets known it’s trouble. So I think it’s just going to be ugly. And I’m excited about it because – that’s fun to play.

Q) Through the years you have played several mentally unstable actors. Is that a coincidence or do you pursue these types of roles?

A) I think it’s kind of – it’s more of a coincidence than anything but I have to admit that I find – I find it very interesting to live a life that is very, very other than the life I live as a man when I’m in stories. And I think that one of the things that makes a person’s life very, very different is what goes on inside their psyche. And so it may be partly coincidental, maybe partly just because of the way I look. But I don’t seek it out per se. I don’t seek it out but I find it fascinating and I do enjoy it. And I don’t know if you’ve seen the film Birdman yet too, but that is also investigating the inner life of a person who is seeing the world in a very, very unique way. And I just find that very exciting as an actor.

Q) We’ve gotten some pretty gnarly holiday episodes in the past on Grimm. What do we got coming up for us with the Thanksgiving and the Christmas holidays? Any sense of what kind of mess that we can expect?

A) I still miss Krampus. I think he was just one of the best. One of the just – I loved that guy. I thought he was awesome. I’m just trying to remember here. I think that Christmas is interrupted by other events than a Christmas oriented Wesen this year. I mean there’s still Christmas and it’s big. God knows. Can’t be otherwise. But the complications involved aren’t specifically Christmas related.

Q) But at least Monroe gets a Christmas cardigan; right?

A) Oh wouldn’t have it any other way.

Q) After four seasons you’ve obviously worked with most of the cast but is there somebody in particular that maybe you haven’t had a lot of scenes with that you’d like to get to work more with? Or even maybe a guest star that you like to get a chance to?

A) Yes definitely. And the two would be Sasha and Reggie. I’ve worked even more with the Captain than I have with Sergeant Wu. And I remember the first scene that the Captain and I had together and it was so much fun to get these two people with completely different energies who’ve never been in the same room together practically – when he came to the Spice Shop I think it was year – I don’t know if it was year two or three. It’s all sort of blurred together. But he came to the Spice Shop and to get some stuff to keep him from being in love with Bitsie’s character – with Juliette. And it was a delight to get to have Monroe and the cast in the room dealing with – it was really fun. And I think that it would be fun to get more with Wu and Monroe just because; A: Reggie’s fantastic and we work in similar ways and we haven’t had a lot of stuff to do together. We were actually in the same class in Los Angeles when we both got this job. We were working together on a scene from a play. So we know each other pretty well and it would be fun to actually get to work with him more.

Q) Will the gang have any luck restoring Nick’s Grimm power? It looks like Renard’s Mom’s getting pretty close to having a break-through.

A) Yes. That’s going to be a challenge. I mean he’s been Hexenbiested so that’s a brutal. They’re powerful creatures. They’re powerful women. And I think it’s going to be fun to watch him struggle for a little while. Just got to watch him squirm a little bit.

Q) What’s it been like to play the dynamics between Monroe and Nick with him not being a Grimm? Has that been fun to play as well?

A) Oh it’s, yes, no it’s been totally great because it’s, you know, there are so many issues arise in the absence of his powers for me and Rosalee. I mean he got me into all this crap and now he can’t protect me. And I love the guy but now I’m kind of out on a limb. He feels bad and I feel bad for feeling angry. And I feel bad for him. But I’m also scared and angry and it’s great. There’s a lot of stuff swirling around in the soup. And again it’s just the writers are finding ways of re-imagining things that they’re still fresh. They’re still fresh and they’re still interesting for us and hopefully for you guys too. And definitely I enjoy playing the dynamic of Nick as a broken man at this point. And it’s fun.

Q) I actually really love the relationship between Monroe and Rosalee. But I love just the chemistry between you and Bree Turner too. It’s so fantastic. Can you talk about working with her and how that’s actually developed over these four seasons?

A) Well it’s just one of those things where you’re lucky to get to work with someone who you work similarly. And we’re both invested in having, you know, a real experience. And the story is the most important thing. And it’s fun to play pretend at a high level. And we play pretend until it becomes real on a certain level and it’s just nice to have a partner who shares that ethic. And that’s just the luck of the draw really. But it’s been delightful. I mean it’s very – it’s one of those things where it could have gone either way. And luckily it went the way of two people who work well together. That’s just luck really.  And you’ve got to credit casting, you know. They put a group of people together that do well together. I mean all of us do well together. You know what I mean? There’s no strife. People show up to work and have fun doing it and we respect each other. And it’s a nice brew of psyches in there.

Q) What do you think that makes Grimm attractive for people in different places of the world? Many people follow the show and find it attractive. What do you think is the main attraction of Grimm?

A) I think there are two main reasons why Grimm has a global following if one could say it in those terms. And that is first of all it deals with universal themes because everybody has these elements of their psyche – Grimm deals with mythical issues in a very, very detailed and human way. So that’s one reason; that the themes are mythical and universal. The other reason is it’s using fairytales from different cultures. And every culture has its own myths. Every culture has its own fairytales. Every culture has its own spooky stories; its own creature stories. And so, again, this is sort of the sub-set of the universal thing. It’s everybody has it. It’s not a show about the fashion industry on the Upper East Side of New York City which only a certain sub-section of society knows or cares about. It’s dealing with something that every culture deals with; which is myth and storytelling and it’s appealing for that reason to a pretty large set of the human population.

Q) In last week’s episode Juliette came to Monroe and Rosalie and sort of asked them to let Nick take his time about deciding about his future as far as wanting to go back to being a Grimm and so-forth. I just wanted to sort of ask how has that sort of effected Monroe’s and Rosalee’s relationship with Juliette? How have you seen that sort of develop in the episodes you guys have shot this year?

A) Well it’s one of those things where you understand where she’s coming from because God knows I’m sure it ain’t easy being married to – well not married, but being – living with a guy who’s dealing with what Nick is dealing with when he has his powers. But there’s a conflict. So because him being de-Grimm’d is not good for us. Because he’s our eyes and ears in a lot of ways and he can help us with the people who think that what’s going on between us and him is not right. So it’s just one of those things where it’s complicated because you’re conflicted and you’re conflicted because you want one thing and your friend’s girlfriend wants another thing. And that’s life. You have to kind of find a way to navigate that. So it does complicate the relationship with Juliette. I mean it’s not something that’s like she’s – it’s not – it doesn’t destroy it. It’s not a tragic thing but it’s complicated and again this is credit to the writers for writing subtle stuff they write subtle stuff in a show that I think a lot of people – but those that don’t watch the show don’t understand that it’s actually got this kind of subtle human sub-text to it. But thankfully the people who do watch it get it and that’s why we’re still making it.

Q) I wanted to find out did you always want to work in this industry while you were growing up? Or did you have other professions in mind?

A) You know it was one of those things where it just kind of – I took to it, you know? And I didn’t really think about it as a profession per se probably until I was in college. But it was always something that I enjoyed a lot and I was good at. And when people tell you you’re good at something when you’re a kid you tend to keep doing it. I was interested in other things, teaching I was interested in, psychology I was interested in. But I never pursued any other career because this continued and continues to interest me. Because it’s always just out of your reach. That’s what’s delightful about it. Because you can always do more. You can always be better. You can always have a deeper, richer, more textured experience. As an actor you’re never finished. And as long as something continues to interest you and to feed you then why would you stop. That’s just my experience and in no way am I suggesting that people don’t say like okay I got it, I’m done, I’m doing something else. And maybe that will happen to me some day. But at this point I still find it sort of magical and complicated and intangible. And I enjoy that about it.

 

*CONFERENCE CALL*