Sprague Grayden – The Road to Jericho

Q.  What are some of the recent projects that you’ve been working on?

A.  I did the show “Over There” and that was cool because that was my first offer, I didn’t have to audition.  Now, I’m working on the TV show “Jericho.”

Q.  What can you tell us about your character?

A.  I play Heather who is a second grade school teacher and she’s very sweet and innocent.  So, it’s a whole new thing for me!  I think Heather is going to be a good influence on my life.  The cool thing is that all of the other characters that I played were really punkish, crazy and going through a lot of changes.  Then when I did “Over There,” for the first time I was playing a character whose first concern was her family.  One of the things I love about Heather is that her first concern is her students and the other people in the town. 

Q.  What made you want to be a part of this show?

A.  The words were there, first and foremost that’s the most important thing, is it good on the page?  Also, I was really intrigued and happy to see a character my age that is not a cop or a doctor.  That was fun!  I really wanted to work with John Turteltaub, I heard such great things about him.  He’s just incredible, kind and generous.  Then when I met Skeet, I thought Skeet was rockin’ and so I thought this was going to be fun!  For me it’s not about some grand decision, it’s just about character to character.  I thought Heather was a great character and something I hadn’t done yet.

Q.  Do you have a most memorable moment from filming?

A.  Yeah, I have a lot.  It’s kind of crazy, we all get along so well.  I don’t want to curse this but I love this cast, we have such a good time.  I had my birthday on set, it was awesome, my parents were there.  Everybody sang and it was just fantastic!  We just have a great time everyday, it’s fun! 

Q.  Why should viewers take the time to check “Jericho” out?

A.  Because the characters are so incredibly well developed in this small town.  The town itself has such great drama that I think people are going to really identify with these characters from the beginning and really care about them and their own personal journey.  Then on top of that, you get all of this cool mystery and action.  It’s like the best of both worlds.  I think the character level on the show and the interpersonal storylines are so fantastic that people will love it.  Every time I get a script and get to the end I am shocked.  One of the great things that the writers are doing on “Jericho” is that they are really giving an answer to the audience.  They really seem to respect their audience and they are giving answers to questions in each episodes.  Of course, once you get answers you get more questions, but it’s really exciting.  No one is going to feel like they are getting dragged along for a few episodes until the finale where they find out everything. 

Q.  What is it about the character of Heather that challenges you?

A.  Her lack of sarcasm!  No, I think there are a lot of things about Heather that are challenging.  I think that it can be very challenging to play a strength that comes from a very quiet place instead of a crazy out there place.  Heather doesn’t necessarily wear her heart on her sleeve.  So, there are many layers to her and it’s really intriguing.  I constantly have to know where I’ve been and where I’m going and what her story is. 

Q.  When taking on a character, how do you get yourself into that role?

A.  It depends on the character, at first I don’t look at the character that I am auditioning for or playing or what have you.  I look and see if I can hear them in my head.  If I can hear them in my head, then I can either go forward and try to audition for the character or get the role.  When I get the role, I go through the character and try to figure out what I understand and what I don’t understand.  What I understand; I don’t mess with it.  When I get the character that has similar life experiences to me I don’t mess with it and if I get it; I get it.  For the stuff that I don’t understand, I start building a character and it’s fun, it’s fun playing pretend all the time.

Q.  Do you have a latest obsession?  Are you into any particular music group, sport, book or activity?

A.  Right now I just got turned on to a girl named Jenny Lewis that I am really into, her album is “Rabbit Fur Coat.”  She’s been around for a while and I just didn’t know, so I have been trying to catch myself up on her.  I’m doing a lot of Yoga because it’s beautiful here right now, it inspires you to do a lot of Yoga.

Q.  What would you like to say to your fans and supporters?

A.  Thank you!  Thank you, thank you, thank you and thank you!  I hope I am entertaining you and I hope you’re having a good time.  It constantly blows my mind that I get to do what I get to do.  So, I get to do it because people don’t mind it when my face is on television.  That’s why I’m so grateful to them for that.