Mary Wiseman – Star Trek: Discovery

By starrymag | February 14, 2019

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

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

 

A) I’ve mostly been spending my time putting the finishing touches on “Discovery” and planning my upcoming wedding, but I was recently in an episode of “Room 104” (on HBO) that I’m very proud of. I’m on the 2nd and third seasons of “Baskets” (FX) ,which is just the coolest show ever.

 

Q) What can you tease is new this season on “Star Trek: Discovery?”

 

A) Since we’re a few episodes in, I can say I’m really excited for people to learn more about May and The Red Angel and I’m very excited about where the end of Season 2 leaves us.

 

Q) What made you originally want to be a part of the series?

 

A) I’d mainly been doing plays in New York before this, so I’d never dreamt of getting to run from aliens and deal with the space time continuum. It was such a wonderful opportunity that I just had to jump at. Also, it’s “Star Trek.”

 

Q) How was your character Sylvia Tilly initially described to you?

 

A) I remember in my first conversation with producers they said Tilly was the heart of the show. I don’t know about that, but she’s got a lot of heart.

 

Q) Was there anything you added of your own to your portrayal?

 

A) I definitely made push for Tilly to literally let her hair down. I also unconsciously brought a lot of my own nervousness about being on a big show to the character.

 

Q) What continues to challenge you about this role?

 

A) I‘m always trying to strike the right balance between a character who is fun and curious and has a sense of humor and who is also is grounded in real problems and real emotions. I think you’ll get to see that in this season.

 

Q) With some great new additions to the cast, who were you hoping to share some scenes with this season?

 

A) I think that Pike (Anson Mount) and Tilly have some really fun chemistry and I’m looking forward to see how people respond to that.

 

Q) What can you share were some of your favorite moments (onscreen or off) from shooting the second season of the show?

 

A) Anytime spent with Tig [Notaro] was so much fun. Watching her try to remember techno-babble was extremely entertaining. Starting to go to conventions this year has also been a blast!

 

Q) What does it mean to you to be a part of such an iconic sci-fi legacy?

 

A) I feel extremely lucky to get to participate in something that has had such an important history and cultural impact. It’s amazing to look back and see all the ways “Star Trek” changed the world and the fact that we have the chance to continue that legacy is such a gift.

 

Q) What do you think it is about “Star Trek: Discovery” that continues to make it such a fan favorite?

 

A) We strive to make a show that honors the best of “Star Trek” while keeping things exciting and current. So far people seem to have responded to that and our continuing mission is to keep people excited and engaged.

 

Q) What have you personally taken away from your time on the show?

 

I’ve learned how much work it takes to make a show like this – every single person on the show, on both sides of the camera, is incredibly talented and works incredibly hard. We’ve put our all into it, and hopefully all that hard work shines through in each episode.

 

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

 

A) I think people relate to Tilly because she’s a little different. She doesn’t always say the right thing. Sometimes she’s loud when she’s supposed to be quiet. I think that’s why I relate to Tilly, too. So, what I would say to people is that just because you’re different doesn’t mean you’re not special. In fact, the reason you’re special is because you’re different.