Tommy Savas – Code Black

By starrymag | April 25, 2018

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

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

A) I’ve been dabbling in producing recently. I just finished a passion project where I was in Houston for two months filming. Outside of that, of late “Code Black” has been my most recent acting gig.

Q) Was “Code Black” an audition or straight offer for you?

A) “Code Black” was an audition that I got. I’ve known the casting director for years. I’ve worked with them on several other shows. So, this was something that when this character came up they called me in for it as they thought I would be a right fit.

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

A) The series is based off a documentary called “Code Black,” which is about the original Los Angeles Emergency Hospital. When you watch the documentary it’s so raw and truthful and shows what it is like to work at a hospital like that and in triage. When I watched the documentary and watched the show, I saw similar synergies that was a way of storytelling that I hadn’t seen before in a medical drama. So, it was something I was initially attracted to be able to tell stories in the way they do it.

Q) What was the original breakdown like for the character?

A) He’s an undercover narcotics detective for the LAPD. So, he gets to meet the team from “Code Black” under some dire circumstances. I think that’s enough…[laughs]

Q) What did you find challenging about the role?

A) the emotional range that this character goes through and the challenges he has to go in this first episode (which you will see) are quite intense. He deals with some loss, someone who is really close to him. That was a challenge to portray in itself.

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

A) Originally, this guy is an LAPD officer and I was born and raised in New York City. Looking at the character and reading the backstory of where this guy came from, I thought it would be more interesting if this guy originated from the East Coast and found his place in the LAPD. That was kind of the element I brought to the character that wasn’t originally intended.

Q) Were you familiar with any of your costars before working on the series?

A) Actually, one of them – Moon Bloodgood is one of the series regulars this season. She has been a friend of mine for years. I didn’t know that she would be working on the show, so it was quite a surprise when I showed up to set that first day and saw her there. Then, the rest of the cast I didn’t know on a personal level, but of course Marcia Gay Harden, Rob Lowe and Luis Guzman – those are guys who I’ve followed their careers and have been a fan of.

Q) Was there any stunt work involved with the role?

A) there is! There is plenty of stunt work. I was on “The Last Ship” for a couple of seasons as a Navy SEAL, but on this show there was some gun training I had to do for some specific scenes on this show, which was pretty cool.

Q) Outside of working with Moon, is there someone you were hoping to share a scene with?

A) Marcia! Her work is incredible and I have a really good scene with her that was on set and one of my favorite scenes I’ve ever done as an actor. She’s just an incredible actress and so giving. The moments she has are so genuine and real that it was easy as an actor playing alongside of her because there wasn’t much acting to do since she made it so real to be in that situation.

Q) What were some of your favorite behind the scenes moments from filming?

A) I would say Luis is just…Working with that guy when I first met him…All the characters we have seen from him before are such comedic characters and the guy really is like that. So, it’s hard to keep a straight face working with him. He’s such a colorful person and cracking jokes on set. But he knows when to keep it serious and genuine. With that guy, working with him he is a comedic genius and such a character.

Q) What is it about “Code Black” that continues to make it such a fan favorite show?

A) Again, I just think it’s a different way of storytelling. It’s a story that people have seen before (being a medical drama there have been hundreds of these throughout the years), but what makes it different is the way they tell these stories. It’s so raw and graphic. They really give you the feeling and show you what it is like to be in these emergency rooms. There is no fluff behind it. I think that’s what draws people to it as that it just feels more real than other medical shows that have been on before.

Q) You often take on dramatic roles. What is it about these characters that draw you to them?

A) I would say just the dimensions of the characters and these dramatic shows have a lot of depth to them and it’s not just working on a sitcom, which I’ve done, or comedies where it is just on the page. With shows like this, they really give you room to create your own characters and be free with it. It’s just more challenging as an actor and I like to do things I’ve never done before. That’s really why I like to do shows like this.

Q) You’re a producer and actor. Is there anything else in the entertainment industry that you would like to try your hand at?

A) Directing is something I’ve always wanted to dabble in, but really my passion is in acting. I love to act and produce and put projects together that I have faith in and resonate with me personally.

Q) Who would be your dream costar?

A) Wow. There are so many. Growing up in New York City, Christopher Walken is someone I’ve always loved. I’ve always enjoyed his performances and he is someone I’ve always wanted to work with. So, he’s definitely up there at the top of my list of someone I’d like to work with in my career.

Q) What advice would you give to up and coming actors and actresses?

A) I would say it takes a lot of persistence and having the ability to deal with a lot of losses before you get that win and resilience to stay in there. Of course, honing your craft as an actor and finding the thing you are really good at and perfecting it.

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

A) I would just like to say thank you guys so much for hanging in there and following me in my career. There are more great things to come. I think this specific episode of “Code Black,” if you enjoyed my work before this is one you are really going to enjoy.