Tracy Ifeachor – Quantico

By: Jamie Steinberg

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

A) I was working on “Spark” for ABC. Before that, I was on “The Originals.” Now, I’m on “Quantico” so I also get to do a lot of stunts because I was a gymnast, high board diver and a dancer. It’s really great to use all of those physical skills.

Q) Were you a fan of “Quantico” before joining the show?

A) It’s so funny because I was on a show called “Crossbones” with John Malkovich and Yasmine [Al Massri] who plays Nimah and Raina on the show. So, I’d watched a little bit of it before. Then, when they started talking about possible characters for me I watched the whole series. It was a really interesting concept and I thought it was a strong start to the show.

Q) How was Lydia Bates originally described to you?

A) It’s funny you ask that because we were actually supposed to start shooting in the UN building and then for some reason that didn’t happen. So, the casting for Lydia Bates fell really close for them to start. That meant the Saturday before Lydia was supposed to be shooting it hadn’t been cast yet. The casting director submitted a tape that I had done for something else because I was traveling and then on that Monday they officially offered me the role and that afternoon I was flying out. So, I got to talk to Josh Safran, the showrunner, and the lovely ladies in casting. They discussed the character and what she does and I found the whole thing interesting. But I didn’t really know much about the character before I started. I really did trust and believe in the vision they have for the show and this season through the vision that I got through the creative. I just thought it was so great and Josh is so creative and well versed. I have such a love for Shakespeare and so does he. It was so great to talk to Josh because he does as well so he’ll also throw in a few things and we’ll joke about it. I really liked the show and where this season is going.

Q) What did you do to prepare for the role with the limited time you had?

A) Oh my gosh! I didn’t even know what the look was and I was so jetlagged, it was unbelievable. I literally got off the plane, learned the lines and researched a little bit about the CIA and what different characters do and the roles. There is a really great consultant who helps train us and he is really cool. I don’t know if I’m allowed to say his name, but he is really cool and talks us through everything like what the real situations would actually look like and be like and what the training is like. So, it’s really talking to the real thing that was so helpful. My background is really stunt driven. I always keep fit and go to the gym and take dance classes. So, it was really watching the first season and getting the tone of the show. I talked to the writers a lot for the vision of the season as opposed to my character because really each character is a piece of the puzzle of how it all fits together. That will lead to a better more cohesive show if you focus on serving the story as opposed to what is my character doing, how many lives do I have and what this means. I try to find the joy and humanity of each person I play. I think that’s really important.

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

A) There is and I don’t know if I’m allowed to say. There are so many twists and turns but I’m really passionate about fitness and working out. So, there are lots of different scenes in there where they are like, “Okay, she’ll be doing this,” and I said, “Cool, how about if she does this?” They were like, “Really? You can do that?” I said, “Yeah. Sure!” We threw in things like that and we talk a lot about our background and family. So, they were really familiar with my work before so they threw lots of those things in. There are such lovely scenes in this show, but I can’t really go into too much detail because I don’t want to ruin it. Also, the reveals are so good that I don’t want to ruin it. It’s a real page turner!

Q) Where we pick up this season with “Quantico?”

A) Alex (Priyanka Chopra) has kind of fallen out with the FBI and joins the CIA. It’s just really great. She meets lots of different characters along the way and no one really is who they say they are. We’re going to really see relationships develop this season. It’s going to be intense. I’m so excited about bringing a whole new audience with us and letting the fans from Season One enjoy things unwinding and unfolding with the timelines and twists that happen. It’s going to be really good, intense fun. You’ll really enjoy getting to know all the new characters. They are really rich. They have written such great people.

Q) What was it like for you to join an already established cast?

A) It was so good! As an actor, your life is so transitory and you can literally be in one country with a group of people and then two days later you are on another set completely and you are thrown together for months and then don’t see each other. I’m kind of used to coming into a new group that established already. I think it’s really about conserving the peace and it’s been so great because Priyanka has been so wonderful. She takes it upon herself to throw parties for new people and we all met at her house to watch the premiere episode together. She really looks out for all the new people. Everyone has just been so wonderful welcoming us. I haven’t had a scene yet with Aunjanue [Ellis] and then she got my email off one of the AD’s and wrote me to say she wanted to welcome me to the show. I just thought it was so kind and open hearted of her and the cast to do that. We all do that stuff for each other. It’s a warm set. We’re all different people and all different characters, but we’re all really respectful of our different approaches and processes. So, I think as casts go, it’s actually a really nice group. I look forward to coming in each day.

Q) Is there someone you haven’t worked with yet that you would love to share a scene?

A) There is but I don’t want to say because you might be able to guess some of the things that happen! On a personal level, I know everyone really well now and everyone is always on set at different times. I love meeting everyone at the read through and talking with them. I’m really looking forward to working with the people that I haven’t gotten to work with so far.

Q) What can you tease have been some of your most memorable moments from filming?

A) As I said, I come from a theater background and that’s my real passion and love. I equally love film work and all the abilities and challenges of it. Because I come from theater, I love working with Blair Underwood because he also comes from there. We just had a really great shorthand. So, my most memorable moments are with him and our two characters. We already have a great shorthand and understand the approach and the journey without being intrusive or taking extra time to do things. My most memorable moments are scenes with him because he’s a fantastic actor (as everyone knows) and because he makes things so easy. If you have an idea, he is really bold and I love taking risks and new things. I will say, “Let’s just not plan it and try it.” Then, when we finish a scene we’re like, “Wow! That’s really cool.” We love surprising each other and it has been really fun working on set. Also, the city of New York is just so beautiful. I love being here, working here, the people I met and the churches.

Q) You are a part of social media. Are you looking forward to the instant fan feedback you will be receiving to episodes?

A) Instant fan feedback on social media is something so new to me. Usually, we shoot it and it airs and then you have time to watch it yourself and look at it. Or you are shooting so far ahead that by the time it airs you have a handle on the character and where everything is. This will be a new experience to me because we are a few episodes in and it is already starting to air. So, I’m looking forward to seeing what the fans think of it and how they enjoy it and things they would like to see more of. It’s good to be engaged with that and with the fans.

Q) Is there anything else you want to be sure fans know about this season of “Quantico” and your character?

A) I think the thing I would like people to know about Lydia (without giving too much away) is to have in their minds that nothing is ever what it appears to be. We all have a reason for doing things and a past that colors the way we see the world. It may not always make sense, be the best thing or be something that people agree with or disagree with (whatever way they proceed when you first meet her). Nothing is ever how it appears to be on the surface. No one is ever truly good or truly bad. We’re a product of our experiences. Even some people don’t realize that your past does not define you and it doesn’t have to own you. It’s not about what you have done in your life. It’s where you are now, what you attempt to do in the future and who you are going to take with you on that journey. We’re not our past or our history – the things we have happened, the things done to us and what we have done to others. It doesn’t have to define who we are today and moving forward. I would like them to have them in mind that everyone is on a journey. I just have so much fun playing Lydia. She’s so different to me in every way. I’m not super serious. You have to enjoy each moment because tomorrow is not promised. That’s what I try to do and try to bring that into even the harshest of characters. Be prepared to go on a journey with her and it’s a real blessing to be a part of the show with writers who are so talented and creative. I love seeing someone go from A to B with a whole load of things happening in between.

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

A) I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who is a fan and supporter of mine and the shows I have been on. These shows wouldn’t exist without them. I love all the different communities who know what they like and don’t like. They are always so great and it’s a real boost because you make these shows and these characters in almost like a bubble. You drive to set really early, work all day and then you come home and everyone is in bed. So, you don’t really get to see everyone’s responses. It’s really nice to see that you are going in the right direction. I think that humanity is so important. So, I tend to hide and get a little embarrassed, but it is so important to know that you are supported by the public and fans. So, a huge thank you and it is such a blessing to be in this line of work and wake up and love what you do and inspire and encourage people of all walks of life. I’m big on mentoring programs and we are going to do one for “Quantico” called Film Good/Do Good and we’re going to do it on Staten Island where we are reading to kids. We’re just going to come down and encourage and bless those people who feel a little forgotten about. People can donate to it as well if they contact production. So, I would like to say thank you and the well wishes are well received and given back.