Yul Vazquez – Russian Doll

By starrymag | February 18, 2019

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

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

A) I’m working on something for HBO right now that is based on the Stephen King book The Outsider. We’re doing that now in Atlanta.

Q) The series is sort of reminiscent of the film Groundhog Day. How was the show originally described to you?

A) I read the pilot and it was described to me kind of like that. I don’t know if they used Groundhog Day, but they described it as this keep coming back. I know Groundhog Day, but for some reason this show just seems different to me. I know it’s Groundhog Day in the way this keeps happening, but every time it happens is where it takes a different turn and it’s a different sort of timeline. So, she just kind of explained to me what her character was going to do. When I read the pilot, to me it had a supernatural thing to it that Groundhog Day doesn’t have. That was my take on it.

Q) It seems like they are trying to highlight a quantum immortality theory. Were there any clues along the way that fans should look out for as to why she keeps reliving these days?

A) I don’t know. I really don’t. I don’t know that you get those clues. I think what it is, is what it is. I think it’s going to make everybody think and ask this question, I know it. I don’t have that answer for you. I wish I did! I wish I did. I heard some people that were confused about the end. I don’t know. I don’t have any inside information about it other than what we see. I guess what you see is what you get.

Q) How would you characterize John and Nadia’s relationship?

A) Obviously, it’s very, very complicated. John is in love with her and he genuinely is in love with her. In some ways, I think she’s toying with him. It’s funny because I asked why he keeps coming back and why he keeps letting her sort of abuse him. The only thing I could think was that he’s so deeply in love with her. Even though she doesn’t want to accept it, he’s always very nice to her.

Q) We don’t know much about his backstory. What kind of information did they offer about him or did you have to come up with your own ideas?

A) They didn’t give me much of a backstory on John. I had to sort of create my own thing. You don’t know much about John. I, at one time, said something about it. That’s John’s function, which is tough in order to piece it together. I just filled in the blanks for myself because, you’re right, you don’t know much about him. We know he has a kid and that he’s separated from his wife or married and he’s madly in love with this lady.

Q) Talk about working with Natasha Lyonne.

A) Natasha and I have known each other for a while. So, we’re friends. We were friends before we started working together. We always wanted to do something, and we never found the thing to do and then this came up and she came to me. We have this very nutty chemistry that is hard to explain chemistry. We just sort of click, her and I. We have this great banter. I don’t know. The way they leave the series is that John just kind of exits. He didn’t die or anything. I don’t know anything about another season, but the show has really sort of exploded, which is great. I’m really happy for her (Natasha). I’m really happy for all of us, but she really put a lot into this and there was a lot riding on it. I’m really proud of her and I’m really happy for her. Her and Amy Poehler worked their asses off and in particular Natasha. And Leslye Headland and Natasha were there every day. Leslye is a big part of that. She really was a great captain of that ship in many ways.

Q) And the show creation is fully female, which is great!

A) It’s great for me because I was raised by women! I was the only male and the youngest person in my household. I get along with women great. I’m very, very comfortable. Some of my favorite people are women. It was a great set!

Q) There were so many timelines, too. It must have been complicated to film.

A) That’s what separates the people who do and people who don’t do it. [laughs] The script supervisor and all of the directors and all of the actors are very, very careful with the timeline. You just had to track where you were and where you were before in that timeline from the previous time we saw you. It’s a tricky dance, but that’s the job. That’s what you’re supposed to do. I couldn’t have done it by myself. The script supervisor was huge in helping to keep that all together. I mean, just so tough!

Q) Was it difficult then to keep track of what mindset you needed to be in at that time?

A) No. After a while what happens is once you determine it you just go. It doesn’t get hard to keep track of the mindset. You just know where you are on this day and after you get used to it you just do it. I have to imagine it’s got to be way harder for the director because of the camera angles and then in post for the editors with all of the pieces. It’s just hundreds of pieces! As you know, every shot has multiple angles and some of the costumes are the same, but different things are happening. So, you rewind to the same moment, but there is a different outcome. I can only imagine what the post on this was like.

Q) You often take on dark, mysterious roles. What is it about these characters that draws you to them?

A) Well, I think it’s on a per character basis. I think that the Rev and John are very different. I don’t see John as that dark. I think John is a pretty normal guy who is trying to reason with this woman. In this particular thing he finds himself in these weird situations because of her. He’s trying to help her. Like the scene with the rabbi where he sends him in there to ask about the school, he’s doing that for her. He’s not sure what the hell – if she’s lying or if she’s pulling his leg. He just wants to make her happy.

Q) What have you taken away from working on “Russian Doll?”

A) I treasure my friendship with Natasha. I became friends with Leslye Headland and her wonderful wife Rebecca Henderson. I treasure them. I thought they were super amazing people. I was so pleased to be able to meet them on this. I love working on the show. Whatever is a biproduct of going to work on something it’s always just gravy. You go there and do the job to the best of your ability and then you leave and then it sort of takes on a life of its own. Sometimes you meet really cool people and you stay friends with them. That’s a great thing. Sometimes you don’t. Sometimes you don’t know how something is going to be received or turn out. You have high hopes for things, and you wish only the best. Sometimes it doesn’t go that way. This one turns out it went well! That’s probably what I’ve taken away from it.

Q) We loved seeing you on “Midnight, Texas.” Did you personally take anything from set?

A) No, nothing. I don’t really keep stuff from costumes. Every once in a while, something will mean something tremendously. The Rev – I left him in Midnight, Texas.

Q) Do you keep in touch with anyone from the series?

A) Oh Francois [Arnaud] and I are buddies! He lives in New York and I live in New York. He’s a great friend of mine and he’s super talented. He’s got a super bright future and I really love that guy. I hope to work with him again.

Q) “Midnight, Texas” came and went. Would you’d be willing to return to the show if it could be revived on another network?

A) I don’t know. I really don’t know. I’d have to have that conversation then and see. I’d have to see what all the components are. I’m not opposed to it.

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

A) I’d like to say thank you and let them all know that it is appreciated. It’s definitely one of the reasons why I do this, to hopefully touch someone, move them or make them question something or make them think or make them feeling something. To them I say thank you very, very much.