Video: Interviews – Fox’s Wayward Pines Wonder Con 2015

Interviews: Fox’s Wayward Pines Wonder Con 2015

Interviews with Executive Producer Donald De Line (Green Lantern, The Italian Job) and cast members Reed Diamond (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, 24) and Tim Griffin (American Sniper, Bourne Supremacy).

Date: Friday, April 3, 2015

If you haven’t heard of Wayward Pines, then hold on to your sanity because this is one show that will test your nerves. Based on the book series by Blake Crouch, the 10-episode limited series of the same name, Wayward Pines, is reminiscent of shows like Twin Peaks and Happy Town which were both ominous and chilling at times. It also has elements of movies like The Village and Signs in the sense that you aren’t sure if people are who they say they are or if the things that go bump in the night are from this world. Coincidentally, the director of these two films, Oscar® and Golden Globe® nominee M. Night Shyamalan, is one of the executive producers of Wayward Pines and directs an episode.

Having already seen the first five episodes, I’m anxiously awaiting the show’s premiere in May so I can finally watch the remaining five episodes of the season to see how things end. I know I can read the books to figure out what happens, but I like the anticipation of waiting, and Wayward Pines is most definitely worth the wait. With an all-star cast including Matt Dillon, Carla Gugino, Terrence Howard, Juliette Lewis, Melissa Leo, Shannyn Sossamon, Toby Jones, Reed Diamond, Tim Griffin, and Hope Davis, Wayward Pines not only captivates you with an intriguing mystery, but the actors all give outstanding performances in their respective roles. I will say you’ll probably want to go out and get some ice cream and sugar cones after seeing the first few episodes. While I’m not fond of “rum raisin,” like Howard’s character Sheriff Pope, I substituted for one of my favorites, pralines-n-cream.

L-R: Donald DeLine, Tim Griffin, Reed Diamond

In the press room, I first spoke with executive producer Donald DeLine, who has one helluva resume. While his niche isn’t in television, his expertise in producing films gave him great insight for producing what is essentially a 10-hour film. The way television has morphed over the years, these limited series events are becoming much more popular with both producers and actors. Creatively speaking, working on a network series with multiple seasons can be very beneficial financially speaking for actors although there’s a possibility it will also stifle their creativity. With a six to ten episodes long series, the doors are more open for actors to seek other projects and not be tied to a long term, multiple season show. Of course, there are pros and cons in any project actors sign on to in Hollywood. Actors Diamond and Griffin touch on that point in their interviews.

Many film actors find good homes in television. Dillon makes his television series debut in Wayward Pines, although he has guest starred on ABC’s Modern Family and lent his voice to Fox’s longtime animated series, The Simpsons. Carla Gugino, who I absolutely adore, is definitely no stranger to television with her roles on HBO’s Entourage and Showtime’s Californication, in addition to her many guest star appearances on shows like Justified and New Girl. Howard is making Fox’s Wednesday nights the place to be as the powerful Lucious Lyons on Empire, and in addition to her role on Wayward Pines, Oscar® and Golden Globe® nominee Juliette Lewis also stars on ABC’s limited event series Secrets and Lies.

Diamond’s most recent stint on ABC’s Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (AoS) stands out but his role as the dubious toy maker Harold Ballinger on Wayward Pines is nothing like his AoS character Dr. Whitehall…or so it seems. We still haven’t seen the many facets of Harold Ballinger but Diamond assures us there is much more to his character than meets the eye. As an aside, I had a total geek moment (on the inside) when I spoke with Diamond. I’m a huge AoS fan and he’s friggin’ Dr. Whitehall! But unlike his evil counterpart, Diamond is quite humorous, friendly, and charming.

And finally, Griffin, who mentions how his nose was broken by a famous A-lister in a little film called Bourne Supremacy, gives us a bit of insight into his Wayward Pines character Agent Adam Hassler. While seemingly helpful and concerned about his missing agents, we learn much more about Hassler’s guilefulness as Ethan Burke’s (Matt Dillion) boss and supposed friend. The rumors are true about Griffin; he is one of the nicest actors in Hollywood. He’s also delightfully funny as you will see in the video interviews.

Without further ado – the video interviews.

Tune in to the premiere of Wayward Pines, Thursday, May 14, 2015 at 9PM E/P on Fox.

For more on the show, go to http://www.fox.com/wayward-pines.

Follow Wayward Pines on Twitter @WaywardPinesFOX

Like the series on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/WaywardPines

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Judy Manning

Dream chaser extraordinaire! Judy tends to be a tad sarcastic and kind of goofy! She is an avid admirer of all things supernatural, paranormal, celestial and mystical. She loves to read, write, and watches way too much TV. She enjoys many genres of film and music (and let's be honest, most music from the 80s). She also has a wicked sweet tooth. Cupcakes beware.