1) Were you familiar with Tanya Huff's books prior to appearing on the show based on her book series?
No. I was not familiar with the novels.
2) How would you describe your character? Why did you want this role?
Who wouldn’t want this role? Characters like Emmanuel don’t come along very often. To me he is like a hot Latin lover. Kind of like an Antonio Banderas of the Incubus world. Emmanuel is essentially in retirement. He is tired of all of the negative aspects of being a demon and has decided to really enjoy life and indulge his two great passions: gardening and giving pleasure to women.
3) Had you worked with any of the cast or crew prior to Blood Ties?
I had not worked with any of the cast before but Alan Kroeker (Director) and I worked together on an episode of Dark Angel. It was wonderful to work with him again. The cast and crew of Blood Ties were really amazing. It was as if everyone had been working together for months already.
4) Since you guest starred in the first filmed episode, can you share some stories from the first day of filming?
My first day of filming consisted of me getting almost naked and crawling into bed with Apollonia Vanova to shoot the scene that opens the episode. It was very strange to be introduced to her for the first time and then was basically,“ok guys take your clothes off and hop into bed so we can rehearse the scene!” I was doing a lot of joking around to keep things light and comfortable for Apollonia and myself.
5) What was the interviewing process like for Blood Ties? What scene did you have to act out?
The scenes I originally auditioned with were quite different in the final script. They made some changes in the plot line of my character. I went into the audition with a very strong idea of who this character was. There was no indication of ethnicity or accent etc. and I remember going into the room with the producers and saying, “This is how I see this character and if you don’t like it we can try something else.” At the end of the audition there was no need to do it another way because they absolutely loved what I had created. It was very different from what they had seen for this character.
6) Since the series doesn't air in Canada, have you been able to see your episode yet? What did you think of the episode?
No I haven’t seen it yet and I’m dying to see the final product.
7) Do you remember any specific locations where you filmed outside of the set?
All of the scenes involving the women and their houses were shot on location in a lovely suburb out in Maple Ridge. The rest was in the studio which itself is very cool with Henry’s apartment, Vicki’s office, etc.
8) Who is the first person you told that you got the role on Blood Ties? How did you celebrate getting this role?
My wife of course! I think we just ordered some food in and had a great bottle of wine.
9) Like your character, Emmanuel, are you personally a good gardener?
I’m not bad. I love gardening. I don’t think I’m as proficient as Emmanuel and I certainly don’t get to sleep with the women in the neighborhood.
10) If any, what kind of research did you do for this role?
The only research I did was to figure out what the poetry Emmanuel quotes to Vicki was. The rest was instinct and imagination. That sounds so pretentious, now that I see it written there, but it really was one of those times an actor loves to get when you can just let yourself run with your instincts and the character just evolves.
11) Any lasting memories from working on the set?
I remember almost every moment. It was one of the most, if not the most, enjoyable shoots I’ve had in a very long time.
12) What are your upcoming projects?
I’m currently in a play called Arabian Night by Roland Schimmelpfennig. We just opened on the 20th of May. I’m also shooting three days on a sci-fi mini-series called Tin Man, which is a reworking of the Wizard of Oz. And my 16 month old son keeps me pretty busy.
FORUM Q & A
From Lorelai: Thank you for taking our questions, we all loved that episode and especially you as Emmanuel. I'd love to hear your behind-the-scenes point of view of how it was filming the very first episode of this series. Was everyone still awkward and getting to know each other, or very professional and didn't let it faze them? Since you're probably the only guest star who came in at the same time as everyone else was starting, it seems like it would be a unique experience. Thank you again, and I hope we see more of Emmanuel on Blood Ties! Maybe season 2?
Thank you Lorelai. It was a unique experience being there at the beginning with every one else. We all had a blast working together and as I said earlier the cast and crew worked so well together it was like we’d being doing it for months. Shortly after we started shooting the producers and director were indicating that they might bring my character back since they like him so much. It didn’t happen in Season one but I do hope they consider bringing him back if they have another season.
From CrazyBrownEyeGirl: Hey Craig, I just wanted to know if there was any particular scene or line that made you all crack up laughing.
There were many! But the scene where they trap me on the bed produced a lot of hysterics.
From MarieWP: Craig, loved your role on Blood Ties. Was it fun to play this character who gets to court all those ladies?
Thank you Marie. It was the most fun I’d had on a shoot. Who could resist the allure of a character like Emmanuel?
From xfilervamp: That poem you quoted to Vicki...do you know the name of it???
I don’t remember the name of it off the top of my head but it was by “Sappho” who was a female Greek poet.
From Jaclyn: I absolutely adored you as the incubus, what was it like having all the woman fawn over you?
It was rough. I don’t think they paid me enough!
From isilwath: Craig- Thank you so much for agreeing to an interview. I was looking at your bio and- WOW- you've been in a lot of TV shows since 1998. A very impressive resume! I saw you in Stargate: Atlantis; knew I'd seen you before! Great job there, BTW. My question is: I see that you have played quite a few police officer/law enforcement roles. Have you ever been concerned that you were being typecast or do you feel that you have landed enough variety in your roles to expand your acting horizons? Thanks again for agreeing to an interview.
Thank you for the compliment. I have played so many different characters of different ethnicities that I do not think I’ve been type cast at all.
From Treisme: How did you enjoy your experience of playing an incubus?? Just how does one get into character, as there aren’t actually any incubi around to ask how to portray them?
Loved it. Hope he comes back because he’s so much fun to play. As for getting into character; instinct and imagination!
From freg: Hi there Craig. Thanks so much for taking the time to come play with us. I loved you as incubus Emmanuel. Great scene! The eppie Love Hurts had some pretty cheek and funny scene ie: you and Gina (Coreen) in the Vicki's bedroom trap scene. I get the feeling.. dunno why, could be very wrong.. but get the feeling that there was some giggling going on between takes. Did you find the Blood ties set different from other shows you have done? Was their giggling? Come on now..just between us?? okay.. and the rest of the internet but they won't tell.. really.
That scene certainly did have a lot of giggling between takes. It was such a fun scene and it was really late at night -- dangerous combination for actors!
From Dru: Weird question, but I loved the whole chatting between Emmanuel and Henry in the end. Did you find that fun or funny, or just like lines to perform?
That was one of my favorite moments and one that the director in particular liked as well. It’s this great moment of connection between Emmanuel and Henry because I’m the only one who can really understand Henry, being a demon myself. I get the struggle he has in trying to reconcile who is with what he’s trying to do with his life. The director thought this friendship between Emmanuel and Henry would be a great one to explore if they brought my character back. Kyle and I became friends working on this episode and we still keep in touch and get together when we can. He’s not only a talented actor but a wonderful guy!
From DreamVision: Thank you for agreeing to do our interview! Love Hurts has been a fan favorite so we are thrilled! The episode had a very "Desperate Housewives" kind of vibe to it, did you feel that too and was that intentional?
Oh I think the writer, Shelley Eriksen, definitely had her intentions in that regard. I think the script was so well written. Very funny and dramatic at the same time
From NightSiren: Hi Craig!! Thank you very much for taking the time to answer our questions-we appreciate it!! First off, I really enjoyed this episode because it was sexy and comedic and there was great chemistry between everyone--that's very cool since this was the first episode filmed...Here is my question: Before receiving the role as the Incubus on Blood Ties, did you have any interest in anything relating to things associated with the occult/paranormal like vampires, incubi,etc--or was this role your first experience with things of that nature? Thanks so much! Best of luck in your career!
I think most people are fascinated by things of this nature. I really haven’t delved too deeply into any of it though.
From Jules: Hi Craig!! It seems that you have had a lot of different types of roles. I guess my question would be what kind of character do you enjoy playing the most? Do you think it was easier or harder being that your episode was the first one shot? Thanks for answering all of our questions!!
I enjoy playing characters that are really well written and have complexity to them. I really wouldn’t change the fact that my episode was the first one shot. I loved being there at the beginning.
From ForeverImmortal: Your character and Vickie Nelson almost heat up things further than just the temptation and the "longing". Looking back do you wish that the writers had pursued that more in the episode?
I think Vicki has enough on her plate dealing with Henry and Celluci. Although, if they did bring my character back, it would provide a wonderful and playful tension. Christina Cox was an absolute joy to work with. I’d work with her again anytime on anything. She is wonderfully talented and generous actor to work with as well as being very down to earth and unpretentious.
I really want to thank all of you wonderful fans for your questions and the opportunity to do this interview. I hope you continue to enjoy the show. Have a great summer!
Sincerely,
Craig Veroni |
