You probably know Silas Weir Mitchell from his roles in shows such as Prison Break, Burn Notice, My Name Is Earl, and many more. Most recently though, he's found a home starring in NBC's fantastical series Grimm. He portrays Monroe, a Blutbad – a creature similar to the Big Bad Wolf, who has changed his ways and is trying to lead a “normal” life. He often helps Detective Nick Burkhardt (played by Nick Giuntoli), a Grimm, despite the fact that they should be mortal enemies.
I recently spoke with Mitchell about playing Monroe, how the character has developed, and what we can expect to see as the season progresses.
IGN TV: You’ve had several memorable parts and appeared in a long list of series, but what’s it like to be involved with a series from the beginning and to be a regular?
Silas Weir Mitchell: It’s very nice to be in on the ground floor because you have more of a creative investment.
IGN: And it seems like the cast is a fun one to be a part of. What’s it like on set?
Mitchell: It is a great cast. We have a good time on set. There’s not a bad apple in the bunch and having Dave Giuntoli as number one on the call sheet is great because he works really hard and he’s always got a smile on his face. The energy comes down from the top. As far as David [Greenwalt] and Jim [Kouf], the showrunners – great guys. No one acts like jerks on our show. It’s really a delightful work environment. It’s just nice to go to work in a place where there’s not a lot of ego. People are there to tell a fun little story.
IGN: Have you been surprised at Monroe’s popularity? The show has really caught on in general, but I specifically hear people comment on awesome Monroe is and how much they adore the character.
Mitchell: That’s very sweet, and I love to hear that. You know, I’m a little surprised by it, I have to admit. I knew that the character of Monroe was going to be an important element in the story but I am surprised how people have sort of taken to him. I guess everybody loves an oddball.
IGN: He’s really come a long way. When he first met Nick he seemed set in his ways and even a bit hermit like, but he’s come out of his shell a lot and broken his routines. What are some ways in which he’s changed?
Mitchell: I think you’re right that the dynamic was one of extreme reluctance and fear at first, and I think he’s grown into the awareness that it might not be so bad to live in the world a little bit more as opposed to living in his clock room. I think Monroe has come to realize that if there’s a way to do good in the world by working with this unconventional Grimm then, why not? Because as a reformed Blutbad it feels good to maybe heal the damage that some of his ancestors have might have done.
IGN: Right, it’s like a penance of sorts. And now he’s more eager to go out there and even volunteering to go undercover to help Nick. Will we continue to see more of that?
Mitchell: Yeah, I think that there’s a genuine curiosity that Monroe feels about interacting with the world in a completely new way where it’s not just roaming the countryside eating little Red Riding Hood. The non-human or the mythological element is in the world in a way that isn’t necessarily bad. There’s a way to exist – it’s almost like a healing kind of thing for him to realize, “Oh, this side of myself can exist in the world in a positive way, maybe. Every time I morph doesn’t mean I have to be about to rip somebody’s throat out. I might be able to morph and scare a bad person.”
Jeff Katz Photography
IGN: Do you think he has to constantly fight his true nature and push against his dark side?
Mitchell: I don’t think it’s constant. [As Monroe] I think I’ve gotten to the point in my life where it’s not every time I hear the wind blow or look at a tree I don’t want to run out into the woods. I think it’s more about moments of fear and moments of anger. There are times when it would be easier probably to freak out and be done with it and if I’m committed to living in the human realm I can’t do that. It’s not like a constant battle but there’s certainly an inner conflict there. The demons are around the corner, but they’re not constantly banging on the door to get in though.
IGN: He’s fought against it for long enough.
Mitchell: Yeah, I think he’s got it pretty well in check. Unless of course you know, Angelina [Monroe’s ex-girlfriend] shows up. It was like “uh-oh” and he kind of backslid a little bit.
IGN: And she’s coming back to the show in this week's episode, and of course Monroe has Rosalee now. That’s bound to cause some tension. How do you think Monroe will handle it?
Mitchell: It’s the classic thing: as soon as you let your guard down with somebody then the old flame returns. It’s kind of a “what the hell are you doing here” type of situation. He thought they were done and doesn’t know why she’s bothering him again.
IGN: People always know when you’re making a good change.
Mitchell: Right. You’re making a move in a positive direction, and things get in the way.
IGN: What’s it like filming in Portland? The setting looks like another world.
Mitchell: That’s a fact. It’s a great place for this show; it fits really well. It’s a little spooky, it’s a little magical, it’s a little fairy tale. It really is its own character in the show, and it works. The environment is one of the things that makes the show what it is. Nothing on TV really looks like Grimm. I really think it is a unique concept certainly, but it’s a unique looking show and they do a really good job with that.
See what happens when Angelina returns to shake things up on Grimm on Friday, October 5th at 9pm ET/PT on NBC.
Amy Ratcliffe is a writer for IGN TV. You can follow her on on Twitter at @Amy_Geek and IGN at alratcliffe.
Source : ign[dot]com
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