As a huge Moonlight fan, it was a top mission of mine (ever since Hollywood The Write Way was created) to interview Australian born actor, Alex O’Loughlin.
After CBS cancelled Moonlight earlier this year, thousands of fans were left wondering what that meant for Alex O’Loughlin. How soon would it be until we saw him as a lead on the small screen? This past August, fans got their answer – well sort of. Keep reading to see what our favorite vampire has to say about his upcoming projects, Moonlight, and more.
Tell us about the one year deal you recently signed with CBS.
Moonlight came to an end, which was very sad and then I just went away for a couple of weeks to Mexico. When I came home, there were a few offers from different studios and networks. The deal that sat the best for me was what CBS was offering. They were open to negotiation points that I wanted to bring in, which was great and I discussed where I would like to go with my career. Since then, I have been developing an original series with executive producer and head writer on Criminal Minds, Simon Mirren that we have been putting together under Mark Gordon. It is an original concept that we are in the middle of pitching at the moment. It will be a one hour drama that I will be producing and starring in. It is a story of redemption but from a very different point of view.
What is the plot for your next film, Whiteout and explain your character?
It is based on a graphic novel. I play an Australian pilot living on a base with a group of people. I am an ambiguous character, I am not quite a cheeky guy, who is up to a little more than we know. It is directed by Dominic Sena, produced by Joel Silver, and I worked with such a great group of people. It is a thriller set in Antartica. I am very excited to see it, I actually have seen very little of it so far.
Do you remember the day that you found out you got the role for Moonlight?
Yes, I do! I was in Montreal and I got a call from Joel Silver. He said that he needed me to get on a plane and come to NY immediately. I think it was 5pm and the stores were closing at 5:30pm so I had to race into town and get a suit. I had to book a flight in about 45 minutes, get on a plane to NY and then as I got to NY I was told that the cast from the Pilot had been let go. You know what, I am talking about when I found out the show got picked up, not when I found out that I got the role.
That is okay, you can talk about whatever you want.
(laughs) So I didn’t have a cast! I also found out that they were no longer calling it Twilight, they would be calling it Moonlight and there were a few changes in the script. Then I found myself standing on stage at Carnegie Hall and the police did not know who we were or what we were doing…and that was the beginning of Moonlight.
Walk us through the last day of filming Moonlight.
I kind of blocked it from my memory a bit. The last few days kind of string together for me. They were very busy and we were shooting like mad, finishing at all hours of the morning. The sun would come up and we had been there for 18, 19, 20 hours. The end of the last day everyone was kind of dragging themselves to their cars and leaving to go home and get some sleep. I wish I could tell you it was a little more poetic but we believed that we were coming back. It was sad.
What characteristics did you bring towards your character that were not displayed in the script?
I tried to bring a sense of humor and a sense of irony. People around him did not understand the irony in situation. I tried to bring more of a passion to him. All of that being said, this was very well written. The writers and original creators were amazing. There were so many different avenues that I could have gone with my character but their writing, it made my job easy so I have to thank them a lot.
Tell me what you would have liked to see happen, not what you think would have happened if there was a Season 2 of Moonlight as far as the Mick, Beth, Coraline love triangle.
I would have liked to have seen Mick & Beth start exploring a relationship together and see where that goes. Also throw Coraline in to spice things up and put an obstacle in Mick & Beth’s way for dramatic purposes. Coraline wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon and there was a lot to explore there. I also would have to explore whether Mick’s true nature as a vampire, as an immortal creature that lives on human blood would ever come to the surface and if Beth would mind being in more danger than if she was not with Mick.
Do you have a favorite quote from Moonlight?
I do, Lola says “Remember darling, half the world is night.” (Episode: B.C.) I love it! I write it on some photos when people ask for autographs. (laughs) I love it!
Can you tell us your favorite episode of filming, The Shield on FX?
The last one because I didn’t want to leave that whole experience. The Shield is so well written and all of the writers are so smart! To be able to kick doors open, work with guns, arrest people, have car chases… it is all so much fun. The dialogue was just as much fun because the writers are incredible. I really can’t pinpoint my favorite episode we shot because the entire experience was amazing. Every episode I did just got better and better.
Tell me about filming the movies, The Invisible and August Rush.
The Invisible was shot in Vancouver and I was a lead but I was not the main lead. So I had a bunch of time off in Vancouver at such a beautiful time of the year when winter was approaching. My character worked out a lot since he had a lot of time on his hands so I ran 10-12 miles a day for 5 days a week, and shaved my head for the role. It was very physical but that was fun. There is one part in the film where Margarita Levieva’s character, Annie has me at gunpoint on the edge. When she kicks me off the small edge, she actually did that! I had a wire on me. The take that they used was actually when I almost lost my balance, so that was fun.
August Rush was a wonderful experience for me. I read the script all the way through while I was shooting The Invisible and I loved it and I read it again. I knew I had to be part of that film. I put down 2 tests at a studio in Vancouver. I played guitar and sang a couple of songs and did a few dialogue scenes. That was all actually for the lead role that Jonathan Rhys Meyers ended up playing. I spoke to the director, Kirsten Sheridan and she said that they needed a known name for the role but she would love to give me the role of Marshall. She re-wrote the character, she pumped that role up because it was a much smaller role in the beginning. We all lived together in NY and I had never lived in NY before so it was one of the greatest times of my life.
What is the most important thing that you have learned about yourself coming from Australia and making your way into Hollywood?
I have learned to be able to back yourself up and give yourself what you need. It is such a cut throat industry where you get knocked down so much and get rejected so much. If you do not back yourself up, no one else is going to so you really need to learn to get up, shake the sand off your chest and keep going. Do not take yourself so seriously. All of this stuff is really wonderful if it all crumbles tomorrow, it is okay. I can go home and do something else. Not that I want to do that but it is about keeping the right perspective.
I think this is one of the best interviews that anyone has done about Alex! Bravo to you!
You asked him something about his career other than all about Moonlight and – God forbid the question about James Bond. Thank you for that!
Alex is such an amazing actor as well as one of the kindest most down to earth individuals I have ever read about. I will forever be a life long fan. I wish him much success in his future in Hollywood and God knows he deserves it!!
Go get ’em Alex!! You have a huge fan base behind you just waiting to see you on the screen again. We love you dearly!! (((Big Hug!)))
Thanks for this interview it was much appreciated!!!
WOW, Alex is such an incredible guy. He is so humble and down to earth. I wish him all the best with his new project and in the future. I can’t wait to see his new show. GOOD LUCK ALEX!!!
Love ya bunches,
Alyssa
Melody, This is a pretty amazing interview. Thanks for sharing it with us.
We are hearing directly from Alex O’Loughlin about his past roles, and how he is looking forward with his new projects. Beats gossip, and speculation any day of the week !
I really like the fact that he is so grounded, and is handling his success so well. I see wonderful projects in his future, but he has a healthy attitude about it all.
You asked great questions, and gave us all a good sense of how Alex is feeling about his career, and past and future roles.
Kudos to you for obtaining an interview with Alex. I know how busy actors can be, so it is always nice to hear from them with news of what they are up to.
That was a great interview with Alex. Thank you!
I hope he has a decent amount of scenes in Whiteout as I believe he deserves the exposure of being in a major movie. He has a great screen presence and I imagine the day isn’t far off when we will see him as the lead in American films as he was in Australia.
He is a remarkable man with loads of talent and charm and I can’t wait to see his next TV show. I have great faith in his choices.
That was an awesome interview! You asked him questions I’ve never heard anyone else ask. Thanks a bunch! I can’t wait to see what he is currently working on. I hope it makes it to the screen and doesn’t get shot down. Once again, thanks!
Thank you for one of the best interviews I've had the pleasure to read. You questions were well thought out. Alex came across as a very articulate, thoughtful young man who knows exactly where he is going and what he is doing to get there. Most of all, he's still true to himself. He has been open and honest with his fans and with his fellow actors. I will support him in anything he does, anywhere. Hurry back to us Alex! We miss you! Hugs & Kisses & more Hugs…..Caro
Wonderful interview!
Thank you very much, Melody.
It’s really great to hear from Alex again. What a treat!
~inkling1
Thank you so much for such a heart warming interview with our Alex/Mick. I’m one of the Moonlight vamp nuts and love it. To read such a great interview with such a sweet, warm person as Alex it’s just wonderful. I had read somewhere he had gone to Mexico after the cancellation of Moonlight for two weeks, as he was as disapointed as we all are.
Thank you again for such a great article, I truly hope we see more of them as Alex is deserving of it.
OMG…An absolutely AMAZING interview!!!!!!! I could actually hear Alex’s voice in my head as I was reading it. Thank you for bringing us a slightly different view of our favorite Vamp. He was, as always, forthcoming and genuine. It would give me the greatest pleasure to actually meet him one day. But, until that time, interviews like yours will have to suffice. Thank you for sharing it with us!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you all so much for your positive feedback!
It really means the world to me, I appreciate all of the comments!
*Melody*
Wow, I agree with others. This is the best and most informative interview that Alex gave, about what transpired in the last days of Moonlight and about his CBS job and new and past movies. Good stuff. Thanks for posting the interview.
Chin up, Alex. Never give up!
Thanks so much for that interview. It was a good one! It’s always such a treat to hear from Alex.
WOW Melody, what a professional, well-prepared and delightfully interesting interview you did with our Alex! He was so genuinely open and honest with details, and yes I too could hear him while reading this. What an extraordinary asset he is to any role he takes or production he is involved with, and always so humble and natural! So I cannot WAIT for his next projects!
What a wonderful interview! Many fans, like me, are still in disbelief that our beloved “Moonlight” was cancelled. I miss that great cast and group of writers so much. Here’s hoping that CBS doesn’t throw Alex’s talent away again…
Great job on the interview, Melody! You asked the perfect questions, and I heard Alex talk about so many things that I have never heard before.
All of Alex’s work is outstanding; he is going to need a separate house for all of his awards one of these days!
I know that the new project is going to go well. Alex is not only the most talented actor I have ever seen, but also the most unique. No matter the size of the part, Alex shines and stands out above all of the rest.
Not only is Alex a tremendous talent, but such a thoughful and caring man as well. I have never known an actor to be so nice about keeping in touch with his fans, and I don’t think even Alex has any idea just how many there are at this point. The number is huge, and the ones that I know are like myself – all excited about upcoming work from this charming actor, and all very loyal. If Alex does it, I am there, no matter which network, etc.
I am looking forward to Whiteout and to the new show – having Alex on my TV every week again will be an absolute joy.
No need to wish you luck, Alex – I KNOW that everything is going to go well with your new show, and I send you the best of wishes and lots of love.
Fantastic interview! I’ve been an Alex fan for about a year or so now and he never fails to make me smile or laugh when I read his interviews. His personality and down-to-earth charm definitely come across. He’s such a fascinating actor and I can’t wait to see what he comes up with.
Christy
Thanks melody for the great interview with Alex. I truly enjoyed reading about warm and sad memories from his Moonlight days as well as his other roles. Good things are coming his way. Alex is a great talent and a wonderful man. My best wishes to him on his new show, I can’t wait to hear more about it. I imagine it will be worthy Alex’s talent.
Di
Thanks so much for the interview. It is wonderful to hear anything and everything about Alex O’Loughlin. I am looking forward to his new project and pray it will be successful.
Thank you all for your kind words and for enjoying the interview so much and for keeping your comments related to only the interview and not turning it into a chat or platform for anything else. I appreciate it.