SDCC 2016: ‘Supergirl’ Star Melissa Benoist Talks Move to The CW, Crossovers & Much More
Since assuming the role of Supergirl last year, Melissa Benoist is at the top of everyone’s “actresses to watch out for” lists. She has brought the character to life better than anyone could’ve hoped for. In a few words: She is Supergirl.
At SDCC 2016, Supergirl star Melissa Benoist swung by to chat about the shows move to The CW, 4-part crossover and so much more!
Last season, Supergirl did a very good job at defining what kind of person and superhero Kara Danvers is. After a season of establishing the character, Melissa Benoist reflects on season one saying, “I do think that season one was kind of her ‘coming out’ party and her really figuring out how she fit in, in the world. I think she built a solid base for herself.”
Although she enjoyed building the character last season, Benoist is super excited for what lies ahead. “Now it’s time to really mature and come into her own as a woman and as a hero, in her career, in her love life and as Supergirl. Really learning how to juggle it all and find balance.” Benoist says.
Out of all the DCTV shows currently on the air, Supergirl has a much lighter tone. Benoist speaks the the light-hearted nature of the show and being a female superhero saying, “I think it’s essential right now. Not just because she’s a woman, but because she stands for so much good. I think we really need that in the world right now.” She adds, “It’s a really scary place. For boys and girls I hope that she inspires hope and bravery and courage and the will to never give up.”
TO READ THE FULL INTERVIEW CLICK HERE
Bear McCreary Talks Breathing Music into the Rebellions on Outlander, Beginning to Score Season 7 of The Walking Dead & Much More
From the events leading up to the Battle of Culloden on Outlander to the monumental Negan lineup on The Walking Dead, scoring genius Bear McCreary has transformed how viewers experience moments on TV.
McCreary is known for bringing new, innovative scores to some of the hottest TV shows. From the reimagined Battlestar Galactica to Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. to most notably The Walking Dead and Outlander, McCreary has changed the TV and film scoring game.
His work earned him a 2013 Emmy Award for Outstanding Main Title Theme Music for Da Vinci’s Demons. His most recent Emmy Award nomination came in 2015 for his beautiful score for Outlander‘s inaugural season.
At SDCC 2016, Emertainment Monthly Editor Nora Dominick sat down with Bear McCreary to talk about scoring some of the biggest moments on TV this past season, how he creates moment of anxiety and what’s ahead for The Walking Deadand Outlander.
Emertainment Monthly: Starting with Outlander. How was it scoring the major battle scenes this season?
Bear McCreary: That was my favorite. I’m very well versed in the music of the Jacobite Uprising and I grew up on Braveheart and Rob Roy. So this military storyline that was something that was always very appealing to me. In fact, throughout the first season of Outlander I really had to pull the reins back and keep things in a more romantic, personal language. So, coming back to Scotland after Paris now, the romance and personal story are still there, but there’s this bigger political story and geo-political story. So, being able to draw on that material and make it a little more powerful, a little more military, that was really inspiring. All the weights came off, I could just go for it. I really savored it.
While they, objectively, were not the best episodes of this season, 2×09 and 2×10, “Je Suis Prest” and “Prestonpans,” were my favorite episodes to do of anything ever. That was like being a kid in a candy store. Getting to do the build up to the battle. It’s like the Battle of Helms Deep in Scotland where everyone is waiting in the mist and the drum is just pulsing. I was like, ‘I’m going to score this like I’ll never get a chance to do this again.’
EM: This season of Outlander was essential split into two parts: Paris and Scotland. How did your approach to the score change from season one in order to gain the split feeling for season two?
Bear McCreary: Season one was a lot of Scottish instrumentation and sounds. Those were not appropriate to use fully in Paris. It just didn’t match the story or the visuals, but at the same time we had to keep a foot in that water. So, I just did a crash course on French Baroque music and I knew nothing about it a year ago and I’m a bit of an expert in it now. I researched the performers, the instruments, the performance practice. What did this music sound like? And I incorporated that into the score and I think it’s pretty obvious when you get to the second episode of the season and we get to Paris that the score sounds nothing like the first season except for these little hints of the Jamie [Sam Heughan] and Claire [Caitriona Balfe] theme and a little Scottish instrumentation once in a while, usually when they’re in their bedroom or Murtagh [Duncan Lacroix] is in the scene, but I try to keep it minimal. Then you have all the uprising episodes in the second half, which was a matter of not only forgoing the French instrumentation, not only returning to the season one instrumentation, but actually amping up the military quality. The bagpipes, I’m using more of the Great Highland pipes, the vinyl headed Scottish snare drums that really have that Scottish march sound, I use those a lot more.
So, it’s an interesting journey. You get sixteen episodes that sounded one way in season one and here you basically had seven and six that each had their own identity. I’m excited to see what the future holds. The trick with this show is making it feel cohesive, making it feel like it’s one show about our characters going on their journey, but you have to acknowledge where they’re going.
TO READ THE FULL INTERVIEW CLICK HERE
SDCC 2016: ‘Mr Robot’ Star Rami Malek Teases Fallout in Season 2 & Elliot’s Relationship with Mr. Robot
Mr. Robot changed the television game this past season with its complex storytelling and mesmerizing characters. Leading a strong and insightful cast of characters is Elliot played by the extremely talented Rami Malek. His portrayal of Elliot has led him to critical acclaim and even landed him a 2016 Emmy Award nomination for Best Lead Actor in a Drama Series.
At SDCC 2016, Rami Malek sat down with us to chat about the fallout after the massive hack, Elliot and Mr. Robot’s dynamic and what’s ahead for Elliot.
From the moment you turn on the first episode of Mr. Robot, Rami Malek has you eating out of the palm of his hand. His work on the show is mesmerizing and his acting has reached new heights. Speaking about preparing for the dark moments Elliot faces, Malek says, “Some days I really need to go to a quiet place and get there emotionally. Sometimes it helps to be close to Sam [Esmail] and the cast because I depend on them. There is that feeling of nurture that I need sometimes before I go into something that grim.”
Malek continues saying that he tries to get as close to Elliot as he can before the heavy, emotional scenes. He says the grim scenes, “aren’t that challenging.” Malek continues saying, “I look forward to that because he goes to some dark places physically and emotionally, mentally. That’s what makes him so special, to me is that he somehow manages to get himself out of them anyway. That’s what makes him who he is. He’s relentless.”
TO READ THE FULL INTERVIEW CLICK HERE
SDCC 2016: ‘Supergirl’ Star Chyler Leigh Talks Daddy Danvers, Sisterly Bond with Melissa Benoist & Project Cadmus
Last season, Supergirl flew across our TV screens and introduced young girls everywhere to a strong, independent female superhero. Alongside Supergirl/Kara Danvers (Melissa Benoist), Alex Danvers (Chyler Leigh) left her mark as another determined, well-rounded female character for girls to look up to. Now entering its second season, and moving to The CW, Supergirl is back and has more stories to tell, especially for Alex.
At SDCC 2016, Chyler Leigh sat down with us to talk about her sisterly bond with Melissa Benoist, Project Cadmus and exploring Alex’s backstory in season two.
When fans last saw Alex Danvers, she was dealing with the realization that her father maybe alive and Project Cadmus. According to Chyler Leigh, Project Cadmus will loom large in season two of Supergirl. She says Project Cadmus “brings about a lot of big bads that we are gonna come into contact with even in the first few episodes.”
Leigh says finding to find her father is priority one for Alex. She says, “I know that’s a big mission obviously for Alex and for Hank/J’onn (David Harewood) and for Kara as well too. To really try to figure that whole storyline out. We end up learning about how deep that rabbit hole goes and how much is really involved in it and Project Cadmus is a very bad place. Very bad place.”
She continues saying, “Obviously that is a very big goal of her’s to find that out in general that he’s potentially still alive.” Leigh even has an idea of a hashtag to get trending for Alex’s storyline. She says, “David [Harewood] and I were joking about it and I kind of just said “#DaddyDanversAintDead.” So maybe Daddy Danvers ain’t dead? I don’t know, we’ll find out.”
Last season of Supergirl focused heavily on the bond between Kara, Alex and Hank/J’onn. Their relationship was tested throughout the season as Kara fully transformed into Supergirl and Alex and Hank dealt with the D.E.O. Leigh absolutley loves the relationship the three of them share. She says, “They’re so fun to work with and we’re in it. You know? We are just so dedicated to it and just really adamant about telling a great story.” She continues saying, “I love the bond between the three of them and that they get to really work together and all the different elements that they bring. Alex doesn’t have super powers, but she’s still powerful and she can still hang. Maybe one day she’ll fly? I don’t know.”
TO READ THE FULL INTERVIEW CLICK HERE
SDCC 2016: ‘Prison Break’ Star Wentworth Miller Chats About Being Michael Scofield Again, Timeless Nature of Prison Break & More
It has been seven years since the fan-favorite FOX drama, Prison Break, ended its original run, but not a day goes by that fans don’t miss Michael Scofield (Wentworth Miller), Lincoln Burrows (Dominic Purcell), Sara Tancredi (Sarah Wayne Callies) and the whole gang. Earlier this year, FOX announced that they would be bringing the fan-favorite TV show Prison Break back for nine episodes.
Prison Break follows Michael Scofield (Miller) as he tries to break his brother, Lincoln Burrows (Purcell) out of prison when he is sentenced to death for a crime he didn’t commit. Michael devises an elaborate plan to help Lincoln escape prison by getting incarcerated himself and breaking him out from the inside. Little do the brothers know that breaking out is just the beginning.
At SDCC 2016, Prison Break star Wentworth Miller chats about being Michael Scofield again, the timeless nature of Prison Break and much more!
Check out the full interview below!
How is it being Michael Scofield again?
Wentworth Miller: A bit like riding a bike. I didn’t have anytime in between Legends of Tomorrow and the start of production of Prison Break to go back and watch all 81 episodes of the original series, so I just had to trust that Michael Scofield was in me somewhere and turns out he was.
What was the first day on set like?
Wentworth Miller: The first day was hectic as all first days are. It was a prison set. A lot of extras. Three different cameras swirling around. I was on one side of prison bars, of course, and Dominc was on the other and that served me. All I had to do was look into his eyes, hear his voice and it anchored me in this relationship as it has all these years.
Will this reboot differ in terms of themes or storytelling or will it remind fans of the original in that sense?
Wentworth Miller: I think it can stand alone in terms of you can appreciate it without having seen the original. but it’s meant to feel like a continuation. It’s the same in terms of themes of brotherhood and sacrifice and family and loyalty. All the stuff that the fans, I think, appreciated the first time around, but it’s also meant to feel very present day, like the action could be happening out there in the world right now.
TO READ THE FULL INTERVIEW CLICK HERE
SDCC 2016: ‘The 100’ Star Eliza Taylor Chats About Clarke’s Isolation in Season 3, Lexa’s Final Goodbye & Hopes for Season 4
After a season filled with devastating losses, a larger than life villain and much more The 100 delivered one of its darkest seasons to date. Between trying to stop A.L.I.E to the never ending chaos between the Grounders and Skaikru, The 100 continues to expand its world season after season. Of course, leading the charge is Clarke Griffin. Now entering its fourth season and another apocalypse heading their way, Clarke and the gang have to figure out how to save the ground.
At SDCC 2016, Eliza Taylor chats with us about being isolated from most of the main cast this season, Clarke and Lexa’s final goodbye and much more.
In terms of attending SDCC 2016 in general, Eliza Taylor says she will never fully get used to her fame. She says, “Stepping on that red carpet stuff, it’s not a world I knew. This time three years ago I was waiting on tables. So, it’s different and I’m still nervous as f*ck all the time.”
In all three seasons of the show, Clarke has never truly had a moment to fully process everything that has happened to her since being shipped to the ground in the pilot. Eliza Taylor talks about the new, looming threat handing over Clarke’s head going into season four. She says, “[There is] another save the world moment, which distracts her from all the other save the world moments. So, she really doesn’t ever move on.”
Taylor talks about wanting Clarke to finally have a moment of self-reflection. She says, “One thing that might be cool about this season is having her actually get to have a moment where she breaks down or actually gets to process everything that’s happened to her.” She continues saying, “I don’t know if that going to happen. What I really hope for this season is it’s going to be a lot more hopeful. I think last season was dark, even for us. That’s saying something.”
One of the darkest moments in season three was Lexa (Alycia Debnam-Carey) being killed. A moment that sent fans in a frenzy. Taylor talks about losing Lexa during season three. She says, “I think she already had to say goodbye once, which was hard. It’s just really hard. Really f-ing hard.” Taylor then went onto discuss Clarke and Lexa’s second goodbye in the season three finale when they meet in the City of Light. She reflects saying, “Then, at the end, to see her again and for her to say ‘I’ll always be with you,’ I think it was easier. It was the love of her life, but it was something she needed to hear. You will always be with me and I know it and I feel you every day. That’s what she needed.”
TO READ THE FULL INTERVIEW CLICK HERE
SDCC 2016: ‘Teen Wolf’ Star Holland Roden Discusses Lydia’s Upcoming Journey in the Final Season
Going into Teen Wolf ‘s recently announced final sixth season, the character of Lydia (Holland Roden) has grown the most. At a surface level, Lydia was originally presented as a somewhat shallow, popular girl at Beacon Hills. Within episodes, Lydia became one of the breakout characters on Teen Wolf and that is in part due to Roden and her love for bringing this character to life.
At SDCC 2016, Holland Roden chats about Lydia’s journey in the upcoming final season, a future for Stiles (Dylan O’Brien) and Lydia and her work in season five.
Last season, Lydia once again was in a compromising situation when she was confined to the walls of Eichen House. Meanwhile, Scott (Tyler Posey), Stiles and the rest of the gang fought the Dread Doctors on the streets of Beacon Hills.
Going into season six, Roden says Lydia is back to the character fans fells in love with. She says, “Lydia is out of Eichen House. Doesn’t have to quite fight off every single human being that ever lived.” Holland is also very excited to get out of the hospital gowns and back into the classic Lydia wardrobe that she loves. “She’s back in her heels and solving Beacon Hills crimes with her friends.”
Speaking to the Beacon Hills gang, Lydia, Scott and Stiles are all going through their senior years at Beacon Hills High School. Although graduation is impending for the original characters, Roden says it “hasn’t fully been realized in terms of plot line [in 6A].” Graduation will be left up to season 6B.
Another aspect of Lydia’s character Holland is looking forward to exploring is her Banshee powers. In past season, Lydia’s banshee powers have been pushed to the side in order to explore other characters. Holland assures fans that this season they will learn more about Lydia’s powers alongside her. She says, “There is one episode that really focuses on the Irish folk lore as a whole rather than just her family.” Holland says the upcoming episode will give fans some answers. “I think that episode answers a lot of questions of how the inter workings of Banshee to Banshee communicate. It’s fun.”
TO READ THE FULL INTERVIEW CLICK HERE
SDCC 2016: ‘The 100’ Star Lindsey Morgan Feels “Very Proud of Raven” After Season 3
Over the course of The 100, Raven Reyes has arguably gone through the most hardship. In three seasons, Raven survived crash landing on Earth, watching her only family die in front of her and has endured an injury leaving her handicapped. Raven’s strength and determination is a driving force on The 100 and a lot of that is thanks to Lindsey Morgan, who brings Raven to life.
At SDCC 2016, Lindsey Morgan sits down and talks about Raven’s season three storyline involving A.L.I.E, what it was like to perform Raven’s possession storyline and Raven’s character arc as a whole.
Whenever going into a new season of The 100, the question always remains, “Will Raven finally catch a break?” Although, Lindsey Morgan can’t guarantee that Raven will have an easier time in season 4, she does feel that Raven will be a different person when we see her again. Morgan says, “I think after season 3 we really touched on it in the finale, but we are really going to see what happens next and how the A.L.I.E possession and basically the A.L.I.E upgrade unfolds for Raven.”
If fans thought Raven would simply be fine after A.L.I.E took over her mind, they were wrong. Morgan says, “When Raven fought off A.L.I.E and forced her out, A.L.I.E wasn’t willing to go, so she left a little bit of A.L.I.E behind.” She continues saying, “That made her smarter than ever. Just her mind is in 5th gear now. She can code and she can understand this new technology and Becca’s work that no one else can.”
When fans catch up with Raven in season 4 of The 100, Morgan thinks they will see a different, even stronger, side to her. She says, “She’s smarter than ever and I think everything she also went through physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, you know she went to hell and back and she made it! I think just the human spirit, when it’s truly tested and even broken, but it comes back from that. It comes back stronger. It feels like the human bones. When they mend, they are stronger than ever.” Morgan continues saying, “She’s been through so much. Raven’s just evolved. She’s in a whole other place now. Raven’s done it all. She’s like, ‘I’ve been to hell and back and frankly it was kind of boring. What else do you got?’”
TO READ THE FULL INTERVIEW CLICK HERE
SDCC 2016: ‘Riverdale’ Stars Lili Reinhart & Camila Mendes Chat About Their Modern Versions of Betty & Veronica
Set to premiere mid-season on The CW, Riverdale is a fresh take on the Archie Comics. The new TV show follows Archie, Betty, Veronica, Jughead and their friends as they explore the surrealism of small town life – the darkness and weirdness bubbling beneath Riverdale’s wholesome facade. Riverdale will stand out in a crowd of superhero shows on The CW as it brings a film noir take on the teen drama.
At SDCC 2016, Riverdale stars Lili Reinhart (Betty) and Camila Mendes (Veronica) discuss their modern take on Betty and Veronica, their characters overall looks and what’s ahead.
Check out the full interview with Reinhart and Mendes below!
You mentioned in Riverdale that Betty and Veronica’s lives won’t solely be centered around Archie. So, what’s going on in each of their lives when we meet them?
C.M: Good question! Right now in Veronica’s life, you know, she’s the new girl coming to Riverdale. Her Dad just got arrested for fraud and embezzlement and is involved in this huge scandal. Kind of like a Bernie Madoff. So, she’s dealing with the shame that, that has brought to her family and changing because of it. So, she moves to Riverdale with her mother to start a new life. She’s really interested in being a better person. Taking that as an opportunity and running with it, being positive about it. Then she starts to see that all of that shady stuff that was going on is still kind of going on. So, I think there’s going to be a lot of family problems.
L.R: Same with Betty. Coming into the show, Betty and Archie are lifelong best friends. They both come back from the summer and Betty realizes, okay I’m finally ready to tell Archie that I love him and that I’ve always loved him. You know, Archie doesn’t look at Betty that way. He doesn’t look at her as a woman, yet. So, Betty is dealing with a lot of pressure from her Mom, Alice. Betty has a sister, Polly, whom is the troublemaker, the bad seed. So, Betty’s Mom is really trying to make Betty perfect. The perfect kid. Everything that Polly wasn’t. So, Betty has a lot of pressure on her shoulders. Her Mom hands her a bottle of adderall and says…
C.M: ‘Stay focused!’
L.R: Yeah ‘Stay focused, girl. You forgot to refill your prescription.’ So, you know, Betty is starting to crack, which is a good thing because she needs to break down and be confident.
C.M: That’s part of their friendship. I’m trying to get her out of her shell.
It sounds like it’s about the pressure of being “the perfect girl.”
L.R: Yeah definitely!
C.M: Trying to keep it all together. And seeing that Betty is this talented, smart, beautiful woman. I’m like ‘Why aren’t you running stuff? Why aren’t you in charge?’ Like ‘You should be strong.’
L.R: It’s just shining a light on how much pressure women are under and how we don’t have to conform to these things. You know?
C.M: To be all things at once.
L.R: Yeah! We can be anything we want to be!
Nora Dominick 