Andrew Rothenberg is currently appears in AMC’s new TV series “The Walking Dead”. He is a not a stranger to the horror genre, though. He had a recurring role in Season 1 of HBO’s “True Blood”. Movie Mikes had a chance to talk with Andrew and discuss his role in “The Walking Dead”.
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Mike Gencarelli: Tell us about your character Jim in “The Walking Dead”?
Andrew Rothenberg: Jim is a man of few words. I don’t want to give away any of his secrets, let’s just say he is dealing with the shock of where he finds himself, how he got there and what will be next.
MG: Where you familiar with the comic series?
AR: I had not read the comics before this project came around. When I mentioned it to friends it became very clear that this was a well known comic series among the comic book/graphic novel folks. I quickly ran out and got my hands on the first few in the series. It truly jumped off the page, and with the exception of his hair line, the character of Jim greatly resembled me.
MG: How closely does your character’s storyline follow with the comic series?
AR: You won’t see many differences. I tried at times to recreate images that I remembered from the comic while shooting scenes that were 
similar to what was in the comic. The only difference may be that I do talk a little more once I open up to the group.
MG: Having done a lot of television, how does this show compare to the others?
AR: This was by far one of the best experiences yet. The sense of camaraderie on set was remarkable, from the actors, to the crew, producers, directors, and all the way to Frank Darabont’s ever present hand. The integrity this project has will show. The show is a serious one for the most part and as is usually the case in such situations, there is a lot of comic relief behind the scenes. These were all some of the most fun and funniest people I have had the pleasure of working with.
MG: What has been the hardest aspect of working on the show?
AR: Ironically the toughest aspect of the show turned out to be its greatest attribute. The intense heat in Atlanta at times was absurd. We were outside everyday, all day, and often covered in alcohol based dirt and blood, in clothes that we had been wearing for a month. I have never sweat so much in my life. However it created quite a “we’re all in this together” feel on the set that helps make the characters and their plight, that much more real.
MG: How was it working on “True Blood” series?
AR: “True Blood” was another great one. I was there right at the beginning and nobody knew it was going to be a hit. Its funny but the first time we had a vampire fight on “True Blood” and had to do the whole fang thing I remember looking around and thinking, “Boy here I am acting like a vampire, I hope I don’t just look like an idiot” But we went for it, and it worked.
MG: Tell us about working on one of my favorite show on TV, “Castle?”
AR: “Castle” was fun, even without any zombies or vampires. Everyone on the show seamed to be having a great time and they were all very welcoming to me. I was doing an interrogation scene, as I have a hundred times before, but this time two things were different, one: the character, even though he was a scumbag, knew this time he had not done anything wrong and had a secret to tell his interrogators, and two: he had a finger cut off. Both fun.
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Andrew Rothenberg is one of the most underrated actors of his generation!