Interview with Andrew Lincoln

Andrew Lincoln is the star of AMC hit show “The Walking Dead”. The show is just landing on DVD and Blu-Ray on March 7th, 2011 after a very successful but short six episode run on television last Fall. So while we wait for season two to air this October, we can look forward to re-watching the great episode in season one. Andrew plays the lead character, rick Grimes as he leads his group of survivors to hopeful safety and steering clear of those pesty zombies. Movie Mikes finally got a chance to chat with Andrew about his hit show and what we can expect from season two.

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Mike Gencarelli: Tell us about your overall experience with season one, are you shocked with the success of the show?
Andrew Lincoln: The experience of filming it and playing Rick was one of the most enjoyable and excitable roles in my career to date. I loved it. I loved working in Atlanta. I loved working for Frank (Darabont) and with AMC. The crew and cast, as you know, are spectacular. I had dinner with Frank the other night and it was the first time we had one on one time since I first agreed to do the part. Even in our wildest dreams, we never thought it would be received this way. It has been unprecedented and incredible. You always hope people are going to watch the work you do but this level and size of response has been just incredible.

MG: What was the most difficult episode for you to shoot in season one?
AL: Everyday you go to work you have the normal logistical problems or enduring the escape from Atlanta by smearing on blood and guts all over you. That was an intense experience on any level. I suppose just because the nature of the world and the extreme of the world, I really enjoyed the relationship drama about the characters. The combustable things between character, I find that really satisfying and challenging for everyone and also we love it because we get to do big emotions in this extreme world.

MG: Tell us about working with Greg Nicotero on the make-up effects?
AL: Greg has become a really good friend of mine and I love him. The show would never be what it is without his artistry. His work is simply amazing.

MG: How has it been working with Frank Darabont, do you have any creative input with the show?
AL: The great thing about working with Frank is that he loves actors. It sounds like a silly thing to say but he loves and kind of is an actor as well, so he understands what it takes to do the job. A perfect example is we had a scene in episode one when I return to my house and find my family not there. It wasn’t scripted for my character to have a breakdown but I felt that it was actually quite important to see a man fall apart before he regains and is rejuvenated by Morgan and his son and other human contact. Frank saw it and thought I was going quite dark but he told me “You know what…give me all the colors”. We did the whole sequence and he said “I am going to jump cut that”. He is so technically brilliant, as you know, but it was also the fact that he saw something else and just went with it. It is such an incredibly collaborative process. Another example of that grace that he has, is that I just spent two and half hours talking with all the writers about my character and ideas I had and we were able to have a brainstorming session. It is such a privileged getting to work with him and the rest of the team.

MG: When do you begin production on season two?
AL: Sadly, we still do not have dates yet but I am sure we will be starting when it gets hot enough in Atlanta. We only go to work when it is over 100 degrees. We only go there when it is apocalyptic [laughs]. So really looking forward to then.

MG: After the cliffhanger in season one, what can we expect from the group?
AL: I think we are going to be sticking pretty close to the arc from the graphic novel, as we did in the first season. I imagine that just from my limited time talking with the writers that we are keep pushing the envelope of taste and humor and keep pushing the characters to their limits and seeing how they respond. Of course there will be loads more zombies…and then there is the small matter of my best friend sleeping with my wife. You know what I am talking about Mike? [laughs].

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