The TV Chick

Happy True Blood premiere day! Waiting sucks, but the wait is just about over. I am ready for some amazing vampire action! True Blood kicks off its third season tonight and I will be posting a spoiler-free advance review but I will say this: It is amazing. In addition to our old favorites, there are many new characters coming our way. I am always a little wary of being introduced to so many new characters, but last year, Jessica became one of my absolute favorites. One of those new characters is Jesus (played by Kevin Alejandro), who is Lafayette’s new love interest. I recently had the chance to chat with Kevin Alejandro about his new character, working with Nelsan Ellis (Lafayette) and the big differences between his character on Southland and Jesus. He was very tight lipped about season 3 but he still gave some interesting insights into the show.

How did you originally get the part of Jesus?
I had to go through a series of auditions. It was actually quite a long process. I think it was about a month before I finally found out whether or not I was going to be a part of the show. I went through several auditions with producers and call backs and stuff like that, but I think the deciding [factor] was the last audition where they had to narrow it down to a handful of guys, and we all had to go into the room and have what’s called a chemistry read with Nelsan [Ellis, who plays Lafayette] and whoever fit the best [got the part]. I was glad to feel that they thought that I was that one.

We haven’t been introduced to your character yet, but he is the caretaker for Lafayette’s mom. What more can you tell us about him?
That. And he is the love interest to Lafayette, played by Nelsan. There’s a really strong connection that they develop. You can just look forward to a lot of really interesting things that happen. I can’t really tell you too much about it. Other than what you already know.

Had you seen the show before you got the part?
Oh yeah, definitely. That’s what made this whole process really cool is that it was this show that I had already gotten into, and just to get the audition was like “Oh yeah, that would be awesome.” Further d0wn the line, as steps got closer and closer to it, I was like “Wow, this might actually happen.” It’s really super cool to be a part of something that you already know, and that you’re a fan of.

Absolutely. And have you read the books at all?
I have not, actually no. A buddy of mine, who is actually the Godfather to my kid, he works on the show, his name is Luis. He’s a camera assistant. So when it first came out, he was like “This is such a great show…” so we got into it for that.

So you have been for the past few seasons been playing Nate on Southland. How different is it going from playing Nate to Jesus on True Blood?
It’s completely different, like two different worlds. But that’s part of the decision making, what helped me decide to do this was that I’m coming off Southland as a gang detective, as a husband with a couple kids, and dealing with that sort of hard-core life. And then to play a character like Jesus who is going through a completely different hardcore world and life. His sexual preference is different, it’s such heightened – they’re just two extreme worlds, and that was so challenging and very inviting. That’s part of why I wanted to do it.

I was just about to ask if it was a challenging transition for you, but you touched on that a little bit.
Yeah, but it was a good one though. It was something that I really wanted to go through.

Does your character have a southern accent?
He does not have a southern accent. That’s all I can say about that.

Since you are a fan of the show, you know there are a lot of risque scenes–there’s a lot of sex, there’s a lot of risque things. Were you in any scenes where you thought “Oh this is very risky!” I know you can’t spoil.
Just playing the character in general is like I said earlier, a challenge and risky and everything. So there’s a lot of really interesting, really cool stuff that happens. And remember, it’s True Blood. A lot can happen.

Right (laughs). And what has it been like working with Nelsan?
It’s been so great. I love working with him. I learn a lot from him. He has good instincts, and I think he and I work really well together. It’s sort of like we’re dancing our way through it. He’s a good solid actor.

I’ve seen things with him, and have heard he’s very, very different from Lafayette.
Yeah, of course. That’s part of what’s great about this show in general. I’m surrounded by really great character actors. I’m not sure if you’ve ever interviewed him or if you will, he is completely opposite. He is not that guy at all. He’s a dude. He’s a regular old dude. He’s Nelsan, and then the camera goes on and his mannerisms change, his voice changes. He does a great job with it.

I assume that’s sort of the way it is for you, that you’re not at all like Jesus.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. It’s awesome. You just get to jump into this world of pretend, and it gets nerve-wracking at times, but you get through it and you really invest in these people. And it’s really, really cool.

Do you have any scenes or moments not with Nelsan? I know you can’t spoil but were there any other actors or actresses that you really enjoyed working with?
Yeah, I really enjoyed working with Alfre [Woodard, who plays Tara's mom]. She plays a really great Cookie character. Just to watch her go into that, is just a really awesome experience. I worked with several of the actors on the show, and I’ve met several of them at the table reads. So I’ve had my chance to be around everyone at one point or another throughout the season, and I’m still the new guy on set, I’m still just taking everything in, and really just wowed by all of the performances.

I know it is a tight knit cast, were they very welcoming to you?
Yeah, definitely. It was very intimidating to step into a show like this that already had all the hype and it’s already this great, cool thing that’s been created, and you come in to try to play with them. And so it was intimidating, but everybody made me feel really comfortable.

What has it been like working with Alan Ball? He seems like a very interesting creator/executive producer.
He is a very interesting producer. He’s a great producer. He’s one of those guys who’s right there with us. I remember one night we were shooting until very, very early in the morning and he was right there with us. He’s hands on, he knows what he likes, and he gets it done. He has a great sense of humor. He’s not Mr. Serious all the the time. People don’t walk on egg shells around him. He’s created this great thing — he’s created a really nice balance of people that really work together.

Did he have any interesting insight into your character? Did he give you any advice?
He doesn’t like to give anything away. He does it on a need to know basis like “Maybe think about this, or maybe think about that. This could happen.” So he’s not saying “You’re this,  you’re that, this is what’s going to happen.” He definitely knows what arc everyone’s going to go through. When he sees you struggling for something, he’s given me a hint where I’m going to go.

I know you can’t spoil a lot, but is Jesus mysterious? Does he wear his heart on his sleeve? What type of tone does your character set?
The best I can answer that is he is a good balance for the character of Lafayette. So he’s sort of a balance for that contrast [between the two].

Almost like a yin and a yang situation?
Yeah, kind of. Kind of. There’s still a lot to be explored, but I think in the beginning, he’s a pretty nice guy and wherever they take it later, I have no idea, but people are going to be able to relate to him.

And is Tara accepting of this new relationship between Jesus and Lafayette or is she a little wary of it?
Can’t tell you that. (laughs)

(laughs) I had to try, right? From what I understand, you’re going to return to Southland as well, right?
Yes m’am. I’m not sure exactly when we start that up again. But yeah, I’ll definitely be going back.

Will there be any sort of time overlap?
I think there might be a little bit of time overlap, but so far, everyone’s been pretty cool about agreeing to work with each other. We’ll see how it goes.

If there is a time overlap, do you think it will be difficult being Nate one day and Jesus the next?
(laughs) I hope not! I don’t think so. I think the most difficult thing would be if I have to be there on the same day, driving from wherever True Blood is to whatever part of downtown that I have to go to shoot [Southland].

I know you are busy with both shows, but do you have any other projects coming up?
Yeah, I’ve got a movie that a buddy of mine did. A bunch of my friends went out to Texas and shot it, it’s called The Legend of Hell’s Gate. It’s a western, you can check out thelegendofhellsgate.com and see the trailer. It should be a really fun independent movie that we all put together. Another buddy of mine  — we’re going out to Kentucky this summer, and we found this story about this treasure that has never been found. And one of his family friends owns this land, so I think we are going to go try and see if we can find some treasure, just for fun.

That sounds pretty great. I’m sure you have a fan base from Southland, have you heard anything from them? Do you think they will follow you to True Blood, even though they are two very different shows?
All of the feedback I’ve gotten is pretty positive. A lot of people that I have contact with via Facebook, they’re just really into seeing me and other actors playing different characters. Everyone was on my side.

That’s good! And since you can’t spoil: What would you tell fans as to why they should tune in? Why will this storyline be super interesting?
You should tune in for some really crazy, crazy things. When I say crazy, I mean CRA-ZY! That’s why!

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