Exclusive interview with Michael Willett

July 7, 2014 | You know Michael Willett as Shane from the new MTV hit series "Faking It". As Liam Booker's stylish best friend, Shane is a good-natured high school student with the best one-liners. In our interview Michael Willett talks about what he loves about his character and about the "school from the future". And also what might be the recent MTV shows' formula of success.

Foto: Michael Willett - Copyright: Kate Romero
Michael Willett
© Kate Romero
Note: © myFanbase 2014 - The interview is exclusive to myFanbase and may not be published on other websites or the like. You may share the first two questions (up to 180 words) if you link back to this site. Translations other than English and German may be posted with full credit including the link to this site.

When people first heard about the plot of "Faking It" there was a lot of backlash, but the show handles confusing sexuality in such a sensitive, sweet and funny way. How much did you know about all of that when you joined the project?

I didn't know much about the show initially, I was mostly drawn to my character. He was stylish and effortless, confident and popular. Which was refreshing after playing a wallflower in "G.B.F."

Your character Shane gets the best one-liners like "At theater camp, I fiddled on more than just the roof", but he has a big heart, too. What do you like most about playing him?

I realized early on that Shane was a writer's secret weapon. You can use him in almost any scenario.

Shane also said the line "Lauren is so two-dimensional she's like a character from 'Glee'", which reminded me, didn't you work on a theater play with Chris Colfer once?

Yeah, we both grew up doing theater in Fresno. Must be something in the water.

"Faking It" kinda takes the stereotypes that we're so used to and flips them. What was high school like for you? How do you relate to the show?

Hester High is a "school from the future" so my high school experience was obviously very different. What's cool about "Faking It" is that we're able to celebrate the school's progressive ideals without taking ourselves too seriously.

MTV has some phantastic shows on the air with "Teen Wolf", "Awkward" and "Faking It" that hold the interest of adults, too. What do you think is the formula of success of these shows?

The stuff we experience in high school always comes back around in adulthood. I think everyone can agree that high school never really ends. And even if it did, it's too tempting not to look back on that time with the benefits of hindsight.

Foto: Michael Willett - Copyright: Kate Romero
Michael Willett
© Kate Romero

Stories about the practical jokes or bloopers on set are always the best. Could you share anything from "Faking It" with us?

During this first season, I definitely took it upon myself to individually terrify each of my cast mates. On several occasions I hid in their trailers and waited for them to come back, so I could jump out and scare them. Now that we've been renewed for Season 2, I should probably watch my back.

What's the biggest suprise about being on "Faking It", what did you not expect to happen?

I think everyone was surprised by how much heart this show has. As well as being entertaining, we all legitimately care about these characters.

"Queer as Folk" was a groundbreaking show that focused on various LGBTQ issues. Now there are shows like "Looking" and "Faking It" that are just so laid-back. Do you think these tv shows will be food for thought?

In many ways, being "laid-back" is the new groundbreaking approach. We are making the "gay issue" a non-issue.

When last time we spoke season 3 of "United States of Tara" hadn't been filmed yet. The way things ended with Lionel and Marshall was heartbreaking. Their last talk in the car and then Lionel's sudden death and the impact on Marshall. What do you remember best from working on your final scenes on that show?

It was very somber. I remember everyone on set coming up to me and expressing their condolences on my passing. Talk about surreal. But I also had such a great time on that show that I made sure to take everything in and just be grateful. What a way to go.

What do you look for most in a new project, a challenging role, working with friends, meeting talented people to learn from?

People like to ask me if I'm worried about playing the same character, and I remind them that just because characters are gay doesn't mean they're the same. I look for great writing and interesting characters, and I'm happy with what I've stumbled upon.

Last time you told us you loved "Dog Whisperer". Any new discoveries, new favorite tv shows?

I love "Orange Is the New Black" on Netflix, and "Iyanla Fix My Life" on OWN! Now those are some interesting characters.

Thank you for taking time for our questions once again, Michael, we wish you all the best with your projects!

Nicole Oebel - myFanbase

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