Interview with Ryan Devlin

"Veronica Mars" alumnus Ryan Devlin recently landed recurring roles on "Brothers & Sisters", "Grey's Anatomy" and "Cougar Town". Here he talks about the devoted "Veronica Mars" fans, what working almost simultaneously on all these different sets is like and he tells us a little bit about his tour through Germany.

Foto: Copyright: Ryan Devlin
© Ryan Devlin

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1. Your recurring role on "Brothers & Sisters" is already your third appearance in an ABC show in a very short time. Any chance we will see you in a major role in an ABC production any time soon?

I love working with everyone at ABC, right now they have the best shows on TV. Their comedies and dramas are fantastic! "Brothers & Sisters" has been an incredible experience and right now we're all hoping for another season.

2. You met the Walker clan at a very chaotic christmas party. What was it like to meet the actors and crew for the first time?

Honestly, I was a little scared to meet everyone. Sally Field, Rachel Griffiths, Calista Flockhart, Ron Rifkin... they're all such amazing and accomplished actors! And fortunately, they're also incredibly welcoming people. After a few hours of eating rum cake while filming a Christmas scene it was like I was part of the family. We have a great time shooting those giant family scenes.

3. In Seth's last scene so far we saw him storming out of the flat just before Kitty took off to her supposed Washington trip. Do you know what Kitty's plans are and are we going to see you again as Seth?

I don't want to ruin any surprises for you... but it's safe to say that not everything is what it seems. We definitely haven't seen the last of Seth.

4. In the last season of "Veronica Mars" you played the role of Mercer Hayes. Did you know from the start that he was going to be a shady person?

I had no idea I was playing the bad guy until I got the final script. To tell you the truth, I'm not even sure the writers knew where my story was headed. But I was happy to do it -- it's way more fun being bad than good!

5. Even though "Veronica Mars" ended years ago the show is still very popular. Do you keep in touch with others actors from the show?

"Veronica Mars" fans are the best! They keep the show alive after all these years and it says a lot about the quality of that series. The show's creator, Rob Thomas, continues to toss me acting gigs. He's an incredibly loyal and wildly talented guy. And I'm still good friends with a bunch of the cast members. It's awesome to see how everyone's careers have grown!

6. What sort of role do you prefer, a serious one as in "Grey's Anatomy" or a funny one as in "Cougar Town"? What is more fun to play?

Well, the short answer is that I prefer roles that pay ;). As an actor, I just love working. But I've had the very nice problem of being on many shows recently: there was a time when I was filming "Cougar Town" in the morning and "Grey's Anatomy" in the afternoon. It was tough switching between those two shows (laughing all morning and crying all afternoon)... but it was a fun challenge. If I absolutely HAD to choose though, I'd go with comedy.

7. How likely is it that we are going to see Smith again in "Cougar Town"? His last appearance was quite coincidental. Maybe his relationship to Laurie gets easier? Do you think the break up was the right decision?

If it was up to me Smith and Laurie would still be together. I love working on that show and the entire cast and crew are really great people. It's criminal how much fun we have on that set. But the breakup was the right thing for Laurie so I understand why it was written that way. I've been told by co-creator Bill Lawrence (a fantastic guy, btw), that we'll be seeing more of Smith next season. Can't wait!

8. Meeting the cast of "Party Down" must have felt like a little "Veronica Mars" reunion. Did you audition for the role or was it like a favor for Rob Thomas?

That was one of the many times Rob Thomas has hooked me up. I love that guy. No, seriously, I loooooove that guy. If both of us weren't happily married to amazing women I think I just might propose to him. And working on that show with my fellow VM buddy Ryan Hansen and Weather Girl co-star Jane Lynch... well, it was a bonus that I got paid because it just felt like we were hanging out all day.

9. What was it like working on such a small project with so few resources that had such a huge creative potential?

It was a really fun set to be on. Nobody was there for the money (I think I got paid $9 and a Snickers bar for the entire week). You work hard to get the scenes done in time and you try not to screw up every single take because Jane Lynch says something new and ridiculous and unexpected. She's amazing.

10. How does it feel to be lavished with compliments by Shonda Rhimes via Twitter like you have been last autumn?

I didn't know Shonda gave me Twitter praise -- that's awesome! She's one of the most talented writer/producers in this business and her success is very well deserved. I'm so fortunate to have worked with such amazing creative talents: Rob Thomas, Bill Lawrence, Bob Fisher, Shonda Rhimes. They're the best!

11. On Twitter you recently wrote you spoke German. Would you like giving us a little taste?

I spent a week in Munich for Oktoberfest in 2001 but the only German I learned there was "Prost!". Then I toured through Cologne, Dusseldorf, and Berlin... but I only managed a few words along the way. Guten tag, wie geht's... the basics. But I look forward to learning more! I love Germany, it's an incredibly diverse country filled with a rich history, amazing cities, and beautiful nature.

12. Since myFanbase is an online magazine about TV series, do you have a favorite show?

There's so much great TV on right now it's tough to choose. Of course I watch "Brothers & Sisters" and "Cougar Town". And I love "Modern Family", The Middle, "30 Rock", "The Office", and "White Collar". Can't wait to see what comes out next!
Danke!

Nicole Oebel - myFanbase