Exclusive interview with D.W. Moffett

May 4, 2012 | US actor D.W. Moffett plays the role of John Kennish on the ABC Family drama "Switched at Birth". In this exclusive interview with myFanbase he talks about his work on the show, his recurring role on "Happily Divorced" and similarities between John Kennish and Joe McCoy on "Friday Night Lights".

Note: © myFanbase 2012 - The interview is exclusive to myFanbase and may not be published on other websites or the like. You may share the first 2 questions or up to 160 characters if you link back to this site. Translations other than English and German may be posted with full credit including the writer's name and link to this site.
Foto: D.W. Moffett - Copyright: D.W. Moffett
D.W. Moffett
© D.W. Moffett

1. In our last interview you told us, you went to school in Germany. Do you still come back to visit the country? Which city do you like most and why?

I love to visit... when I can!! I went to school in Bavaria, so I have a soft spot for the South. I love Munich and Salzburg. Last time I took the family around Christmas time and they loved the Christkindlmärkte!!

2. You got the part of John Kennish on "Switched at Birth", but you were also cast on "Happily Divorced" as Elliot. How did that happen?

I shot the pilot for "Switched", but they hadn't decided yet whether it was going to series. In that "Zwischenzeit" (meantime), the producers of "Happily Divorced" decided they would roll the dice and cast me as Elliot, in the hopes that "Switched" would not go forward. When it did (!!) they made Elliot a recurring, rather than a regular, character. "Gott sei Dank!!" (Thank God!!)

3. On "Switched at Birth" you play a father, in "Happily Divorced" you are more an outgoing bachelor. Which character is easier to play and why? What do you like most about these two characters?

I feel so lucky that I get to play two very different men. Honestly, the biggest difference is going from single-camera "drama" ("Switched") to four-camera "comedy". You have to access a very different energy depending on which style you are shooting. Single-camera is much more intimate... Four-camera requires more energy.

4. On "Happily Divorced" you had a lot of scenes with Fran Drescher. How is working with her and will see more of Elliot?

Hopefully you will continue to see Elliot until the bitter end!! Fran is a consummate professional and a delightful collaborator. I love her to death!!

5. On "Switched at Birth" you play the head of the Kennish Family. How did
you prepare for this part? Was it hard to realize what these two families
are going through?

I have a family... a wife and two children... which is the best preparation an actor could have for this part. The rest was easy!!

6. John hasn't been learning ASL as quick as the other characters and it seems that from all the Kennish family he struggles the most. Did you learn ASL for the show?

I love language and my first instinct as a person would be to learn ASL as fast as I can. However, after discussions with our creator, Lizzy Weiss, we decided that John would probably have the hardest time accepting the fact that his daughter was deaf, and therefore would learn ASL the slowest of all.

Foto: Copyright: myFanbase
© myFanbase

7. Since there are a lot of scenes with Katie Leclerc, Sean Berdy or Marlee Maitlin, do you need an interpreter on set or do cast and crew understand each other well enough by now?

No. They are all fantastic lip-readers and we all have a short-hand to communicate by this point.

8. John seems to be willing to do anything for his family. Do you put a lot of yourself in this character? Are there similarities between the two of you?

Yes. I love my family very much and I bring all that love to John.

9. You have been working with almost everybody in the cast of "Switched at Birth". Do you have a favorite cast member you love shooting scenes with?

NO!! I love them all. It is such a gifted cast... and a very un-selfish one as well!!

10. John and Kathryn had some problems before the spring finale but fortunately they made up. Are there more problems waiting for them? Maybe with Sarah Lazar? Or Craig Tebbe? Will these two be back?

Wer weiß??? Auf jeden Fall kann man sich auf weitere Überraschungen freuen!! (Who knows??? You can definitely look forward to more surprises!!)

11. What's going to happen when the show comes back? Will Angelo still be in the picture?

Oh yeah!!

12. Which father figure do you like to play more? John Kennish or Joe
McCoy? On first look they are very different but do you think they also have something in common?

Interesting question. I would say this... I love playing both, although if you ask any actor, he or she will tell you that it's always more fun to play the bad guys!! Also, I would point out that both John and Joe think they are doing the best for their families at all times... It is the greatest thing they have in common.

13. What happened to the McCoys in "Friday Night Lights" after season 4 We missed them in season 5!

I missed them too!! I think NBC missed the boat on that one!!

14. If you could play one character from another TV show for one day. Who would that be and why?

I would love to play a new character on "Game of Thrones"... A mysterious Prince from North of the Wall.

15. In our last interview you told us you and your wife love "24". Are there more shows you like at this point?

"Game of Thrones"
"The Killing"
"Revenge"

Thank you, D.W., we wish you all the best for your future!

Alex Olejnik - myFanbase