Syfy’s Wynonna Earp has been bringing the sassy, fun intrigue, and the creepy every week since its premiere. As a fan of some of the western movies based on the cowboy Wyatt Earp, I knew I was going to like watching a show about a descendant (who just happens to be female) of Earp that follows his tradition of sending demon revenants back to hell. Melanie Scrofano is killing it as Wynonna! The cast has great chemistry with each other and it is great to support a show with a female lead.
While Wynonna, her sister Waverly (Dominique Provost-Chalkley) and the rest of the female characters are awesome, the men also help make the show equally successful. You have the main villain and leader of the demon revenants, Bobo Del Rey, played by Michael Eklund, and then you have Wynonna’s allies: famous cowboy Doc Holliday (Tim Rozon) and Deputy Xavier Dolls (Shamier Anderson), who works for the “U” files; a branch of the US Marshals.
All three male characters, while two of them help Wynonna with her mission, all have their own agendas. I was fortunate enough to get a chance to talk with all three gentlemen separately. I talked with Rozon and Anderson mostly about last week’s episode “Two-Faced Jack” which is my favorite so far. Not only was Wynonna trying to fight for survival but this was the first time (and hopefully not the last) Deputy Dolls worked together with Doc Holliday. Scrofano did a terrific job in channeling Wynonna’s fear and fight for survival while going against probably the creepiest revenant yet, Jack of Knives (Greg Byrk). By the end of the episode I think not only is Wynonna traumatized, but she is starting to question things about her father and the curse.
First round of questions go to Rozon and then Anderson, who were interviewed prior to last week’s episode airing:
TNE: I just finished watching episode eight and I’m like that was such a fun episode!
Tim Rozon: Don’t tell me anything though because I only – well, I watch live, so I’m finding out tonight.
TNE: Oh, I can’t ask you any questions!? You filmed it!
Tim Rozon: Yeah, of course. This is true, but I forget. My memory is not my best quality.
TNE: Well, that’s not good. Well, it’s a good thing you memorize your lines. That’s important.
Tim Rozon: For some reason, yes I can do that, which makes no sense but I can.
TNE: This is like how do you even become an actor if your memory is all shot?
Tim Rozon: Exactly, but it can be done. I am a walking conundrum.
TNE: It is what it is, right?
Tim Rozon: It is what it is, exactly.
TNE: You and Agent Dolls are working together to help save Wynonna. So, how long did the fight scene between you and Agent Dolls take [to film]? Like you and Shamier?
Tim Rozon: Yeah, so listen people need to understand Shamier Anderson is a beast okay? He’s a beast! Look at him! Super buff. He could crush you with his hand if he wanted to. [He is] also a dancer. A lot of people don’t know that. He’s so nimble on his feet. He’s like amazing. He’s so talented this guy, it’s not even normal. So, he was – he couldn’t wait for this fight scene. He lived for this day. He loves this stuff. He loves when there’s guns, fighting and like he’s a man’s man. I was dreading this day. I’m like how am I gonna – what am I gonna do? It was such a fun day to shoot. It was so amazing. We practiced the day before.
It’s a testament to the stunt coordinator, Steven McMichael, because he made me feel so secure and safe going into it and it was just amazing and the background actors were so in to it and Joris Jarsky who plays Whiskey Jim was so into it that we got so into it, that you just forget. And then I wake up with bruises for the next three days. Maybe I shouldn’t say I did, but yeah I did. Was it worth it? Hell yeah because it was one of the best things I’ve ever ended up doing because it was challenge for me to do something out of my comfort zone and try and make it legit and I tried to do it – mostly remain in character the whole time. It’s how I thought Doc would fight, even in the stance I take. I took more of a pugilistic [stance].
TNE: Yeah, more like a street fighter than anything else and you were even drinking trying to get you some courage. It was hilarious.
Tim Rozon: Yep, and these were all choices and it was amazing because these were choices that I made as an actor that Steve the stunt coordinator worked in because even when I break the bottle and hold the bottle I said ‘Listen, I don’t think Doc is a fighter.’ I honestly think as a character choice, if he was fighting he’d be a dirty fighter and I think Doc’s okay with that. I don’t think he cares if he was a dirty fighter. I think he’s gonna do whatever he can do to survive.
TNE: Exactly.
Tim Rozon: So, yeah and then Steve incorporated all this stuff in this amazing fight and then Shamier was just so down for everything and pretty much when you watch Shamier lays the smack down on Doc for a while.
TNE: Well, yeah!
Tim Rozon: And then, yeah. It ends the way it ends.
TNE: Yeah, so how glad were you that Doc was able to knock out Agent Dolls just as a character and even as an actor you were able to like defeat somebody? Was this like your very first fight scene?
Tim Rozon: I mean, yeah because if I remember correctly he threw me over, right? And stole information to Lucado and everybody and I found out that he actually sold me out. He was gonna sell me to science, so once again he tried to screw me. So, yeah I was out to kill him. You know what I mean? And then, to get the knockout punch felt great, but at the same time even before I let him have it he says something about Wynonna.
I realized that he did it for Wynonna and even if – Doc is a good guy at heart… he’s got respect for how Dolls feels about Wynonna, right? So, he understands why Dolls did what he did, but at the same time he was gonna let him have it for doing it. Just as quickly as he enjoyed the moment, don’t forget he probably killed him so he’s actually – he’s kinda sad about that because he does respect Dolls as much as he doesn’t like him… I think Doc is one of the only characters that kinda knows where Dolls is coming from a lot of times.
TNE: So, since you’ve experienced your first fight scene at least with episode, are you excited about maybe doing more down the line?
Tim Rozon: Listen, I don’t – it’s not the stuff that excited me, but if it meant I was doing more seasons of Wynonna Earp playing Doc Holiday? I’ll do whatever the hell they want me to do it. They can light me on fire. I don’t care. I’m in. I just wanna do this for as long as possible. I’m not joking. They can do whatever the hell they want to me. Mel – I mean, Emily’s already killed me four times on another show, so it’s no big deal. Bring it! Just don’t touch the mustache.
TNE: Okay, so is that your – okay, is that like your mustache?
Tim Rozon: Of course it’s my mustache. It took three and half months to grow that freaking thing!
(I laughed when he said that!)
TNE: Could Doc fall in love Wynonna or has he already fallen and is in denial?
Tim Rozon: I mean, I don’t think he’s in denial.
TNE: Ookay.
Tim Rozon: He definitely has feelings for her. He’s not the best at expressing himself. He’s also from a different time, but everybody forgets that about poor Doc because in a lot of ways I feel bad for the character because everybody forgets he’s from a different time. This is all new to him. He’s not scared of a gun fight, but a selfie or cell phone is petrifying to the guy? He’s trying to understand everything in the same time and at the same time he wants his revenge. Times are tough for Doc Holiday man.
TNE: And speaking of modern technology, will Doc ever learn to drive and if so, what do you think would be his mode of transportation? Like do you even think –
Tim Rozon: Let me tell you dude, oh my goodness gracious. Your questions are great, but they’re useless. I’ll tell you why. Emily Andras, I told you, she’s amazing. I’m not even gonna give away because it’s so amazing and the choice of vehicle is even – you’re gonna be like, these people are geniuses. It’s all coming.
TNE: Oh, okay so it is coming. Yay!
Tim Rozon: It’s all happening. I told you, Emily Andras is amazing. Every question that you’ve seen that you have of this show, every big relationship that you’ve seen that you’re wondering will get resolved, like no matter how small. Trust me, they’re all gonna – All the T’s will be crossed and all the I’s will be dotted. Whatever it is, that’s what I mean. And then, a bunch of shit’s gonna happen that nobody is ready for.
TNE: Do you think Agent Dolls and Doc would ever become friends? I mean, they seem to kind of have a tenuous truce.
Tim Rozon: Well, I mean, listen Shamier Anderson and me are friends. …We always joked that it’d be great to have a Doc and Dolls spinoff because it’s so fun to have two contrasting characters together. Look how long we had to wait to finally work together. I mean, you’re only on episode eight. We had been there for three and half months filming already and never even worked with each other yet. So, it was super fun and it’s great to have two different characters and we do like to solve crimes from two different – we’re coming at it from two different approaches is what I’m trying to say. So it’s a super great relationship to have and I think what they developed more than a friendship is a respect for each other. Understand where each one is coming from. It doesn’t mean they like each other, but they respect each other.
For more of my conversation with Rozon, be sure to check out Part II of my Men of Wynonna article, coming soon! Now for Anderson’s take on the episode!
TNE: Hey. So I recently saw episode 8 and 9 and I talked to Tim yesterday. And he mentioned that you are also a dancer. So I was curious to know what styles of dance do you dance in, or were trained in?
Shamier Anderson: Wow! Tim is giving away my secrets!
TNE: I know!
Shamier Anderson: I actually went to theater school and there was a huge dance component so I was in a dance incentive program. So I’ve done everything. I did ballet for four years, jazz, contemporary, hip hop, everything. I did gymnastics for a number of years as well. I did competitions. I was in a studio. Dance was a huge part of my life. I was actually a dancer before I was an actor.
TNE: Oh, really? Awesome. Even ballroom? Oh my gosh, that’s so awesome! [I really like ballroom guys.]
Shamier Anderson: Yeah, it was pretty cool.
TNE: Okay I’m sorry but why the heck did Dolls let Doc give him the upper cut? Was that on purpose or did he just really underestimate Doc?
Shamier Anderson: Well, you watched or you’ve seen the episode already. It was all strategic. He needed to do that in order for – I guess the idea behind that was so that Dolls could end the fight. He had to take the hit so they could progress and get more information for what they needed to move forward. Because usually I think it’s pretty understood that Dolls can probably take Doc any day.
TNE: Yeah, he was doing pretty good. He was having Doc panic, pretty much, and it was just hilarious.
Shamier Anderson: Yes.
TNE: Okay. So that was the same way as Dolls playing dead instead of just being knocked out; that was all strategic?
Shamier Anderson: It was all strategic, every single bit of it. All strategic from the beginning.
TNE: But why dead?
Shamier Anderson: Because he was kicking Doc’s ass. And he realized – you know, when he said to him that he found out about this secret that Dolls was doing an investigation on Doc, he was very frantic about what was going on. And that was the shift in the scene. You know, Doll’s being as calculated as ten steps ahead of his. That’s why he made that decision to kind of forfeit the round in a very subtle way by taking that upper cut. So Mr. Whiskey Jim knew that the fight was over, thought that the fight was over and then it got into the next spot and they were able to find Wynonna because of it.
TNE: Are we going to get more back story on Agent Dolls? More like the agency that he works for? Are we going to find out what is up with the drugs by the season finale or is that going to transition into Season two?
Shamier Anderson: Honestly, you are probably one of the millionth people that keep asking me that question. And I’m going to tell you and I’m going to tell everybody: you have to keep watching.
TNE: Oh, you’re such a tease.
Shamier Anderson: I know. It’s funny because that story plot is a huge – people are addicted to that as well as Dolls is addicted to his drugs. And a lot of people want to know what’s going on with Doc. And I think that’s a great, little hidden secret in the show that people – if you don’t even like the show, you kind of want to watch to see what the heck’s going on with Dolls. That’s something I will not give away.
TNE: Yeah, we’re like a dog with a bone. We can’t let it go.
Shamier Anderson: In the season finale, you all will get – episode 11 and 12 you guys will get a little bit more of that and what happens when Dolls doesn’t take the drugs.
TNE: Yes, I can’t wait! So Dolls seems to have loosened up just a tad. Is that because of Wynonna or is it just because in general he’s starting to become more comfortable in what he’s doing and just finding out more stuff?
Shamier Anderson: In general, he’s becoming more comfortable with being in Purgatory. He’s always comfortable with what he’s doing. Dolls is very comfortable in his own shoes but he has to have a heightened sense when he’s in Purgatory because he’s familiar with that. But now we’re in episode 7, 8, 9 and he’s been there for quite some time now so he’s definitely loosening up. He knows the different angles and he knows individuals; he knows what’s going on. So I think you can see he smiles a little more, he laughs, he’s a bit more playful. He’s less uptight. Even his wardrobe has changed. He doesn’t even wear his suit so much anymore.
And I’ll say that’s one thing in episode 12, season finale, episode 11; you’re going to see a real big shift with Dolls and Wynonna and everybody else, without giving too much away.
TNE: It seems like he cares for her but I don’t know if it goes beyond that or if he just wants to make a move. And if he’s gonna make a move, like I don’t know. Can you get into his head a little bit for me?
Shamier Anderson: No, I don’t….what I [can] say is Dolls has a very good poker face. So he may even like Wynonna more than you guys actually think, just saying; but, maybe not. You’ll have to watch and see. That’s one topic I really wish I could answer with details of what it’s like. It’s crucial. It’s keeping us –
TNE: It seems like he cares for her but then I’m like I don’t know, he seems to just – he seems to be so calculating sometimes that I just don’t know.
Shamier Anderson: I think I can say this, is that Wynonna doesn’t really have the effect on people when she makes people do things they’re not used to. So Dolls obviously has smiled because of Wynonna. Dolls has complimented her a few times. And even the last episode, he said good job to her as she took out the revenant. He is going to definitely do some un-characteristic things when it comes down to Wynonna and their relationship grows. She triggers certain things in him.
TNE: So since you’re a dancer in real life, do you think they’ll eventually incorporate that into the show, like with Dolls at all? Or just like for a case or something like that?
Shamier Anderson: I don’t know if they’ll incorporate that, one because I’m not sure if it will make sense. But I’m sure if the time is right and you’ve got Dolls on the dance floor, maybe Dolls will do a quick break dance move and do a head spin but we’ll see. It all depends on the situation. Dolls doesn’t drink so I don’t think he’ll ever be inebriated to the point where he’ll do something without choice. But maybe, we’ll see. Maybe season two. I can tell you season one, definitely no dancing for Dolls.
TNE: No. but I think it would be really fun to just see you use your dance skills just a little bit.
Shamier Anderson: I think that would be pretty cool. Excuse my voice; I’m a little sick. I did dance in between takes, though, for sure. I was doing some dancing off camera. They may have some behind scenes the stuff that I may throw on the internet in the future.
TNE: That would be cool. You and Tim are at odds on the show but Tim also mentioned that you guys are pretty good friends off set. So are you hoping that eventually Dolls and Doc will get to a place where they could actually become friends?
Shamier Anderson: I’m very biased in my opinion but if I was on the outside looking in, I kind of like the tension. It kind of gives us mysterious colors. Because he’s friends with Doc, then it’s like where’s the tension lie between the main four? So I like the opposition between the two; it keeps it exciting. I like the fact that – because in tonight’s episode you’re going to see they kind of team up and they kind of don’t. I like that element of surprise; it’s pretty cool.
TNE: Cool. Now, what was your favorite episode to film? Was it this episode or was it maybe a later episode? You can just name the number if it hasn’t already aired yet.
Shamier Anderson: Tonight’s episode, definitely without question. Tonight’s episode is I think one of the best episodes. There was fight after fight. I got to knock people out. The training process was cool. Tim and I had so much fun with all those [in] background. It was definitely one of the highlights of the season.
TNE: That’s awesome because it actually has turned out to be one of my favorite episodes, too. Maybe it’s just because you guys just mesh so well and it’s like they should have a total bromance, or just like something like an off – what do you call it? Not a sequel but a spinoff of just Dolls and Doc just clashing every episode.
Shamier Anderson: It would be the D&D show. Doc and Dolls, Riding cars with Doc and Dolls. Tim and I used to say that. If they’d give us like a spinoff, it would be like Doc and Dolls in a car, be like a minute thing and then just arguing talking about nonsense. I think a lot of people would like that.
TNE: Yes, just something like that; that would be awesome! Maybe they’ll incorporate that into season two if fans clamor for it a little bit more.
Shamier Anderson: For sure!
TNE: Now, apparently you know how to fight or at least you were trained for the scene for this week’s episode. Do you have any fighting background? Did you train before you got this role, for maybe another role or even just in general?
Shamier Anderson: I actually did fight growing up. I did a bit – not a bit, a lot of martial arts. I actually trained in Wing Chun Kung Fu. It’s the same art that Robert Downey Jr. does in Sherlock Holmes and martial arts has been like a huge passion of mine growing up, and it’s just something I’ve been doing all my life. Having anything in the fighting arts, is just more so for myself. I don’t really get into the ring or anything like that but for recreational but before I got the job – and that was actually a huge part, I think, why I got the job is because I had those natural abilities. When you watch the show, I don’t have any stunt doubles. I do all my own stunts and I do all my own fight sequences.
And Steve, our incredible fight coordinator was so gracious to implement some of my own style into his choreography because he wanted me to showcase, especially in tonight’s episode, a lot of Wing Chun technique. You know, if you’re a martial artist you’ll definitely notice some of those moves and you’ll see the difference between the styles of fighting when it comes down to Dolls and the other characters in the show.
More of my conversation with Anderson may appear in a Part III because some of the behind the scenes questions regarding Ecklund, Rozon, and Anderson’s auditions and their wardrobe choices was great! I also thought it was cool that Anderson is a fan of the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers like me! In the meantime be on the look out for Part II which will feature my interview with Michael Eklund as well as a few more questions for Rozon!
What did you like about the episode? Are you hoping for more team-ups of Doc and Dolls? Do you think Wynonna will be traumatized by her confrontation with Jack? Sound off below in the comments!
Interviews transcribed by GMR Transcription
