Brandon Jay McLaren discusses his newest roles on UnREAL and Ransom
Actor Brandon Jay McLaren discusses his role on UnREAL and Ransom in an interview with Hidden Remote.
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You might see Brandon Jay McLaren on a few channels over the next couple of weeks. The actor, whose best-known roles are Powers Rangers S.P.D. and Graceland, will feature in two shows.
Currently, he can be seen in UnREAL as Dr. Simon, a psychologist who has come to the set of Everlasting to form a bond with Rachael. She has been through a lot over the last two seasons and she could use some guidance and, even, a friend.
McLaren returns as Oliver in CBS’s Ransom. The show’s second season premieres Saturday, April 7.
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Hidden Remote got a chance to speak with McLaren about his current roles and what fans can expect from them in the near future.
Hidden Remote: On UnREAL, Dr. Simon has come in to help Rachel. How is that relationship going to progress?
Brandon Jay McLaren: The relationship between Dr. Simon and Rachel is complicated. Initially, it’s strained, but as the show goes on, Rachel learns to trust Dr. Simon and in some ways count on him. The challenge for Dr. Simon is, how can he make this a lasting bond.
HR: How would you describe working on UnREAL as compared to other TV shows you have been on?
BJM: Working on this show was a unique experience in that there is really two shows in one. Everlasting, the suitress, the bachelors is a very different show than the one I participated in. Most of Dr. Simon’s work was done with Rachel or Quinn one-on-one. Also, the reality show nature of Everlasting meant that the cast was much smaller at the end of the show than at the outset, which is something I’ve never experienced before.
HR: How is UnREAL different than other shows you have worked on?
BJM: I think what makes UnREAL unique and subsequently brilliant is that it manages to strike a perfect balance between comedic entertainment and dramatic entertainment. That’s very difficult to do. Most other shows that I’ve done favors the dramatic more, so it was fun to be able to have a space where I could play with both.
HR: What challenges do you face coming on to a show where the main cast has already been together for some time?
BJM: There is a definite “new kid in the class” feel walking on a show that is so established and popular like UnREAL. Luckily, I knew Jeffery Bowyer Chapman from before, so it’s always nice to see a familiar face in strange territory. The main cast was extremely welcoming, and after a few days I felt right at home.
HR: Given what you know, are there any possibilities for Dr. Simon to last more than one season?
BJM: Never say never and never say always.
HR: Changing gears, what can you tell us about the upcoming season of Ransom?
BJM: Season 2 of Ransom airs April 7 on CBS. This season will see some very large, high stakes negotiations as well as a singular event that will shake the entire team to its core.
HR: The roles on UnREAL and Ransom are similar with the doctor and psychological profiler, but how are they different from one another?
BJM: I think the main difference is with Ransom, Oliver is part of a team, and that team more or less has the same track, same goals, same values. Dr. Simon is very much on an island in Everlasting. He is much more unsettled and has to constantly figure out new ways of doing his job effectively.
Next: Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman discusses UnREAL’s third season and his new podcast
HR: During Graceland, I read an interview (with Movie TV Tech Geeks) that you did where you said you shadowed Larry Teng while he prepped for a couple of episodes? Have you done more with that, doing anything behind the camera? Is that something you are considering down the line?
BJM: First, I must say that Larry Teng is one of the most talented directors I’ve worked with. Since then I have not done much shadowing but directing is something I’d love to do down the line. I directed a music video for my brother a while back and caught the bug. Also, I’ve started a new production company, BMA Films, and we’ve just secured our first development funding for a film called ‘The Book’ that I am writing and producing.