FemaleFirst couldn't resist the opportunity to put some questions to new-hunk-on-the-block Dominic Adams regarding his role in the second season of Devious Maids.
Chatting about his love for acting, what goes on behind-the-scenes on the show and much more, we spoke to him in an exclusive and revealing interview.
Has acting always been a passion of yours?
Absolutely, it started when I was 13 and I was in my first play which was a musical by the same man who wrote Blood Brothers. I’m not an amazing singer, I’m not quite Frank Sinatra but I enjoyed it. Following this I then went on to perform in The Old Vic Theatre before moving to London to officially study acting.
When did you first hear about the role of Tony in Devious Maids?
It was an afternoon in Los Angeles where I currently reside; I got sent the appointment from my team. I obviously knew about the show and I had a friend who had starred in the pilot and the first season so I knew a fair bit about the inside track on the show. So that was pretty exciting and then I ended up going to audition for it. But there was a funny story with regards to the audition: I got to Disney which is where the audition was taking place, the Disney Studios lot, and had absolutely no idea where I was going. I was kind of lost in this corridor admiring this original Beauty and the Beast sketch that was on the wall thinking, ‘I really don’t know where to go.’ And this gentleman started walking down the corridor and said ‘Oh, I think you’re probably looking for the elevator which is over here, follow me.’ Great, so I followed him, we got in the elevator, had a chat, I made him laugh, we got on and we both got out of the elevator together, continued to walk in the same direction and then he said: ‘I’ll see you in the room in a moment.’ That’s when I realised, ‘Oh, I think that might have been Marc Cherry.’ So that was great to build a little bit of a rapport and have a tiny relationship before the audition, but it was just kind of funny how that went.
What was it that drew you to the character?
The duplicitousness I think. Whenever you get to play a character that has duplicity like that, that acts in a certain way but really has an ulterior motive or different angle, that’s always something as an actor that is interesting. To do something that has layers and you’re able to use that misdirection in a certain way, I think most actors find that interesting and also a challenge. I think then there’s that reveal and turn and that’s one of the most exciting things for an actor; to show this is really what it’s about. I think that element of it really appealed to me and also just the fact that Tony was a bodyguard and special forces and I’ve actually known people like that a lot during my life and have always been an active martial artist myself so those were probably the main things.
How was the experience of working with your fellow cast and crew on the show?
Absolutely terrible. No, no I’m joking. Fabulous, they were all really lovely, I’m very fortunate to be in the mix with such a varied and talented cast, you know you have a lot of actors and actresses that have real stage pedigree in New York and that’s always something that’s fascinating to me. You join a pre-existing show, there is always a little bit of trepidation. Are there going to be cliques or factions and groups that have already formed? Is no-one going to talk to me? Am I going to be left alone? I got to the first table read and everyone was very welcoming and warm and genuinely very lovely. It was a really great experience for me.
You debuted in the first episode of the season, which was also Eva Longoria’s directorial debut – how was she in the director’s chair?
Eva is really quite an inspiring woman, which is quite evident when you spend time with her. She as a director, was focused, hardworking, you know directing anything – but especially an episode of a TV show - isn’t glamorous at all. It requires a lot of hard work, a lot of dedication, a lot of focus, you are the person that everybody else is looking to, to lead them. I was just really in awe of the fact that she took that and she relished it. She worked so hard and was really in control and as an actor it’s great to work with a director who is also themselves an actor. I think that was a bonus that everyone felt and she also really understands this world, coming from Desperate Housewives. So I just found her a real delight and she could definitely have a career as a director if she wanted.
What were some of your favourite scenes to film?
I’ve really enjoyed a lot because most of my scenes are with two fabulous actors Rebecca Wisocky who plays Evelyn and Tom Irwin who plays Adrian - they are both such smart actors. So getting to do any scene with them was really a pleasure because it’s like playing tennis. When you have someone across the other side of the court that is adept at putting spin on the ball it means that you have to kind of respond in kind so I really enjoyed working with them in general. But a lot of the scenes that we’re now getting to at this point in the season where we start to see ulterior motives and the turn in Tony were really fun. So that’s what I’d say if I had to pick any.
Can you tell us a little about a typical day filming Devious Maids?
We’re very fortunate to have a great crew. The crew on the show are really lovely so there’s very much a family feel. You’re with these people for six months and you get to set, you have your relationships, you joke with someone about this and so-and-so about that, so it’s a very 'family feel' I would say. I would get there, run in my trailer, I was normally getting there exactly on the time I had to be there so I was running in my trailer and straight into hair and makeup, then a quick rehearsal and then into the shot. Nothing too out of the norm in terms of what would happen on set but that would be the gist of it.
Here in the UK we’ve just seen episode nine and watched Tony on the phone admitting he can’t wait to get away from Evelyn after completing his ‘plan’ – what should we expect going forward?
Well I think I can say this, after that episode Tony is only in one more episode this season. So make of that what you will and I think everyone will be intrigued and interested to see what happens but obviously Devious Maids, being Devious Maids means there are all sorts of tricks and scheming and that’s very much going to come to light. What is Tony up to? What he is about? Where has he been before? So there’s a lot of doors left open, so let’s see what happens.
How have you found the fan response to you and your character?
They’ve been amazing. Amazing. I’m really grateful for the support that I’ve had, people have really responded to Tony and myself and my dynamic with Evelyn, (Rebecca). I was almost overwhelmed by that response and I really hope they continue enjoying what we’ve done because ultimately that’s what it is. We’ll get together as a group of people, a large group of people, and cameras and you’re pretending you’re someone you’re not and you’re saying lines that you just learnt but you’re saying them as if you didn’t just learn them and the reason you’re doing all of this is for people to watch it and feel something. Whether that’s laughter, happiness, sadness, sorrow, contemplation, whatever it is. So to get any response from the fans and with them being so wonderful, it’s a real gift.
If you could play the part of any other characters for a day who would you choose and why?
(laughs) Carmen Luna. I mean who wouldn’t want to be Roselyn Sanchez. She really cracks me up. I really like the juxtaposition of the diva and the maid. It’s just something that really kind of tickles me. She plays it so wonderfully. You sometimes wonder with Carmen, does she have a heart? Which obviously we all know she does but sometimes the things she says, the airhead, narcissistic comments she makes really kind of do it for me. So I would be Carmen Luna for the day.
Finally do you have any other projects in the pipeline coming up or anything you’d really like to sink your teeth into?
There are a few things bubbling away that myself and my team are looking at. We’ll see what happens but I think hopefully by the winter there’ll be something else to see me in and hopefully it will be different enough that fans will get to see a different side of myself as an actor and in terms of what I’d like to sink my teeth into, anything that challenges me to grow. I’m motivated by doing work that makes me have to push myself and find elements of myself that maybe I wasn’t that in touch with and in doing so, I as a result, am slightly changed. I learn more about myself, I grow and that really is my main motivation in any work, being able to work with good people and being surrounded by creativity and talent. That said, I would love to get back on stage at some point. I would love to.
Devious Maids continues Tuesdays at 10pm on TLC.
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