Teen Wolf: Interview: Tyler Posey

He may have been second choice for the role of Jacob in the Twilight saga, but Tyler Posey can now let his inner wolf out as the lead in the new Sky Living show, Teen Wolf. Loosely based on the 1985 movie, Teen Wolf is a very 21st Century take on life with the lycanthropes…

First Twilight, now Teen Wolf – what is it about you that screams werewolf to casting people…?

‘Cos I’m sexy! No, honestly, when I booked Teen Wolf, I told my friends and they were like, ‘Dude, you could totally be a wolf.’ I guess it’s because you can’t really tell what ethnicity I am; I’m Mexican on my mother’s side, while my dad is every single white thing possible.

How does it feel to be a part of the wolf pack?

I don’t know if it’s hit me yet. Maybe once I’m accepted by Taylor Lautner [Twilight‘s Jacob], once we start hanging out, then I’ll feel it. Right now, I’m feeling a little left out of the loop.

What can you tell us about your particular werewolf, Scott McCall?

Scott’s the cool kid who was never accepted into the cool, popular group. He hangs out with the unpopular, outcast clique, with best friend Stiles. Although Scott loves Stiles, he’s sick of being a nobody, a fly on the wall, and wants to be in the ‘in’ crowd, getting the girls and being good at sport. Once Scott gets bitten, he gets what he wished for.

How does he deal with it?

These changes happen to Scott at the same time that he’s going through the changes of just growing up. It’s too much to deal with and he’s on an emotional roller coaster throughout the season.

Scott’s trying to figure out his place and what he wants, and now, with all the powers he has, he’s finally able to hang out with and be one of the cool kids. The slight snag is that he has people trying to kill him, and he’s waking up in the middle of the woods with blood on him, wondering if he’s killed someone. Scott’s kind of tormented.

What attracted you to the role?

Everything. It’s my first lead role, and there’s no way I could have prepared for this type of schedule – it was gruelling, insane, and the most fun I’ve ever had in my life. Plus, I’m basically playing two roles: I have Scott McCall, this kid who just wants to be noticed, and then there’s the wolf, a killer.

Have you seen the original film?

Oh yeah, which is why I was so excited. Then I read the script and was like, ‘Oh my God, I’ve got to be a part of this.’ I knew how big the role was, how iconic, and that those shoes were always going to be tough to fill, but we’re doing our own thing and it’s going to be good.

In what ways does the series differ from its silver screen inspiration?

The movie focused more on comedy and, though the show has great comedic elements, it’s mostly a drama. It’s romantic, sexy, scary and a thriller.

How is it scary?

There’s lots of blood, guts and surprises. Even I get scared, especially when we’re working in the woods and the lights aren’t on; sometimes we’ll wander off just to scare ourselves. If anything though, I’m the one being scary. When I’m in wolf make-up, I like to sneak up on people.

Will viewers be wowed by the werewolf?

We are all happy with the make-up; it’s not too heavy, it’s subtle but you can definitely tell I’m a werewolf.  It’s not like Michael J Fox where he looked like a big furball! The only thing that gets me is the nails. They’re kind of annoying, especially when you want to go to the bathroom.

How physically taxing has it all been?

Jeff Davis [the creator] signed me up with his personal trainer for three to four months before we started filming, and it was rigorous man, hard-ass. I threw up six different times when I was working out, but you just have to keep going. It means you’re doing it right!

Did you work out much before landing the part?

My dad would take me to the gym when I was pretty young, and I’d do push-ups and sit-ups in my house. Then I booked this film where I had to be a high school wrestler, so I had to bulk up for that. That was right before we shot Teen Wolf, so I already had some residual bulkiness. Going to the trainer just made it even more so.

Revisiting your own school days, were you the popular kid or the nerd?

I don’t like to consider myself the popular kid. I was home-schooled from fourth grade to my freshman year at high school. I’d never experienced anything like high school before, all these different classes and kids, but I loved it and was friends with every clique. I was late to my classes, not out of laziness, but because I’d talk to every person I walked by.

Are you prepared for the potential fame Teen Wolf is going to bring you?

I love the idea that girls are going to be putting pictures of me on their walls. That would be awesome.

What about your on-screen relationship with Allison. Have you had to film a few steamy scenes?

Allison is Scott’s first love, so it goes from holding hands and first making out to making out on the bed and ripping each other’s clothes off. It gets pretty hot and heavy, which I’m perfectly OK with.

Finally, what can viewers expect as the show progresses?

Scott’s dealing with a lot of crazy things. Not only is he a wolf, but he has people trying to kill him and werewolves trying to bring him into their pack. Then there’s the problem of keeping his secret from Allison, which is made even more difficult by people wanting to expose it. It’s all over the place and there’s never a dull moment. Scott’s life is just doomed!

Teen Wolf begins on Sky Living on Thursday July 7 at 8 p.m. Read our review of the first two episodes here.

Thanks to Elena Kemp at Sky