EXCLUSIVE | 'Supernatural' star Mark Pellegrino teases 'screaming hot' details on much-anticipated action flick 'Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F'
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Acclaimed actor Mark Pellegrino has left an indelible mark on audiences with his compelling performances and diverse roles in both film and television. Best known for his iconic portrayal of Lucifer in ‘Supernatural’, Paul Bennett in ‘Dexter’, and Jacob in ‘Lost’, Pellegrino's talent knows no bounds.
From his early beginnings co-founding a heavy metal band to his discovery of acting through unexpected avenues, Pellegrino's journey to stardom is as intriguing as the characters he brings to life on screen.
His contributions to television have been monumental, with standout roles in series such as ‘Being Human’, ‘Quantico’, and ‘13 Reasons Why’. Pellegrino's versatility shines through in each project, showcasing his ability to embody characters ranging from conflicted antiheroes to menacing villains.
Beyond the screen, Pellegrino's dedication to his craft and his engaging presence have garnered him a devoted fanbase. His recent ventures into video games and the highly anticipated ‘Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F’ series on Netflix further solidify his status as a sought-after talent in the industry.
Now, Pellegrino, 59, who reprised his role as Virgil Poe in ‘American Rust: Broken Justice’ Season 2 which dropped on Thursday, March 28, gets candid with MEAWW in an illuminating interview.
Excerpts from the interview
Returning to the role of Virgil Poe in ‘American Rust: Broken Justice’ Season 2 must be exciting. How does it feel to reprise the character alongside Jeff Daniels?
It feels great not just to be working with such a stellar cast again but to explore Virgil in more depth. Turns out there’s a lot more there than the first season showed. I think the fans will be intrigued by what seems to be a coming-of-age story for Mr. Poe. Well, as they say about almost everything: better late than never.
With your diverse career, you've tackled roles that range from charming to downright chilling. Which role made you sweat the most in the best way possible, and why?
Probably Lucifer’s meat suit Nick. In the last seasons of ‘Supernatural’, Nick re-emerges as a man on a mission, first for revenge, then for a reunion with Lucifer (turns out power can be very intoxicating).
Many fans found Nick scarier than Lucifer, not just because he lacked a sense of humor, but because he was real. Feel me? It’s easier to swallow monsters you know you’ll never encounter in life. It’s the ones that deliver your mail, fix your plumbing, or even guard your buildings by day, but do terrible things at night that really scare you. The monsters we encounter in life live right next door. They rise the subways with us… that’s what Nick was. And that’s super creepy.
You remain actively involved in theater through your performances and teaching at Playhouse West and Acting Studio LA. How does your experience in theater differ from acting on screen?
For theatre there’s lots of rehearsal, the scenes are acted in chronological order, and once you’re out on stage the medium is completely yours. The writers and directors are completely helpless (hehehe). Of course, you have to speak up which is an artifice that takes getting used to, but the medium can be very liberating.
Film usually allows no rehearsal; except a blocking rehearsal moments before they shoot. The scenes are shot out of order. So there’s no intrinsic sense of continuity of experience. And the technology conspires to interfere with any human reality. But these distractions can be overcome with training and practice. And the great news is… you can do it multiple times…that fact alone - that you get a do-over - can be very relaxing. What you miss with the long rehearsal process of the stage, you get by rehearsing on camera multiple times.
‘Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F’ is a highly anticipated project. How does it feel to be a part of such a big franchise, and what can fans expect?
I’m part of an iconic film franchise and I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t awesome. I grew up with ‘Beverly Hills Cop’ and never imagined I would be in a screaming hot version of it. And that’s what fans should expect a screaming hot action flick with all the characters they’ve come to know and love and then some.
Your portrayal of Lucifer in ‘Supernatural’ has been a fan-favorite, how was it playing such a complex and iconic character? Will we see you in similar roles?
It’s fun to play someone who can do anything he wants without fear of the consequences (mainly because there aren’t any for an eternal being) but also because what he wants means more to him than anything else.
Lucifer is a ‘no-limit man’ (can you guess the play that’s from) and I love no-limit men. As for playing someone similar in the future? Hell yeah.
While we've loved seeing you in dark roles, we're curious: are you drawn to such intense characters, or do you just enjoy keeping fans on the edge of their seats?
We live in a world where narratively the antagonist is a man of action. He propels the plot and forces the protagonist to rise to the occasion. The antagonist wants to change and has vision and passion. I love that.
Looking ahead, are there any upcoming projects or roles that you're particularly excited about and can share with us?
I did a staged reading of ‘An Enemy of the People’ by Henrik Ibsen. I’m planning on doing the play… maybe in Paris. The theme of the individual vs society is the deepest most important concept for us to wrap our heads around and two enlightenments later, we still haven’t done it.