Timothy Olyphant goes from super-cool to suburban dad.
HOW TIMOTHY OLYPHANT WENT FROM TV’S COOLEST CHARACTER TO SUBURBAN DAD WHO DRIVES A MINIVAN
In every great dramatic actor, there exists a knack for comedy pleading to get out. For Timothy Olyphant, best known for playing hardened, wizened tough guys in HBO’s Deadwood and FX’s sorely missed Justified, it almost seems unnatural to imagine the actor swapping his scuffed cowboy boots and wife- beaters for dad jokes and a minivan – but that’s just what he’s done for Netflix’s newest comedy series, Santa Clarita Diet.
For anyone who has kept an eye on Olyphant, his new role might not come as a surprise. They’ve seen his comedic timing burst through not just on late night talk show appearances but guest arcs on a handful of sitcoms, including The Mindy Project and ( most notably) The Grinder.
In Santa Clarita Diet (created by Better Off Ted’s Victor Fresco), Olyphant stars alongside Drew Barrymore as one half of a very suburban, seemingly average couple with a teenage daughter, who one day comes home to discover that his wife has a newfound appetite for, well, human flesh.
Olyphant ruminated on the way laughter has always been a mainstay on his rough-and-tumble resume, and just why he’s always been cut out for a sitcom — believe it or not. Q Were you consciously looking to do a comedy after wrapping Justified? How does it feel to be switching tones?
A I always told people, Justified was a comedy. But yes, this has been an opportunity to be funny in a true blood comedy. It’s a different animal for sure. With Justified, it’s all the same, there is no difference. That sounds weird, I know. But we were always looking for the comedy. We always said, think of it as a comedy and it’ll be dramatic. The thing about Elmore Leonard (the writer and creator of Justified), was he was funny but didn’t acknowledge it. But if you isolate moments, you see it. For example, all of the scenes in the Marshal’s office, we’re always saying funny things, but not yukking it up. That’s the definition of being cool – like Elmore. The difference now is that I think of my work as a drama, but I play it as a comedy. Q You’re going from playing the very cool Raylan Givens to the very uncool Joel Hammond. How does the change of pace feel?
A Joel is not cool. That’s for sure. Like, he is the epitome of uncool. I am so not cool in this. I’m like the husband in Bewitched — hopefully I don’t get replaced. It’s not lost on me where I came from and where people expect to see me. I am very appreciative that they even considered me for this part. To me, it’s a nice fit. But I’m sure for them, it was a risk. Q You and Drew seem like an unusual match at first, but it really works. How does your chemistry feel?
A It’s so great. Drew is such a delight. She doesn’t disappoint ever. She makes an ass out of herself every single day, which is what the show calls for and she’s on it. Q Can we call this a zombie series? A You can call it whatever you want as long as you watch it. But I keep telling everyone it’s a show about a marriage. That’s its core. Ok, wait for it… It’s the feel-good family comedy of the year. Seriously! These are the greatest parents you’ve ever had – just don’t break anything while they’re gone. Q You’re also known for your guest spots on sitcoms, like The Mindy Project and The Grinder, so Santa Clarita Diet isn’t all that unexpected for whoever has been paying attention.
A I think so, those were things I really wanted to do. With Mindy, I had her phone number for a long time. We met a while back, we were laying into each other a lot and so we exchanged numbers at some point, I remember. And, like, I’m seeing her show, I’m watching this happen, and I’m just like, why haven’t I been invited on? I mean, come on. I kept thinking about it. So one day, I sat down, and I drafted this text, I wrote, “Have you not asked yourself, why the f--- haven’t I been on your show?” And I wrote and rewrote it and finally I settled with that, ’cause why not, and I hit send for some reason. But then nothing. Apparently, she never even had my number in her contacts! Can you believe that? This is absolutely true; I can’t believe it. At some point, someone called trying to figure out if it was really me and my number and I kept getting these calls for months. But eventually, that was that. I’m a huge fan of hers. I saw her play, Matt & Ben, way back when. I’ve been a fan for a while. I had so much fun. If Mindy asked me back or wanted me to do absolutely anything, I would.
The Grinder was a different deal. Jake Kasdan, who was an executive producer on the show, described a scene I could do for a day. I showed up, I did it, and by lunch, I was like, “Well, what else do you have for me? We’re doing more, right?” One scene turned into a string of episodes. I had such a great time over there, it had me itching to do some more comedy on a regular basis. Q So this is the first time you’ve done something your kids can watch. You also just did a Kenneth Lonergan play off-Broadway. What else do you want to tackle?
A I need to tackle something, my kids go to private school. But I’m very fortunate in that I haven’t had to do anything I don’t want to in almost 10 years. Kenneth Lonergan’s play was a dream job, I never had so much fun working at the same time. I can’t wait to tackle whatever is next, I’ll do anything.
But my favourite thing is that this is something my kids can watch with me, I look forward to sharing it with them. Even my mom is watching. It was such a pleasure to hear them laughing. That’s a tribute to Victor. We’re gonna be okay with this one. And oh man, Netflix. It’s very binge-watchey! Q You’re a producer on Santa Clarita Diet. How does that change your involvement in the process?
A I am a glorified cheerleader on the set of this show. The first time I sat down with Victor, I understood his vision and the best thing I could do was stay out of his way. We’re always on the same page, it was a great experience. Q News of a Deadwood movie has been floating around for a while. If the rumours are true, will you be involved?
A That’s what I keep being told. I would love to do it, I don’t know much at all about what’s happening with it, but I would do it happily. No question.
I’m attracted to roles that are unpredictable, and if I can get my hands on something like that, I’m thrilled. I like performances where you don’t know what’s coming, moment to moment. — Timothy Olyphant