SCOTT GRIMES is Lt Gordon Malloy

Where is New Horizons taking the viewer, in your opinion?

I never thought that Seth Macfarlane could one-up the second season, but he’s done it. This season, I just can’t believe what he accomplished as a director and writer. These mini-movies gave him full rein to do whatever he wants in the time and with no time constraints. This third season is just phenomenal.

This season feels much bigger in scope.

I went to work every day and saw these things being built; every concept or idea that Seth had, it was right there in front of you. They gave him everything he needed to make the show he always wanted to make, because I do remember as great as seasons one and two were, there were constraints. Hulu, on this third season, let Seth’s mind run amok. All his ideas were built in front of us and every day was a new thing. So it’s just gargantuan this season. I felt like I was on a Spielberg movie every day. Seth writes this like a 10-hour movie.

What’s in store for Gordon this season?

The show did take a turn from the comedy that it was in the first season to now. It’s more just this beautiful, thoughtful science fiction show. You’re gonna see Gordon this year become less of a goofball and more of an adult. He wants a relationship and a family, so it was really nice not to have to come in and say a funny line or two. Seth was nice enough to give me some meaty character stuff that I think people are gonna like.

It sounds like Gordon will be put through his paces this year…

I’m so glad I was in semi-good shape, because all I did was get the crap beat out of me. I was running all the time and I’m on these wires… I have all the footage that I’ll put out after the episodes air. It was like being on a $300 million movie. It was very, very challenging.

If they rebooted Critters, would you be up for a return?

I would love it. I had this idea where you’re at a Comic-con, actors play themselves, and the Critters eat all the actors and I, as Scott Grimes in Critters Five or Six, would be fighting the Critters. I thought that would be a neat idea. If done right, I would absolutely love to do Critters.