Living in the Now
CASEY DEIDRICK, LATEST ADDITION TO THE PACK OF “TEEN WOLF,” TALKS ABOUT HIS ACTING CAREER AND WHAT REALLY MATTERS IN LIFE
Casey Deidrick, latest addition to the pack of “Teen Wolf,” talks about his acting career and what really matters in life.
Photography Mitchell Nguyen McCormack
great TV shows end with a bang, and by the looks of it, MTV’s “teen Wolf” is going to do just that with its sixth and final season. For one, it has added quite an intriguing character—a hundred-year old hellhound named halwyn—played by casey Deidrick of “Days of our lives” and “eye candy” fame. While he starts late in the game, Deidrick is set to really liven up the show. Which is quite fitting, as he really seems to know how to live life to the fullest.
Da man: hi, Casey. awesome to have you with us. so, what keeps you busy these days?
Casey Deidrick: hey, thanks for having me. lately, i’ve been working my ass off in the gym. i’m doing this programming called Brute Body and it’s basically a lot of body building based off one rep max percentages mixed with some crossFit. i’ve been reading a lot lately, something i never used to do. i think that as i’m getting older, my focus is maturing. i’m reading a lot on Stoicism and Marcus aurelius. i also love to hike with my dog whenever i can.
Da: let’s start with your involvement in the latest season of MTV’s “teen Wolf.” by now, you’ve appeared in at least one episode of the new season. overall, how did you like being part of the show?
CD: honestly, it was my first role where i felt absolutely free. i loved and enjoyed every second of it. From the crew being so welcoming and the cast being so fun to work with; i actually knew Shelley hennig from the soap opera we used to be on and i was friends with ryan kelley through mutual friends. our director, russell Mulcahy, was really supportive and really encouraged me to go as far as i could playing a hellhound.
Da: Was there anything particularly memorable from your time on “teen Wolf” that really stuck with you?
CD: Well, walking around halfnaked was always something to look forward to everyday on set, especially outside near Malibu at night. i was freezing my ass off, and i’m lying in this ditch in my underwear, covered in leaves and dirt. i look down and there are spiders crawling all over me; it was f-----g amazing. But overall, the whole experience was memorable for me. i think my fight scene with ryan kelley and Dylan Sprayberry was incredible. that took around 13 hours to shoot. Da: “teen Wolf” has always been popular, whether it’s on tV, online and especially during conventions like this year’s san Diego ComicCon. on a more personal level, though, what do you like the most about the show? CD: i’m a huge horror fan; so, of course, i go for dark and edgy. i love werewolves and monsters and all that s--t. But i think [series developer] Jeff Davis has done a really nice job mixing the humor and these wonderful relationships the characters have with the main theme of the show. Da: this season—the sixth— would be the last for “teen Wolf.” have you ever thought what it would be like if you had joined the show earlier? CD: you know, even though i would’ve loved to, i think things happen when they’re supposed to. if i had joined earlier, i may not have been able to play a hellhound. at least i’m a part of something—a family i feel a part of—even though it was short lived.
Da: moving on to the big screen, we’ve noticed that you’re set to appear in a movie titled, rather moninously, “american satan.” Can you tell us what the movie is all about?
CD: i used to be in a metal/rock band and i became friends with the owner of Sumerian records, a label i was trying to get signed by at the time. his name is ash avildsen. We stayed in touch over the years, and he mentioned to me a few times that he was starting his own production company and had a few scripts he was directing. this movie came up and he offered me a role in it. long story short, the movie stars some really dope actors like Malcolm McDowell and John Bradley from “game of thrones.” Such a nice guy. But it also stars some members of one of my favorite bands. i was glad to be a part of it.
Da: and, of course, you still have one more movie appearance in 2017: “a midsummer nightmare.” Can you give us a short rundown of the movie and your character’s role in it?
CD: it’s based off of Shakespeare’s play, “a Midsummer’s Night’s Dream.” i play liam, or lysander if you remember the play. it’s f-----g creepy, i’ll tell you that. Basically, a few of us go off into the woods and
“WALKING AROUND HALF-NAKED WAS ALWAYS SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO”