Alan Tudyk & Chris Sheridan chat about Resident Alien Season 4

Summary

In this engaging conversation, the cast of *Resident Alien* reflects on the development of the show, their characters, and the creative process behind the scenes. Allan, a versatile actor, shares his experience portraying multiple characters, including a human-turned-alien, while discussing the fun challenges of voicing different roles. The group delves into the evolution of the characters' personalities, touching on their struggles, personal growth, and the darker twists of the latest season, including mysterious murders and the introduction of a mantid alien. The actors also discuss balancing horror and comedy in the series, promoting their work, and their connection with fans.

Takeaways

• 😀 Allan enjoys the versatility of playing multiple characters on the show, with no real limitations from the creative team, though he sometimes has to push back if needed.
• 😀 The show's premise allows Allan to play both the alien and human characters, making it a unique acting challenge, particularly when playing two characters in season one.
• 😀 The character of Harry, an alien who takes over a human's body, undergoes significant character development as he grows a conscience.
• 😀 Allan's portrayal of Harry's ‘cool smoking’ persona is based on the image of what he thought was cool in high school, adding a nostalgic layer to the character.
• 😀 The new season of the show focuses heavily on characters' personalities, struggles, and psychological issues, showing their journey toward happiness and self-discovery.
• 😀 In season two, Harry grapples with being human after losing his alien energy, while other characters like Asta and Darcy also face personal challenges from their experiences on the moon.
• 😀 There are mysterious murders in the town tied to an alien creature, adding suspense and intrigue to the season's plot, with other characters unaware of the true cause.
• 😀 The season is praised as being incredibly exciting and engaging, with the cast and crew feeling confident about its quality, even as they reflect on potential risks during production.
• 😀 Allan is modest about self-promotion, preferring not to put up pictures of himself at home, but he still recognizes the importance of promoting the show to its fans.
• 😀 The show includes elements of horror and gore, but the creators are careful not to overdo it, balancing moments of gore with comedy to maintain the show's tone.

Q & A

How does Allan feel about taking on multiple roles in the show?

Allan enjoys taking on multiple roles in the show. He mentions that it’s fun and that there are no limitations from the writing team's side, as they have a lot of confidence in his versatility. He enjoys the challenges of portraying multiple characters and finds it rewarding.

What is the premise of Allan's character in Season 1 of the show?

In Season 1, Allan plays Harry Vanderpiegel, a human who is killed by an alien. The alien then takes over Harry's body, assuming his form. Allan plays both the alien and, later, the human's conscience, with the human character appearing as a body in the lake.

What kind of imagery does Allan associate with the 'cool, smoking' version of his character?

Allan associates the 'cool, smoking' version of his character with an image he thought was cool in high school, where smoking cigarettes made people look older and cooler. He mentions walking with a little strut and feeling like a rebellious figure.

What character struggles does Harry face in this season?

In this season, Harry struggles with losing his alien energy and becoming fully human for a while. This is a major problem for him, as he grapples with the transition and tries to adjust to a human existence.

How do Asta and Darcy's experiences on the moon affect them in this season?

Asta and Darcy are deeply impacted by their experience on the moon, which was traumatic. They return feeling small and uncertain, forcing them to reassess their lives and find a new path to happiness.

What are the key themes explored in this season of the show?

The season explores themes of personal struggle, self-discovery, and finding happiness. Each character is dealing with their own challenges, and the theme centers around how they can find fulfillment and bring positive energy to their community.

What major plot event involves Mike and Liv in the new season?

Mike and Liv return to the town, where mysterious murders are happening. These murders are connected to a mantid alien in the town, though the characters are unaware of this. The plot also includes Ben and Kate searching for their baby.

How does the show balance horror and comedy in its tone?

The show blends horror and comedy by occasionally diving into horror elements but typically pulling back to keep things light. While there are some gory moments, these are often played for comedic effect rather than focusing on heavy violence.

Does Allan promote his own work, or does he take a more humble approach?

Allan takes a humble approach to promoting his work. He doesn’t put up pictures of himself or posters at home but acknowledges the importance of promoting the show. He prefers to let others, like fans, share their appreciation of the show instead of constantly pushing his own involvement.

What does Allan think about the impact the show has on its audience?

Allan believes that 'Resident Alien' matters to its audience. He is proud of the show, as fans often express their love for it. He feels that when fans connect with the show, it makes the effort worthwhile, and he finds that rewarding.