The former ”Wizards of Waverly Place” and “Pretty Little Liars” actor Gregg Sulkin has a juicy role as the popular golden boy Liam on MTV’s new comedy “Faking It,” about high school best friends who achieve instant popularity by posing as a lesbian couple.
On forging relationships with casting directors.
“The casting director of ‘Faking It’…I had tested for another project last year so I was on her radar. We always had an amazing relationship. She saw that ‘Faking It’ would be right for me; she brought me in; I met the showrunner and director and auditioned for them. I think they liked the depths I brought to the character—or that’s what they told me anyway!”
On adding secrets to a character.
“I didn’t want it to be this fluffy guy with no substance. I wanted to add some secrets to him, which would make him more interesting. Liam is the kind of guy everyone wants to be, but I wanted to play with that a little bit. Where he is cool, but also a bit of an outsider. I never want to be bored with the character.”
On sticking with his American accent.
“I’ve played American characters so many times now, it’s so natural to me. But when I play American, I stay in the American accent from the minute I get the job till the minute I wrap. And my cast mates knew I was English, but they never heard it. So now it’s like they’re making a new friend!”
On surviving auditions.
“I’ve been in this industry since I was 13. I’m definitely no DiCaprio, but I’ve had my fair share of auditions. If I had any advice to give people, it would be to relax; never treat an audition like an emergency. There will be plenty more in your career. If you think you messed up, you probably didn’t. And if you did mess up, it’s not the end of the world. There are more things to worry about in the world than a messed-up audition. It’s out of your hands. So often it’s not down to acting abilities but something an actor has no control over. So go in, be prepared, do your job, and go and enjoy the rest of your day.”