Yep, it’s a new interview with Steve from Michael Ausiello of TVLine. They discussed some of the very things you’ve all pondered about, if not actually dragged through the mud a few times wondering about. Is Steve enjoying playing Evil Bill? Is Bill actually evil? How did it feel having to pretend slap Deborah Ann Woll’s character?
TVLINE: Are you having as much fun playing Evil Bill as it seems?
Steve: You’re saying he’s evil and I’d say he thinks he’s doing the right thing. But I suppose dictators always think they’re doing the right thing. [Laughs] He’s been lost and he’s found something to grab hold of that he thinks is the right way forward… When you play a character you have to ask yourself, “Can I make sense of what’s happening here? Is this authentic?” And if you can sort of find a through line of authenticity, then you can play that beat — which might come across to somebody else as evil. [But] there were a couple of things that were tough to play, and one of those was with Deborah Ann [Woll].
TVLINE: I was going to ask you what it was like slapping her across the room in last week’s episode.
Steve: I love the Bill and Jessica relationship. There’s genuine love there. When Sookie turned her back on Bill in Seasons 3 and 4, that was the one affectionate relationship he had left. And so that was a really tough scene to play. But she went against what Bill asked her to do. So, again, that was an authentic reaction. RELATED | Sam Trammell Previews Major True Blood Finale Cliffhanger TVLINE | When you read that in the script, did you have a moment where you were like, “Um, I have to do what?” Yeah, we all have those moments. There have been moments that Alex [Skarsgard] and a couple of the other people have questioned this year just to make sure that the reason it happened in the writers room works in our heads. You just have to make sure you’re doing it for the right reasons. Of course I questioned it. Deborah and I adore working together and I wanted to make sure that this was the correct route. The scene in Episode 10 where Bill tries to explain to her that he’s read this book and it’s made a real difference – that was tough as well. That was a really difficult scene because we’re seeing Bill truly believe, and I remember I had a conversation with Alex about it. And he was saying, “What do you think? Are you okay with that?” And I said, “I think I am.” Bill has this belief that what he is doing is right. Whether it is right or not we won’t know until the end. But he is like anybody who goes into a cult. He’s a victim. He’s brainwashed. But to get back to your first question, is it fun to play? Hell yeah.
TVLINE: It seems like it.
Steve: There’s been some really enjoyable stuff. Once you commit to it, it’s like, “Okay, Deborah Ann goes flying across the room!” [Laughs] It’s like, “Can we wrap our heads around this? Yes! Okay, then let’s f—ing do it!” And then at that point it’s, “Which hand shall I slap you with, Deb? Do you want to fly over your right shoulder? Do you want to fly over your left shoulder? Do you want to slide on the floor? Do you want to fly through the air?” [Laughs] Once you’ve [committed] to it, it’s just as much fun as every other part of the show.
TVLINE: Bill and Sookie have had virtually no contact this season. What has that been like?
Steve: When I’m at work, [Anna]‘s at home. And when I’m at home, she’s at work. And it’s been like that for a couple of years now. Truthfully, we don’t really talk about it. As long as we’re still loving what we do it doesn’t really come up as a topic.
TVLINE: On the flipside, Bill and Eric have spent a lot of time together.
Steve: The whole ‘Bill and Eric on the Run’ thing was really, really fun thing to play. Me and Alex are close so it was great to actually not have to snarl at each other anymore and actually be able to laugh.
TVLINE: Do you recall ever being holed up on one set as much as you have Authority headquarters this season?
Steve: It’s interesting that you should say that. We have a great exterior for the Authority headquarters, which is this massive electrical complex outside of Los Angeles. But we’re rarely there. The [interior] of the headquarters is at the lot where we shoot. Consequently, [nearly all of the main] vampires this season are shooting during the day; we had no night shoots. [Laughs] We’re going home at 7 or 8 o’clock at night, which is not the norm. And all the other characters are running around in the dark. If you can think of a time that you saw me and Alex in the dark this season — outside — then it’s probably around Episode 2 or 3. And Episode 5 when we go to the Scooby-Doo haunted mansion. Thankfully, [the Authority set] is so f—ing big.
Nice interview, I also left a comment on the source site. Why are people such dickheads online? Must be that anonymity thing. If they published their names, addresses and photos with their comments, they would show more respect. Like Mama always said: “If you don’t have anything nice to say about someone, just STFU!”
Comment by Crazy4Bill — August 23, 2012 @ 11:44 am
Stephen, you are doing a brilliant job! No worries there!
We Bill fans have been astounded at just how believable, complete and transfixing Stephen’s portrayal has been! So gut~wretching to watch our beautiful ‘tragic hero’ Bill, descending into the darkness and the madness of his vampiric nature, brought on by some truly tainted blood! But Stephen has the stellar ‘acting chops’ to pull this off while looking all kinds of bad~ass sexy! V”’V
No matter where this goes ~ the loyal Billsbabes are with you!
We Love You, Bill!
Comment by RL — August 23, 2012 @ 12:01 pm
Just be a lady Crazy4Bill. It will all come out in the wash. The haters will always be that way. Very nearly ruins the show for everyone….
Comment by Aslinn Dhan — August 23, 2012 @ 12:09 pm
excellent interview, and of course the haters can’t help themselves, it’s a poor reflection on themselves, but unfortunately, they cannot comprehend how bad it makes them look to the regular fan. So sad.
I’m glad SM is having fun playing dark Bill, I’ve enjoyed it even though his behavior has made me sad and upset once in a while, but I know this will all come out ok for Bill Compton.
Stephen definitely deserves at least an Emmy nomination for S5, but we all know it woun’t happen.
Comment by JXV — August 23, 2012 @ 12:53 pm
I loved that interview. He’s funny & cute as usual.
I too let a comment on tvline, and YES, some people should just shut up if they have only mean things to say….
Comment by Liz86000 — August 23, 2012 @ 1:19 pm
Great article… thanks for posting!! And even SM doesn’t think Bill is evil… just misguided and doing what he thinks is right in his brainwashed state… those are all good things
Now, all we have to wait for is to find out what it will take to free him from this cult mentality… I hope something in the next episode at least starts the process…
Comment by shelhill — August 23, 2012 @ 1:26 pm
I always love to hear what they think of what their character is doing and for what reason. It always seems to make it a bit more clear to understand the reasoning behind some actions that might make you say WTH too.
Comment by purpleprince — August 23, 2012 @ 2:35 pm
I swear I hang on every word this man utters…. he is so bright and witty and thoughtful. The only thing gettin me thru this Bill tranformation is how beautifully Stephen portrays the character and the fact that he’s enjoying what he is able to do.
I have zero tolerance for the uglies and their mean words. And shame on HBO for feeding it.
Thanks for posting ladies!
Comment by shocknawe — August 23, 2012 @ 9:06 pm
I do also love that he references the “scooby-doo haunted mansion” for the asylum set… he’s definitely someone that spends some time around kids
Comment by shelhill — August 23, 2012 @ 9:30 pm
Nice interview. Glad they are all having fun on set and that Steve is able to get some early nights in!
I have no idea how they are going to “unbrainwash” Bill – can it happen in ep 12? Don’t know. It appears that Bill has already given up Sookie and seeing he can slap Jess around, well, I can’t see how this cult thingy can disappear in one ep and Bill normal again. We will see, I guess!
Comment by lizzie1701 — August 23, 2012 @ 11:47 pm
Stephen knows his character better than anyone.
He knows Bill is not evil, but instead a man doing what he thinks is the right thing, from a vampires point of view of course.
Stephen never fails to entertain us with his honesty and wit.
I can just see him and Deborah laughing about how he was supposed to toss her across the room.
Its always good to hear Stephen talk about the great relationship Bill has with Jess. It has been wonderful watching it grow into something special.
I have no doubts whatsoever that its still there.
Come back Bill!!
Comment by BN — August 24, 2012 @ 1:20 am
I’m sure it’s been a blast for SM to act, but for me, not much fun to watch where the writers are taking SM’s character.
The only possible redemption for so much death and destruction may lie in his death as self-sacrifice at some point and that certainly doesn’t fit into my HEA hope for the series end.
I think the writers are setting up a scenario that will make Bill’s redemption all but impossible. I don’t know why they’ve twisted the character to this degree, but Sookie and her friends will know about Bill’s descent into utter madness. Sam won’t forget. Jason won’t forget. And most importantly, Sookie won’t forget. Perhaps everyone can be glamored, but Sookie can’t be.
This season’s craziness makes the stripper dinner and Lorena head twist look like acts of kindness. And the “suitor” heroes this season have been Eric and Sam, and maybe Alcide. I’m starting to really dislike the writers of this show, Alan Ball most of all!! Genius, shmenius. He’s sadistic.
Forget “crimes against Sookie.” This season is a major crime against Bill; an evilly constructed and brilliantly-acted crime.
Comment by highbrew — August 24, 2012 @ 2:15 am