Holland Roden Teen Wolf Interview

Teen Wolf is one of the most anticipated new shows to premiere on MTV and star of Teen Wolf, Holland Roden is about to become one of the hottest females in Young Hollywood.

Based on the Michael J. Fox's '80s comedy,' "Teen Wolf" will take a more dramatic approach to the story about a high school geek who gains supernatural powers after being attacked by a wolf. Holland Roden plays the series regular role of Lydia Martin, whom the actress says is a mix of Tracy Flick's IQ (Election) meets Violet Beauregarde's spunk (Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory). This reboot combines friendship and love in the context of horror and high school, over 12 one-hour episodes, shooting in Atlanta, Georgia.

You also may have seen Holland Roden in a guest star role on NBC's new hot drama series "The Event."

Interview with Holland Roden

Question: Can you tell us what Teen Wolf is about?

Holland Roden: Teen Wolf follows Scott Mccall, and his transformation from normal high school boy to being a hunted werewolf. As well as all of the characters that he experiences in his life that either encourage or are simply intrigued by his newfound confidence. The tone of ours is a lot darker than the original with a great emotional roller coaster of horror and romance. We do pay homage to quite a few master shots from the original movie. The parallel almost identically when both Scotts (Michael J. Fox and Tyler Posey) are wetting their face in the sink and their claws are coming.


Question: Are you able to reveal any spoilers for the upcoming show?

Holland Roden: Well, I don't know how many spoilers I can give away, but I think y'all (I'm from Texas) will want to watch the show because of the same reason I would want to. If you don't like your own product, who else will? We have GREAT stunts and special effects. Our special effects artist Greg Funk is nominated for an Oscar this year, and every stunt you see is real. There are no wires! There is a guy named Spider who (don't try this at home!) is a professional roof jumper. The sport is called Parkour, and he doubles several people on the show. People jumping from several story buildings, scaling walls, incredible flips- all real!! The relationships between the characters are no exception. MTV has always had the reputation of showing the reality in teenagers lives. I think they also bring this through in their scripted division. Its sexy, scary, and surprising...and cute boys never hurt and we are certainly not in any shortage!


Question: How was it working with the Teen Wolf cast? Did you all because very close?

Holland Roden: The cast are not only my co-workers but my closest friends. Tyler Hoechlin and I have been good friends for a couple of years, and it was a pure coincidence that we now work together. But all six of us truly are incredibly close off set.


Question: What was the shooting schedule like for Teen Wolf?

Holland Roden: Lots of night shoots! We barely saw daylight for six months; just sunrises and sunsets. We had our joke of saying "If it's not cold (like 20 degrees F), dark, and wet -it's not "Teen Wolf!" Although it was a bit grueling, I think any actor who loves the show they are on would do it a million times over again. And I am no exception!


Question: What's a typical day like on the set of Teen Wolf?

Holland Roden: Well a typical day is night. And I sit in hair and make up for two to two and half hours every day. Most of my computer work is done in the hair chair. We have incredible stunts and shots that our directors Russell, Tim, and Toby set up. There are times where we are shooting nine pages a day, thus the pressure is on to get it all done. And then there are days when it's a tedious and detailed fight scene that we will spend all day on. Everyday was different


Question: Did you watch Michael J. Fox's '80s comedy,' "Teen Wolf" in preparation for MTV's Teen Wolf?

Holland Roden: I had seen clips. However, the cast sat down at Jeff Davis's house, and we all watched it together. That night was a surreal moment that will be forever etched in my mind.


Question: You play Lydia Martin, how would you describe your character?

Holland Roden: Lydia is not your quintessential mean girl. I'm such a fan of Alexander Payne. Thus, I like to think of Lydia as a hybrid of Tracy Flick from Election and Violet Beauregarde from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. She is a type A girl with a brain on her shoulders. Although, sometimes, she needs to think before she speaks- the girl has no filter. She is not as much the queen bee as she is bratty. Throughout the season, well, without giving away too much...let's just say more of her vulnerability is exposed.


Question: Do you and the character of Lydia Martin share any similarities?

Holland Roden: Lydia and I both have type-A personalities, but other than that, I guess I can say I am a bit pleased as well as relieved that I don't think I could be as calculating as Lydia even if I tried.


Question: You've guest starred in many television shows; do you have a favourite?

Holland Roden: That's hard. But I would probably have to say LOST because I've been a massive fan since, technically, season two. My ex-boyfriend and I were sitting at home one night. And he said, this LOST show just won an Emmy, it's supposed to be a great show, and it's about a plane crash. They're about to air season two. And I thought, no, I'm not interested, but I'll watch it anyway. Here I was, hooked, and we watched an entire season in a little over 24 hours. So, when I got to come on in season four, it was a dream come true for me.


Question: What originally inspired you to try the acting industry?

Holland Roden: I would say I was just interested in it. A lot of my family works in the medical industry, and I was worlds away from the acting world. I got my first taste of acting without realising it was acting when I had a very odd obsession which I would call the Queen of England, but it wasn't the Queen of England; I think it was Princess Diana; I would just call her the Queen of England. I would put on these one woman shows always playing the queen of England on some off the wall adventure when I was six and seven years old, and I would make my friends and family watch. And, so, yeah, I think that was my first taste of performing. That was when I first really fell in love with performing, and I didn't start acting as a hobby, not as a professional, but as an amateur, until high school. I switched schools. I had gone to a small all-girls school for eleven years. Then I switched to a massive school that was so overwhelming, intimidating, and co-ed in the middle of high school- brutal! And, thus, I started acting in the community of Dallas just to make friends since I was so uncomfortable at my new school. I started acting professionally my sophomore year in college. So, it's definitely been a process, not like, one day I woke up and said, "I'll be an actor."


Question: How do you feel when you watch yourself of the big screen?

Holland Roden: A humbling and educational experience. You see things you never saw on yourself, and sometimes not in the best light. You also learn what to do differently in what I hope to be the next time (never know as an actor when your next job will be!).


Question: Describe your style?

Holland Roden: I describe my personal style as grandma chic J Urban Outfitters has quite a bit in stock. I also love classic lines and hour glass shapes. My favorite store that I can always walk into and find something I love is H&M or Urban- a must? High waist! My favorite couture designer is definitely Ellie Saab.


Question: Where would we find you on a Sunday?

Holland Roden: In bed, jogging in the neighbourhood, and def at least one Starbucks cappuccino run, Sunday is a day I take for myself, obviously be the previous list stated. I also enjoy running dog adoption centers for the Bill Foundation or going up to the Gentle Barn. Spending the day with animals is one good day spent. It puts all of your problems in perspective.


Interview by Brooke Hunter

Photo Credit: Nate Jensen Creative