Soap Alum Gregory Zarian Talks Venice The Series, His Latest Role on Westworld, and Much More! Check it out here --->>>
Actor Gregory Zarian got his start on Days of Our Lives back in the late 80s. He would go on to play on General Hospital as well as having roles in shows like Nip/Tuck, Criminal Minds, and Counterpart! Now he is set to star in a recurring role for the latest season of the critically acclaimed HBO series Westworld, and we got the opportunity to chat with him about what to expect from his latest project!
Zarian will play Reed Phillips, one of Delos chief Board members starting in the season three premiere on March 15th. “The most I can say about Reed is that he is a hard-ass that sticks to the rules. This new season is a thrill ride. You have no idea what is going to happen next!” The new season dubbed “The New World” will explore questions about the nature of our reality and what exactly makes us human.
Filming for the series was a special experience for him as he shot the episodes on the same stage as he did when he worked on Counterpart. “It felt like home and I got to work with some of the same crew! Since I am such a fan of the original film “Westworld” from the ’70s, it was a dream come true!” He also got to work with some high-caliber actors in Tessa Thompson (Avengers: Endgame, Creed II) and Vincent Cassell (Ocean’s Twelve, Jason Bourne). “Both of them were fantastic! They are both lovely people, and as actors, they are so giving and so present.” He told us that they played an “amazing game of tennis,” which is what he calls a great back and forth experience on set with other actors.
Besides the exciting new role, Zarian also has something else to celebrate. He recently received a Daytime Emmy pre-nomination for his role as Nate on Venice: The Series! “I am very excited! The Venice cast is the best! I was on Season 5 & coming back for Season 6 was a real gift! Being on the show was a memorable experience for Zarian. He spoke on how he had been a fan and had a bit of a crush on Venice’s creator Crystal Chappell since her time on Days of Our Lives. “...For years I was a fan. I met her at my dear friend Nadia Bjorlin’s wedding and told Crystal that if she ever needed someone like me, I would love to come and play with the Venice Family. I got a call a year later. Three years, 2 seasons and one Daytime-Emmy Pre-Nom later, here we are. My first scene was with Emmy winner Hilary B. Smith. She looked me in the eyes and said, ‘Let’s have some fun.’ From that moment on, I felt part of the family! From both seasons to all the actors, including soap stars from Guiding Light and One Life to Live, being part of this amazing group of actors and crew has been a treat! And, the fans… #VeniceNation is the real deal. They have embraced me from day one. I love [them] all.” You can check out the groundbreaking series at venicetheseries.com.
Photo: Venice: The Series
For the Daytime Emmys, which will air over a three-day period starting June 12th, Zarian submitted a scene that he described as “personal and poignant.” He played opposite Orlagh Cassidy (Guiding Light), who portrays his boss in the web series. “The scene is about self-acceptance and the true damage that being bullied can have on oneself. It is also about the power to rise up against those that have bullied you and how you can live to be the best you that you can be.” The subject was something that the actor could truly relate to and pull experience from while performing the scene. “The reason I chose this scene is because my twin and I were bullied as kids and it was awful. We were made fun of, called names, even got into fights for being different independently and for being identical twins. We were chubby, wore matching clothes and we were just awkward. We were just kids trying to fit in. I am so grateful that I had my twin to go through it all with and forgive those that were as well, just trying to fit in.”
Zarian also gave us a tease about another project, 86 Melrose Avenue, that will be out later this year. The story follows an ex-marine with PTSD that storms into an art gallery, taking hostages and forcing them to confront their complex past and looming mortality. “This was one of the most intense acting experiences of my career. Having a gun pointed at my head for days and days stripped me of all emotional fears. I am very proud of the story we all told.”
It certainly seems like 2020 is going to be an amazing year for Gregory Zarian! We’re excited to see him shine with his latest projects and are wishing him the best of luck with the Emmys!
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