Actor Bryan Lillis chatted about starring in the crime drama series “Dexter: Resurrection” on Paramount+ with Showtime.
“Dexter: Resurrection” is a continuation of “Dexter: New Blood,” and it takes place weeks after Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall) takes a bullet to the chest from his own son, as he awakens from a coma to find Harrison (Jack Alcott) gone without a trace.
Realizing the weight of what he put his son through, Dexter sets out for New York City, determined to find him and make things right. But closure won’t come easy.
When Miami Metro’s Angel Batista (David Zayas) arrives with questions, Dexter realizes his past is catching up to him fast.
As father and son navigate their own darkness in the city that never sleeps, they soon find themselves deeper than they ever imagined—and that the only way out is together. Bryan Lillis plays the role of Ryan Foster.
Experience doing ‘Dexter: Resurrection’
“It was so fun,” he admitted. “I felt like a kid in a candy store. It was the most fun set I’ve ever had a chance to work on. I’m a huge fan of the show, so that made it even better.”
Lillis on playing Ryan Foster
On playing the character Ryan, Lillis said, “It is hard to find something to like with him because he is so unlikable, gross, and icky. It was really fun to be get on the table somehow and get chopped up. To do that whole fight with Jack [Alcott] was so much fun! To film it was so cool!”
For Lillis, doing the prosthetics was “pretty crazy process.” “When we did the face, it was complete sensory deprivation. We did layer after layer of silicone and it took hours and hours,” he said.
Working with Michael C. Hall
On working with Michael C. Hall, Lillis remarked, “It was incredible. The very first day I filmed, I got to work with Michael and Jack; it was the very first shot of the episode on day one of filming. Everyone was excited! So, it was really cool to work with them.”
Lillis also complimented Michael C. Hall for his diverse background and talent. “Michael is talented! He has a theater background and he is a super-talented singer of the band Princess Goes. Michael is a man of many hidden talents.”
While he didn’t get the chance to work with Peter Dinklage, Lillis is looking forward to seeing his acting work in the next episode of “Dexter: Resurrection.”
The digital age
On being an actor in the digital age, Lillis said, “It’s crazy. It is kind of different. I moved out of Los Angeles, and I feel that so many of our actor friends have gone all over the place; they have home-bases in so many different locations now. The whole game has changed, so it’s really cool.”
“From a producer’s point of view, you get to see a lot more talent now but it’s also more competitive now because of it. The digital age is giving people a lot more opportunities that they didn’t have before,” he explained.
Daily motivations as an actor
On his daily motivations as an actor, he said, “I just love it! Just going on set, I feel like I’m at home each time I get to work. It’s almost like a drug; it’s addicting and I can’t get enough of it.”
“Acting drives me to watch a movie or try to read something every day and pick up something new that I can stick in the rectory there and pull out later,” he added.
Lessons learned from this screenplay
On the lessons learned from the “Dexter: Resurrection” screenplay, he reflected, “It definitely taught me to push myself. I feel I have a tendency to get cast in darker roles; this one was definitely icky, and it pushed some buttons.”
“It was fun doing that fight. I would like to do more things like that. I would like to do an action film now,” he added.
Stage of his life
On the title of the current chapter of his life, Lillis revealed, “Busy.”
“I have two daughters ages five and two, and one of them is about to start kindergarten. So, things are busy and sleepless,” he explained.
Lillis on Michael Gaston
Lillis had great words about actor, singer-songwriter and model Justin Michael Gaston.
“I’ve lived in Los Angeles for 16 years, and I probably worked with Justin at least 20 times,” Lillis recalled. “Justin is the nicest guy ever, and we have a lot of mutual friends too. I try to keep up with him as much as I can; his girls are beautiful!”
Success
Regarding his definition of the word success, Lillis said, “It means that my girls are healthy and happy, we have a roof over our heads, and we are able to what we love each day.”
Closing thoughts on ‘Dexter: Resurrection’
For fans and viewers, Lillis stated, “I hope the fans have fun with it. For OG fans of the show, there are a lot of Easter eggs that are planted throughout the season that have throwbacks.”
“It is just so much fun. As a fan of the show myself, I am excited,” he concluded.
To learn more about actor Bryan Lillis, follow him on Instagram.
