Actor Lou Ferrigno Jr. talks about starring as Ryan in “Outer Banks” on Netflix.
How was your experience in Season 3 of “Outer Banks”?
Filming Outer Banks was an incredible journey from start to finish. As an actor working on this show, my job details and the locations we traveled to were so fresh and exciting. It was such a wonderous adventure filming in the lush jungles of Barbados, to the unpredictable river channels of Charleston.
The creators of this great show, Jonas andJosh Pate and Shannon Burke, gave me so much freedom to explore the character Ryan which made my job as an actor so much more enjoyable.
The cast was so ingratiating to me while their friendly comradery off-set mirrors a reflection their same bond as friends. No wonder why the show works so well, because fun people and fun locations equate to a very fun shooting experience.
What did you love most about playing your character Ryan?
I loved the wild, unhinged attitude and persistent drive that Ryan maintains throughout the entire season. Ryan bears a sizable chip on his shoulder as a result of a rough upbringing which led him to a career working with unsavory characters, stopping at nothing to complete his objective, by any means necessary.
His loyalty to Mr. Singh, his competence and high-efficiency tactical experience quickly accelerated him through the underworld ranks to now being the primary enforcer of Carlos Singh’s international criminal enterprise. Being able to live in that darker realm is always liberating to play as a character.
What was your favorite part of this filming experience?
One of the most memorable times of filming OBX Season 3 was all of the work we did on boats and river channels throughout Charleston, South Carolina.
Not only did I learn how to drive and park a boat (without crashing), I had my first stunt fight on a boat, and even got to do a round of backflips off the boat’s stern from six feet high into cooling Carolina water, in capturing the scene where Ryan gets thrown overboard.
Big shoutout to my stunt double, Eric Benson, who did a great job taking the hits while letting me shine even amid shooting the really dangerous stunts.
What’s it like working with Chase Stokes?
Chase is as cool and handsome as you’d think he’d be, but I was more surprised by his great sense of humor and down-to-earth attitude. The scenes in which I appeared with Chase were some of the most exciting and most fun I had on-set.
We had a lot of physical work together, which can be tense, but Chase and I would constantly crack jokes interwoven with deep, hilarious, yet meaningful conversations.
Keeping a fun, positive attitude in-between takes is so important for actors in order to enrich the quality of a scene and working with Chase was such a pleasure.
How was your experience playing Rocker in CBS’ “SWAT”?
Playing Rocker has been a boyhood dream of mine come true. When I was young, I loved to run around shooting nerf guns with my friends, pretending to be cowboys, cops and robbers, alien invaders, you name it.
Also, during that period I became enamored with the craft of acting after I made my first on-screen acting performance in my father’s 1994 film, CAGE 2.
So now as a professional actor, I feel blessed to have played many of my other childhood “dream jobs,” superhero, professional athletes, detectives, reporter, and of course LAPD SWAT officer, let alone sergeant.
Every time I’m on the set of SWAT, becoming Donovan Rocker, I frequently relive tap into that excitement and passion which can be seen every time I’m on screen. It’s a subtle reminder that if you are specific with your goals, no matter how lofty they may seem to others, really do come true if you invest time and focus in your craft.
Can you tell us more about the film “Dyad”…. what can we expect?
The Scribe for DYAD, Will Hirshfeld, wrote such a riveting, intensely provocative script that while I was halfway through reading, I told my manager I had to play a part in this picture.
The story revolves around a young journalist, Sofia (Dajana Gudic), who is investigating connections between a couple of seemingly isolated high-profile deaths, which subsequently pulls her into the orbit of a global cabal that counts media moguls, politicians, and Hollywood elites amongst its members.
I play David Gilligan, Sofia’s friend and associate who work together to expose the secret society and upend its leader, Zane (Nick Cassavettes). Having yet to see the completed film, It has reviewed well so far and I’m excited to see how it all pans out!
What do your plans for the future include?
In the immediate future before shooting my next project, I intend to recalibrate my body and mind, by getting plenty of rest before my next creative commitment. Once I’ve been attached to a project, I dedicate every fiber of my being to the script and the character that I aim to bring to life.
Quality rest and recovery are essential to maintaining optimal health throughout any shoot. During the time I have between jobs, I like to learn about a new hobby, and I think I’m going to start exploring the art of blowing glass, which has always intrigued me although it can be very dangerous if not executed properly. I like the challenge!
What would you like to tell our readers about “Outer Banks”?
I’d say that if you haven’t already seen the show, or the third season, then please check it out because it’s a fun adventure for viewers of all ages. The vibe and tone of the show is unlike any other and the story line continues to get better with each season. Season 4 has already been confirmed and shoots soon, so there will no shortage of OBX in the coming seasons.
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