Two-time Emmy winner Mike Manning chatted about his new film “Unexpected Treasures,” being a part of “Beyond the Gates,” and remembered slain “General Hospital” actor Johnny Wactor.
Aside from Manning, the film stars Olivia Blue, Laura Han, AnnaMaria Demara, Michael Dunn, Rex Edhlund, Jay Whittaker, and Aaron Groben. It was directed by John Paul Ungaretti.
This indie adventure lands exclusively on Amazon Prime and Apple TV+ on September 19th.
‘Unexpected Treasures’
On being a part of this movie, Manning said, “It’s not every day that I get to play a comedic role in a quirky alien drama like ‘Unexpected Treasures’ so it was a really great experience.”
“I loved working with the team in Joshua Tree, and it felt like we all went to a little summer camp in the desert to make a movie. I am really proud of the final product,” he noted.
“I play Sam in the movie, and he is an extraterrestrial who is trying to get back to his spaceship, so he is quirky, very intelligent and kind of socially awkward. Also, he loves sugar,” he added.
The synopsis is: Struggling to scrape by in the desert, Hartley’s world is thrown into chaos when she meets Sam, a mysterious alien on the run.
As they navigate the vast Mojave Desert, Hartley must rely on local legends and an eccentric group of allies to survive.
Working with Olivia Blue
On working with Olivia Blue, Manning said, “Olivia is the kindest soul, he has so much depth to her as a human being.”
“It was really fun to discover a lot of the chemistry on set. We didn’t hang out before shooting on purpose because my character is supposed to be really genuine and idealistic,” he noted.
“Her character, Hartley, is supposed to be really negative and just sort of down on her luck. So, my character throughout the course of the movie tries to help with that depression and so, we really wanted that to be natural, and working with Olivia was just great,” he elaborated.
Lessons learned from the ‘Unexpected Treasures’ screenplay
On the lessons learned from this screenplay, Manning reflected, “Sam is a character that is really genuine and kind, and he wears his heart on his sleeve, and he truly believes in the best of humanity.”
“So, it felt really good to embody that character. Each day I came to set with a smile on my face,” he admitted.
“I think especially right now, with where the world is right now, I think we can all use that kind of positivity,” Manning added.
Stage of his life
On the title of the current chapter of his life, Manning revealed, “Change and Growth.”
‘Beyond the Gates’
Manning also spoke about being a part of “Beyond the Gates.”
“I love my time on ‘Beyond the Gates.’ Everyone has been so kind. I love shooting here in Atlanta,” he said.
“I am so thankful for CBS for entrusting me with the character of Smitty, and for Sheila Ducksworth, Michele Val Jean, and Julie Hanan Carruthers. All of these powerful women came together to make such a historical show that is breaking so many boundaries and stereotypes,” he elaborated.
“The fact that they invited me to be a part of this journey with everybody has been amazing, and I am loving the reaction of all the fans so far,” he added.
Manning on playing Smitty
Manning is drawn to playing Smitty in “Beyond the Gates” for many reasons. “Smitty is loyal, and he will do anything for his family. He is intelligent, driven, but at the end of the day, his kids and his husband come first,” he explained.
“You don’t want to mess with anything or anybody that he loves, and that has been really fun to play,” he added.
2025 ‘Samantha’s Friends’ event in September
On September 13th and 14th, Manning is looking forward to being a part of the “Samantha’s Friends” fundraiser in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, which will have a “Haunted Mansion” theme to it.
“Samantha’s Friends has become a charity that is near and dear to my heart,” he said.
“They raise money for a variety of different causes, where over 100 people get together twice a year to catch up. It’s almost like a bunch of friends getting together to raise money for a good cause,” he elaborated.
“It doesn’t really feel like a fan event to me,” he admitted. “It feels like a reunion twice a year. So, I love the people that attend the event, as well as Samantha and Alice, and everybody that helps organize the event, and I can’t wait to spend time with them.”
Remembering Johnny Wactor
Manning also fondly remembered the late but great Johnny Wactor. “What happened to Johnny Wactor last year was horrific,” Manning said.
On Saturday, September 13th, the second annual Stuart Rogers Studio (SRS) Community Blood Drive in honor of Johnny Wactor will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Stuart Rogers Studio in North Hollywood, California.
“Johnny was a shining light in this world, and we were all blessed to know him,” Manning underscored.
“I was honored to partake in that blood drive last year, and there is another one happening this weekend. Events like these keep his memory alive,” Manning acknowledged.
Message for his fans and supporters
For his fans and supporters, Manning expressed, “It has been a crazy journey, but if you’re still here, thank you and I love you so much!”
Closing thoughts on ‘Unexpected Treasures’
Manning remarked, “I want people to go into it knowing that it’s a popcorn, feel-good, adventure movie. Kind of like the ‘80s and ‘90s alien movies we had such as ‘E.T.’ or ‘Close Encounters of the Third Kind,’ or even ‘The Goonies’.”
“While ‘The Goonies’ is not an alien film, ‘Unexpected Treasures’ is like those fun little quirky escape-adventure movies. That’s what I want people to get out this one: levity and enjoyment,” he concluded.
To learn more about Mike Manning, follow him on Instagram.
