Giles Matthey (Claude) plays a mysterious fairy who has caught the eye of vampire Jessica (Deborah Ann Woll). His character is also distantly related to Sookie (Anna Paquin) who he will be mentoring her later on in the season. Giles Matthey was kind enough to take time and do a phone interview with the people over at Collider.com and talk about how he became a fan of the show him self, how he didn’t know what he was auditioning for and much more. But how did he become part of the show this season?
“I had just gone to the Globes with my girlfriend, which I was lucky enough to be invited to by her. I was on my way back to New York when my agent said, “Please try to get to this audition.” So, I went to the audition and I knew of the show before I went to the audition, but I had no idea who anyone was, which was probably a really good thing. I probably would have been slightly more nervous, had I known the creator of True Blood and the writer of American Beauty (Alan Ball) was staring down at me. That added to an advantage for me, and I felt quite relaxed. It was obviously a little bit bigger than usual because there were more people in the room.”
Since this show is always under wraps on what is going on in future episodes did they tell you anything about the character you will be playing?
“No, it was absolutely secretive. I had no idea who this person was, which actually makes it quite hard when you try to audition. But what you try to do, as an actor, is just make it work somehow. The sides were sensitive and the character name was sensitive, and rightly so because otherwise it will just give away stuff to fans and ruin it for the audience, before they’ve even seen it, so I understand it. So, they were very secretive. I didn’t know what the character’s name was. I didn’t know what part he really was playing [in the story]. I just saw dialogue, in the audition, and had no backstory. I was like, “I’m just going to be myself because I have no idea who this is or where he’s coming from.” They Typical questions that actors have to ask themselves were very hard. I had to imagine, a little bit, and just made it work.”
So once you were casted did you catch up on previous episodes?
“Yes! I was a bit of a freak like that. And then, I turned into a really big fan. It’s gotten to the point now where it’s so lame to say this, but I feel really proud whenever I see any posters. I just have this feeling of pride. When I see Anna Paquin’s poster, I’m like, “Yes, Anna, there you are and good for you!” It’s pretty lame, but I’ve now turned into such a fan. But also, I obviously have a personal connection with a lot of these people, so the pride comes from a personal sense of friendship as well. So, yes, I caught up a lot. I caught up on all four seasons. There were times when I would only focus on the fairies and what they were like, how they were portrayed, what they were doing, and the actions that they performed on the show, just to get a feel of them. I first started with only watching the fairy stuff, for research. And then, I started realizing, “Hang on, this is quite a good show. Let’s just go back to Season 1, Episode 1.” From then on, I just went from one episode to another. The popcorn came out and a soda, and then it was game over, really. It got its hooks in me. It really did.”
By the end of catching up was there any favorite characters you were hoping you would be able to work with in a scene?
“Of course! They’re insanely talented. For a relative newcomer, it’s obviously a dream to work with such a talented actress as Anna Paquin, who won an Oscar at 10, or something ridiculous like that. That’s a dream. And Ryan Kwanten’s character on the show just makes me laugh so much. I was really excited to work with them. But, they are all phenomenal, in their own way. I love Lafayette (Nelsan Ellis). I love Russell Edgington (Denis O’Hare). I love Hoyt (Jim Parrack). Rutina [Wesley] and Deb [Ann Woll] are brilliant. They’re all such unique characters that it’s like asking you, “What color do you like?” Maybe that’s a bad example. It’s like asking you, “What do you prefer, Pepsi or Coke?” They’re so different, and yet they’re the same kind of soda. They bring their own flavor to it. You love watching certain characters for certain things, and I think that’s a testament to their performances. You’re excited to watch any of these actors because they bring such a unique perspective to it, and that’s why you watch the show. That’s why it’s so popular. Otherwise, you’d only watch the show for one or two people. They all bring that sense of, “I love this guy! I love her!” They’re all fantastic! I know that sounds very boring and PC, but they really are. I’m very proud.”
Are you nerves up since you are coming into a very successful show or is it exciting to know that you’ll for sure have audience members turning in?
“That’s a good question. You should always view any job as just as nerve-wracking or just as exciting as any other. At the same time, you can’t get carried away by whether it’s a huge hit or if it’s a small short film. An actor’s job is to do their job. It’s great if it’s successful and it’s fantastic when it’s a huge hit, like True Blood is, but at the same time, you’re there to do a job and make sure you do it well. I didn’t get carried away by the excitement of being on such a top show because I really wanted to do my job. After I’ve done a good job, then I can get excited. Obviously, it would be very easy to get carried away, but I wanted to own that excitement. Until I did my work and I did my utmost best, I feel like I don’t have a right to feel excited. That sounds really weird, but these people on the show have already worked their guts out to be in such an amazing show and it’s a testament to them. I felt like I had to prove myself, but I feel that you have to do that anyway, as an actor. You’re there to do a job, and that’s your primary concern.”
Are you ready for the True Blood fans?
“I think it’s something that you have to accept. An actor has to realize that that’s part of your job. You provide a lot of people with entertainment, and that’s what will happen. I don’t think you should ever feel like you’re used to anything of that nature because you’re no different from anyone else, but at the same time, it’s such a huge show with such a massive and fantastically loyal fanbase. At the premiere, that was my first taste of it, and they were so lovely. It’s very nice that everyone is so nice. If they were horrible, it would be harder. But, everyone was so lovely and they were so nice. It’s just like meeting lots of people who love the show ‘cause you’re also a fan. I am a fan of the show, so it’s great to meet other people that like the same thing as you. That’s how I view it. That’s how I feel about that side of things. It’s just another person that has the same taste as you in TV. It just so happens that I’m on the TV show, but I feel that excitement, too.”
What are your views on Claude?? Do you see him as a good guy, bad guy or is he just in the gray area?
“I have to be careful not to give too much away, but I think he’s loyal and protective. He is a mentor figure. The thing is, you never know what’s around the corner, with what happens on this show. You can read all the books and be like, “Okay, that’s what’s going to happen,” and then you get the script and you’re like, “Whoa, that’s different!” They’re very different. If I were to think any certain one way, I could be surprised with the next episode. But, that’s really down to the direction they take it in. There is a focus on fairies, otherwise it would be very strange. In what respect and how Alan Ball and the team portray that, I can’t tell you.”
What are your thoughts about his character joining in the mix this season?? How do you think it will affect the show? Make sure to tell us your thoughts below. And to read more of the interview you can go here.
Source: Collider.com – “Giles Matthey of TRUE BLOOD Talks Season 5, His Crazy Audition, His Character, Becoming a Fan of the Show and More”
Image Credit: Jason Merritt/ Getty Images
