IN CONVERSATION WITH HUNTER MCVEY
interview by JANA LETONJA
photography BLAKE BALLARD
Hunter McVey is about to become TV’s newest breakout star with his debut role in Ryan Murphy’s ‘9-1-1: Nashville’, premiering on 9th October on ABC. As one of the fresh faces joining the hit franchise, Hunter is already turning heads for the charm and depth he brings to his character. With ‘9-1-1-: Nashville’ marking his first major on-screen role, this rising talent is stepping into the spotlight at a career-defining moment, and audiences are about to see why he’s poised to become television’s next heartthrob.
Congratulations on ‘9-1-1: Nashville’. How did you first react when you learned you’d landed the role?
It was pure shock. I didn't really come to the realization of what phone call I had just received until about 10 minutes after. Then I broke into tears on the airplane because I got the call while boarding the plane back to Nashville from LA from the audition. So, I kept it together while I boarded the flight and then it was waterworks as soon as I sat down on the airplane.
Can you tease a little about your character and what audiences can expect from him?
The audience can expect a lot of surprises from Blue. I think he makes a lot of questionable decisions from a traditional sense, but he makes those decisions from a place of looking out for the people he loves and cares about. He's very loyal, hardworking, and will do anything for the ones he loves.
The ‘9-1-1’ franchise already has a massive fan base. How does it feel to be stepping into that universe?
It feels like I have huge shoes to fill. It is a blessing and an incredible opportunity to be a part of this franchise. I have to pinch myself on almost daily basis to remind myself that I am a part of the ‘9-1-1’ universe now. Everybody has treated me with the utmost kindness and open arms. It's a surreal feeling.
What’s it been like working under Ryan Murphy’s creative vision?
Working under Ryan Murphy's creative vision has been phenomenal and a little unpredictable at times, in the sense that you never know what might happen. True creative genius is like that. It makes it very easy to be in the moment. For every single scene, it feels very real because of how much realism is involved in the “accidents” that are happening on set. So, working alongside first responders with huge accidents, with real fire, with wounds that look just as real as ones I've experienced in my life, it locks you into the moment. Shoot days are long, creative direction can be inspired to change in a moment, and it’s thrilling to be a part of.
Who among your castmates has made the biggest impression on you so far?
I don't think I could narrow it to one person making the biggest impression, because they've all made incredible impressions in different ways. With Chris O’Donnell, I get to watch a master of his craft and learn techniques on everything from acting to camera angles to cues. I get to really watch a master at work and get amazing tips for the acting itself. Then there are Leanne and Jessica, who provide nothing but support and advice. I just talked to Jessica the other day and she was helping me prepare for my first red carpet event. Leanne feels like a mother, just so supportive. My castmates, Juan Michael and Hailey, bring me up every day, and they all feel like family just after a short few months. I couldn't imagine going to work with any other people, and I learned from all of them every single day.
Since this is your first major TV role, what’s been the biggest surprise about being on set?
I would say the biggest surprise when I got on set was how much hard work and attention to detail goes into every single scene, every single take, every single prop. Everything is so detailed. There is a 200-person team, so I don’t know how that ship gets started and comes to a stop each day, but once it's rolling, it's an incredible thing to watch. Just getting to watch experts from all fields come together to form a masterpiece at the end of the day is something that is surreal to be a part of on a daily basis.
What are you most excited for fans of the ‘9-1-1’ series to see in this new Nashville chapter?
I'm most excited for the ‘9-1-1’ universe fans to get a taste of Nashville. I was born just outside the city, and I ended up moving back in 2017. There’s such a special feeling you get here. There are people who wave to you when you're walking down the street, live music, incredible food, and incredible talent. Showcasing Nashville's culture and the phenomenal genuine people that inhabit this city is what I'm very excited to be shown on screen.
How do you prepare mentally and physically for such an intense, action-driven show?
I didn't have much preparation time. I got the role about five or six days before we started filming, so from a physical aspect, I continued my rigorous weightlifting, cardio, cold exposure, and sauna therapy. I'm in the gym every single day. With filming, it's gotten bumped down to three or four times a week max, but I still make sure to do my cardio, cold plunge, and sauna, more to manage stress levels and for my mental health than anything else. On the mental part, I just try to make sure I get adequate sleep. It does not always work out that way with filming schedules, but when I get enough sleep and I'm able to prepare adequately, I can go into the scene feeling confident from my character's point of view. That’s really the only way to prepare, until they call action and you get to step into it and feel it.
What do you hope audiences connect with most about your character?
I hope the audience connects with Blue in numerous ways, but I think the biggest thing I would love to see a connection from the audience is how he’s faced a ton of hardships. He's not been dealt the best cards. A lot of people in Blue's situation, me included, would've quit at many points in his journey. I'm excited for the audience to watch Blue go through some of these adversities, tackle them, keep his head on his shoulders, and keep moving and pushing forward toward his greater purpose, to become the best individual he can be. I hope people realize that it also doesn't matter if they're not perfect, it just matters that they're moving in the right direction. I hope they all can relate in that sense.
Growing up, did you always know you wanted to act, or did this path come unexpectedly?
It was one of the most unexpected things in my life, if not the most unexpected thing in my life. So, no, I did not know I wanted to be an actor for my entire life. But I will tell you that growing up, one of my biggest fears was having to choose one career or one job to do for the rest of my life. I've always had a lot of hobbies and interests, so it scared the crap out of me having to choose one. So, the fact that I get to come in and play pretend every single day and fulfill different jobs, and do it around some amazing people, has been the best opportunity I've ever been presented with.
How do you hope ‘9-1-1: Nashville’ will shape your career going forward?
I hope ‘9-1-1: Nashville’ shapes my career by doing well enough to get a second season, because the only thing I can focus on in my career is the current opportunity I have at hand and in doing the best possible job I can. I’m focused on improving as an actor and to do so alongside the incredible cast and crew in production that we have now. There's nothing more I would want from my career going forward.
Outside of acting, how do you spend your downtime and keep balanced?
To be quite honest, over the last four months, there has not been a lot of balance between learning how to act, filming five or six days a week for 12 to 15 hours a day, learning new scripts, and new materials. I also got engaged during this time and moved into a new house. So, I just smashed a ton of life events into a small period of time, and that is not the most balanced way to go about it. Traditionally, I’ve never been the most balanced person, but I would much rather be doing what I'm doing now and feel a little bit unbalanced than not have anything that drives me or gives me purpose. I've never done anything in my life that fulfills me as much as acting does.
Looking ahead, what kinds of roles or stories would you love to take on after Nashville?
Truthfully, the only thing on my mind at the moment is getting through my scenes today and then focusing on getting through tomorrow. I’m really just trying to stay present and fully appreciate this incredible experience I’ve been given. So, I think I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it.
