Exclusive Preacher Forums Interview: Mrs. Rosen aka Kevin's Meemaw
- Preacher Forums
- Aug 25, 2018
- 7 min read
Put down your crack pipes and your air conditioning fluid, and gather around for my favorite interview of the season. The talented and delightful Theresa O'Shea as been kind enough to grace our presence for a Preacher Forums exclusive interview!! Most of you know her as Mrs. Rosen, Kevin's grandmother and host of the Enfants, who so eloquently put Cassidy in his place last Sunday while she cleaned up the basement. You rotten piece of shit, Mr. Cassidy!
Others of you might remember her as Gary's Mom from Your Pretty Face is Going to Hell, or as the maid from Savannah! And today, she graces our forum, a crazier crew than she hosts in her basement:
PF: As Cassidy once famously said at the start of an epic road trip, "Well, what are we waitin for?" So, how did you get the part on AMC's Preacher? Can you tell anything about the auditioning process or what brought you to the role?
Theresa O'Shea: I’m based in Atlanta, so I usually audition for local projects. My agent, Christy Clark of Stewart Talent, knows this but – God bless her! – she thought Preacher would be a wonderful adventure, so she submitted me to the casting director in response to his casting notice. The casting director requested that I tape a scene from an early draft of episode 6. A couple of days later, I was asked to submit an additional scene (from an early draft of episode 9). And a few days later, I got the head-spinningly good news that I had been cast. And Christy was 100% right – it was the best adventure ever!
PF: And it was good news for the fans as well, because you brought Mrs. Rosen to life in a great way, and I loved your interactions with Cassidy. Any funny stories of things that happened on set behind the scenes? And how it was working with Joseph Gilgun. He's definitely a fan favorite!
TO: Oh, there are so many funny stories. But some require visual help (e.g., someone trying to put in their fangs backwards, the assistant prop master’s three-year-old son playing with a section of Allfather’s intestine… I guess context also may be helpful with some of this…). In terms of verbal wordplay, crew and cast were world-class champions and I was always entertained. Between takes, Joe Gilgun, Adam Croasdell, Nathanial Woolsey, and “Les Enfants” consistently cracked me up.
As to the second part of your question, working with Joe Gilgun… well, it doesn’t seem right to call it “work.” The people in front of and behind the camera here are among the kindest, most generous I’ve ever encountered, and that’s certainly true of Mr. Gilgun. Between takes, the best storyteller ever. During takes, the best of scene partners, fully committed to collaborating in the storytelling. Once the camera rolls, you’re looking into the eyes of Cassidy (or “Mr. Cassidy” as my character calls him), and – again, from my perspective – the scene just seems to happen all on its own. I’m so very grateful and honored to have been given the chance to work with him.
PF: You can definitely paint me jealous! Of your experience, AND Joseph's :). Did the directors or the writers give you any background to your character? Her personal background or how it came about that the Vampires chose her basement?
TO: Well, I’m sure you’re familiar with the saying, “If it ain’t on the page, it ain’t on the stage.” To which I add, “Yep.” The episodes with Mrs. Rosen were written by Rachel Wagner, directed by Laura Belsey (“Les Enfants du Sang”), written by Gary Tieche and directed by Kevin Hooks (“Schwanzkopf”), and Sam Catlin (writer and director of “The Light Above”). So once I got past my serious hero-worship issues with these folks – just kidding, I never got past it. However, their writing and direction made it very clear who Mrs. Rosen was. This isn’t to say they didn’t provide wonderful surprises along the way, but the surprises made complete sense within the character and the universe they developed.
An early re-write resulted from my casting: In the original script, Mrs. Rosen was Kevin’s mother. But once they laid eyes on me, “Mom” became “Meemaw”. But aside from that… The audition sides I was sent for “Les Enfants” described her as a den mother to them, suggested that it’s always been the home in which “the kids” are welcome to hang out, that Mrs. Rosen loves having them around, and loves cooking for them. She feels they all deserve a loving home, and it’s her mission and meaning in life to provide that. An earlier draft had suggested that Kevin’s childhood had been difficult; the fact that he lives with his grandmother reinforces that. And from everything the writers and directors gave me, I added tiny touches to her backstory: For example, I decided her dubious parenting skills resulted from the all-consuming wish that Kevin be happy. And, maybe for the first time, being part of Les Enfants has brought Kevin that happiness. Also, I think Mrs. Rosen hoped Kevin would marry that nice Lisa and make her a great-grandma.
PF: It's great that you put so much thought into the psychology and background of your charactor! And it shows on the screen. And your added backstory makes perfect sense! Are you able to say where the filming location for the basement is? Is it on a set or an actual house on location?
TO: I’m sorry, Ralph – This gets into one of those grey areas about which I’m unsure, get all confused, and my head explodes - just like a Humperdoo.
PF: Sounds like me when I try to use the coffee maker at a motel! Soo, the burning question is, how much does Mrs. Rosen know about what goes on with the Vampires? In her first episode it seemed like she may not know what they were about, but now in her last scene with Cassidy, she seems to have more knowledge. Does she know what is really going on?
TO: Another excellent question. She knows what she sees and she knows what she has been told. And like all of us, she battles between what makes sense and what she wants/needs to believe.
PF: Yep, well put! You probably can't give too much detail, but it seems they are setting her up to find out Lisa never made it to Paris. Maybe Mrs. Rosen will help save the day?
TO: You’re right, Ralph, I can’t - All I can say is please watch the season finale!
PF: Oh, please put your mind at ease on that point! I think its safe to say that everyone reading this will be right there with Mrs. Rosen on her adventure this Sunday! Wouldn't miss it! Do you have any other projects you are working on coming up that you'd like to share?
TO: Since it’s already been posted in IMDB, I guess I can say that I worked in several episodes of the upcoming TBS series “Miracle Workers,” starring Daniel Radcliffe, Steve Buscemi, Geraldine Viswanathan, Karan Soni, Jon Bass, and Sasha Compère. I also had a blast working on the upcoming reboot of “Jacob’s Ladder,” starring Michael Ealy, Jesse Williams, Nicole Beharie, and Karla Souza, scheduled for release in February. And in the spring I’m acting in A.R. Gurney’s play “Love & Money” at the ART Station Theatre in Atlanta.
PF: Oh you are very busy! I admit I did not know about the Jacob's Ladder reboot! I loved the first one so I will be looking into that for sure. I bet Steve Buscemi is a character too. Anything at all you'd like to share about your experience on Preacher that I didn't cover?
TO: You’ve been very thorough, but I’ll go ahead and share a story that is random, because I’m so very random, and it reflects a bit of how amazing the Preacher experience has been. About an hour after my flight landed in New Orleans, I was taken to the costume shop to meet with the amazing Jill Ohanneson. (By the way, it bears repeating, the Preacher crew is the best of the best.) I was told that Jill was with someone and would be with me in a few minutes. And shortly after I hear a voice behind me (Jill) asking, “Theresa, have you met Betty?” And I turn and see the legendary Betty Buckley. She could not have been nicer, but all I could think of saying was, “Oh my God, you’re Betty Buckley!” But I knew I shouldn’t say that because I’m quite certain she already knew she was Betty Buckley. So while she’s being thoroughly kind, engaging, and charming, I’m smiling and occasionally mumbling monosyllabically. Yes, I came across as a complete idiot, it’s what I do. But Hour One, Day One of my Preacher adventure, I met Betty Buckley!
PF: That story made my laugh out loud, thanks for sharing. It sounds like you had a wonderful experience. Sorry, one last question Theresa, do you know what they used to actually hold Joseph's hands up on the pool table? Or did he just hold his arms up himself?
TO: If memory serves, he held his arms up himself. Mr. Cassidy and Mr. Gilgun share a somewhat superhuman quality. Thank you so very much, Ralph. Your questions are great, and I really enjoyed this. I’ve been interviewed to promote plays but, as a character woman, it’s such a treat to get attention for TV work. ESPECIALLY a project as mind-blowingly audacious, fearless, and fun as Preacher.
PF: And thank you so much Theresa for agreeing to the interview, and taking the time to give such thoroughly entertaining answers! I'm glad you enjoyed this, it was a pleasure to return the favor of all the enjoyment you've given to us by being a cog in this wheel we call Preacher. The show is a better thing with you in it.
Theresa O'Shea, AKA "Mrs. Rosen" was kind enough to sign up at Preacher Forums! Join us in the discussion forums and you just never know who you may run into:
Comments