Last week I had the opportunity to take part in an interview
with the 3 main actors from the hit Syfy show, Killjoys. The following is the complete transcript of that session. There are some minor hints about the upcoming season but surprisingly they kept from dropping any spoilers.
Today from the cast of Killjoys, we have Hannah John-Kamenwho plays Dutch; Aaron Ashmore who plays Johnny; and Luke Macfarlane who plays D’Avin. (Steve) will be our moderator today and he’ll be taking your questions.
We have a lot of folks on the line today so thank you so much for joining. If we can please kindly limit your first turn to one question so we can get everyone a turn, and then you can absolutely hop back in line for follow up question if time allows.
We have about an hour today and (Steve) will let us know when we have about 10 minutes left and when we’re on our last question. (Steve), please take it away. Thank you.
Operator: If you’d like to ask a question, please press star-one on your telephone keypad. Please indicate if your question is for a group or anyone specific.
Aaron Ashmore: There doesn’t seem to be any questions.
Operator: Yes, we do have a question. Your first question…
Aaron Ashmore: Oh, OK.
Operator: Comes from Jamie Ruby with SciFi Vision. Your line is now open.
Jamie Ruby: Hi, guys. Thanks for talking to us today. I was going to say I’ve been here for a while waiting. So thank you for talking to us today.
Aaron Ashmore: Hi, Jamie.
Hannah John-Kamen: Hi.
Luke Macfarlane: My pleasure, our pleasure.
Jamie Ruby: Hey. So what I want to know is, is there anything at all that you can kind of tease about what Level 6 is and kind of maybe what’s going to happen to D’Avin if he’ll become part of that or if he’s just going to escape?
I don’t know. Maybe something you can tease. We haven’t seen in the screen or so. We kind of no idea what’s going on. It’s for everybody.
Luke Macfarlane: I’ll start with that. OK. I’ll start with that. This is Luke Macfarlane. You know, I remember being very concerned of it. Oh what are we going to do with my character? Finally, I’m in Level 6, am I getting like (climb)?
So I think what we can tease is that we learn a lot more about what a Level 6 is. And that it’s not as simple and it’s not as good and evil as we originally thought. I think I’ll also tease by saying it’s what makes the Level 6 is that becomes a big story point, the actual physical sort of makeup of a Level 6, that becomes a big clear point.
Jamie Ruby: OK. Now, I want to know more.
Luke Macfarlane: I’m sorry.
Jamie Ruby: I’ll just go back…
(Multiple Speakers)
That’s OK. Thanks.
Operator: And your next question comes from Lisa Steinberg. Your line is now open.
Lisa Steinberg: Hi everyone. Thanks very much for taking the time to talk to us today.
Hannah John-Kamen: Hi.
Aaron Ashmore: Hi, Lisa.
Lisa Steinberg: We know it’s quite an action-packed show. Can you tease some, if you are allowed, that are not too spoiler, if you could tease some upcoming moments that maybe fans can look forward to?
Hannah John-Kamen: Well, definitely I think this season, what fans definitely need to expect is the world is a lot bigger. And we just discovered Arkyn and with that comes really, really awesome new and exciting characters.
Aaron Ashmore: Yes. I think a huge part of this season is — yes, obviously, new characters. But also really expanding on some of our supporting characters, which I think is awesome. Because I think we have great — you know, Pawter, and Alvis, and Pree are three that we really, really sort of get to see more background. And we really interact with them sort of in our mission and stuff.
So I think that’s a pretty exciting aspect of the show moving forward, is really bringing forth some sort of exploring these other characters that I think are really interesting.
Luke Macfarlane: Yes.
Lisa Steinberg: Great. Thanks guys.
Aaron Ashmore: Thank you.
Operator: Your next question comes from Heather McLatchie with TV Goodness. Your line is now open.
Heather McLatchie: Hey everybody. Thanks so much for talking to us. So thematically, the first season I think was sort of about finding your family in this very large world. Can you talk to us about whether there’s a certain theme to what goes on in Season 2?
Aaron Ashmore: Maybe holding your family together. I definitely think…
Luke Macfarlane: Yes. That’s a really good answer. Yes.
Hannah John-Kamen: Yes.
KILLJOYS — “Enemy Khlyen” Episode 109 — Pictured: (l-r) Hannah John-Kamen as Dutch, Aaron Ashmore as John — (Photo by: Ken Woroner/Temple Street Releasing Limited/Syfy)
Aaron Ashmore: The circumstances that are sort of happening in the Quad are sort of tearing it apart. And I think on some level – even though we sort of explore that the team sort of being pulled apart in the first season and this world sort of being torn apart, we really continue with that and sort of what’s that going to look like and how is our team going to stick together through all these insane things that are about to happen to them.
Luke Macfarlane: Yes. Yes, that’s right. I think we learned a lot last year, you know, what it means to kind of love each other.
Now, we sort of know that we have loved each other, so it’s now what we can bear, how much weight we can take on, how much responsibility, how much we can understand each other and what everybody needs as individuals, and so stay together. Yes, because we challenge each other a lot, the three of us this year.
Aaron Ashmore: Absolutely.
Heather McLatchie: Great. Thank you so much.
Operator: Your next question comes from Courtney Bourgeois with Oh So Gray. Your line is now open.
Courtney Vaudreuil: OK. Thanks for talking with us this morning. The question for you as far as your experience in filming Season 2, how did it feel different for you guys than Season one?
Luke Macfarlane: I am going to answer this question right off the bat. I just want to say (some of very) we — you know, it’s wonderful from an (intro), it’s wonderful. We had a really, really tough time in our studio this year. So I’m just going to fell with that.
We have incredible audio people. But, you know, when we — one of the really challenging things this year was our studio space was really loud, literally. We had to hold a lot of roles. We could hear compressors, and saws and drills through the wall.
So if it was…
(Multiple Speakers)
…in that regard, the other — so this year was, it was snowing and it was cold and it was a winter. The first season was in a summer. So it changed, I think in a really good way, the outdoor experience of the show, because all of the sudden the world that we have in is cold and rainy and wet and snowy, whereas the first season it was green and (ration).
So that I think were two very distinct things that changed the filming experience this year versus the (indiscernible).
Aaron Ashmore: I think something that was sort of different for me, or I found different is, the first season we were all getting to know each other. It was totally brand new, this world, these characters, and even like our relationships with each other.
And this season, we were sort of past that. We already knew, we knew each other now, we were friends. And I think that in a lot of ways it was even more fun in the second season because all that getting-to-know stuff and all that were sort of out of the way.
And we are already friends, like from day one of the second season when we jumped in. So I find it to be a lot of fun. And yes, even more fun than had during the first season.
Hannah John-Kamen: I think for me what was different to me this season was actually kind of story-wise, without giving too much away is, I remember last year working a lot with Aaron and Luke and with Bellish, and you know, with Nora. But then this season I know that there’s just — working with different people for a long period of time, because of the way the story goes.
So yes, as I want to say who and what and when but definitely that was different to me.
Luke Macfarlane: Very true.
Courtney Vaudreuil: Thanks.
Aaron Ashmore: Yes, very true. Very, very true.
Luke Macfarlane: I think we all — we — yes.
Aaron Ashmore: I want to say starting something but then muffle…
(Multiple Speakers)
Operator: Your next question comes from Tony Tellado with Sci-Fi Talk. Your line is now open.
Tony Tellado : Hi, guys. Great to talk to you again and I’m glad that there is a Season 2 first of all which is awesome. I wanted to ask you guys, usually when a series does reach year two, there is — you mentioned that some of the supporting characters kind of have their day. But do we dwell more into the three of you and what’s going on with you, and maybe a little bit more of your past and who you were, that kind of thing?
Hannah John-Kamen: Definitely for…
Aaron Ashmore: I think there’s got…
(Multiple Speakers)
Hannah John-Kamen: Definitely, this season is — we went a lot together last season. And this season we will or will be doing our own thing actually. And Dutch was absolutely — we’ll be seeing so much more of her past come to life and that’s the real battle that Dutch herself and a struggle with what’s good and what’s evil and — yes. I mean, definitely you will be seeing so much more of Dutch’s past.
Aaron Ashmore: Yes. And I think there’s always going to be character development with the three of us. You know, like that will just be what it is. But again, you know, there — we need to sort of develop the world bigger and these other characters. So there’s definitely a lot of that as well. And as Hannah was saying, I mean, Dutch is our main girl, right? Dutch is our — the focus and the focal point and what sort of brings all of these characters together.
So yes, we definitely get a lot of really cool — really, really cool back story and layering with Dutch, which is, yes, I think people are really, really going to find it interesting.
Luke Macfarlane: Yes. And I think in the classic second season of the show, we meet the characters, we understand the way they function, how they operate, and the second we make the world bigger. And we’ve done that for sure in the second season.
Tony Tellado: Awesome. I love the show. And I can’t wait for it to come back.
Hannah John-Kamen: Great. Thank you.
Aaron Ashmore: Thank you.
Operator: Your next question comes from Mike Simpson with Sitcom Culture. Your line is now open.
Mike Simpson: Thanks guys. It’s a pleasure to talk to you again. I was just wondering, can you tease a little bit about, and this I guess applies primarily to Hannah, but perhaps the other guys can comment on this too. Can you tease a little bit about how the relationship pans out with Khlyen this season?
Hannah John-Kamen: Sorry. Could you repeat the question? I totally didn’t (get that).
Mike Simpson: Sorry. Can you tease a little bit about how your relationship pans out with Khlyen this season?
Hannah John-Kamen: Ah, with Khlyen. OK. So with Khlyen and Dutch, it’s really obviously very complicated, conflicted relationship, because he’s the guy that he just wants to hate. It’s really easy to hate Khlyen. And obviously at the end of Season 1, he’s taken D’Avin away. And we know that he has.
But definitely with Khlyen, there’s going to be more of an understanding of why he’s done what he did — why he’s done what he’s done in the past. And I think for an audience member as well, it’s going to be a bit harder to just see Khlyen as the bad guy, I mean there’s more understanding of his character as well.
Aaron Ashmore: And nothing seems cut and dry this season, does it? There’s lots of sort of complex things going on.
And yes, and I think you’re right, like that’s exactly what that relationship is, it’s very complex. And Khlyen, we sort of saw sort of only one side of him or one — you know, in the first season and we see so much more in the second season. And yes, it’s — again, it’s a very, very interesting to see that stuff unfold.
Luke Macfarlane: Absolutely, yes.
Mike Simpson: Cool. Thank you very much.
Operator: Your next question comes from a participant whose information we were unable to gather. If you press star-one to ask a question, your line is now open. Please introduce yourself.
Hello caller, if you press star-one to ask a question, your line is now open. Please introduce yourself.
Our next question comes from Erin Conrad with threeifbyspace.net. Your line is now open.
Erin Conrad: Hi everybody. Thank you for taking the time today. I would just say specifically to Aaron, congratulations on your baby.
Aaron Ashmore: Well thank you so much. I’m very — I’m a very, very proud papa.
Erin Conrad: Very good. And I know, since I have two kids myself, that this is a scary even for parents, you know, for anybody being a new parent. If you were — if Johnny was the parent of a child in the Killjoys world, what would be the biggest thing you would be afraid of for them?
Aaron Ashmore: Have you seen the Quad?
Luke Macfarlane: Wow.
Aaron Ashmore: It’s a terrible, terrible place. Everything (or may be) — we’re surrounded by assassins and you know, civil war, and so I think everything…
Hannah John-Kamen: We saw a (missile) on the set.
Aaron Ashmore: Yes, sure. Yes. There’s — Lucy is not baby-friendly. Yes, we have laser guns all over the place so we would have to seriously baby-proof Lucy. But…
Luke Macfarlane: No pocket.
Aaron Ashmore: Yes, I don’t know. I think there’d be a lot to be afraid of. But I also think that Johnny would, you know, (risk) some really fun little toys and stuff like that for his baby with his little — you know, he put little things together and have the baby well pacified while they are out on missions.
Or he could build some cool little, you know, armor structure that he could like, you know, mount the baby on its chest and go, you know, like some sort of a warrior father or something, I don’t know. It would be fun, I think. I think it would be fun to see Johnny do that.
Erin Conrad: This is great. I think Johnny would be a great dad and Lucy would be a great sort of baby-sitter. But thank you very much.
Aaron Ashmore: She would, yes.
Luke Macfarlane: And I would be a terrible baby-sitter.
Aaron Ashmore: Uncle D’Avin. You’re going to meet your Uncle D’Avin.
Hannah John-Kamen: Uncle D’Av.
Erin Conrad: Oh, thank you very much.
Aaron Ashmore: Thank you.
Operator: Your next question comes from Candy Havens with TV Scoop. Your line is now open.
Candy Havens: Hey, gang. Thanks for doing this.
Aaron Ashmore: Hi, Candy.
Candy Havens: You guys have some of the best action scenes. I’m just curious about, like do you have to learn a lot of choreographies? Does it depend on the episode? And do you have any funny anecdotes about this?
Aaron Ashmore: I learned none.
Luke Macfarlane: Oh my gosh.
Aaron Ashmore: And Hannah learned none.
Hannah John-Kamen: I learned (a lot). Well, to be honest, like when it got — it’s a bit crazy actually kind of learning the fight. And luckily, it’s quite naturally to me. But you know, there’s so many — there’s so many cool, awesome badass fights that happen this season.
And there’s actually the first girl-on-girl fight this season as well, which is really, really (timed).
Aaron Ashmore: Oh, tell me more.
Hannah John-Kamen: But I do remember fighting outside and it was in the snow. And I didn’t know my fight yet.
And I remember I had light lit you and the camera is rolling, like, “Right, Hannah. You do like left, kick, turn around.” I was like a (damn). And then yes, the fight kind of happened. So it’s pretty…
Aaron Ashmore: Miraculously, this is amazing thing…
Hannah John-Kamen: It miraculously happened. So yes, there was — it was really fun, actually, it’s really — it was a challenge. But you know, when you achieve it, it was cool.
Luke Macfarlane: I think Hannah is, you know, a little modest in a sense that I think something that the writers and the producers discovered this year was like, “Actually Hannah has a real gift for the fight choreography. She picks up really quickly.” And they asked a lot of her and she always delivers.
And like honestly this year she has longer, more badass fight. It’s really been impressive. I’m going (to show) because my fight (experience).
(Multiple Speakers)
Hannah John-Kamen: He — Luke is really good.
Luke Macfarlane: So I’m like the grunter and the muzzle. And you know, there is this one episode where I have to do something quite (balladic) for reasons that would be revealed later.
And yes, I had this very complicated like stick thing that I have to clean and spin and twist and do it very elaborately. And there was a group of reel of about, you know, 50 takes of me just going look, “Oh God! I can’t.” “Oh my God!” like I was dropping (indiscernible).
And then when I actually saw the thing get together, I look like I know what I’m doing. But just rest assured, I really don’t know what I’m doing. And that’s like our (kind of thing). Hannah has lots of options. They can take some of (them) (indiscernible).
Candy Havens: Thank you guys.
Aaron Ashmore: Thank you.
Luke Macfarlane: Thank you.
Hannah John-Kamen: Thanks, Luke.
Operator: Your next question comes from the James Hamilton with Geekstronomy. Your line is now open.
James Hamilton: Good afternoon. Thank you so much for talking to us today.
Luke Macfarlane: Our pleasure.
Aaron Ashmore: You’re welcome.
Hannah John-Kamen: Our pleasure.
James Hamilton: First, I have to say that Dutch has to be the most beautiful badass on television.
Hannah John-Kamen: You have written that way. Thanks.
James Hamilton: Now, my question goes to all of you. What is actually harder? Because it’s a very physical show, what is harder for you to do, the physical aspect of the show or dealing with the green screen working against nothing?
Aaron Ashmore: We actually do a ton of green screen to be honest with you. Do we guys like — I’m trying to think when we and Lucy obviously looking at the cockpit and stuff, there are some green screen shot.
But it’s not — we don’t do over-the-top stuff. They do a really good job of building sets and going to locate some of the stuff so that we’re…
Hannah John-Kamen: And being on location, yes.
Aaron Ashmore: Yes.
(Multiple Speakers)
Aaron Ashmore: So — I mean, obviously, there’s green screen stuff that has to be done. But not as much as you may think being that we’re, you know, set in a galaxy far, far away.
Luke Macfarlane: What was also interesting too, you know, because the effects artists are so gifted like, I was actually just looking at something today, and you know, something (levitating) very close to me in my eyes are tracking it. And because they do their work so well, you know, it looks like my eyes are actually tracking this whole thing that wasn’t there. So like a lot of it, the success of it has to do with the work that they do afterwards, honestly.
But the physical stuff, I actually always find really quite enjoyable myself. It’s a very different party here, the brain, the body. You don’t have to think as much as disturbed reactant.
You know, I always find the struggle is just to get this much out of my head as possible. So I really like the physical stuff a lot, personally.
Hannah John-Kamen: Yes, I love the physical stuff. The physical stuff is amazing.
But yes, I agree with Aaron and Luke that the effects is amazing. But we haven’t like a massive ton of it. But when we do, when we’re in the space, it was actually, it was really fun. It kinds of brings back like you’re a kid again, like just hanging, just using your imagination. So yes, I like it.
Aaron Ashmore: And the directors do a great job of sort of explaining to you what it’s going to look like and what’s going to happen.
And it’s not like they just leave you to hang out there and have no idea. They definitely fill you in and — yes, like Hannah was saying, you just use your imagination. We sort of do that all the time anyways in our jobs. So yes, it’s fun.
KILLJOYS — “Kiss Kiss, Bye Bye” Episode 107 — Pictured: (l-r) Aaron Ashmore as John, Hannah John-Kamen as Dutch, Luke Macfarlane as D’Avin — (Photo by: Ken Woroner/Temple Street Releasing Limited)
Luke Macfarlane: Yes. And we try to thank them pretty much as often as I can.
James Hamilton: Well, thank you, and continued success of the show.
Aaron Ashmore: Thank you very much.
Hannah John-Kamen: Thank you.
Operator: Your next question comes from Kerri Guillette with the Geeks World Wide. Your line is now open.
Kerri Guillette: Hi, guys. It’s so good to talk to all of you today.
Aaron Ashmore: Hey, Kerri. I love your name. I love…
Kerri Guillette: Thank you. My question is for all three of you. Can you describe Season 2 in one word?
Hannah John-Kamen: I’m going to say steroids, as it hits like then made even bigger.
Kerri Guillette: OK.
Luke Macfarlane: Good. Yes. I would say family.
Kerri Guillette: OK.
Aaron Ashmore: I’m going to say complexity.
Kerri Guillette: All right. Thank you guys so much.
Aaron Ashmore: Steroids, family, complexity.
KILLJOYS — “Dutch and the Real Girl” Episode 201 — Pictured: Aaron Ashmore as John — (Photo by: Steve Wilkie/Syfy/Killjoys II Productions Limited)
Kerri Guillette: Thank you.
Aaron Ashmore: Come watch our show.
Luke Macfarlane: Yes. Come watch our show.
Aaron Ashmore: The tagline for Killjoys Season 2. That will be a hot topic out there.
Hannah John-Kamen: Steroids, family, complexity.
Luke Macfarlane: Yes. Oh my God.
Aaron Ashmore: Guys, we should work for the PR team. I think we’re doing good.
Luke Macfarlane: It would be nice…
Hannah John-Kamen: It sounds like (Michael passing of Jim), doesn’t it? Steroids, family, complexity.
Aaron Ashmore: Yes, totally.
Luke Macfarlane: Totally — steroid that is (Jim).
Hannah John-Kamen: Hey guys, steroids, family, complexity.
Aaron Ashmore: Anyway…
Hannah John-Kamen: Anyway, OK.
Operator: Your next question comes from Sarah Lewin with SPACE.com. Your line is now open.
Sarah Lewin: Hi guys. Thanks for talking with us. I was curious…
Hannah John-Kamen: Hi.
Sarah Lewin: I was curious whether this season’s script plays whether (subverts) sort of science fiction conventions? I noticed a little bit of that on the first one, so I’m interested to hear.
Luke Macfarlane: Very much so. You guys can answer that. But this is to me, what comes to mind is, you know, I think we referenced a lot of like this sort of the (inaudible) aspect of the 70s.
And that’s always been part of the show, you know, what the sort of the (inaudible). I’ll just roll out like (sandbox) as a possible sort of thing that we see this year.
So I think (subverts) or makes (whatever), kind of have like an ironic appreciation for, definitely is part of the (translator) of this show this year, yes.
Hannah John-Kamen: Yes. I definitely agree with Luke. That kind of like that 70s.
(Multiple Speakers)
Hannah John-Kamen: Oh, do you want to get…
Aaron Ashmore: No, no, no. I’m sorry. It’s — after you.
Hannah John-Kamen: No. I was saying, I agree with that kind of 70s and the business kind of coming definitely with this season. And I know it’s still a lot with some of the costumes when even when you kind of look back into the past, very much mine (inaudible) that kind of look and change in certain costumes. So yes, definitely.
Aaron Ashmore: And Michelle, our show runner is so — is such a fan of sci-fi. And I think you know, sci-fi from the past, so I think it’s inevitable that she’s going to be bringing a lot of those references and a lot of that stuff into the show, but then also spinning it in a new way.
Luke Macfarlane: Yes. I would also, you know, say, in the humor aspect of the two, there’s this kind of self-awareness of it, you know, the way we speak, the kind of, you know — the kind of tough little sort of quips that come out of our mouth. You know, they definitely revert back to some TV from the 70s for sure.
KILLJOYS — “Dutch and the Real Girl” Episode 201 — Pictured: (l-r) Aaron Ashmore as John, Hannah John-Kamen as Dutch — (Photo by: Steve Wilkie/Syfy/Killjoys II Productions Limited)
Sarah Lewin: Great. Well thank you.
Operator: Your next question comes from Jamie Ruby with SciFi Vision. Your line is now open.
Jamie Ruby: Hi again. Everyone is asking, so is there going to be any more D’Avin with Pawter this season?
Luke Macfarlane: D’Avin with what?
Jamie Ruby: With Pawter.
Luke Macfarlane: Pawter?
Jamie Ruby: Are we going to see them hook up at all? (Pawter)?
Luke Macfarlane: No, D’Avin Jaqobis does not hook up with Pawter this season. John Jaqobis might.
Jamie Ruby: But Johnny might?
Luke Macfarlane: Might.
Jamie Ruby: OK.
Aaron Ashmore: So there you go.
Luke Macfarlane: Yes. But you know, that’s — it’s something that will unveil itself. Yes, it will become clear and it’s an important, I think, part of D’Avin’s growth, is you know, that idea of sort of hoping on to things. So it’s a very good story.
Jamie Ruby: OK. Thank you so much.
Luke Macfarlane: But I hook up with lots of other people, so don’t worry.
Jamie Ruby: OK.
Operator: Your next question comes from Natasha Williams with The Nerd Element. Your line is now open.
Natasha Williams: Hello guys. Thanks for taking the time to talk to me. How are you doing?
Aaron Ashmore: Good. How are you?
Hannah John-Kamen: Great.
Natasha Williams: This is — this question is for everyone. Now you mentioned earlier that this season is going to be action-packed. Is there a particular episode that’s maybe more action-packed than others?
Aaron Ashmore: Actually the first episode is really action-packed, like there are some amazing action sequences in it. But I think most of the episodes have quite a bit of action. But definitely the first episode back is insane, I think, as far as action goes.
Hannah John-Kamen: I think it seems like — yes. We set the valve very high in this last episode and it seems like every single episode just gets really bigger and wilder with all the action.
I always notice that as well in our (read-throughs) just how the excitement, and yes, like a real action-packed, fun-filled episode, there’s got mini-episodic things where there are so much going on. So I have to say, yes, pretty much every episode.
Aaron Ashmore: Yes. There was no easy episodes, like guys like feel laidback. It was all like fast-paced action-packed stuff throughout.
Luke Macfarlane: We, Aaron and Hannah and I would always joke like, “This is episode where I really did like Lucy a good cleaning.” We get to stay on that tip and rub her down. It’s very organized with big closets, you know.
(Multiple Speakers)
Hannah John-Kamen: Make nice (TV), make some food.
Luke Macfarlane: Make some food, like watch a movie maybe. I also think the action comes in all kinds of different — you know, this year we have, you know, a lot of this the kind of combat. We have, you know, some done sequences. We have some spaceship on spaceship sequences.
Aaron Ashmore: Oh, my favorite.
Luke Macfarlane: So action in all different shapes and sizes. Yes, exactly.
Natasha Williams: Thank you.
KILLJOYS — “Dutch and the Real Girl” Episode 201 — Pictured: Hannah John-Kamen as Dutch — (Photo by: Steve Wilkie/Syfy/Killjoys II Productions Limited)
Operator: And your next question comes from Michael Ahr with Den of Geek. Your line is now open.
Michael Ahr: Hi guys. Thank you very much for coming. I noticed that in Season 1 there were a lot of episodes that seemed to be self-contained. And then by the end, it all kind of tied together very (inaudible) that same kind of flavor in Season 2?
Aaron Ashmore: Well there’s definitely a warrant-based episodes in Season 2 but I think that now that we sort of locked into a bigger story, and there’s, you know, the sort of bigger mystery about what’s going on, obviously, that’s what sort of driving the second season.
So I think it sort of much like the first where — the first couple episodes, we definitely have some more warrant-based things happening. But it really does sort of ramp up again like the first season, I would say. That was my sort of take on it.
Hannah John-Kamen: I think as well. What — because things this season will be revealed. You’ll kind of forget about them until you actually find out the bigger meaning behind it in like a later episode.
So yes, it does tie together. But in between that, there will be a warrant-based episode. And what we find on the warrant actually will play much bigger later on. And that kind of — yes, it all does tie in to a little bit more like that this season, I find.
Aaron Ashmore: Yes, definitely. I think one of the great thing as the watcher or the show, as the viewer of the show is that, because the story is so dense, there really isn’t anything that’s kind of not significant. Pretty much anything that is on it, the character, sort of a prop, align like it does get to let it back in, and that’s just the density of the show, you know.
Aaron Ashmore: No filler.
Michael Ahr: Thank you.
Luke Macfarlane: Yes, no fat. No fat. So it didn’t bloat.
(Multiple Speakers)
Aaron Ashmore: Oh, I miss you guys.
Luke Macfarlane: Yes.
Operator: Your next question comes from Cody Schultz with Hidden Remote. Your line is now open.
Cody Schultz: Hi guys. Thanks so much for speaking with us today.
Aaron Ashmore: No problem.
Luke Macfarlane: It’s a pleasure.
Hannah John-Kamen: Hi.
Cody Schultz: In the first season, Killjoys has really developed a very loyal foundation quickly. What would you guys attribute to the (feasibility) to pull fans in and then keep them coming back week after week?
Aaron Ashmore: These are testers. I mean obviously the science fiction stuff and the — somebody is in their car. Is that you, Luke?
Luke Macfarlane: Sorry. That’s me, yes.
Aaron Ashmore: No, no. It’s OK. I was like it does sound like a car. Are you in a spaceship?
Luke Macfarlane: Indeed, (90 degree temperature), yes.
Aaron Ashmore: I definitely think it’s the characters that sort of draw everybody in. Because I think the sci-fi stuffs is amazing. And if you’re tuning into sci-fi, that’s good looking. You want that sort of futuristic or sort of not quite reality.
But I think if the characters in the story line and the dynamics between them aren’t interesting, you’re not going to get a loyal fan. People aren’t really going to be drawing in.
I think that that was what the writers and what Michelle did really well, is creating a dynamic between these three characters and all are supporting characters that’s really dynamic and interesting to watch. It’s not just the action that keeps people coming in. I really think it’s the characters. And…
Hannah John-Kamen: Yes.
Aaron Ashmore: As like an actor, it’s like, I love these characters. I love all of them. I don’t just love the character that I play, I love all of them. I think that they’re all so interesting and well-rounded, and all sorts of different colors of them. And I think that that’s what people respond to, that’s what people watching the show respond to as well.
Hannah John-Kamen: And I think as well, it’s a — I mean, I think it’s the (characters).
They kind of go against the grain as well. Like especially with Dutch and Johnny’s friendship, platonic friendship, is you don’t really see that in shows.
When there’s kind of two guys, one girl, it’s kind of inevitably always like a love triangle, or as well also happen between Dutch and D’Avin, and then kind of trying to find a way back to being friends again. Or — I don’t know it’s kind of this complex thing between the characters, I think, as well. I’ve seen a massive response from that as well.
Luke Macfarlane: Yes. I think anything that gets bringing people back is that they sort of want to know these people, you know, be part of their — be part of their little community.
Cody Schultz: Yes. So thanks again guys. I’m definitely (inaudible) to Season 2.
Aaron Ashmore: Thank you very much.
Luke Macfarlane: Thank you.
Hannah John-Kamen: Thank you.
Operator: Your next question comes from the Henry Otero with TV Fanatics. Your line is now open.
Aaron Ashmore: Hank?
Henry Otero: Hey guys. Hi. How are you?
Hannah John-Kamen: Hi.
Aaron Ashmore: Good, Hank. How are you?
Henry Otero: I’m on the road but I didn’t want to miss the chance to pop in and say hi.
Aaron Ashmore: Awesome.
Luke Macfarlane: Oh we appreciate that. You’ve been such a big (talent) on the show. Thank you.
Henry Otero: Just a quick question. You shot the whole season. Is there a particular episode that you’re really excited to see, you know, visualize on TV once it’s ready and everything?
Hannah John-Kamen: For me it’s Episode 7.
Henry Otero: Seven.
Hannah John-Kamen: That was the one — that was written by Michelle. And I think there’s an amazing one line, isn’t it. And that would be interesting to look. So I’m actually just really excited to represent D’Avin because it’s so — the lines, some of the lines that are in there are so funny.
Henry Otero: OK.
Luke Macfarlane: I am definitely…
Aaron Ashmore: I’m actually really — oops, sorry.
Luke Macfarlane: Five. Sorry.
Aaron Ashmore: Yes, five. Yes, yes, five is really — no, sorry. Go, go, go, talk, talk.
Luke Macfarlane: I’m looking forward to five because it was very much a John episode and it’s just always nice to see your fellow actors work. And I’d like — I literally — I think I only work like maybe a day-and-a-half in that episode because it was John’s episode and you know, it’s a great location. I heard all these great scenes. So it’s kind of like — I wanted to see how it all turned out because it’s John’s big episode.
Aaron Ashmore: Right. I was about to say — yes, yes. Sorry, yes, yes. I was going to say as well, is that, like this year we definitely work apart from each other quite a bit. So I’m excited to see — well, I’m really excited for the finale this season too.
I think there’s like some really cool dramatic big stuff that happens obviously in the finale. But I’m excited to see all the episodes because we definitely get to work apart more this year. And it’s really fun to watch the scenes that you weren’t a part of because you got to see your friends, your fellow actors, you could see the story unfold.
And of course you read the script, but it’s really a completely different thing to watch the scene put together and see how everybody is playing things, you know, all the dynamics are happening. And yes, so I’m actually excited for the whole season just to see it. You know, we put a lot of work into it. And we all, I think, really love the show.
And so for me, at least, I am so excited to see it. And we don’t get to see very much of it either. You know what I mean?
Like we see maybe some rough cuts here and there, points, and we see stuff from what we’re doing AVR, but we’re sort of in the dark as the final product, the music, the editing, the takes it shows, the special effects until it airs as well. So I’m really excited to just to see the whole thing put together.
Luke Macfarlane: Right.
Hannah John-Kamen: Yes.
Henry Otero: I’m hoping to give us July 1 this week coming up. I just can’t wait to see it already.
Hannah John-Kamen: It’s a good one.
Aaron Ashmore: It will come.
Henry Otero: Thanks guys. Take care.
Aaron Ashmore: Thanks, Hank.
Hannah John-Kamen: Bye. Take care.
Luke Macfarlane: Bye.
KILLJOYS — “Dutch and the Real Girl” Episode 201 — Pictured: Hannah John-Kamen as Dutch — (Photo by: Steve Wilkie/Syfy/Killjoys II Productions Limited)
Operator: Again, if you’d like to ask a question, please press star-one on your telephone keypad. And also please indicate if your question is for the group or anyone specific.
Your next question is from Curt Wagner with TV Show Patrol. Your line is now open.
Curt Wagner: Hi guys. I was — I have a couple for Aaron right now, first of all. First of all, how’s Lucy?
Aaron Ashmore: My girl is doing great.
Curt Wagner: OK. All right. And she’ll still be in Season 2, right? She’s still talking to us?
Aaron Ashmore: Of course.
Curt Wagner: Yes. OK.
Aaron Ashmore: She’s the fourth member of the Killjoys, you know. She’s in every mission we’re going, she’s in every episode. Yes, she’ll definitely be there.
Curt Wagner: OK. And then I wanted to ask about, in the finale last season, Johnny did the blessing, he sort of fake the blessing of that woman. And he didn’t tell the guy that he wasn’t a true believer but the guy sort of insinuated that maybe he was. Is that going to come up sometime this season?
Aaron Ashmore: No. I’ve actually have lots of people asked me questions about that. And a lot of interests sort in that element of monk and the religious stuff. And I will say that the religious stuff and the monks play quite a big part in Alvis in the second season.
But no, John does not go for monk, although that would have been interesting. But he doesn’t really go down that road. But just the whole religious aspect of the show plays a very, very big part in the second season.
Curt Wagner: Well, I was wondering if that was something, because he seems to be maybe more compassionate and — I don’t know, sensitive maybe than his other shipmates a little bit.
Aaron Ashmore: I don’t think — well, I don’t think that one is cold-hearted. I don’t think the Quad sort of — is a place where, you know, that creates sensitivity or compassion. You know, it’s a tough, tough world. And as we’ve seen Dutch’s past and also D’Avin’s past, like these guys have been through some really difficult stuff. And John has too but for whatever reason he’s — yes, he is just maybe a little bit more sensitive in whatever ways.
So sure, yes. That’s just sort of one of his, you know, sort of quality that makes him him.
Curt Wagner: All right. And then for the group, I know you can’t say if D’Avin has been in the Level 6. But can you answer if being Level 6 makes you an ( ), sort of a killer?
Aaron Ashmore: Wouldn’t it be awesome to let go? That would be call.
Luke Macfarlane: I think I can say this though, and you guys correct me if I’m wrong. But you know Level 6 does not mean you’re an ( ).
Curt Wagner: OK.
Aaron Ashmore: No, no.
Hannah John-Kamen: No.
Aaron Ashmore: Way more complicated than an ( ). Yes. Yes.
Curt Wagner: All right. All right.
Aaron Ashmore: But it sort of seems that way. Doesn’t it thought, a little bit? It might be ()?
Curt Wagner: It does.
Aaron Ashmore: They’re just complicated.
Curt Wagner: All right. Good job guys. Thanks.
Aaron Ashmore: Thank you.
Luke Macfarlane: Thank you.
Operator: Your next question comes from Megan Logan with Inverse. Your line is now open.
Megan Logan: Hi guys. Thanks for doing this. And I know you hit on this just a bit. But can you tease anything about how the dynamics between your characters are changing this season?
Hannah John-Kamen: Definitely, the dynamics between us are aligned and (inaudible) Dutch and Johnny, and correct me if I (inaudible), but yes, Dutch and Johnny. I think for Dutch, she’s got of kind let Johnny go and do his thing. But also she’s so super protective of him.
There are reasons why Johnny will go and do certain things and not tell her. And then there’s going to be a little risk, like definitely complicated between Dutch and Johnny, the two of them.
Aaron Ashmore: Yes, yes, for sure. And I saw some really interesting things happening between Dutch and D’Av too, some really interesting sort of — like I would say almost a friendship forming.
I mean, I still think that these characters will always have sexual tension and there’s something kind of hot about them, but there’s also something in some of the things that I saw where there’s like a real bond and a real friendship that’s formed. And obviously, they just met in the first season, so that wasn’t there.
So to me it’s sort of interesting to see those dynamics play out like these two characters actually get to know each other, you know. They actually spend time together. It’s cool. Like from what I saw, it’s really kind of interesting to see it play out.
Luke Macfarlane: Yes. I think, for D’Avin, I think, his relationship to both of them is defined by this acceptance that you can’t kind of control people. Because I think his whole life leading up to (inaudible), he can control people, whether that’s violence or over sex. And here he’s with two people that he can’t control and it’s open, kind of softens him in a very deep way that can make relationships deeper.
Megan Logan: Oh, thanks guys.
Aaron Ashmore: Deeper. That’s deep, that’s deep, I like that. That’s — wow, that’s really interesting.
Luke Macfarlane: Really? I’ve got a lot of time to think about it.
Operator: Your next question comes from Mike Simpson with Sitcom Culture. Your line is now open.
Mike Simpson: All right. Thanks again for coming on. This is a question for each of you. As actors, what would you say has been the toughest challenge you face this season?
Hannah John-Kamen: I think, for me as an actor, I mean this and Season 1 as well, I mean, taking on a role that is, it requires a lot of emotional strengths, a lot of physical strengths. And suddenly for this season the stakes are higher and especially with other characters you should close to and other characters you should love and close to.
And so I think — I think this season with stakes being raised so high, that find the emotional strengths that the character has and trying to hide it as well. So it’s that — it’s that conflict within Dutch. It’s yes, that was very tough for me this season.
Aaron Ashmore: I think, yes Hannah, you’re right about this sort of — or what I think is really difficult about this, you know, doing the show, and I think you touched on it Hannah, are the stakes. There’s no scenes. There’s no time where we’re just kind of sitting around and it’s just chill and it’s really conversational.
It’s always — and as much as it keeps the tone of it, fun and moving in that, it’s very fast-paced like there’s always so much going on in these scenes, there’s always tons of information, there’s tons of emotional stuff in every scene, in every episode. There’s never like just sit back and just conversational about it. It’s always fast-paced.
And it’s — I’ve done sort of like horror movies before where — which are really difficult because you’re being chased through the woods, you’re being chased whatever. And it’s like those stakes are high. You have to keep at that sort of place where you’re like, you know, on edge, adrenaline something, adrenaline something.
And I feel like this shows sort of like that. There’s not a lot of downtime for the characters to just be relaxed or whatever, they are always on a mission. They’re always on guard. They’re always killing with emotional stuff. They’re always dealing with, you know, problems and warrants.
So it’s just — it’s very, very busy. There’s no easy scenes. There’s always something going on. And if it’s not action, if it’s not emotional, well then there’s — and you’re throwing humor in that too, right? So they ask a lot of you. They ask a lot, like would you be able to play all these things, and juggle all these things, which is amazing. It’s an amazing challenge. But it’s definitely a lot tougher than a lot of other acting jobs that I’ve done.
Luke Macfarlane: Yes. I think I can reiterate everything that both of them said. It’s just it’s both the strongest aspect of the show and also the biggest challenge. It’s totally — you’re in a scene and you just punch somebody or shot somebody and then you make a joke. And it’s kind of funny. It’s just, it sometimes it’s hard to know exactly how to play that.
And we’re very lucky with great directors who help guide us and who have bigger visions. But yes, you wonder like, “Oh, how serious is this now?” Or, “How much joke it is now?” And realizing the sort of nice edge of those things, you know, humor and pain and you know, drama, are very close to each other.
Mike Simpson: Great. Thanks very much guys. So I’m really looking forward to the second season. I love the first season, so good luck.
Aaron Ashmore: Thank you very much.
Hannah John-Kamen: Thank you.
Operator: Please note that we’re past the 10-minute mark of the call. We will do our best to answer the remainder of the questions in the queue. Your next question comes from Kerri Guillette with the Geeks World Wide. Your line is now open.
Kerri Guillette: Hi guys again. How are you?
Hannah John-Kamen: Great. Thank you.
Aaron Ashmore: Good. Thanks.
Kerri Guillette: What can you tell us about Red 17?
Luke Macfarlane: Oh, we never know how much we can say. It’s always so hard. We learned a lot more about it. We learned that it’s, you know, it’s an institution that’s been around for a very, very long time. And they have some evil plans.
Hannah John-Kamen: And Red 17 is connected to something that we — is very much in our lives and we find out.
(Multiple Speakers)
Hannah John-Kamen: I don’t know what else to say. It’s really hard.
Aaron Ashmore: Yes. We delve into Red 17 right off the bat. I don’t really get into the Red 17 stuff. So if you can wait until July 1st your answers will be forthcoming because yes, we definitely jump into all of that stuff right off the bat.
Luke Macfarlane: Probably true, yes.
Kerri Guillette: OK. Thank you so much.
Operator: Your next question comes from Natasha Williams with The Nerd Element. Your line is now open.
Natasha Williams: Hi again guys.
Aaron Ashmore: Great.
Natasha Williams: This question is more — probably more for John, but Hannah and Luke can jump in as well. If Lucy as since maybe manifested in like a human form or even like a robot, how would you guys interact with her?
Aaron Ashmore: Well, Luke. Well, I think — I think it would be very interesting. I mean, you know, we know Lucy.
Hannah John-Kamen: Yes.
Aaron Ashmore: Like she may not have a physical manifestation but her personality would be the same. So how would we interact with her? Probably quite similarly. I think maybe the question would be more, how would Lucy interact with us?
Natasha Williams: Do you have any series on that?
Aaron Ashmore: Maybe just stay tuned. Stay tuned.
Natasha Williams: Oh, really? OK. I didn’t think it was going to happen. But OK.
Aaron Ashmore: I didn’t say, I just said stay tune. We may see other aspects of Lucy that we haven’t seen before.
Natasha Williams: OK. Well, thank you guys.
Hannah John-Kamen: Thanks.
Aaron Ashmore: Thank you.
Operator: Your next question comes from Sarah Lewin with SPACE.com. Your line is now open.
Sarah Lewin: Hi. I’m glad I got to ask you another one. So I’m just kind of — you talked in the past a little bit about having a cast that was big into singing. So I’d love to know whether we’ll hear any characters singing this season.
Aaron Ashmore: Yes, we will.
Hannah John-Kamen: Yes, we will.
Aaron Ashmore: Multiple characters sing. Yes.
Luke Macfarlane: Oh yes. That’s right. Multiple — yes.
Sarah Lewin: Oh my gosh. I can’t wait. Thank you.
Aaron Ashmore: There’s lots of singing this season. Yes.
Hannah John-Kamen: On and off camera.
Aaron Ashmore: Yes.
Luke Macfarlane: It does. I was singing just a little bit all this morning.
Hannah John-Kamen: I’ve been singing the country song all the time, everything (inaudible). It’s like (ticket) song.
Luke Macfarlane: It’s a really good song. Oh boy.
Hannah John-Kamen: Amazing.
Aaron Ashmore: You guys got to record it next year.
Hannah John-Kamen: I know. I know. (Nate).
Luke Macfarlane: (Nate) had his baby as well, by the way Aaron. My friend, (Nate).
Aaron Ashmore: Amazing.
Luke Macfarlane: Six days after…
Aaron Ashmore: Congrats to him.
Luke Macfarlane: Yes.
Aaron Ashmore: Congrats to him. Wow.
Luke Macfarlane: Yes.
Hannah John-Kamen: (Baby Bill) in Canada.
Aaron Ashmore: Yes, it is. It’s…
(Multiple Speakers)
Luke Macfarlane: That’s right.
Hannah John-Kamen: Wow.
Aaron Ashmore: Did you have any girl too?
Luke Macfarlane: Sorry.
Aaron Ashmore: I don’t know.
Operator: Your next question comes from Michael Ahr with Den of Geek. Your line is now open.
Michael Ahr: Hi guys. I just wanted to ask, because one of the strengths of the show, and this question is for everyone. One of the strengths for the show is the culture between the different planets in the Quad. And I’m wondering, if we’re going to get deeper into any of these specific cultures that you can mention, or maybe even cultures beyond the Quad that we might get to see.
Aaron Ashmore: Maybe. I think that we definitely — we definitely delve into the politics. I mean that’s still a huge part of Season 2, all the relationships between the planets and sort of the political system that set up. That’s a huge part of it. And the world does open up slightly, I would say, to explore at least the possibility of stuff beyond the Quad, beyond what we’ve seen in just, in the first season and that. So yes, the world is certainly opening up in the second season.
Hannah John-Kamen: Definitely as well you will see historically the cultures politically very different in the past, and how the states of it whereas now and how different it is.
Operator: And your next question comes from — oh go ahead. I’m sorry.
Luke Macfarlane: Go ahead. I have nothing to add.
Operator: No problem.
Your next question comes from Linda Boleck with My Scroll TV. Your line is now open.
Linda Boleck: Hi guys. This is Linda.
You mentioned earlier about Pree and that we would see a lot more of him and his — I guess his (dory) is gone. So can you give us any more details about that?
Luke Macfarlane: It might not be done.
Aaron Ashmore: I would (inaudible). I would say the thing about — to me, one of the biggest surprises of Season 2 were like, they’re really fun and interesting characters stuff was working with Thom or work with Pree.
He gets some really, really cool fun stuff. And Michelle and the writers just really opened up that character and really expanded it in a really, really fun way. There’s more to Pree that meets the eye.
Luke Macfarlane: Very much so.
(Linda Boleck): Thank you so much.
Operator: Your next question comes from Curt Wagner with TV Show Patrol. Your line is now open.
Curt Wagner: Hi again. This one is for Hannah. I read something recently where Michelle talked about how you in real life are very light and fun and funny. And she felt like she didn’t serve you very well last season in that way but she’s trying to make your character Dutch have more fun and give you more opportunities to show your fun side this season.
Hannah John-Kamen: Absolutely.
Curt Wagner: Do you feel that happened? And are we going to see Dutch doing a little (inaudible) or something? What’s going on? Because I thought she was pretty witty.
Hannah John-Kamen: The ability I have — yes. Dutch is very witty. And of course, when you’re introduced to Dutch, you’re also introduced — well I mean, with her character, with meeting D’Avin in Season 1 and obviously she had got up his long lost brother, and she’s not very trusting.
But the people who she trusts (inaudible) — I’m on the last season yet. There were a lot of times when maybe Dutch, you know, wasn’t — like, you know, the fun joker. But that Dutch has her fun in her own way. And definitely the Season, Michelle’s Episode 7, yes, there’s so much fun and that there’s so many — one line in that that made me laugh.
So that was a really fun episode. And yes, you will definitely see more of that this season.
Curt Wagner: Great. Thanks.
Operator: And our final question comes from Joseph Ditzel with Rogues Portal. Your line is now open.
Joseph Ditzel: Thank you guys for doing this. This is awesome. And last but not least, I guess. What is your — this is for everyone. What is your favorite part about playing each of your characters? Like what is about your character that you like the most and your favorite part about playing them?
Hannah John-Kamen: The one thing I respect about my character is, I respect and I love — the one thing I love the most about Dutch is her loyalty. As a character is just her loyalty to people that she loves, her friends, she will move mountains. The challenge, and the one thing I love about playing Dutch is — I mean, not necessarily, but the range of emotions as an actor I get to play with one character. And also physically, it’s just, it’s amazing, it’s a dream, and to play a strong character as Dutch, and yes.
Luke Macfarlane: I really — you know, I’m really grateful to get to play something as physical as D’Avin. You know, it’s not an opportunity that’s been given to me in the past.
I really like — I like the kind of — so really lack of a better word, and this is a bad word, but the sort of masculinity of him or his ideas or what he thinks that he really is, you know, I like that. And the thing I really like playing D’Avin is he often sort of reacts what got first in his head. And that’s something as a person that I don’t normally do. I overthink things a lot. And it’s quite a joy and a relief to being somebody’s body who doesn’t do that.
Joseph Ditzel: Awesome.
Aaron Ashmore: You guys have a deep answer, I like those. It made me think.
I think the one thing that I really like about John and sort of playing John is, there is hope in this guy, you know, like he’s always looking for the positive in people. He’s always sort of — that’s what he’s thriving for. That’s what he wants for other people too, you know.
And it’s kind of fun to play a character that that is sort of the basis sometimes for what he is. He is always trying to help people. He’s always trying to make things better for people, and that’s either — maybe not always for himself but for the people that he loves, the people that he cares about. And that’s fun to play a character that cares so deeply about other people.
And I think that that sort of ties into something that Hannah was saying about the loyalty too, like it is fun to play a character that is loyal to a fault.
I think that there’s something admirable in that. And that’s — so it’s really fun to play character that that’s a huge part of how he is and why he does things.
Joseph Ditzel: Well, awesome. Thank you very much guys. You guys are awesome.
Hannah John-Kamen: Thank you.
Aaron Ashmore: Thank you very much. So were you.
Luke Macfarlane: Thanks. Thank you.
KILLJOYS — Season:2 — Pictured: (l-r) Thom Allison as Pree, Sarah Power as Pawter, Aaron Ashmore as John, Hannah John-Kamen as Duth, Luke Macfarlane as D’Avin, Morgan Kelly as Alvis — (Photo by: Steve Wilkie/Syfy/Killjoys II Productions Limited)
Operator: This concludes today’s Killjoys Q&A session. Thank you very much for attending. And you may now disconnect.
Killjoys returns Friday July 1st 9pm only on Syfy
