We chat to Loren Escandon about her role in The CW’s The Messengers…
Hello Loren, thank you for taking time out to chat to Flickering Myth.
Thank you so much for having me. I am super excited to be chatting with you today. I love the magazine.
Can you tell us about where you are from and your background?
Well, I was born and raised in Cali Colombia, where I started my artistic career as a ballerina and later as an actress. Some years ago I decided to move to New York, because my main focus at the time was theater, and what a better place to develop a career on stage than Broadway. I did mostly off Broadway for many years. It was seriously exciting to be in the Big Apple constantly inspired by other actors, their ethic and being in touch with different forms of work. I had the chance to write, act and produce a play called Montera, which has been the most gratifying experience of my life. Lately, life took me to Denver, where the dynamic was quite different and work availability was way less. However, during my short phase in the Mile High City I booked a recurring part for The CW Network show The Messengers, and soon after, life circumstances changed again and here I am in the City of Angeles, starting all over again, but seriously happy with the opportunities ahead.
Congratulations on your new TV show The Messengers currently airing on The CW Network. Can you tell us about the show?
Thank you so much! So, the show starts with a mysterious object crashing down to earth; as a consequence a group of unconnected strangers die from the energy impulse created by the crashing, but then awaken with a special power, assigned to them and with the responsibility to prevent the apocalypse. They are like angels saving the world from its ending. I play Gabriela, but she is not an angel.
The show’s producers have been involved in some very big shows in the past. What was it like being part of such a big show?
Well, especially for me with my theater background, not having much TV experience was like a dream come true. The production quality is extremely high, which makes an artist feel more comfortable and personally inspires me to be as good as I can be, because everyone is doing the same. I like the way the producers and writers are telling the story; the different points of view and the diversity of the cast permits as well as having a cultural variety that makes the story accessible to everyone. The directors were brilliant in their own way and the actors are obviously beautiful, but more than that, they were generous and easy to work with. Overall the show has been an amazing and fulfilling experience for me.
You play the shows feisty Latina Gabriela in The Messengers. Can you tell us about your character?
Gabriela is a very passionate woman, with strong feelings towards Raul, played by JD Pardo, but married with Raul’s brother Cesar, played by Bernardo Saracino. She has made mistakes in the name of love, but she is trying to find the way to straighten her life and take care of the people she loves the most. Her daughter Nadia, played by Brittany O’Grady, is part of that puzzle she needs to solve.
What was it like to be part of a love triangle with the shows leading man, JD Pardo?
It was interesting. I met JD Pardo and Bernardo Saracino the day we were shooting our scenes, so I was a little nervous. However, they are both so easy and professional to work with. JD was very generous and respectful about the way I wanted to tell Gabriela’s story, and with Bernardo we have become good friends. He has been very supportive since I moved to LA. We have all become a bit of a family!
You’ve recently transitioned to Los Angeles. How does living in New York compare to your new surroundings?
I miss NYC, my friends, the pace; however, I am having a blast discovering LA. I love Downtown, Echo Park and Highland Park. I enjoy having the opportunity to hike anytime, go to the beach, the weather is unbeatable and the people seem very relaxed but focused. I think that is a very effective combo. NY has changed so much during the last years and personally I think that LA is a better fit for me right now. Each city has its own magic. I have loved NY for long time and now I am loving LA.
What’s next on the horizon for you?
I am very excited about following The Messengers and seeing people’s reaction to the story and the show, plus I am getting ready for opportunities which are fundamental in my profession and I take that part very seriously. Training in my craft is important and going on auditions part of the process. New projects are coming my way, but I’m quite superstitious…so I rather not talk about those, but you’ll be the first to know when I can share more about them!
Catch Loren Escandon, as Gabriela, on The CW’s ‘The Messengers’ airing Friday 9/8c.
https://youtu.be/pnc360pUDRI?list=PL18yMRIfoszFLSgML6ddazw180SXMvMz5
Originally published May 3, 2015. Updated April 14, 2018.
