Michael Ealy’s chiseled features and piercing blue eyes have melted the hearts of many over the course of his more than 15-year career in film and television.
And thanks to his new role on the hit Fox show “The Following” (created by Kevin Williamson), his fans will be cheering for the bad guy.
The show has shaken things up quite a bit by adding Ealy as the resident evildoer for season three – picking up where Joe Carroll, a former professor turned serial killer and cult leader played by James Purefoy, left off.
“For me, it was kind of daunting to walk onto the show knowing that you’re going play a villain and there was already a well-established villain,” Ealy said. “One of the things that I tried to do that wasn’t always scripted was try and steer away from Joe’s rhythm of speech and the clever banter back and forth. I wanted to make Theo a bit more terrifying – I didn’t want him to be familiar to Joe, and so I think I tried to make him more scary.”
He must create a new dynamic between himself and “The Following” leading man Kevin Bacon – who must now shift focus for his James Hardy character to capture the new breed of terror delivered weekly by Ealy’s Theo.
Even as an evil genius, Ealy’s unassuming charm shines through – and comes in handy as he attempts to deliver the nearly impossible combination of a subdued serial killer.
“Unlike Joe, Theo does not seek the glory, the fame or the followers,” Ealy said. “And that’s where I think I kind of separated myself from most serial killers. Theo does not seek out the glory and the fame, he would rather be left alone and be able to fulfill that blood-lust under the radar.”
The desire to remain just beneath the cusp is probably the only thing Ealy has in common with his latest character.
“Oftentimes in my own career, I’ve chosen to stay underneath the radar and protect my family and protect myself prior to having a family,” Ealy said. “Do my work, and retreat back into my little bubble.”
Though he tends to seek out ensemble opportunities – like “About Last Night,” Spike Lee’s “Miracle of St. Anna,” as well as “The Barbershop” and “Think Like a Man” franchises – he’s managed to stand out in each of his roles.
Ealy is pretty much a household name on the urban scene – yet he’s all but unheard of in the mainstream. “The Following” will most certainly disrupt the anonymity he’s been able to enjoy from the masses.
For Ealy, the biggest challenge – other than bearing the responsibility of adding a new flavor to “The Following” fans’ viewing appetite – was to portray a psychopath.
“I’ve always been able to kind of identify with some element, if not most of the elements of the character,” Ealy said. “Not only because they’re good guys, but because of whatever it is that they’re searching for in life.”
It’s safe to say Ealy’s not on the prowl for victims after the cameras stop rolling.
“What I found difficult about Theo was I don’t have a blood lust. I don’t have a desire to kill,” Ealy said. “And, more importantly, based on what I’ve read and doing research about these guys and sociopaths in general, being born this way is not something that can really be figured out or explained.”
“The Following” airs Monday nights on Fox at 8 p.m. CST. Check local listings for channel and visit http://www.fox.com/the-following/ for more information about the show.
