Darren Criss was at the Monte-Carlo Television Festival 58th edition to defend his role of Andrew Cunana, serial killer and main protagonist of American Crime Story’s second season.
Darren Criss might be absolutely against the idea of a Glee revival, he is on the other hand more than thrilled to have played Andrew Cunanan. The serial killer has killed 4 people all through the United States before assasinating the famous stylist Gianni Versace during the 90′s. Ryan Murphy, creator of Glee and American Horror Story, brought to life this story in the second season of American Crime Story, adequately titled The Assassinatioin of Gianni Versace. Darren Criss plays the killer in an impeccable and chilling way, definitively walking away from his role of Blaine Anderson. Attending the Monte-Carlo Television Festival 2018 edition, he talked to melty about the difficulties to play such a complex role in an exclusive interview.
Melty: First of all, congratulations ! Your interpretation of Cunanan is incredible. But how did you do to have empathy for him ?
Darren Criss: You try to find common points, which isn’t that hard actually. We all know what it’s like to hurt, to be frustrated by what life gave us, to want to be love no matter what. And once you found those links, it comes easily. To me, everyone has a dark side they’re hiding and different sides in our personality. And for Andrew, I think he was just as much nice, well mannered and cultured as he was angry and hurting.
M: What was the hardest : to bare yourself in front of the camera or to “kill” people ?
Darren Criss: Actually it was a very entertaining experience. I know it might seem weird considering how dark the show is, but I took it like a good workout. Was that the hardest thing I had to do ? No. There were hard moments, clearly, but I took them as obstacles to surpass.
M: After trying drama with the role of Andrew, do you want to continue in this path ?
Darren Criss: For me, even a comedy is a drama ! I’m an actor and the only thing I want is to keep acting.
M: Glee is a show that left a big impact, what was your best memory on the set ?
Darren Criss: There is so many ! The show was 5 years of my life. What I loved about this show is that for exemple if you are in another show and there is a musical episode, it’s the episode everyone remembers. Meanwhile, for me, it was my everyday life. The great songs, the ridiculous costumes, the numerous laughs, those are my best memories.
Allociné: In the second season of American Crime Story, you play a serial killer who murders Gianni Versace. A very different kind of character for you than the one you had in Glee. Wasn’t it difficult to play this kind of character ?
Darren Criss: Yes and no. if I hesitate it’s because we only know Andrew through the lens of the horrible things he did. And we tend to distance ourselves from things like that by telling ourselves that he must be very different from us. But the truth is we have a lot in common with him. So I don’t just play a person who killed people but someone who was also deeply human. And this is this side I tried to show. Because he was also a charming and cute guy who liked to party. It’s not a super-villain in a super-hero movie.
AC: Critics were unanimous about your acting in the show and some even talk about an Emmy Awards nomination…
DC: I think all credits must go to the show’s staff. Ryan Murphy has a gift to make awards shower. When you’re in his team, you might get the chance to get some awards. But personally, I don’t pay much attention to it. It’s very flattering, but I prefer not to think about it. I already won the lottery working on this show.
AC: You already worked three times with Ryan Murphy, if we coun American Horror Story. How do you explain his success and how would you describe the way he works ?
DC: In versace, it’s the first time I really worked with him. He was my boss and colleage in Glee and American Horror Story. He has always been a friend and great support but we never sat down together to talk and exchange ideas. It was a true collaboration, I was there from the beginning, while in Glee I arrived in the middle of it. Ryan is truly a visionnary. He’s smart enough to bring people around him who can make his vision real. He’s creative, passionate and follows his instinct. I’m really happy to have him in my entourage.
*He became known in 2010 in the hit Musical series #Glee, today he plays the famous serial killer of season 2 of #AmericanCrimeStory @AHS “The Assassination of Gianni Versace”: Welcome #DarrenCriss in the #10h12h 👋🏻
Samira Wiley, Darren Criss & Neal McDonough at Monte-Carlo Television Festival (June 17th, 2018)
We’re talking TV at the Monte-Carlo Television Festival! Genie Godula sits down with small screen stars Samira Wiley from “The Handmaid’s Tale” and “Orange is the New Black”; Darren Criss from “American Crime Story” and “Glee”; and Neal McDonough from “DC’s Legends of Tomorrow” and “Desperate Housewives”.
US actor Darren Criss poses during a photocall for the TV show ‘American crime story’ as part of the 58nd Monte-Carlo Television Festival on June 17, 2018 in Monaco.
ACS news 