In the event you watched As soon as Upon a Time, you already know Lana Parrilla can command a room. Because the Evil Queen/Regina Mills, she didn’t simply play a personality — she created an icon.
For seven seasons, she gave followers a layered, magnetic efficiency that made them root for a villain, cheer for a redemption arc, and really feel each shade of grey in between.
That very same complexity is what makes her Bruiser in USA Community’s The Rainmaker so compelling.
In John Grisham’s novel and the 1997 movie, Bruiser is male, a pointy operator with questionable morals. Right here, Parrilla takes the core of that character and reframes it.
“Variety is all the things,” she says. “Out of all of the roles, Bruiser was the one we might bend. It reveals the masculine throughout the female — and I get to discover that aspect of myself in a method I haven’t on display earlier than.”
Parrilla’s Bruiser nonetheless is aware of easy methods to win a room — and a case — however her toughness has function.
“She’s powerful on the outside, however when you discover her, there’s a lot extra,” she says. “Assembly Rudy Baylor opens her eyes to a unique method of training regulation — one which reminds her of why she began.”
The Pleasure of the “Tripod”
Working with Milo Callaghan‘s Rudy and PJ Byrne‘s Deck has been one of many nice pleasures of the position. The trio has even earned a nickname on set: “the tripod.” “Every of us influences the opposite,” Parrilla says.
“Rudy challenges Bruiser and conjures up her; she brings avenue smarts and expertise he doesn’t have. Deck’s the comedian reduction, the straight shooter. All of us develop collectively as this little household.”
That household feeling extends off-camera. Parrilla lights up when speaking about her youthful castmates.
“They’re so proficient, they usually’re at that thrilling level of their careers the place all the things is new. I really like being a part of that — with the ability to help them and watch them take these massive leaps.”
Going through Off with Leo Drummond
Then there’s her dynamic with John Slattery’s Leo Drummond.
“He’s such a veteran, and he brings an entire different degree to the present,” she says. “He’ll cease and say, ‘Let’s speak about this second,’ and that’s the theater actor in him. I really like that.”
Their scenes collectively crackle as a result of they’re two characters who know precisely easy methods to push one another’s buttons — and two actors who relish the sparring.
Why The Rainmaker Works
For Parrilla, what makes the present price watching is its mixture of authorized intrigue and wealthy, character-driven storytelling.
“We get to discover these characters over ten episodes, plus new ones like feminine Bruiser and Sarah Plankmore, who barely appeared within the novel. It’s relatable, it’s grounded, and it’s a authorized thriller. Who doesn’t love that?”
And for followers who nonetheless consider her as Regina? Bruiser provides the identical scrumptious contradictions — powerful but susceptible, sharp but able to shocking heat — in an entire new setting.
“I’ve been actually fortunate to play girls with layers,” she says. “Bruiser is yet one more I can’t look ahead to folks to get to know.”
The Rainmaker premieres tonight on USA Community at 10/9c.
Make it some extent to look at, after which return right here for a full evaluate of The Rainmaker Season 1 Episode 1.
Let’s journey this street collectively and have some enjoyable with the journey!
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