Exclusive: Malcolm Goodwin Talks iZombiePosted by Wilson Morales
April 21, 2015
Currently airing on The CW is the crime drama, horror series ‘iZombie,’ starring Rose McIver, Malcolm Goodwin, David Anders, Robert Buckley, Nora Dunn, and Ruhul Kohli.
Created by “Veronica Mars’” Rob Thomas and Diane Ruggiero, the Warner Bros TV series will be loosely based on the DC/ Vertigo comic book series by Chris Roberson and Michael Allred.
iZombie is a supernatural crime procedural that centers on Liv, a med student-turned-zombie who takes a job in the coroner’s office to gain access to the brains she must reluctantly eat to maintain her humanity, but with each brain she consumes, she inherits the corpse’s memories. With the help of her medical examiner boss (Anders) and a police detective (Goodwin), she solves homicide cases in order to quiet the disturbing voices in her head.
Goodwin, who was last seen on TV opposite Laz Alonso in AMC’s Breakout King, plays Clive the detective. His film credits include American Gangster, Leatherheads, The Longshots, and Miracle at St. Anna, has also guest-starred on TV programs such as Blue Bloods, Bones, and House of Cards. He can also be seen on the big screen opposite Liam Neeson in Run All Night.
Malcolm Goodwin: Clive is a rookie homicide detective. He’s old school and coming off from working three on vice and one year of working undercover so he’s just trying to getting his footing together and desperate to get his first collar.
Blackfilm.com recently spoke to Goodwin about his role in the series.
What’s it like to be part of a series that has a built-in following?
MG: It’s been overwhelming with the fanbase behind the comic book as well as DC and Vertigo and the creators. Everyone has been extremely grateful and it’s been an incredible experience. The series is a lot of fun and is well written. There’s some great talent in front of the camera.
Did you do the research for the comic book?
MG: Yeah. I read the entire series. My character doesn’t exist in the comic book. The only character from the comic book that’s in the series is Olivia Moore, which is played by Rose McIver. In the comic book, her name is Gwen, but all the other characters created from the imaginations of Rob Thomas and Diane Ruggiero-Wright. From what I read in the comic book, I took certain things from there such as tone and swagger and incorporated that into the character that Rob and Diane created in Clive
How has it been traveling to the different film conventions such as Comic Con and WonderCon? Do you feel you need to know your stuff on the series and comic book?
MG: When they keep it in the realm of the comic book, I know my stuff. The series just started so we don’t follow what’s always in the book. A lot of questions are usually about the zombie world like The Walking Dead and 28 Days Later. It’s been about the zombie culture and I’m pretty good with that.
What is it about the zombie world that fascinates people?
MG: I think it’s the world idea of survival of the fittest. It’s an imaginative world in what we would do in that situation and how we would survive in the zombie apocalypse. Will we be one of zombies getting slaughtered or one of the survivors fighting everyday. I also think a zombie movies are done well and it’s a credit to the creators and the writers. Along the gore and the makeup, it’s been entertaining people for some time now. People are getting into it and it caters to the “survival of the fittest” aspect.
How’s working with your cast and what’s makes the series different?
MG: Every project, from TV and film, you form a family and you always hope that everyone gets along, not only on the set but off. I’ve been fortunate to be part of productions the cast and crew got along. On this one in particular, these are some of the talented people I have worked with creatively. We really champion one another as actors and performances but also off set as individuals and people. There are some true friendships that came out of this collaboration and this particular experience. These are people I genuinely care about and makes the show fun to work on.
Having it being on the air now as opposed to the start of the fall season, does that give you the flexibility to do other projects?
MG: Exactly. I’ve been able to do True Blood, Wayward Pines, and recently had Run All Night in theaters, so yes, the show gives me the opportunity to go out and audition for other projects as well.
What’s left for you to do?
MG: I’ve directed projects on the independent level but it’s been kicking up a notch and doing things on a studio level. I will start producing other television projects as well. It’s about longevity and empowering myself as an artist. If I can sit down, write and produce, I can maximize myself. I’m continuing to learn about creating content and stay relevant.
