For our first digital feature of August, we spoke with actor Jason Diaz about his villainous character in MGM+’s The Institute. The series is an adaptation of the Stephen King novel of the same title and premiered on MGM+ on July 13.
The Institute follows a teen genius Luke Ellis (Joe Freeman) who is kidnapped and awakens at The Institute, a facility full of children with unusual abilities. Nearby, a former police officer Tim Jamieson (Ben Barnes) has come looking to start a new life, but the peace and quiet won’t last, as his story and Luke’s are destined to collide. Jason plays Tony, an orderly at The Institute who takes pleasure in tormenting Luke and the other kids.
Exclusive photos for Popternative Magazine by JSquared
Stylist: Estelle Aporongao
How would you describe The Institute genre wise?
Jason: I would say it’s definitely a thriller, and definitely a horror. I think those are the two that bring it to light the most.
What was a challenge for you in playing a villainous character?
Jason: The biggest challenge was, by far, trying not to play it all one note and the same. I wanted to try and find a sense of humor and an enjoyment in the horrible acts that Tony does. I tried to find a way to add humor, and that was the challenging part, to try and make it a little bit more dynamic.
What was the preparation and mindset like for you to work on a project from the world of Stephen King?
Jason: So, that was a challenge, in and of itself; trying to find what the tone would be. Because when you’re talking about a Stephen King adaptation, it could be anything. There are so many different possibilities in terms of the tone. So, it was about being committed to being as much of a bully as I could possibly be, and taking pleasure in it. That was the mental preperation of getting in the car in the morning, keeping that mindset. It was about turning myself into as much of a bully as possible.
What were some learning experiences from an acting perspective you gained from The Institute that you will take to future projects?
Jason: Learning to trust yourself and your own impulses and your own interpretations. Trusting that I can try something on set and it’s a safe space for failure. And ultimately, if you have a director you can trust, it allows you the freedom of opening up in your performance. And that’s something moving forward that I will definitely take, is that collaborative confidence.
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A new episode of The Institute drops on Thursdays on MGM+ with the season finale set for August 24.
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