Thomas Cadrot. Photo credit to Emily Ellen
Meet Thomas Cadrot. This talented actor plays the go-to guy in the field, Tom Gordon on NBC’s new series “Debris.” While earning his Master’s Degree in International Business, he realized his passion for performing and took his life in a different direction. Thankfully he found that new calling because his fans know him from “Firefly Lane,” “Supernatural,” “Merry Liddle Christmas Wedding,” ‘iZombie,” and will be seen soon in a timely and important film due out soon called “Solitary.” Born in Paris, France, he spent his childhood in many different countries and is fluent in French, English, and Spanish. On top of that, he loves sci-fi!
Cadrot says that fans of “Fringe” will love “Debris,” and it premiers Monday, Mar. 1, 2021.
Colleen Bement: Congratulations on your role in “Debris.” This show is right up the alley of our readers, and I know I’m definitely looking forward to it. Tell us about your experience on the set.
Thomas Cadrot: I know it’s cliche but it was amazing. Joel Wyman, the creator, he’s a visionary. We get the scripts a couple of weeks ahead of time and they’re real page-turners. If it wasn’t supposed to be on screen, it could read like a book. It reads like a novel like you don’t want to put it down. So every time we come to set the fact that we can play in this world he’s created, it’s so much fun. Riann (Riann Steele) and Tuck (Jonathan Tucker) are fantastic leads and so lovely to work with and so professional. They always bring a great atmosphere to the set. Even though we have these tense moments in certain scenes, we can always laugh in between takes. It’s such a great atmosphere to work in, and that translates down all the way to the crew. We’re very professional. Everybody’s always spot on in what we do and it makes life so much easier.
It’s funny that Tuck always does things. I think it happened after the first trailer aired, he came in the next day saying “are y’all ready to make a hit TV show?” His energy is infectious and it goes all the way down to everybody. You know, it’s been great. It’s been cold. We shoot a lot of exteriors. You can tell by the trailer that Vancouver has some great spots and it’s amazing to shoot out there; it just gets cold! But it looks great on camera. That’s all that matters.
CB: What are you allowed to tell us about your character?
TC: Tom is a no-nonsense guy. He’s very fact-driven. Finola and Bryan depend on him heavily for the case details. He’s always briefing them, giving them more information about the details. He’s also somebody who will do the leg work and join them in the field to close down the cases of the week, so to speak. I see him as their number three–the helping hand that they need. They’re off doing their adventures, but when they need something done, they can contact Tom and he’ll be there.
CB: It looks so good and so freaky.
TC: It is. If you’ve watched “Fringe,” the DNA of “Fringe” is all over this show. I’ve started re-watching it since I was a huge fan. I did a small part in the finale of “Fringe” in 2013. I got to work with Joshua Jackson and Anna Torv. It’s in that world. There are cases of the week plus an overarching mythology that you can follow throughout the season, so you have to tune in every single week to understand what the broader things at play are.
CB: You have had so many roles in some fabulous shows. I remember you from that spot on “iZombie,” and I definitely remember you from “Firefly Lane,” which I just finished. Do you have any stories from the sets of either of those shows?
TC: It’s not so much like behind-the-scenes stories. Vancouver is considered Hollywood North and so we get A-list stars coming up here working for months at a time, and if you’re lucky, you can be in a scene or share the set with them. Especially on “Firefly Lane.” I got to meet Katherine Heigl and Sarah Chalke, and just to be able to see how those professionals work and to take any cues and any advice from them are the stories that I always hold on to. Just the fact that they’ve been on hit TV shows and they do this day in and day out and they’re just so humble and fun to be around.
CB: Do you ever get starstruck?
TC: Yeah, I need 30 seconds to just calm myself down and process who I am working with, you know? I even had that moment with Tuck. I saw Tuck in “Westworld” and so when we shot the pilot, I think one of the very first scenes was on a highway with him and Riann. Tuck’s got a lot of energy and he’s got a big presence, and I was like yeah, that dude was on “Westworld” and I was such a huge fan of “Westworld” being the sci-fi fan that I am. I always take a moment to process it, but then just let go and know that they’re human beings just like everybody else.
CB: Do you love sci-fi?
TC: I love Sci-fi. I think I’ve watched and re-watched “Underwater” a couple of days ago, the one with Kristen Stewart. That was a real nail-biter for me. Sci-fi’s my jam.
CB: Do you have a favorite sci-fi movie?
TC: I was going towards sci-fi/horror so I was thinking “The Thing.” “Star Wars,” and “Star Trek” also.
CB: “Solitary” looks intense! It also looks excellent. What can you tell us about this film?
TC: “Solitary” is really heavy. It deals with social injustice and the shortcomings of the justice system. One man wrongly accused and spent so much time in solitary confinement, and the effects of it on his family. It’s a heavy, dramatic piece. A timely one.
CB: You are fluent in French, English, and Spanish? Wow, I am in awe. I know that your fans would love to hear a little about your amazing life growing up in Paris, Miami, San Juan, and Caracas. What was that like?
TC: I have my parents to thank for that. I’m French, and I have a French passport. I was born in Paris. My dad started out as a beat cop police officer, then he managed to go up the ranks and he ultimately ended up being a diplomat. As a diplomat, you go abroad for periods of time–usually for 4-year contacts. His first contract was in Miami, so we stayed there as a kid. Then we moved on to Puerto Rico, and then we moved on to Caracas for my high school years. Because we had the luxury of traveling and being open to so many cultures, they made a point to be like you’re not going to put into an international school just to be comfortable. We want you to learn the language and the culture.
CB: How did you get into acting?
TC: I think it was the second year of my business degree. It was summer break and I literally watched 15 hours straight watching movies. I don’t know I think I was feeling sick or something, and I watched movie after movie and at the end, I was like, I’ve always loved performing and this actually seems like I could do it, so why not start with theater, a couple of short films, workshops, and worked my way up to see if there’s an avenue for me.
CB: Good move!
CB: What do you do in your spare time?
TC: Take care of myself. Fitness. I love my dog. He’s the apple of my eye so I tend to spend a lot of time with him. I also go to the movies by myself, read, and just enjoy the outdoors as much as I can. I know that Vancouver has a lot of mountains and skiing. I’m not that hardcore, but I just love walking on the sea wall, breathing in the fresh air, it helps me to recharge.
Be sure to catch the premiere of “Debris” this Monday, Mar. 1, 2021.
Written by Colleen Bement
Evan Conroy
Ron Peterson
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