Actor Cameron Cowperthwaite is the subject of our latest Q&A, discussing his roles in the American Horror Story universe, playing Steven Hicks in Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story for Netflix, and more!
After appearing in American Horror Story in 2017, you're back to the AHS universe in the American Horror Stories episode "Necro." Can you talk about your experience on set and what drew you to the character of Charlie?
First, I love working with Ryan and his team. Everyone rotates shows, bounces around, and sticks around because the projects are so good. So when he calls, it's exciting because you know the project is going to be something special, and you get to see some friends you might not have seen in years! Set feels a little bit like going to summer camp in that way. Every experience is so different, but that was one of my favorite set experiences of my career. I loved working with Madison, Spencer, Logan, Crystal, and the whole rest of the cast and crew. It was just this small bubble trying to tell this finite story, and we were all just in sync. I felt so safe to explore and make mistakes in the hopes of finding something awesome. Charlie as a character was just beautifully written. I think with American Horror Story and Stories, death is a part of the show, but it isn't usually the subject of debate or conversation. I thought it was very smart to approach it that way, and that really drew me in when I was reading the script.
Readers can also see you in the role of Steven Hicks in Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story on Netflix. With so many Jeffrey Dahmer films and documentaries, what do you feel sets this apart from what our readers may have seen previously?
What I love about Dahmer is the approach from the viewpoint of the victims and the disenfranchised members of society that tried to stop him. It's hard to watch though. Now that it's out, I'm sure many of us are feeling the same: how the fuck did this keep happening. I mean, all the times he could have been stopped. It's sad. It broke my heart watching the portrayal of his victims. The wonderful performances by all the actors are so nuanced, subtle, so passionate, and alive. It really gave a voice and a personality to the characters, making me think about the lives they could have had if it wasn't for Dahmer. Ryan handles the delicate subject matter with such a careful hand and such a deliberate and punctuated vision that I was just grateful to be a part of a story that really, really needed to be told.
You're now a frequent collaborator on Ryan Murphy projects. What is it about his projects and vision that get you excited for the roles you take on?
I sort of spoke about this above, but I just enjoy the way he approaches his stories. They are so character-driven, which creates a beautiful playground for the actors. He hires many of the same people, which I feel blessed to be a part of, and there becomes this shorthand when you show up like, "okay... we all know what we are here to do. Time to go to work." It really is inspiring. I think it also helps to be a fan. I am a genuine fan of the shows Ryan produces, and almost every time I see one, I'm like, "shit, I wish I was in that. Or thank god I'm in that!"
With us now in the Halloween season, what are some of your favorite scary movies?
My favorite scary movie is John Carpenter's The Thing. The practical effects in that film are insane. In my opinion, it still holds up as some of the best effects ever. Even compared to some of what we are doing today in film. Just the way it plays in the frame is brilliant, and that makes it so so so scary. The score and the performances are also brilliant. I also have to add the honorable mentions: The Conjuring, Hereditary, Midsommar, The Witch, and The Exorcist (the original).
What projects do you have coming up that you're really excited about?
I have one I can't talk about, but it comes out in the fall of next year. That was one of the craziest set experiences I've ever had, and I think it's going to be such a fun show when it airs! And then I am currently editing an indie feature film that I wrote and acted in that will hopefully come out next year! Also, I'm excited that my film Double Down South with Academy Award Winner Tom Schulman comes out next year! We are premiering at the Newport Film Festival in a couple of weeks, and I'm excited to see how it plays with a live audience.
Thank you for taking the time to talk with me!
You can follow Cameron on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/
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