Q&A: Keith Allan on Z NATION Season 2

Everyone wants a piece of Murphy on season two of Syfy's Z Nation, and ahead of the latest episode's premiere tonight at 10:00pm EST, we caught up with Keith Allan, the actor who plays Patient Zero. In our latest Q&A feature, Allan discusses watching Dark Shadows while growing up, Murphy's mindset in season two, and much more.

Thanks for taking the time to converse with us, Keith. You’ve been involved with a number of horror projects over the years. Were you a big fan of the horror and sci-fi genres growing up? Did you have any favorite films, TV shows, or books from those genres that really stuck with you?

Keith Allan: Absolutely. Horror was huge when I was a teenager. Friday the 13th, Halloween, science fiction like Alien, 2001: A Space Odyssey... great drive-in movies. Lots of fun to go party with your buds and just get silly and scream. I remember very early on racing home from elementary school to catch Dark Shadows on TV—so cheesy but as a kid it's utterly thrilling and scary. I have great respect for the genre when it’s done right. When you are able to trick your audience with a sense of security and make them scream out loud so they pee a little… well played.

Your character on Z Nation, Murphy, has gone through a lot since we first met him in season one. What is Murphy’s mindset right now in the early episodes of season two?

Keith Allan: He is testing his strengths. He’s got a new confidence and he wants to see how much he can get away with. A little freedom at last. He’s tired of being pushed around. I don’t think he’s under any illusion that Warren and the others won't catch up to him—he knows how relentless they are, but for now he is stretching his legs and enjoying being his own boss for a moment.

The sophomore season is always a pivotal one for TV shows. What can Z Nation viewers expect to experience this time around?

Keith Allan: More! Of! Everything! They have upped the ante on this season as far as production values, more intense situations, more conflicts within the group, and mostly more badass variety of zombies.

They are smart in creating different kinds of zombies that all behave a little differently. It keeps it fresh. We also have a lot more humans after Murphy since there is now a bounty on his head… so the intensity level got spiked up, too. Plus, Murphy is constantly evolving into something that no one really knows what he will become…. exciting.

What has the physicality of this season been like for you playing Murphy? Is it still a rough-and-tumble gig?

Keith Allan: OMG. We should keep a bruise photo gallery online so the fans can really appreciate what we go through for Z Nation. Run, jump, fall, roll, get covered in guts, spit up blood, punch that, get punched… it doesn’t stop. It makes you long for an office job… for two minutes. There are so many factors that make it a hard show. I’m covered in 11 layers of colored makeup then sealed, which takes two people two hours just to do my hands and face everyday. Then add in apocalyptic conditions, abandoned buildings, mystery powder on the ground and 110-degree heat and you get an idea of what our days are like. It ain’t for the faint of heart.

When you look back on your time so far on the Z Nation set, what is the most memorable experience that stands out to you?

Keith Allan: Good question. Having been an actor for so many years… sometimes working… sometimes unemployed for years… being on a set and getting to do what you love to do, and know you are going to get to do it tomorrow is a real gift. It’s really hard to pick a single moment. There was a moment in the episode “Batch 47” where we had a young guest actor about eight-years-old come on set and do a special part because he has a very spacial hand. He got to come be on the set, run through makeup and be part of a TV show and really welcomed by the entire crew and cast. It really made this kid feel special and important and really celebrated his uniqueness. I has happy I got to be a part of that.

Prior to playing Murphy on Z Nation, you co-wrote Rise of the Zombies and Zombie Night. Did creating those projects help prepare you for the zombie apocalypse that would later come in Z Nation?

Keith Allan: Totally. Writing a zombie script, you have to understand the logic of the zombie world and what the rules are. It makes you think about how people become desperate and will do things they wouldn’t in normal circumstances. There is also a heavy tone of finality since today may be your last... very little hope. You start to understand survival mode, not only for the humans but also for the zombies.

With season two of Z Nation currently underway on the Syfy channel, what projects do you have on deck that you can tease for our readers, and where can they find you on social media?

Keith Allan: I’m going to be doing a few comic conventions coming up, which will be exciting. I’m updating my website to list those and I’ll post on Facebook. I am also working on getting a film produced of a play I was in a couple years ago in Los Angeles called Hearts Like Fists—a graphic novel, dark comedy, super villain, crime-fighter movie. Lots of fun! You can see the teaser for that on my website www.keithallanactor.com under "Upcoming Projects." On Facebook, I have a fan page under Keith Allan (https://www.facebook.com/Keith-Allan-552937554835925/timeline/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel)—you can message me there, I’m pretty good at responding to messages or on my Twitter (@KeithAllanDuh) and Instagram.