Jodi Lynn Thomas Talks ‘Preacher,’ Sci-Fi, and the Acting Game [Exclusive Interview]

Although Jodi Lynn Thomas has a B.A. in Theater Arts from the University of North Colorado, the Preacher actress made the decision to strictly focus her talent and efforts on work in film and television three years ago, once she realized that she was not doing herself, or anyone else in the local theater, any favors by attempting to do both.

When I had the privilege of speaking with Thomas recently, I asked her if it was difficult making the transition from theater acting to screen, given the vast difference between the two acting styles, which she said are like “night and day.”

“No, not for me,” she laughed. “I think I chose film and TV because my [acting] style works better for film and TV. I’ve always been really subtle with my work — a lot of the things I do well are [things like] my eyes are really expressive. When I was just doing theater, I was constantly criticized — I was never big enough.”

Although she loved the theater and was eager to perform in classic productions like Hedda Gabbler, Thomas found herself drawn to a certain niche in film and television, as well.

“I am a huge Doctor Who fan. I love The Walking Dead,” she said, “I wonder if, maybe, because I watch all of them, [those roles] kind of gravitate themselves toward me.”

A big fan of the Superhero, Sci-Fi, and Horror genres, Thomas has worked on and starred in many an eerie production — including the short film Duality, a role for which she won multiple best actress awards at a variety of film festivals.

And it seemed as though she had no desire to break away from those genres just yet.

“Can I just book a role on The Walking Dead?” she laughed. “Can that just happen? You watch these shows and you’re like, ‘How could they not be having the time of their lives?'”

So for Thomas, Preacher was something very exciting to be a part of. “I had some of those moments on Preacher where I was like, ‘Y’know, this was what you wanted — you wanted to do something like this! And now you’re sitting here and it would be a travesty if you didn’t absolutely enjoy every moment of this.’ And I did, it was great.”

When we got in to discussing more about her role on Preacher, Thomas gave a little insight in to the community buzz leading up to the show’s debut on the scene.

“They shot the Pilot here a year ago, so, people were already talking about it. I wasn’t aware of the comics until I started hearing the whispers, like, ‘There’s a show in town called Preacher, and Seth Rogen’s here!’ So, we basically all had a year to sit around and wait for this show to see if it came here, and it did. We had more of an idea [what it was about] by the time they were holding auditions for the series.”

Naturally, that idea became more solidified once she actually booked the role.

“I have the comics sitting on my desk right now — I am knee-deep in it, and I love it,” she revealed with a laugh.

“I absolutely do try to do research when I can. For this one, it was a little bit different because there were some changes,” she continued. “My character is not in the comics. Part of me likes the surprise, sometimes, of not knowing what’s going to happen so, that’s [part of the reason] why I’ve been taking my time with it.”

For the sake of remaining spoiler-free for our viewers who are unfamiliar with the full comic book plotline, Thomas was very careful to remain vague when we briefly discussed the risks shows like Preacher take and the potential backlash that can come with them.

“It’s scary, but I feel confident saying that I think it’s going to go over well — all of it,” she said with certainty.

“There are going to be some people, obviously, who don’t like it, but I think overall, [everyone] just came in [to] this project with so much confidence, and they’re so brave, and they take their time, and they’re all just such talented artists. It’s kind of hard to imagine it going wrong for any of them.”

And as for Thomas’ character, Pearl, and the other girls in the brothel?

“I think it’s safe to say that you may see us again,” she teased, keeping her lips carefully sealed on any further details regarding their return.

You can catch Jodi Lynn Thomas on Preacher, airing Sundays at 9/8c on AMC.