Ian Verdun on ‘Siren’ Season 3, Xander’s Journey, and ‘Life’s a Drag’ [Exclusive Interview]

Siren Season 3 is underway, introducing new challenges and hurdles for everyone.

Xander, played by Ian Verdun, is moving away from water and heading inland, as he enters the police academy on the Siren Season 3 premiere. But where does that road take him?

Verdun took some time to answer some questions about where Xander’s journey this season on Siren, Bristol Cove’s new threat, and his work on Life’s a Drag.

Tell-Tale TV: What are the biggest challenges you see Xander facing right now on Siren?

Ian Verdun: I think he’s growing more and more frustrated with his own powerlessness when it comes to the whole mermaid situation. People he loves keep going missing and getting killed, and he’s just overwhelmed with the need to do something — anything.

I think it’s safe to say this now that the premiere has happened, but the best way he can think to accomplish that is to join law enforcement. I also think that he’s been looking for something to pour himself into since his boat sank, he’s been searching for a new identity.

Tell-Tale TV: With Xander looking for his next steps, what does his journey look like as we go through the season?

Verdun: If I answered that question fully, it would definitely be full of spoilers. But what I can say is we’ll finally get a glimpse of the person Xander is on the other side of his grieving.

So much of his story has been defined by the loss of his father and the emotional toll that that takes on him. This season gives him the opportunity to really step into himself and work harder to make better decisions, not only for himself but for the people around him. 

Tell-Tale TV: What can you tease about this “new threat” about to hit Bristol Cove? How does it affect Xander?

Verdun: The new threat comes in the form of Tia, a powerful mermaid from another tribe who comes to Bristol Cove in search of Ryn. She’s well-read, completely adapted to human society, and she’s on a mission.

For Xander, he views all mermaids as a potential danger, the addition of one more would be a concern for him regardless of their intentions. For him, it just makes the whole situation that much more volatile.

Tell-Tale TV: Can you describe Siren Season 3 in three words?

Verdun: One. Wild. Ride.

Tell-Tale TV: Along with your experience in front of the camera, you also write and produce your own projects. How does that creative experience differ?

Verdun: I think it differs in the amount of control you have in the overall creative direction. When all the characters, the world, and circumstances come from your head, seeing it all come to fruition is a uniquely rewarding experience.

I love acting, but that’s more of an art of interpreting a character that was invented in someone else’s mind and using your own creativity to breathe three-dimensional life into that person. And that’s just as rewarding; albeit in a different way.

I like to tell people that I’m a storyteller, and that takes so many forms. I love exploring the human experience and being a part of fantastical worlds that don’t actually exist, yet still, expose all the complexities of human nature. 

Tell-Tale TV: What was your experience writing and producing “Life’s a Drag”?

Verdun: I’ve been at this for a long while. I graduated acting school way back in 07, and most of that time was spent broke, stressed, and working a million service jobs that I totally hated. 2014 was a particularly rough year for me and the only thing I could think to do through it all was write. It was really a cathartic exercise.

I ended up writing the pilot for Life’s a Drag in about three days, and I was lucky enough to have a friend, Sebastian LaCause, who’s an incredible creator in his own right, agree to direct it.

We shot the whole thing for 1500 bucks and mostly everyone worked for free. It was an incredibly collaborative experience, and to see everyone so dedicated to something I had created and for it be so good was such a rewarding experience.

I know it sounds like a cliché to say things are life-changing, but in this case, it’s completely true. It was nothing short of life-changing for me.

Tell-Tale TV: Any plans for more projects with the level of involvement like Life’s a Drag again?

Verdun: Absolutely! In fact, we JUST dropped the follow-up episode to Life’s a Drag a few days ago! Anyone who wants to check it out (as well as the original pilot) can go to YouTube and look up our channel, Life’s a Drag: The Series. You’ll be glad you did.

Other than that, I’m working on developing another series — a dark fantasy, and I’ve even started working on a feature. I love writing and creating, and I’m incredibly excited about all the things I’m working on to work their way off the page and into the world. Trust, you’re gonna see a few things say “Created by Ian Verdun” in the coming years.

Tell-Tale TV: Finally, what TV shows are currently on your must-see/must-binge list?

Verdun: At the moment I’m completely obsessed with Little Fires Everywhere. Kerry Washington and Reese Witherspoon are absolute powerhouses, just a complete joy to watch.

Also, I just finished the third season of Ozark which was simply spectacular. Just the most engrossing performances all around; specifically, Julia Garner and Laura Linney, who are always magnificent. But Tom Pelphrey absolutely blew me away this season. Seriously, that dude is a star, I’m excited to see what he does next.

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Be sure to catch Ian Verdun on Siren airing Thursdays at 10/9c on Freeform, and be sure to catch Life’s a Drag out on YouTube now.

*Featured image credit: Bjoern Kommerell

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