Trevor Roberts Previews ‘Helstrom’ and His Role as Father Crow [Interview]

The highly anticipated new Marvel series, Helstrom, is coming to Hulu this week. The series follows Daimon and Ana Helstrom, the son and daughter of a mysterious and powerful serial killer, as they work together to track down the worst of humanity.

Trevor Roberts plays the mysterious Father Joshua Crow on the series, and I recently had the chance to ask him a few questions about what fans can expect from Helstrom, how it differs from the comics, and what it was like filming the project.

Tell-Tale TV: How did you come to be a part of this project, and what made you excited to be able to work on this series?

Trevor Roberts: It was quite an interesting ride from the start. You start out auditioning for a project with no name, with audition pieces that aren’t the actual script. Then you get cast, and production says, “So, yeah, your character is actually a Catholic priest…” and…some other fun information.

But the material that we were given allowed us so much room to create and invest on a really deep level, that the showrunners were able to put together an amazingly talented cast as a result.

And you hear “Marvel,” and who wouldn’t be a little, or a LOT giddy? It’s such esteemed territory, with an enormous fanbase, there were many “pinch me” moments along the way. But in regards to Helstrom specifically, a gritty horror TV show is a rare thing to come across as an actor, so working in that genre for the first time was a blast. I was constantly reading the next new script and my face was basically a “head exploding emoji” the whole time.

Tell-Tale TV: Were you familiar with the comics before you began working on Helstrom?  

Roberts: I was not familiar in the slightest. Quite literally, I didn’t know what show I was working on until I was at my first table read! And even then, there was a bit of a learning curve for me, as my character doesn’t appear until a few episodes in.

What people might not realize is just how secretive many aspects of production are on a Marvel series, even once you’re part of the cast. So, while I didn’t turn to the source material, our showrunner Paul Zybyszewski, and the writers were always a phone call or an email away, to give me the scoop.

They never made me feel like I was a poser, crashing the party! I later learned some things about how my character appeared in the comics, his arc, etc. And, I was actually glad to be coming at it fresh and unrestrained in my choices.

Tell-Tale TV: Are you able to discuss any of the similarities and differences between the comics and the series?

Roberts: I think tonally, fans are being really happy with what we’re bringing to the screen in Helstrom. The trailers look scary, gripping, and fantastic! I can’t wait.

Obviously, everything that exists in the comics can’t or won’t translate to a TV series but the core story elements, characters, and certain arcs are essential to the story of the Helstrom family. There’s going to be characters and arcs, I’m sure, that aren’t a 1 for 1 with the comics, but, whatever liberties were taken, were for the sake of making the best television product possible. What’s most exciting is simply seeing the comics come to life, with scary, ass-kicking action!

Tell-Tale TV: What makes the series unique, in your opinion?

Roberts: Comic book/horror on streaming TV — it’s a perfect storm for Halloween. You couldn’t tell this story on traditional network TV, so being on a platform like Hulu allows for real dark, gritty, grounded, and scary stuff.

But in terms of just what the story of Helstrom is, it’s the story of a family with a dark, tortured past and how that echos through their lives, affects the characters today, and how the people they’ve now become have to deal with their past. It’s gonna be fascinating.

Tell-Tale TV: Father Crow is described as “a priest who is more than he seems.” What else can you tell us about your character?

Roberts: Very little, unfortunately. These lips are sealed! There are events that happen in my first moments on screen that…I’d just be ruining the ride for everyone! But Father Crow is a man of faith, compassion, and principle.

He believes in the good in people, in the world, and in his creator. Having his beliefs put to the test, and experiencing that through his eyes, it was an emotional journey at times.

Tell-Tale TV: What would you say was the biggest challenge in working on this series?

Roberts: The circumstances that you’re dealing with, in a series like Helstrom, they’re entirely unrelatable as a normal human being. We’re dealing with the stuff of nightmares at times — most of the time — and drilling down to “what is going on at this incredibly intense or scary moment” often requires you as an actor to not only 100% buy into it for the sake of the character and the story but, you have to think about every character, every situation through the questions of “what’s at stake for me here, what do I need?”

Another real challenge was the speed at which we were going from episode to episode. As the season went on, the table reads got more and more intense, fun, and crazy with squeals from the cast! And towards the end, it seemed like we’d get our shooting pages a day or two out at best.

The writers were working so hard to make the scripts as badass as possible so by the time they got into our hands, we were salivating to get to work on them because we’d be filming it… tomorrow. It was such a trip!

Tell-Tale TV: Is there anything you think fans would be surprised to learn about Helstrom? 

Roberts: A mammoth snowstorm mid-season that actually shut production down for a few days. That was different. As a home-grown Vancouverite, I was all good, but I could tell, not everyone was a fan of Vancouver weather. While it’s mostly rain…it can be bleak here, hence… Helstrom!

I think fans would be most interested in seeing the high jinx behind the scenes. All actors are used to long days, but sometimes you take a look at what you’re doing on set, the circumstances you’re acting in, and you just have to laugh sometimes, in the best way!

Tell-Tale TV: You also have experience teaching acting, correct? Can you share a bit about that and how teaching has influenced you as an actor?

Roberts: Yeah. I’ve been an acting instructor for kids/teens since my 20s, actually. I truly love it. Seeing how acting can help young people blossom as actors and themselves — there’s really nothing I have to compare it to that brings me such joy.

Teaching can really empower and educate you as an actor. You’re often breaking things down to such specificity for young people, but in language they’ll be able to understand. I think the biggest way it’s influenced my acting is when I realized, no one else can be me, or make the choices I make, in my way.

When I auditioned for this role, I read the scene, and literally said, “I don’t think this is my character, but I’m going to give them the Trevor Roberts version of this guy.” They seemed to like it.

Tell-Tale TV: When you aren’t busy working, how do you like to spend your time?

Roberts: Covid’s been a REAL factor in that, oy. I’m big into health and fitness [and] try to work out more days than not, flattening my own curves. I like learning new hobbies and skills.

I became obsessed with sourdough bread before it was cool. During lockdown right after we wrapped production, I promised myself I’d learn a new creative skill. So I started making hand-made cold process soap. I didn’t even know that was a thing! My buddy Darrin posted a pic of soap he made, and I was like, “You can make soap?” Cut to me, digesting hundreds of hours of YouTube videos and… I ain’t gonna lie, I make a mean homemade soap now. Oh, the pretty colors!

Tell-Tale TV: Finally, what’s something in popular culture that you’re loving right now?

Roberts: You mean besides having Hamilton playing on a constant loop on my Disney Plus? Hardly an exaggeration. I just watched Boys in the Band and I was floored at how much I loved the film. 10s across the board.

I’m watching Away on Netflix. It’s like This is Us in space. Really excited to see where that one goes.

And I’m praying that Watchmen was not a one and done season/series. I bow down to everyone involved in that production!

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Helstrom premieres Friday, October 16th on Hulu.

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