Ian Collins Talks ‘Snowpiercer’ and His Love for Hallmark Movies [Interview]

TNT’S hit show, Snowpiercer, returned for its long-awaited Season 3 on January 24th, and Season 3 picks things up after a six-month time jump.

I recently had the opportunity to speak with Ian Collins about what fans can expect from Tristan in Snowpiercer Season 3, why Hallmark movies call out to him, and what superhero he’d love to bring to the big screen.

Collins plays Tristan, Ruth’s right-hand man and second-class citizen on Snowpiercer. Over the past few seasons, Tristan has played a minor role, tending to the needs of Ruth, snowpiercer, and taking charge when needed.

Viewers last see Tristan on Snowpiercer Season 2 Episode 9, “The Show Must Go On,” helping Ruth check supplies before the explosive battle between Wilford and Layton. His current status on the train is unknown, but according to Collins, Tristan will see more screentime on Season 3.

“I think we can expect to see a lot more of Tristan in season three, which is a good thing. Lots has changed on the train when we’re opening on season three. So, I think we’ll see a different intelligence from Tristan and a different thought process on his view of what he can or cannot do. I think that’s all I can give away right now,” Collins said.

Snowpiercer Season 2 follows Ruth and her character arc, where she realizes that she’s been upholding a dictator’s rules. Throughout the season, Ruth has to internally break down her allegiances to Wilford, struggling to break from the norm she’s been following for the past seven years.

With Tristan being Ruth’s right-hand man throughout the years under Wilford’s rules, there’s no doubt he’s been going through the same issues as well.

“I’ve always played Tristan as somebody who is fiercely intelligent and creates his own fears and anxieties. So, I think we’re gonna see a side of his weakness or what he lets people believe he looks like. So, I think we are going to see a similar turn to what Ruth did,” Collins said.

Outdoing the previous seasons of Snowpiercer will be a difficult feat to achieve, but according to Collins, Season 3 is the best so far. “I am a huge fan of the show. Reading the scripts, I’ve read them about four times for each episode; this is the best season yet. And the season finale, the fans are going to be blown away.”

Besides Snowpiercer, Collins can be seen in an abundance of Hallmark and GAC television movies where he can get in touch with his softer side. “I think I’m naturally drawn to the wholesome roles. When I started acting, I got to grind some of my teeth. I really got to create my chops and create these characters on Hallmark and GAC.”

“I really got to expand and be able to work, and I love playing humble characters. I love being in those movies. It’s something that some actors don’t enjoy doing. But it’s something that feels like theater to me. You know, we’re doing 13 pages a day when we’re filming movies. It’s a lot of hard work, and you have to do the work to be able to succeed with those MOW’s (Movies of the Week),” Collins said.

A passion for theater and being in front of an audience in high school began Collins’ interest in acting, which turned into his passion. However, before venturing out and starting his acting career, he worked as a professional chef.

“I took a break from acting after high school and decided I was going to be a chef. I love cooking, and I love baking. I went to college for it and worked in a five-star hotel for five years. I would probably still be a chef [if not for acting].”

Although the wholesome roles call out to Collins, his dream show to work on is anything but innocent.

“Euphoria takes up a lot of my time right now; I would love to join the Euphoria cast. What they’re doing with what I think the future is going to look like is just grand. They’re hitting almost every topic of sexual identity, drug abuse, social anxiety; they’re hitting everything for me,” Collins said.

One thing that fans may be unaware of is Collins’ love for all things nerdy. “I still watch Pokemon and read comics every day. I am a huge sci-fi nerd. I’m at those comic events as a fan before I am an actor. Fan Expo in Vancouver’s always great.”

Collins has yet to have a role within the DC or Marvel universe, but it’s something that he would be honored to be a part of. “DC has such an extensive magic world. I would love to see the Spectre come to life. I really would love to play him; I think it would be great. Green Lantern is probably my second favorite comic of all time. So, to be part of that would be amazing as well.”

“But then, if we’re talking Marvel, let’s bring the X-Men and some of the unknown characters, like Spike. I think he got a good ride in the early 2000s in the comics, but then he just became completely nowhere. Like you couldn’t see him anywhere. I want to see them all. I just want to see them all.”

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Snowpiercer airs Mondays at 10/9c on TNT.

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