Last week DirecTV premiered their new original series “Kingdom.” Set in Navy Street gym, “Kingdom” stars Frank Grillo as Alvey Kulina, the father of two MMA fighters.
If you missed it last week, there’s still time to catch up. Recently, we spoke with Kiele Sanchez (who plays Alvey’s girlfriend and business partner Lisa) when DirecTV presented “Kingdom” to the Television Critics Association. Catch the new episode tonight on DirecTV.
CraveOnline: Who is Lisa Prince?
Kiele Sanchez: She runs an MMA gym with her boyfriend, Alvey. She is a really strong female in a male dominated world. She’s a hustler and is someone who is comfortable being uncomfortable.
Was Alvey her introduction into this business, or how did she get involved back in the day?
Ryan was her introduction into this business. Ryan, who’s played by Matt Lauria, is her ex-fiance. So that was her intro into the world.
Does that create a lot of drama having him train at your gym?
Yeah, it’s when the past comes knocking at your door, literally. It’s her first great love, someone she thought she was going to marry and be with forever and someone that there are certain people that you just can’t be in the same room without something happening. That’s her and Ryan.
Is it worth it because of all the potential he represents as a fighter?
Well, that’s what she has to weigh. Alvey thinks yes. She thinks no, in that he could potentially ruin everything that she’s tried really hard to build for herself since he’s been locked away.
Do we get to see Lisa in any happy times?
Yeah, you do actually. As much as she’s constantly thriving for this gym not only to survive but to thrive, she’s very close friends with Alvey’s son. Jonathan Tucker plays the part so we have some fun scenes together.
Is it a very physical role for you?
No, it’s not, but definitely I needed to know my way around an MMA and so that was important to me. As far as training, I’m not a fighter in the show so no. I’m a fighter more in an emotional sense.
Is there a lot of man sweat around the set?
It stinks so bad in there. It smells so awful because it’s hot, there’s a lot of sweaty men. It’s bad. That’s what I go to work in.
That’s not set dressing? That’s a real gym?
No, that’s real atmosphere. So you really get in character. [LAUGHS]
Are there a lot of real athletes coming to the set?
Yeah, all of our extra are real fighters. They’re either turning pro or are pro or retired. The other people that the boys fight in the episodes are all professional newly retired fighters that people will recognize if they watch MMA. I think it’s going to be such a thrill for them because it’s not stunt guys. It’s actual fighters.
Is most of your storyline with Alvey and Ryan?
Nate is probably the character that I have the least amount, and I have very little to do with Joanna [Going]. The other three I’m pretty involved.
What do you think is Lisa’s arc for the first season?
She start off as the matriarch, but what happens when the past comes back into their lives? It can change everything, destroy everything. It’s her trying to deal and save what she’s built.
Have you ever done a series that’s only 10 episodes a season?
No, this is the smallest amount of episodes per season that I’ve ever done, knowingly going into it. “The Glades” was 13. It’s definitely condensed and I think that’s the great thing about 10-13 episode shows and why they can be so good and why I think people gravitate towards cable and these shows that don’t shoot forever is that they’re just packed with drama.
Does that make the work more intense?
For sure, for sure. I think that this writing is incredible and is at such a high level that every day I go to work, I just want to do it justice. That takes a lot. I work my butt off to get that.
I always wondered, when you signed on to “Lost,” did you always know that Nikki and Paolo were going to die suddenly?
When we signed on, no, we did not. You don’t even know your last name when you sign on to “Lost,” or that you have a name, or what your character is going to be. You have no idea any of those things, so no, we didn’t know that we were going to be killed so soon. We did know that we weren’t permanent regulars, so there was always that chance.
When that episode finally came out, did they tell you this was their plan all along?
No, Damon [Lindelof] and I had a conversation before it had come out so I knew that it was coming.
Since there are all these new content streams like DirecTV, Amazon, Netflix, etc., as an actor do you notice there are more auditions available?
Yeah, it’s been fantastic. I feel like I have been really fortunate that I was in television during what I think is at least another golden era of television, where there’s amazing opportunities. At the same time, there’s a lot of movie stars who want to do TV now because there’s amazing opportunities. Some of the best writing and work is happening on television right now so it draws the best and most talented people. So yes, there’s more opportunity but there’s a lot of people going out for those opportunities.
But it’s noticeable that you might find yourself auditioning more often in a week?
I think what you find is there’s no longer just pilot season. It’s year round, so you’re auditioning a lot more year round.
