Exclusive Interview: Tim Rozon Talks ‘Calamity Jane,’ His Love for Westerns, Bringing Authenticity to the Screen, and Working with This Dream Team

Tim Rozon is one of the industry’s most versatile leading men. From starring in critically acclaimed dramas and laugh-out-loud comedies to working in film and television, the award-winning storyteller is best known for his transformative performances in projects like Wynonna Earp, Purgatory Jack, Schitt’s Creek, Flashpoint, and SurrealEstate. Currently, he can be seen as Sheriff Mason in the gunslinging Western, Calamity Jane.

After Wild Bill (Stephen Amell) is killed in a poker game, Calamity Jane (Emily Bett Rickards) must break out of prison and seek revenge. Her quest is hindered by Deadwood’s Sheriff Mason (Tim Rozon), who is out to detain and arrest her.

Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to catch up with Tim to discuss Calamity Jane, his love for Westerns, bringing that authenticity to the screen, and working with this star-studded team.

PC: You’ve done it all throughout your career. What was it about this particular script and character that resonated with you?
Tim: Well, we’re talking about a Western, right? [laughs] I was immediately drawn to the Western element of it. I love doing Westerns. There’s something about them that brings you back to your childhood. For me, especially when it comes to acting, I get to play pretend. I get to put on a big cowboy hat. I had facial hair going on. I ride horses, so getting to do it in a movie was amazing. It’s getting paid to play pretend. I felt like a little kid again. It was amazing.

PC: It’s the reason why you became an actor. Throughout your career, you’ve jumped back and forth between television and film so seamlessly. In TV, you’re learning more about your character as the series goes on whereas in film, you know where your character starts and ends. How different are those filming experiences and that character development process for you as the actor bringing this to life?
Tim: That’s a good question because there is a difference. It’s interesting because in movies, you get this little piece. I really rely on the director a lot more for a movie than a series. In a series, you can figure it out. You may only have the director for two episodes and then you get another one for another two episodes. Depending on the show, it’s all these different directors. But most of the time, they’re very technical, especially by Season 3 or 4 of a show. They don’t really come on, especially if they’re new, and give you character direction. You have a bigger grasp on that than them.

But in the movies, especially with Calamity, I relied on Terry [Miles] a lot to figure out what we were doing. But at the same time, Terry let us play a lot. Most of the time, I just worked off Emily. Emily is such an incredible actor, all the actors in this are. Priscilla [Faia], who plays Abigail, is incredible. I just worked off them to be honest. I tried to react to what they were doing because they gave me so much as actors. They had so much going on. Both those characters, Calamity and Abigail, were so interesting. I just reacted as you would. I was just so interested in everything they were doing. There is a difference between movies and TV for sure.

PC: Speaking of that character development process, the makeup, costumes, and set design are incredible in this film. They really transport you back to that time and to the West. How did those different elements help further elevate your own performances?
Tim: They did so much. Also, the fact that Emily and I actually got to ride horses helped a lot. That’s us on the horses. That’s us firing the pistols. I have my gun license. I got it for movies. I don’t own a gun, but I have my license. I did my lessons. I know how to fire my Colt Thunder. I know how to load it, care for it, and all that stuff. I know how to ride horses. The hair and makeup team were the best. They were like, “Tim, stop washing your hair.” The makeup was pretty much dirt. That’s what we did. We just did dirt. My fingernails were dirty. My hair was dirty. My teeth were dirty. You get on the horse and the horse was dirty. Your dirty boots were filthy. It really helped. We’re filming a Western. You don’t have the amenities of now. There’s no Uber Eats. That stuff helps.

I’m really happy that you brought that up, especially when it comes to character creation. How much does hair and makeup help? It really makes a difference. I’ve put on outfits before and thought, “This feels right.” This was one of those movies. Then sometimes I’ve put stuff on and thought, “Oh my goodness. What am I wearing? Well, all right. I’m getting out there.” This one felt great. It was really authentic. It was important that everything was authentic. They did a great job.

PC: It’s transformative. Every project that you work on, there’s always that one scene that hits audiences at their core. There’s that emotional moment where your character is opening up about his brush with death and the loss that he’s experienced in his life. As an actor, how did you create the space for yourself to tackle that scene in particular?
Tim: You really have the best questions. I’m really loving you right now because, oddly enough, that was the scene where, going back to what I was saying earlier, I just played off Emily. I know exactly what you’re talking about. We sat there, and I don’t know if it was totally scripted that way to be that vulnerable, but that’s how it felt in the moment and with the journey that we were on. Working with Emily as Calamity in that moment, I felt that was the time for him to be a little more vulnerable. When we ended, the director Terry Miles was like, “Guys, that’s not how I saw that going at all.” He was like, “I thought it was going to be faster and quippier.” I was like, “Oh, I’ll do it again.” He goes, “No, no, no. That’s the scene that needs to be there. It’s great because I saw something different. I came here and expected something different. That’s what it has to be.” That felt amazing because Terry is a hero of mine. I don’t know if people know this, but he’s also a famous writer. I’m a big fan of Rabbits and his lore. He’s great.

PC: It’s a signature of yours. You have to stop making me bawl in the projects that you do. You also shared on social media that this is one of your favorite sets to work on. What made it so special for you? How did that trust and safe space allow you to explore, play, and take risks?
Tim: That’s it. If you find a place where you feel safe and comfortable, same with life, same with your relationships and friendships, you’ve got to find those places where you can be yourself and feel safe to be that. That was one of those sets. Emily is an amazing number one. She’s so fun and prepared. I’m a real preparer. That’s why when we’re on set, we can play and have fun because I’m so ready. I have this saying, “Fail to prepare. Prepare to fail.” I know it’s cheesy, but it’s how I get through every production. I’m starting something in two weeks and I’ve already learned a lot of it. I’m ready, two weeks before even showing up. Emily was the same. I couldn’t believe it. If we had an action-oriented day without dialogue, we were working on the upcoming scenes. If it was a Monday, we were running Friday’s dialogue. She knew the script back to front, and so did I. It’s not always every time you show up and everybody’s like that. The rest of the cast was so friendly and nice. Everybody was playing. We were all just playing cowboys, having fun, shooting each other, fighting each other, running in the dirt, and actually getting dirty. It was fun to get in the dirt. Also, like I was saying, Emily and I got to ride the actual horses. We were on that carriage getting to do the stunts and be part of it. That’s what makes it magic. The crew was super fun. I loved it. It’s the way that it’s supposed to be.

PC: You do that prep work ahead of time and then you can be present with your scene partner. You touched up on this already, but Terry is also well-versed in this genre. What was it like getting to collaborate with him?
Tim: It was amazing. He’s a big part of casting, and you can tell because a lot of the actors that we had had all worked with him before. You could tell that he brings good people to set who love what they’re doing. The whole set is just a friendly, family vibe, and they’re also incredible actors. Christian Sloan came in and killed it. Every actor that I worked with was so prepared, fun, humble, and grateful to be working on a fun project. It made it really fun. Terry’s just a good leader. He knows exactly what he wants, so you’re never worried. You know exactly where you’re going to be. He also gives you a lot of space to play, like a lot. You normally start on a wide shot. So if Calamity and I are running or shooting or jumping barrels, that’s what we’re doing. You’re all in because the camera is so far away that it sees everything. Then you come in tighter for some of the dialogue, and you can get into the scenes. But I love doing giant wides because it really puts you in it. You’re jumping in the mud, and it’s super fun.

PC: Yeah, I’m not a fan of Westerns and I loved this film. With it out now in select theaters and VOD, is there a scene that you’re excited for audiences to see? What do you hope they take away?
Tim: I mean, so much. Calamity Jane is such a legend. I hope there are a bunch of little girls that watch it. When you think of the Western genre, you think about John Wayne and Clint Eastwood doing it. Emily does such a great job of kicking ass and taking names. It’s very important and she’s so good. But everybody’s performances were so great. I can’t wait for people to see Abigail. She’s such trouble and so good. Let’s not forget Stephen Amell. He comes in and crushes Buffalo Bill. We didn’t have him long, but nobody forgot when he was there. He came in, crushed it, and knocked it out of the park. It’s super fun. You get an Arrow reunion with the two of them. If people are fans of that show, that’s so cool.

PC: The film is broken out into these chapters because your character is also a writer. If you had to name this chapter in your life, what would you call it and why?
Tim: Probably gratefulness. I’m grateful. I get to work a lot. I’m super happy. I get to do really fun projects. It’s tough as an actor. You never know when you’re going to work or not work or try to get work. Not only do I get to work, but I get to work on really good projects. I’m super lucky. I’ve never hit the level of fame that I think I wouldn’t want to hit either, like I couldn’t walk around and do anything, but I constantly work and do great projects. I’m in a good spot. At the same time, I’m very aware of how lucky I am because it’s such a tough business. It’s really hard, and I’m very grateful to get to do this and work on great projects.

PC: Every time I see your name attached to a project, I know it’s going to be of quality. What’s next for you?
Tim: If we were talking in a week, I’d have some good stuff to share. I have a lot of exciting projects coming up. I’m pretty sure you and I will be talking again very soon. Let’s put it that way. I’m very happy, and I’m excited.

To keep up with Tim, follow him on Instagram. Calamity Jane is out in select theater and on VOD.