Pop Culturalist Chats with The Last Ship’s Troy Doherty

Troy Doherty is a man of many talents. He’s an actor, singer, writer, and a new addition joining the cast of TNT’s critically-acclaimed sci-fi drama The Last Ship. It’s a project and role that he immediately connected with having been a fan of the series. Like his character, Clayton Swain, a U.S. Naval Academy student, Troy is immensely protective of his friends and family and drew parallels from their respective journeys. Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to speak with this up-and-coming talent about The Last Ship, his music career, and what the rest of the year holds for him

PC: For readers who may be unfamiliar with the series, tell us about The Last Ship, your character, and what drew you to this project?
Troy: The Last Ship is a post-apocalyptic action-drama. My character, Clayton Swain, is a U.S. Naval Academy student and a protégé of Tom Chandler (Eric Dane). After his parents die of the plague, he has to fend for himself, so he joins the Navy, though he is not the typical clean-cut guy that you would usually see in the Navy.

PC: We read that you were a fan of the series. Did that bring any added pressure to your audition and can you tell us a bit about that process?
Troy: I don’t think there was any added pressure. Going in and knowing I had an audition for The Last Ship, I was just excited. I remember thinking that this would be a really cool one to book. The audition process was pretty interesting. I went in and I did the first two scenes perfectly fine, but when I did the third scene, the casting director stopped me and said, “Just relax. Let’s do it again.” We did that about fifteen times. He said to me, “Listen, you are so perfect for this. I’m going to send you outside and bring someone else in.” I remember thinking, “This is super weird, but okay.” I went outside and went over my scene over and over again. I came back in and did it twice, and he said, “That’s great!” I got a call about four days later for a callback, so I went back in and a week or so later I learn I booked it.

PC: Clayton is a new character joining this season. What can you tease about his story arc?
Troy: In the beginning, he writes a paper about how the next virus will be cyber. In the first episode of season five, we see that’s true. Later this season, we’ll see Clayton get involved. He’ll try to figure out what went wrong and how to help. When it comes down to it, Clayton is someone who wants to help. He’s not doing this for personal gain—he’s doing it for the greater good.

PC: How similar would you say you are to your character? How are you different?
Troy: We’re both passionate about our friends and family and he’s also very passionate about his new family in the Navy. After his family passes away from the plague, he seeks out a new one, which he finds in the Navy. As a person, I love my family and friends. If my family or friends ever need help, I hope that I’m the first person they’ll call. I feel like we’re very similar in that regard. In terms of differences, I don’t say, “Yes, sir,” as much as Clayton does. [laughs] I also don’t stand up as straight as he does, but I’m working on that. [laughs]

PC: What was the preparation like to get into Clayton’s shoes?
Troy: I started to hit the gym really hard. I switched up my workout routine a bunch. I called my uncle who was in the Navy and asked him for a rundown of what I should know going into the show, which was a huge help. I also did research on the show. I re-watched all the episodes again. Then, when I would get my scripts, I would run my lines with my roommate when he had the time or I would record it on my phone and speak to myself. My neighbors probably thought I was insane.

PC: How challenging is it for you to join a cast that has a few seasons under its belt?
Troy: At first, I was a little nervous because I was coming into this new show and didn’t know anyone. I think for the first week I was mistaken for an extra. Everyone in the cast was great, though! Adam Baldwin and Eric Dane were incredibly nice and they were so easy to talk to. It really was one big happy family.

PC: What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from this experience? What has Clayton taught you?
Troy: That’s a good question! I think what I learned the most was how to really dive into the character. This is the longest time I’ve ever done one character; we filmed for four months. Usually in the past, whether it was a movie or TV, I worked three weeks, max. Four months is a long time. As a person, I’m growing, and with Clayton, I’m growing up in the same way. From the first episode to the last, Clayton changes a lot—he matures and really steps up. He has to. In real life, going into the first episode of filming, I was nervous. Then, as the second, third, fourth episode went by, I became more confident. I really feel like I became a part of The Last Ship family.

PC: You’re also a singer-songwriter. What has the music industry taught you that you’ve been able to translate over to your acting career?
Troy: That’s interesting. I think what the music industry has taught me is that it’s all about the audience. I went and saw a concert over the weekend, and the reaction that the audience had when the performer stepped on the stage was amazing. Having that in mind as I went onto the set, I was thinking about the audience and how they would perceive what I’m saying and how I’m reacting to the other characters. That definitely helped me get into the character.

PC: As an artist, do you naturally gravitate towards one over the other?
Troy: It’s a beautiful medley of both. I grew up singing before I could probably speak. I would entertain my parents and their friends all the time. My mom, in third grade, put me in Alice Through the Looking Glass at my regional theatre in Manasquan, New Jersey. I think they go hand in hand. I love singing and acting. When I’m on set, I’m always in my dressing room singing.

PC: As an actor, do you have a dream role?
Troy: Who doesn’t want to be Deadpool or Spider-Man? Let’s be real. That’s a good question, though. There are so many good movies, it’s so hard to choose one. There are also so many phenomenal directors. Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese immediately came to mind as for directors I want to work with. Actor wise, I’d love to work Mark Ruffalo, Dustin Hoffman, Robert De Niro, Robert Downey Jr., I could go on and on for the next hour.

PC: Besides The Last Ship, what does the rest of the year hold for you?
Troy: I have a movie coming out in the next six months. I’ll be giving more information about that in the future. As an actor, performer, and writer, I’m always developing—whether it’s voice lessons, writing, or whatever else. I have a sketch show with my roommate on Instagram. I’m constantly writing new sketches and music. I’m always trying to get better at my craft.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Troy: That’s tough! I probably watched all of Supernatural, but that’s a great show. Right now, my girlfriend is getting me hooked on Gossip Girl, and I’m not proud of that.

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Troy: I love Ratatouille or any musical movie like Hairspray or Grease.

PC: Favorite book?
Troy: The Boy Who Couldn’t Die by William Sleator

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Troy: Jersey Boys. Plus, I am a Jersey boy so there’s something there.

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Troy: I love The Script. I paid for pit tickets when they were in L.A. I love them. I think their music is one-of-a-kind.

PC: First album you’ve ever bought?
Troy: Michael Bublé

PC: First concert you ever attended?
Troy: Def Leppard

PC: Last show you binge-watched?
Troy: Besides binge-watching The Office at least once a month, it was Altered Carbon.

PC: Hidden talent?
Troy: I can tie a cherry stem with my tongue.

Make sure to follow Troy on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and catch The Last Ship every Sunday at 9/8c on TNT.

Photo Credit: Brett Erickson / Grooming: Helen Robertson