Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Roswell, New Mexico’s Dylan McTee

Dylan McTee is an actor who doesn’t shy away from challenging roles. In fact, he’s attracted to them. They allow him to explore the darker side of humanity and force him to dig deep to understand why they are the way that they are. These characters play a fundamental role in the storytelling and conversations that art creates.

Currently he’s starring on The CW’s Roswell, New Mexico as Wyatt Long, a racist Roswell resident who has a personal vendetta against our heroine, Liz Ortecho (Jeanine Mason). Pop Culturalist chatted with Dylan to learn more about Wyatt’s character and past.

PC: Tell us about Roswell, New Mexico and your character.
Dylan: Roswell, New Mexico is about Liz Ortecho, played beautifully by Jeanine Mason. She’s the daughter of an undocumented immigrant, and she discovers her high school crush Max [Nathan Parsons] is an alien along with his two siblings.

In the story, I play Wyatt Long who is, long story short, a racist cowboy. See what I did there? [laughs] I immediately regret that.

PC: What attracted you to this role?
Dylan: A lot of things! Wyatt has this strong feeling that it’s him against the world. I was intrigued by the possibility of exploring someone who just wants to fight. Also, I may have wanted to wear some boots. [laughs] A lot changes when you slip on some cowboy boots.

There’s also a physical element that I wanted explore. I was very adamant about the short haircut. When I initially read the script, I was getting many “alt-right” vibes. One of the first things I did was go up to Carina MacKenzie’s [the show creator’s] office and I told her that I thought short hair was really important. It sounds weird, I know, but sometimes the weirdest things are important and you have to fight for them. It was in my gut, and it brought me closer to Wyatt. I wanted to represent this emergence of the young hyper-conservative male.

PC: As an actor, do you have a preference between playing established characters that we know and have seen in different adaptations or do you prefer new ones?
Dylan: My first instinct was to say that I don’t have a preference. As you all know, I’m still starting out in my career. It’s only been three or four years at this point–which is short for an actor. I’m drawn to any character that I’m intrigued by. It doesn’t matter if they’ve been previously adapted.

PC: You’ve told us in previous interviews that you’re attracted to darker characters. Did those experiences prepare you to step into Wyatt’s shoes?
Dylan: Definitely. One of the main reasons why they called me in for Wyatt was because they were fans of Sweet/Vicious. It’s interesting how, at least on television, I’ve been able to explore these darker places in humanity. This character could have been played very one-dimensional like Nate on Sweet/Vicious. It’s easier that way. But, for me, I wanted to root myself in what hasn’t been explored (at least not this season) which is the loss of his sister.

In many ways, Roswell, New Mexico is about loss and how people cope. Liz deals with the loss of her sister by obsessively trying to solve her puzzling debts. Wyatt allows the loss of his sister to harden him towards the world, opening up a lot of hate. I think it’s important when you’re playing these characters not to judge them off the bat. There are a few moments, if you look closely, that you see that Wyatt is just this small, scared little kid.

PC: Wyatt has this tumultuous relationship with Liz, her father, and Max. Is there a possibility for a peaceful resolution?
Dylan: So far, it’s only been violence. I think the first scene I shot was my fight with Nathan, who plays Max. That’s how we met and it led to a great friendship. [laughs] There’s certainly a lot more fighting and conflict ahead. I shot Liz accidentally. There’s a lot of blood and anger between all of us. One of the great things about television is there are unlimited possibilities. It’s not a two-hour film. It could go on for seven years [or] hundreds of episodes. You have to be open to anything.

PC: In the last episode, we learn that Wyatt is part of this larger cover-up. What can you tease about his arc moving forward?
Dylan: All I can say is don’t come to any resolutions yet about what you think is going to happen because it’s going to be pretty mind-blowing.

PC: There have been a surge in television reboots. While others have struggled, Roswell, New Mexico has set itself apart. What’s been the key to that success, and did you feel that as you all were filming the first season?
Dylan: The key is not to try and remake it. You have to look at the heart and soul of what the original author/creator intended and then branch off to something that’s completely new. Otherwise, it’s going to be a sad retelling of something that people already love.

PC: It must be a great feeling for you and the cast to have the support from the original actors. We heard Shiri Appleby jumped in and directed an episode.
Dylan: Yeah, that was so cool! Sadly, I wasn’t part of that episode.

Art is a powerful way to explore issues that we’re facing as a society. Wyatt represents the hyper-conservative, confused young men who believe they’re doing something honorable by marginalizing others like their fathers did before them. We’re living in a time when there’s a new re-emergence of hate.

PC: If you could be part of another television reboot, what would it be?
Dylan: Avatar, the Last Airbender

PC: As the season unfolds, what are you excited for your fans to see?
Dylan: I can’t give anything away, but there will be some attention given to Wyatt and his pain. Rarely am I ever excited to see my work–that’s just my own personality and stupid standards–but I’m actually excited to see this!

Who in the Cast…

PC: Is most likely to break character?
Dylan: The only time I can think of someone breaking character is me! [laughs] I have a scene with Riley Voelkel, who plays one of the cops Jenna Cameron, and she says the line, “But my hands are so small, and the gun is just SO BIG,” I broke every time she said it. I think I do a sort of smile in that scene because we couldn’t get a take where I could keep a straight face.

PC: Is a believer?
Dylan: I feel like we’ve had this conversation with everyone, and we all lean towards believing…but in different variations.

PC: Person who is most like their character?
Dylan: I feel like a lot of people are close but maybe Jeanine.

PC: Person who is most different from their character?
Dylan: Me

PC: Person you go to for advice?
Dylan: Nathan

PC: Would you let dog-sit?
Dylan: Tyler! He has a dog named Dylan. [laughs]

 

To keep up with Dylan, follow him on Twitter and Instagram, and watch Roswell, New Mexico every Tuesday at 9/8c on The CW.