Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with The Sinner’s Eddie Martinez

Eddie Martinez stars as Vic Soto in the third season of USA Network’s The Sinner. Like Eddie, his character is a rising star in his respective field. A former marine, Vic Soto works alongside Detective Ambrose at the Dorchester Police Department to solve a hidden crime. Pop Culturalist had the pleasure of speaking with Eddie about the role.

Career

PC: How did you discover your passion for acting?
Eddie: I feel like it found me. In college, I auditioned for a play as a way to get extra credit for a class. I was really shy, but the director gave me the lead role. Before I knew it, all my plans had changed. I transferred schools and changed my major.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Eddie: Oh, man. That’s a good question. The actor whose work I’ve always admired is John Leguizamo. When I was first starting out, I went to New York and saw him on Broadway in a show called Freak. That show really got to me. It inspired me to keep going. I was like, “I need to be like John Leguizamo.”

My second answer, which will sound cheesy, is my wife. As an actor, there are a lot of ups and downs. You never know when the next check is going to come. My wife always encouraged me to keep going. She was my biggest cheerleader, and I think that really helped.

PC: You got your start in theater. What’s the transition been like going from the stage to the screen?
Eddie: In theater, you have to adapt. Everything is in chronological order. You stay it in the whole time. When you’re in film and television, there’s a lot of stopping and going. Sometimes with film, you shoot things out of order. It’s important to know where you are. Besides that, the love is the same. Whether it’s theater or film, I love good storytelling.

PC: You’ve had tons of success already in your career. When you look back, is there a particular moment that stands out to you?
Eddie: I would say being a series regular on The Sinner. That definitely stands out. I was a fan of this show. Being a part of a show that you’re already a fan of is super exciting.

The Sinner

PC: Speaking of The Sinner, what should fans know about your character?
Eddie: That Vic Soto is a nice dude. He’s a former Marine. He’s a recovering alcoholic. He’s a rising star that just wants to help Detective Ambrose out.

PC: You’ve stated in previous interviews that Vic is very similar to who you are as a person, more so than past characters. Does that make the experience/preparation easier?
Eddie: I wouldn’t say easier. I was able to get into his thoughts and intentions quicker. That sounds a little weird to say. I usually play the antagonist or the “bad guy.” The research and preparation is the same, but it takes me a little longer to find those dark places deep inside of you. I’m generally a really nice guy. [laughs]

PC: You’ve also teased that Vic goes through an emotional transformation. How did you get into that mindset?
Eddie: My usual preparation is to build a life for each of these characters. You have to treat them almost like they’re real people in real life, so once you get on set, you just go. I just need to do my homework and trust the people I’m working with, from my scene partner to the director. Then I just let go. I can get into Vic’s head and let that emotional roller coaster happen naturally.

To keep up with Eddie, follow him on Twitter and Instagram. Catch new episodes of The Sinner every Thursday at 10/9c on USA Network.