Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Utopia Falls’ Jeff Teravainen

Jeff Teravainen is one of the stars of Hulu’s dystopian sci-fi hip-hop drama Utopia Falls. Set in the distant future, Utopia Falls follows a group of teenagers who discover a forbidden archive of historical, cultural, and musical relics. The discovery ignites a revolution in search of the truth.

Jeff’s character, Gerald, is a member of the governing body known as the Tribunal, whose mission is to keep order. But the finding of the archive leads Gerald to question everything he knows. Pop Culturalist caught up with Jeff to chat about his career and Utopia Falls.

Career

PC: How did you discover your passion for acting?
Jeff: I always wanted to do it. I remember watching movies as a kid and immediately we would imitate what we had seen. They would have such an effect on me, but I excelled very naturally with music, so I focused on that with the idea of trying the acting later. Wish I had tried acting instead! I like to joke that I left the music business for the stability of acting.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Jeff: I have had so many and not always in my industry. Canadian F1 driver Gilles Villeneuve with his absolute drive against the odds comes to mind. You have your acting idols which inspire you of course while getting into it, but then you work with folks who move you along. People like Roger Cross who I worked a lot with on Dark Matter. Here was this accomplished guy that made every crew member feel like a million bucks around him and was so engaging with me. Then it would be time to go on set and he would just become the character. Just kill it. No drama, no weird ritual stuff. He just does it, and when they say cut, he is back to that amazing human. He really made me want to loosen up and enjoy the process more. The same could be said for Jay Karnes who I had a similar experience with on 12 Monkeys. I love that these guys are so amazing at what they do but are an absolute pleasure to be around in between.

PC: You’ve had tons of success throughout the years. When you look back, is there a particular moment that stands out to you?
Jeff: That’s sweet of you, but sadly I feel like I look back with more regrets. So many bad choices or just hard luck. I often wonder what could have been. I really wish I got in earlier. Maybe I wouldn’t have appreciated it as much, but I often wonder what things could have been like career-wise. Especially with voice work, which I love so much.

I am really proud though of certain things for sure. My favorite moment would probably be walking on stage in London, England, for a Starfury Comic Con and getting such a wonderful reception. I really felt like I had done something with my life. Here I was in another part of the world and people were reacting to my work.

The other was getting to play Vincent in The Christmas Chronicles. I always dreamed of being in a quality Christmas movie, and I think this one has it. I was particularly thankful my mom got to see it before she passed away. She was my biggest supporter.

Uotpia Falls

PC: Tell us about your character in Utopia Falls.
Jeff: I love playing Gerald. When Joseph Mallozzi [show runner] rang me about it, I immediately wanted the role. Gerald is a loving father, and when I read the scenes with his daughter, I was determined to get it. Being at 6’2”, 201 pounds in this industry means being typecast a lot: killers, thugs, cops, athletes. So I just love it whenever I get a nice person! Gerald is very deep and has secrets. Throughout the season, we see his life get upended. It is interesting to me how he reacts.

PC: Gerald has a lot of interesting relationships within the series. Which was your favorite to explore and why?
Jeff: I can honestly tell you I loved every one of them for different reasons. But for me, the scenes with his daughter Aliyah were heaven. The first scene shot on the show was with Robyn Alomar and I in the house. Having really just gotten to know her, it is always strange. But she is amazing and so sweet that the scenes just came out so naturally. The

PC: When Aliyah, Bohdi, and the rest of the teenagers discover the Archive, it changes New Babyl forever. As a member of the Tribunal, how does that affect Gerald? Where does he stand?
Jeff: I always say imagine that all your life you were told that living in North Korea was amazing and your ruler was incredible. Then you discover life in America. Gerald has grown up believing in the system, as it is all they know, but even he starts to see things differently as the season progresses. One thing is constant: his love for his child.

PC: With the series out now, what do you hope audiences take away?
Jeff: This show is so many things. I say that because a lot of the focus to this point in the media has been its music, dance, and hip-hop parts. They are a big part of what makes this show unique, but I hope people tell their friends, etc. about the stories. The show takes on many tough subjects. There is a multitude of interesting characters and arcs. Already I can see some audiences gravitating towards them after watching. To me, it’s a very well-paced, entertaining show that hits really well with many audiences—definitely more than just young adults. Sci-fi fans will really be drawn in.

PC: If the series is picked up for a second season, where would you like to see Gerald’s storyline head?
Jeff: I would love to see Gerald be part of a rebellion with his daughter. Maybe some sparks with some other people. I think Gerald needs some loving!

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Jeff: Not a show, but my daughter and I watch way too many fail videos! But I am obsessed with MotoGP [Grand Prix motorcycle racing]. Like, obsessed.

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Jeff: Not sure. How about this? My daughter and I love the Fensler’s G.I. Joe public service remixes.

PC: Favorite book?
Jeff: There is one controversial Christopher Hitchens book and one well-known Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Jeff: When I was a kid, my hero was Elvis, so Fun in Acapulco.

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Jeff: I love movie scores, and the best of the bunch was the genius, Bernard Herrmann. He did most of the Hitchcock films and so much more. I also love Johnny Horton, the country singer!

PC: Who would play you in the story of your life?
Jeff: That is seriously too hard to imagine.

To keep up with Jeff, follow him on Twitter and Instagram. Binge-watch Season 1 on Utopia Falls on Hulu today.