Pop Culturalist Chats with Claws’ Evan Daigle

It’s been quite the journey for Claws’ breakout star, Evan Daigle. When he auditioned for the role of Toby on the TNT series, he had to leave school behind. It’s a decision that he’s never regretted, but even Evan couldn’t have imagined what would happen next. His character, who was initially only supposed to appear in one scene in the premiere episode, was quickly promoted to recurring once the show was green-lit: a testament to Evan’s abilities and acting chops.

PC: Tell us about Claws, your character, and what drew you to this project.
Evan: Claws is a dark comedy about five women who launder money for the Dixie Mafia out of a nail salon in a seedy part of south Florida. I play Toby, the boyfriend of the Dixie Mafia crime boss, Uncle Daddy, played by Dean Norris. This is my first professional acting job, so when the audition came along and I saw that Eliot Laurence, Rashida Jones, and Will McCormack were producing, I was very excited to audition. I’ve been a huge fan of each of them for years.

PC: You had to leave your final semester in order to film season one of Claws. Was that a difficult decision?
Evan: Although I really enjoyed my time in school, it wasn’t a difficult decision. I was studying acting, so when the opportunity came along to start my professional career, it was sort of a no-brainer. Also having the support of my parents was a huge help. Though I left school early, I don’t believe I would have been ready to start working professionally had I not had the time in school to study my craft in a safe space while having a lot of fun and making great relationships.

PC: Toby appeared in one scene in the pilot episode but soon became a recurring character. Did that change the mindset of how you approached him and his development?
Evan: It did. With small parts like how Toby started out to be, your real job as the actor is to serve the story of the scene. You really aren’t thinking beyond that scene because what happened to me is rare. It’s rare that small characters like that, especially having been cast outside of Los Angeles, becoming heavily recurring. After the series was green-lit and I found out I’d be recurring, I began my usual process of preparing a character that I learned in college. I researched any and everything I thought was relevant to the show and character and I created a detailed backstory for Toby up to the time when the action of the show begins.

PC: What can you tease about his story arc in season two and what is the dynamic like between him and Uncle Daddy?
Evan: Fans will get to see a different side to Toby and Uncle Daddy’s relationship this season. Toby also gets involved in more of the dangerous crime operations this season, which was really fun for me to film.

PC: If you could have more scenes with another actor on the show, who would it be and why?
Evan: That’s a really difficult one! I think Claws has one of the most dynamic and talented ensembles on TV right now, but if I had to choose one other actor it would be Harold Perrineau. I’ve been a fan of his work since I started acting years ago. He has such an amazing body of work that shows his intense versatility and talent. Seeing him work in person is phenomenal. I’d love to be able to work one on one with him.

PC: Like you said earlier, this is your first professional acting job. What have you learned from the experience?
Evan: I feel like Claws has been a boot camp in film acting for me. I had very minimal on-set experience before Claws—I was studying theatre in school—so the show really taught me the ins and outs of what being a professional actor entails: not only the stuff on set but everything else that comes along with beginning a career as an actor. From agents, managers, and moving to Los Angeles, my Claws family has truly mentored me through it all.

PC: If you had to describe season two in five words, what would they be and why?
Evan: Russian, cocaine-driven, fabulous, colorful, and bloody. I’ll let the viewers see why!

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Evan: Vanderpump Rules!

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Evan: I’m obsessed with The Craft.

PC: Favorite book?
Evan: The Harry Potter series

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Evan: The Seagull by Anton Chekhov

PC: Favorite social media platform?
Evan: Instagram! I’m @evandaigle

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Evan: My favorite band of all time is Radiohead!

PC: Last show you binge-watched?
Evan: Insecure on HBO and Vida on STARZ. I’m also currently obsessed with Pose on FX.

PC: Hidden talent?
Evan: I played soccer for fourteen years.

Make sure to follow Evan on Twitter and Instagram, and catch Claws every Sunday at 9/8c.

Photo Credit: Akeem Biggs