Pop Culturalist Chats with Hover’s Shane Coffey

You might recognize Shane Coffey from his guest-starring role as Holden Strauss on the massive hit television show, Pretty Little Liars. But this summer, he’s stepping into the shoes of a leading man, playing the mysterious character Isaiah in the Syfy original, Hover.

The film takes place in the near future where environmental strain has caused food shortages and drones may be humanity’s only hope. But as locals suddenly fall ill one after another, they begin to question whether it’s connected to this new technology.

Pop Culturalist had the pleasure of speaking with Shane about the film, how he got involved, and got his take on scientific advancements.

PC: Tell us about Hover, your character, and what drew you to this project.
Shane: It’s an interesting story. At the start of last year, I wrote an email to a bunch of colleagues and collaborators with whom I’ve worked with in the past, basically saying “This pilot season has been nonexistent.” Travis Stevens, who’s the producer of Hover, wrote me back immediately and said, “I’m so glad you reached out. We’re actually trying to cast the role of Isaiah. Can you get on an airplane in two days?” Without reading the script, I got on the airplane and waited for the script to come. When it did, I was like “Thank God, it’s really good.”

PC: How similar or different would you say you are to your character?
Shane: I would say we’re quite similar. Isaiah is a good guy who seeks justice and I always want to help people.

PC: There’s an interesting divide within the film between those who have adapted to the new technology and those who are more traditional. Where do you fall?
Shane: Drones have come a long way. What was once just a flying camera in the sky now has a variety of uses, and some with malicious intent. That’s the world we live in now. The main thing with the character and my belief is that saying, “Keep your friends close but your enemies closer.” You can’t ignore change. You can’t ignore technological advances. And you can’t run from them when they’re causing mass harm to innocent people. What you can do is figure out how it works and understand it better.

PC: How would you say this film sets itself apart from similar films that tackle the same topics?
Shane: It isolates itself in this one small region with a group of people; it doesn’t let the audience know what is happening around the world. That’s what sets it apart. It’s contained and centers around Cleo’s character, Claudia.

PC: Can you talk a bit about how your character meets Claudia and their dynamic throughout the film?
Shane: My character works undercover for “the man” in a company called Vastgrow. It’s presenting itself as a “helpful” corporation. Cleo’s character is going around assisting with people’s death—euthanizing people. A lot of people in this region are starting to get ill. She does some detective work after something tragic happens to her partner. That’s when the both of us meet. At first, she thinks my character believes in what Vastgrow is doing but I’m in fact undercover. We join forces to try and bring the man down.

PC: You stated earlier that you didn’t have the script when you signed on the project. How early on did you realize your character is a “good guy”?
Shane: I always look at every character as a “good guy”. I make no judgment of the character while I’m working on it. In my head, he was a good guy. Story wise, there is that one scene where you question whether he is or not. But when Claudia and Isaiah start talking with each other, it becomes clear that he’s there to help, serve, and protect.

PC: What are you most excited for audiences to see with this film?
Shane: I’m excited and proud that Cleopatra Coleman wrote this film and she’s starring in it. I’m proud to be apart of it. I’m excited for people to get to know who she is, if they’re not already watching her show.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Shane: Let’s go with The Bachelor.

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Shane: I try and only watch good ones. [laugh] I’m not sure!

PC: Favorite book?
Shane: I like James Baldwin, E.E. Cummings, Henry Miller, John Fante, Salinger…all my favorite writers are flying in my head right now.

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Shane: Anything by Sam Shepard or The Pillowman by Martin McDonagh.

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Shane: I don’t think they’ll be surprised but let’s go with Kendrick Lamar.

Make sure to follow Shane on Twitter and Instagram, and check out Hover in theaters today!

Photo Credit: Syfy

This interview has been edited for clarity and length.