Thomas Doherty, star of the recent Paradise reboot where he portrayed Max Wolfe, recently sat down with his friend and former Tell Me Lies co-star, Grace Van Patten. Doherty's on-screen confidence might suggest a lifelong immersion in film, but his roots lie in musical theater before his move to Los Angeles to master on-camera acting.

The Contrast Between NYC and LA for Aspiring Actors

Finding Energy and Connection

Doherty, who is 31, is currently back in New York after completing a run in a production. He noted the timing was perfect, as he had just finished binge-watching the first season of a show before their conversation.

Van Patten noted that moving to New York was instrumental for Doherty, as she finds it easier to feel lonely in Los Angeles. Doherty agreed, stating his three years in L.A. were challenging, especially while learning the basics of representation.

"L.A. is a city where you can just float," Doherty explained. He finds New York superior due to its constant energy and proximity to people. He mentioned that simply wandering or getting coffee increases the chance of bumping into acquaintances, providing a vital connection.

The Nostalgia of Working on Classic Lots

Paramount Studios and On-Set Rituals

Doherty shared his experience working at Paramount Studios, noting the significance of driving under the iconic arches as an actor hailing from Edinburgh. Van Patten remarked that these studios represent a constant in cinematic history.

Doherty prefers working from a trailer on the lot, as it helps him get into character. He described the trailers as small, often only a third of the space, but noted the specific sounds, smells, and uniform appearance contribute to the required mindset.

He expressed affection for the routine aspects of film work, contrasting it with theater. While he loves the two hours of performance in plays or musicals, he finds the structure of theater too rigid compared to the flexibility of film sets.

The Physical and Mental Demands of Theater vs. Film

Transitioning from Stage to Screen

Doherty recently transitioned from filming season two of a project (March to August) directly into a stage production with only a week off. He admitted he needed more downtime, especially as he had only two weeks to learn the music for the musical.

He detailed the taxing nature of musicals, noting the need to maintain high energy while performing roles like Seymour, which required intense physical consistency from 5 pm until late at night. He contrasted this with film sets, where actors are "pampered" and afforded more time and space.

"Theater life is rough. Mentally, emotionally, physically," Doherty stated, adding that the discipline learned there now allows him to bring a necessary composure into the more relaxed film environment, fostering more authentic choices.

Career Evolution and Taking Ownership

The End of the Apprenticeship

Van Patten suggested Doherty is trusting himself more, a sentiment he confirmed. After a decade in the industry, which he considers his "apprenticeship," he now feels he belongs in certain spaces and can have a voice.

Doherty emphasized that he is no longer trying to prove himself, allowing for greater honesty in his work as his ego diminishes. He also discussed preparing for his role in Paradise, which involved a rapid transition from chemistry reads in L.A. to filming his first scene with Shailene Woodley.

He described the first scene with Woodley as emotionally intense, requiring vulnerability. Doherty noted that working with actors as real as Woodley and Madeline Brewer made acting feel effortless, as they immediately locked him into the moment.

Reflecting on Roles and Future Aspirations

Character Choices and Survival Themes

Van Patten praised Doherty's diverse roles, ranging from comedy and music to playing a vampire and now a post-apocalyptic survivor. Doherty confirmed this variety is partly intentional, driven by his 10-year plan to learn camera work after his theater background.

Regarding the themes of Paradise, Doherty noted how survival quickly strips people of morality, forcing them into primitive modes. However, he believes characters like Sterling and Link demonstrate that choosing to remain a good person is always an option.

Looking ahead, Doherty expressed a desire to work on larger productions with diverse directors and actors to continue growing both personally and professionally. He concluded by saying that despite the hard work, he and Van Patten "had fun" during their time working together.