William Jackson Harper, David Giuntoli, Ian Ziering Talk Latest Projects At NBCUniversal Upfront

We caught up with William Jackson Harper, David Giuntoli and Ian Ziering on the red carpet for the 2016 NBCUniversal Upfront.

William Jackson Harper

Tell me about your character on The Good Place.

I’m a professor of ethics and moral philosophy in life. I am Kristen Bell’s (Eleanor’s) soulmate.

What was it like to work with Ted Danson and Kristen Bell?

It’s incredible. It’s a clinic every day because they’re so relaxed and so funny and so inventive that I’ve just trying to keep up.

And what can fans expect about the series?

I want the fans to just sit back and enjoy the ride. Basically anything that you can imagine, it’s something that can happen; it’s The Good Place.

And you’re also working on Paterson.

Well it’s such a sweet good hearted movie and it’s a slice of life. I got to do some work on that and it was great. Working with Jim was great and working with Golshifteh Farahani and Chasten Harmon and Adam Driver who are all in my scenes was really great. And I think people are responding well- they’re seeming to like the movie. I haven’t seen it yet so I hope I like it too.

Are there any new shows or films you’re watching?

I just watched The Lobster, which is sort of a rom com with Colin Farrell and I thought it was great. And also this movie called Midnight Special which I saw recently which is this sci-fi movie with Michael Shannon and Joel Edgerton and it’s great. It’s so strange and I’m so excited to see what that filmmaker comes up with next.

David Giuntoli 

Can you tell us anything about the next season?

I don’t know anything about the new season of the show yet. It hasn’t been written. But we’re very glad to have season 6, we’ll be back on Fridays. We have a two-hour finale this Friday. My goodness, a double wide finale of Grimm. And it’s exciting.

And what can fans expect?

Most of our cast will die at the end of this season. No, not coming back, it’ll be a truncated—it’ll only be a couple of main characters coming back.

And what’s it like working with the cast?

We love everybody in the cast—we’re all good friends so it’s going to be sad to see them go.

Are you watching any new shows or films?

What am I following right now? No who has time to watch these shows? Nobody does. I think I’m a 60 Minutes, Frontline kinda guy. But 60 Minutes is once a week. That’s my thing.

But you’re watching week old news.

I know. I know! Isn’t all news in the past though? I don’t know what I watch. Is that bad? I’ll figure this out. I have time now. Exactly.

Ian Ziering 

Tell us about the film.

Sharks and tornados.

Well that’s a brand new idea.

You know, it was not my idea. But it’s certainly given me a lot of inspiration to just throw things out there because some time ago, there was someone in a position of authority that greenlit an idea that there were sharks and tornados. So if someone can pitch that and have it come to, then there’s nothing stopping me now.

And what can fan’s expect?

It’s going to be as good as the first, second and third, only better.

You’re also working on F the Prom.

Yeah that’s from the Fine Brothers, they’re young. Ben Fine, a prolific filmmaker who’s made a name for himself on Youtube. He’s made a feature, and I play a very inappropriate father in this film, and I was just saying things that are completely inappropriate but in the context of the film, and the character, so funny.