Slias Weir Mitchell talks about playing Monroe in Grimm

Silas Weir Mitchell discusses playing Monroe in Season 2 of Grimm, debuting Monday, August 13 on NBC

When I first heard about Grimm being picked up by NBC, my curiosity was automatically piqued. It sounded like one of the only "original" shows on the air, even though it has its basis in the Brothers Grimm stories. It turned out to be my favorite new show of the year, and continually found an audience, despite being saddled with the Friday night "death slot."

Grimm is returning with Season 2 debuting Monday, August 13 at 10 PM ET with "Bad Teeth", and fans can also relive or catch up on the show with Grimm: Season One, currently available on Blu-ray and DVD. I recently had the chance to speak with one of the stars of this fantastic show, Silas Weir Mitchell, who plays the 'Blutbad' Monroe, and serves to help new "Grimm" (David Giuntoli) understand this immense world.

Take a look at what he had to say.

On the Blu-ray, there is your audition reel, and it seemed like you had a really good handle on the character from the get-go. Can you talk about the things that might have surprised you about Monroe, that you learned as the season progressed?

Silas Weir Mitchell: I wasn't really surprised, to be honest, by much. I knew that Monroe was going to be a fundamental character from the beginning, because he's in between the two worlds, and that's something that you can use to a great effect. I'm human, but I'm a Blutbad. I'm a Blutbad, but I'm this particular kind of Blutbad, so there is a lot of room there, for development. I knew that it was based on the fact that this Grimm needs a guide. I knew that I would turn into this clandestine sort of partner.

Obviously, your character is fully mapped out, but did the creators have a sort of glossary of characters that they would go through in the season? Was it fun for you to see what characters you and Nick would be going up against?

Silas Weir Mitchell: Yeah, they had this whole kind of glossary and ideas, based on creatures and mythological things. There's a whole slew of of source material that they're working with.

I really enjoyed the first season from the get-go, and I really enjoyed the scenes between you and Nick (David Giuntoli). Can you talk about the rhythm that developed between you and David?

Silas Weir Mitchell: Can't stand the guy. No, they just cast the show really well. They cast the show so that people are right for their roles. There's a weird, bent, kind of humor in the show, so when you start playing in that world, it's funny and it's kind of weird. We work very similarly, in the same kind of way. It's organic, and the writers see that and they write in that direction. It's not like there's a monolithic structure that you adhere the actors to. There's an organic symbiosis. They write to us, and then we see where they're writing and we think ahead. It's just this organic thing. Nick and Monroe's relationship is something that grew out of this seed of this wise, weird, guy, and a young bad-ass. That dynamic is the root of it, this reluctant Blutbad and this eager good guy. From that, it spawned whatever it became.

I was wondering if you could talk a bit about your experience shooting in Portland? I talked to Russell (Hornsby) recently, and he mentioned how weird the city was.

Silas Weir Mitchell: It is, man. I saw a guy in a unitard, on a unicycle, with a pink wig, the other day. It's a great town, man. Portland takes their uniqueness very seriously, and God love them for it, because we live in a corporate and homogeneous society, frankly. The unofficial motto of the city is, 'Keep Portland Weird.' Right now, the weather is amazing. I love the climate, I love the trees, the cool air. It's a very walkable city. There's wine. There are vineyards 15 miles out of the city. The ocean is there, the river is there, it's a wonderful place to live. You go where the work takes you, and there aren't many better places you can land than Portland.

I was also talkingt with Russell about how short a break you had between Season 1 and Season 2. I was wondering if you could talk about where in the season you guys are actually shooting right now, and any little teasers we can look forward to for Season 2?

Silas Weir Mitchell: Oh, Season 2 just starts off with a bang, and it keeps on chugging. It's a season where forces are aligned against Nick, and they start showing their strengths. Nick kind of has to match that, and it's really kind of bad-ass. He gets his Grimm on. He starts learning the ropes in a very serious way. Yeah, we had a very short break, about five weeks. But, in a way, what the hell, keep the momentum going. We're going to get a bunch of time at Christmas. It was short, but it was all right.

We don't really know a whole lot about Monroe's family in the first season. He mentions his parents told him stories about the Grimm's, but I was wondering if there are any family members that might be popping up in Season 2?

Silas Weir Mitchell: I have no idea. I know I have family members, but I have no idea if anyone is going to show up.

Are there any favorite new creatures that show up this season that you can talk about, without giving too much away?

Silas Weir Mitchell: Well, we've seen a Lausenschlange (snake creature), and in the beginning part of this season, we meet the king. There are hierarchies, even within Wesen classes. There's a lot of these underpinnings that become clear. It's less about the new creatures, but about the major players that are at work, as far as the people, among the creature world, who are trying to get to the Grimm's. The global forces are starting to align.

To wrap up, what would you like to say to fans who have tuned in for Season 1, about why they should keep tuning in for Season 2, starting next week?

Silas Weir Mitchell: Because it's just better, Season 2 is just better. They're firing on all cylinders, the storytelling is really great, the show looks incredible, and if you liked Season 1, you're going to love Season 2.

Excellent. That's about all I have, Silas. It was great talking to you. I'm a big fan of the show.

Silas Weir Mitchell: Thank you. Thanks a lot.

You can watch Silas Weir Mitchell as the Blutbad Monroe on Grimm, returning for Season 2 Monday, August 13 at 10 PM ET with "Bad Teeth". You can also relive the thrilling first season with Grimm: Season One, currently available on Blu-ray and DVD.