What was it like to return to this show for Season 2?
Luis Guzmán: The first season was such a beautiful, wonderful, explosive type of surprise. Coming back to do the second season, the writing has been totally off the charts. The show is so well written.
Season 1 was such a huge success. Why did the show connect so strongly with viewers?
Guzmán: I remember watching The Addams Family when I was a kid, in black-and-white. I loved it. I remember seeing the movies, and it’s such a generational story. You’ve got four tiers of generations watching the show — great-grandparents, grandparents, parents, and now their kids.
For those discovering the series for the first time, how would you describe Gomez Addams?
Guzmán: Gomez Addams is one of the most loving individuals that you will ever meet in this world, galaxy, or universe. He’s a very loving father and husband, definitely a family man. He wants to always be there for his family, especially his son and daughter. And for infinity, he loves his wife.
What happens when Gomez and Morticia become more involved in Nevermore Academy this year?
Guzmán: The love of my life, Morticia, ends up becoming the chairperson of the gala for the school. So we end up living right off the grounds of the school in this beautiful little cottage.
What’s your favorite element of the Addams family dynamic?
Guzmán: It’s just being that romantic with my wife, and having fear but not showing it to my daughter because she is a strong woman in her own right. But also some of the lines that I deliver to Morticia. We have an episode where I say, “Oh, you’re looking like a predator tonight. Allow me to be your helpless prey.” That’s one of the greatest pickup lines of all time. After the show comes out, that’s going to be my go-to.
We see more of Gomez and Pugsley’s (Isaac Ordonez) relationship this year. How would you sum up that dynamic?
Guzmán: I’m just helping my son with his self-confidence and his self-esteem. I love him. I want him to make it. I want him to be comfortable. I want him to be secure with himself. I want him to know that as a father, I really do love him and care about him, and I’ll help him in any way I can.
How would you describe Morticia and Wednesday’s relationship this season?
Guzmán: Oh man, that’s like oil and vinegar over there. They’re trying to mix it up, and as much as you shake up that jug, there’s still that separation. It’s a battle. I know they love each other. I know they care about each other, but you’re dealing with two really strong-headed women. I raised my daughter right, and my wife, she does not play. She’s a great mother and tries to do her best by Wednesday. They challenge each other.
What has it been like to work with Tim Burton on Season 2, and how do you think he’s upped the ante from Season 1?
Guzmán: Tim really brings that edge to the show and in an undertone kind of way, because he’s like this mad professor. You watch him, and you just know he has a whole vision for the show, for the look, for the flow. He’s a genius. He’s not only a great director, but artistically he’s wonderful. He helps us to really explore the magic of the show. It’s Tim Burton, man. I’ll be happy to say that I’ve worked with one of the great ones.
Morticia and Gomez dance together this season. What sticks out to you about filming that scene?
Guzmán: We have a tango dance. It was one of the most challenging things that I’ve done. I love dancing salsa, bachata, merengue, all that stuff. I had to learn to dance the tango. That’s like going from the left side of your brain to the right side of your brain, because it’s a different movement. It’s something that’s very elegant, very passionate. I was working with our two tango instructors, some of the best in the world, I will say. They really got me. My first week of tango classes. I was like, “Wow, can I do this?” Five or six weeks later, I was doing it. We actually dance. There are no special effects. It was just a beautiful thing and a beautiful opportunity, and very poetic, very passionate, very loving, very much fun.
Last season, there were all these small details and Addams family Easter eggs peppered in. Can you tease any that fans can search for this season?
Guzmán: Thing has a manicure. That was a nice, funny, hysterical little detail. I have some incredible costumes. I find out that my brother, Uncle Fester (Fred Armisen), had a chupacabra as his first pet. That was pretty unique. Pugsley and I go on an adventure together and we also go on an incredible camping trip. Wait till you see the Addams family camping tent. I think that will be the No. 1 bestseller in the world. Every little kid is going to want that.
What did you enjoy about filming in Ireland?
Guzmán: I loved shooting in Ireland. The people are wonderful. I enjoyed our drivers, because you really had the opportunity to listen to that beautiful Irish accent. There are great places to eat and the landscape is sensational. You see some of the castles — on your drives, you pass these places and it’s like everybody has a stone wall, and it’s just so beautiful, so nostalgic. There’s a real history there, and I love that. The one thing I didn’t do is jump into the ocean.
What can fans look forward to seeing in Season 2?
Guzmán: You thought Season 1 was awesome and spectacular? This is an extravaganza of passion, poetry, fun, surprises, mystery, and “I did not see that coming.” People are going to be incredibly surprised.
Courtesy: Netflix
