Sex has been used for years as a means of persuasion. And, it works -- better than most people will honestly admit to.
It’s shocking actually which is why many TV show and films opt to use it as the basis for a juicy storyline. The latest is the rebooted CBS series “S.W.A.T.,” starring Shemar Moore as the leader of a specialized tactical law enforcement unit in Los Angeles.
In the new episode “Bad Cop,” the S.W.A.T. team hones in on a deadly crew stealing from card casinos. And, just when it looked like the team caught the gang, another heist occurs. Clearly there was more than one crew, but only one leader emerges. SPOILER ALERT – it’s probably not who you would expect, unless you’re betting on the seductress Rachel, played by actress Veronica Wylie.
The role was different from others that audiences might remember her from. Perviously, Veronica for starred as Natalie Conway opposite Brad Snedecker in the Amazon Prime dramedy film, “The Conway Curve”; and she also wrote and starred in the celebrated web series, “Adventures in Online Dating,” streaming on SeekaTV.
Veronica Wylie shares more about her latest alluring role in this exclusive interview:
What can you tell us about Rachel in CBS’s police drama “S.W.A.T.”?
VERONICA WYLIE: Rachel is a chameleon. She adapts to her circumstances and manipulates those circumstances to benefit her. In the episode, she seduces a variety of felons in order to coerce them into committing huge heists to "prove their love" for her. Then she disappears with the money and moves on to a new state. She has no real attachments and has no qualms about treating those around her like tools to be used rather than living beings who have feelings. But she also has a real strength about her. She may be twisted, but she knows what she wants, and she goes for it. That aspect of her is actually pretty admirable.
How was it working on such a fan-favorite show?
VW: It was a dream come true! I got the opportunity to work with Shemar Moore, Jay Harrington, and David Gallagher, who are all such phenomenally talented guys. I've admired their work for a long time, so getting the chance to share a scene with all of them was a really fulfilling experience. And Ben Bray, the director, and Andrew Dettmann, the writer, were both really collaborative and generous to me. I'm honored that the producers trusted me with this character. She was so much fun!
Any interesting stories from the set you can share with us?
VW: So, my hair is actually short and dyed multiple colors. The hair team did such an amazing job with the wig that everyone on set thought it was my real hair! Whenever it came up in conversation, I had to show photos of myself to prove it. It was fun to see people's reactions. Another funny story is about those photos of me that they had up on all the computer screens. They had me come in a day before my first filming day to shoot those. So my very first day on set, I'm like, "Hi, nice to meet you; let me get this lingerie on so we can take sexy pictures." It was definitely an ice-breaker! Luckily, the people working with me to get those photos were super sweet. And helpful! I'm not great at selfies, so they taught me how to do it better!
Do you think your character might come back?
VW: I hope so! I didn't die, so there's always a chance.
What’s been the biggest lesson you took away from the opportunity?
VW: I'm going to be really honest here: I have a hard time with self-doubt. I think the biggest lesson I've taken away is to trust myself and my abilities. That I really do have something to give to the world through acting, and that this is truly what I'm meant to be doing and where I'm meant to be.
Got anything else coming up we can watch for the near future?
VW: I'm currently in pre-production on a feature I wrote called “Good Vibrations,” about a sex therapist who's still a virgin. It's a sex-positive, female-centric romantic comedy. We're in the fund-raising stage, so that's exciting. And last fall I filmed an independent sci-fi film called “Beneath the Green,” which is in post-production. I played the de facto leader of a group of scientists who are sent to colonize an alien planet, only to find out that the planet is barren. It's genre-bending, which is really cool. There's a lot of science fiction in there, but there's also a bit of magic and transcendentalism. I've had a nice run of playing really strong women lately, and I'm so grateful for that!
More info: VeronicaWylie.com
Veronica Wylie (photo by The Headshot Truck)
"S.W.A.T." - Veronica Wylie and Shemar Moore on set
Veronica Wylie behind the scenes on "S.W.A.T."
