Steve Newlin began cozying up to Russell Edgington in last Sunday's episode.
Michael McMillian: Well, it's sort of a May-December romance. [Laughs] Russell's a much older and more powerful vampire. It's interesting because when Steve was human, Russell was somebody that Steve targeted as the example of an evil vampire, but I think Steve's very attracted to power. He's suffering a heartbreak from Jason Stackhouse. Here comes this distinguished gentleman into his life. I think he's quite taken.
How does their new friendship compare to Russell and Talbot's (Theo Alexander) relationship?
McMillian: I think that there's a spirit in common with Russell and Talbot's relationship, but Russell and Steve kind of have their own thing, which is fun. You'll see there's some great stuff coming up between the two of them. But ultimately, as with Steve coming out and being with Jason, he's a really funny character. I always try to ground him in reality and always try to keep the emotional truth alive underneath the humor.
With the war between the Sanguinistas and the mainstreamers ramping up, is it a good idea for Steve to be hanging around the ultimate enemy right now?
McMillian: That would depend on whether or not Russell really is the ultimate enemy. I think the two of them are both acting in their personal best interests. You'll see that as the season plays out. I think Steve is really happy that he's not being killed off and is allowed into the Authority. I think he just can't believe his luck. He's a survivalist. He is going to go wherever he thinks he's going to do best.
Is he completely over Jason or will we see more interaction between the two of them?
McMillian: There's more Jason and Steve. Whatever happens, I think Jason will always be that first love in Steve's eyes. I don't think you ever really get over that person.
Since Steve is the new Nan Flanagan (Jessica Tuck), how will he spin the Authority's killing spree in New Orleans?
McMillian: That's a really good question. That's where his mastery of spin comes into play. He's definitely going to be called upon to do that in the next few weeks as things heat up between vampires and humans. It's really fun how that plays out and how that goes down.
Because the Authority is going public in saying they're no longer trying to mainstream, will more vampires who were following the rules start to fall in line?
McMillian: Possibly. We'll see how this authoritarian influence plays out because basically Roman has been the letter of the law for the past how many centuries. Roman was dictating how vampires should behave. It was really his movement to mainstream. We've seen over the past few seasons that mainstreaming itself has been very ambiguous. There are characters that have cut the corners with it. Vampires who were mainstreaming because they're following the letter of the law are now going to go, "OK, they're saying this is OK now so I'm free to do whatever I want, I guess." That's really what the second half of the season is about.
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