Steven R. McQueen Takes a Break From Vampire Hunting for the JJ Spotlight Series!
Steven R. McQueen is one with nature in this new exclusive pic from the latest edition of the Just Jared Spotlight series.
The 25-year-old actor can be seen as Jeremy Gilbert on the hit series The Vampire Diaries, which will air its season five finale TONIGHT (May 15) at 8/7c on The CW.
In our exclusive interview with Steven, he dishes on the shocking development from last week‘s episode that involved Paul Wesley‘s character and gives us a little preview of the big finale. He also talked to us about his favorite bands, the latest TV show that he binge watched, and the one big deal breaker when it comes to finding a girlfriend.
Make sure to check out all the behind the scenes shots from the photo shoot in case you missed them!
Click inside to read our full exclusive interview with Steven R. McQueen…
Steven R. McQueen Interview – JustJared.com Exclusive
Just Jared: Let’s talk about Vampire Diaries first. [SPOILER ALERT] They killed off Paul Wesley last week! What was your and the cast’s reaction to that?
Steven R. McQueen: Yeah, he’s one of the main characters so we were all like, “Wait, what? Something sounds wrong here.” But you know, it’s good. The show knows how to keep people on the edge of their seat, that’s for sure.
JJ: We know they teased some other possible deaths. Considering Bonnie is at risk and Jeremy’s already lost every girlfriend he’s ever had, how do you think he’ll handle it if she dies (again)?
SM: Jeremy has lost so many people and so right now, his only priority is to keep Bonnie safe. He’s a character with a lot of elements out of his control. A lot of people he cared about died, and that’s sort of forced him to be strong. But he can only be so strong because he’s human.
JJ: The show brought back a lot of familiar faces for the 100th episode. Which character do you miss the most?
SM: It’s always fun having Matt Davis on set. I definitely miss having him around, for sure.
JJ: Well, it must be nice being the only character who can really communicate with him on screen (laughs). Well Bonnie now, too, of course.
SM: Yeah, it’s great. Although, I guess there hasn’t been much of me speaking with the dead [this season]. It’s been more Bonnie because she’s the anchor.
JJ: How would you say this finale stacks up against all the other crazy TVD finales?
SM: It will be exciting! One of our main characters dies, so it’s definitely a nail biter. You’ll just have to find out!
JJ: Any hopes for your character going into the sixth season? Would you ever want to see Jeremy become a vampire?
SM: Because he’s a Hunter, I don’t know if he can become a vampire.
JJ: I was thinking the same thing…
SM: For me, my favorite scenes, when I’m in my comfort zone, are the fighting scenes Those are my favorite to do, so I’d love to have more of those.
JJ: I’m going to give you a co-star’s name and you say the first word that pops into your head. Let’s start with Ian Somerhalder…
SM: Knowledgeable.
SM: Hilarious.
SM: Hardworking.
SM: Hot.
SM: Not one word, but good guy.
SM: Buff.
SM: Sweet.
JJ: You tweet out a link to a different music video every day. Are you a big music person?
SM: Yes, I am, very much so.
JJ: What’s currently on your rotation?
SM: You know, I like a little bit of everything. I think I’ll put on Guns ‘N’ Roses or Rolling Stones any day. But recently I like a band called Bastille, or The Weeknd I’m a big fan of as well
JJ: When you work out, what are your go to songs?
SM: It depends, it depends. If I’m boxing, I’ll probably have rap on, or something a little more angry. If I’m lifting, maybe some rock ‘n’ roll. If I’m doing some cardio, something fast paced.
JJ: I’m guessing you work out every day or a lot…
SM: Yeah, I get a couple hours in every day. I’ll shave some off here and there.
JJ: You’re a big comic book fan, yeah?
SM: Yes, I am, very much so.
JJ: What would be your dream role from a comic book?
SM: You know what? I want to play Nightwing real bad. I worked with [Arrow creator] Greg Berlanti a while ago on a show called Everwood and jokingly I tweeted him saying, ‘Hey, let me come play Nightwing for a couple episodes.’ And somebody wrote an article about it, so I was like, let’s make it happen, but I haven’t heard anything about it yet.
JJ: What are some of your other hobbies?
SM: Jiujitsu, which is a form of wrestling… kick-boxing, hockey, harmonica here and there, and that’s pretty much it.
JJ: A lot of physical stuff!
SM: Yeah! For me, whenever I’m physical it spins my mind and whenever there’s a lot going on I put my gloves on or I wrestle somebody and I feel zen.
JJ: Do you think you can take anyone in the cast? Does this ever come up?
SM: I know Paul boxes and he also played hockey, so I think me and him would have a fun time, but I don’t know who would take who.
JJ: What’s the last TV show you binge watched?
SM: Game of Thrones. I’m all about it right now. I watch Arrow.
JJ: A lot of your family is in the business. When did you first get the acting bug?
SM: I don’t think I ever knew for sure. My step-dad started playing hockey in Detroit so we moved and I had to start home school. I started watching movies since I had a bunch of free time and then I was like, ‘You know what? I want to give this a shot, move back to L.A., and audition.’ The first show I booked was a show called Threshold with Carla Gugino and it was obviously a terrifying experience and I felt out of my comfort zone, but it made me want to keep going because it was fun.
JJ: Are you one of those actors who is comfortable watching themselves or do you get weird about?
SM: I used to be weird about it, but I think sometimes you can learn from watching yourself and all the mistakes you make and try to continue growing. But I’m completely uncomfortable for sure.
JJ: Have you ever had any crazy fan experiences? We know the Vampire Diaries fans can be very enthusiastic.
SM: My brother had a concert the other night. Jessarae, everyone should check him out. And these two girls who watch the show, but are also fans of my brother, drove all the way up from Utah just to see the show. That to me was so incredibly sweet and incredible that I was more in awe than anything. So, I don’t think I’ve ever had a strange fan interaction. Just any time anyone is willing to come up and say hi or something like that, it’s very flattering.
JJ: When it comes to a relationship, what are some of your deal breakers?
SM: Bad attitudes I think for sure. Whoever I hang out with, I want to be able to laugh with. I just want to be able to have a good time… And they have to like my dog. If they don’t like my dog, they’re out.
JJ: What’s your dog’s name?
SM: Max.
JJ: Well who doesn’t like dogs?!
SM: That’s what I’m saying! If they don’t, they’re out.
JJ: What is something you’d like to do in your career in the future? Do you have any plans for upcoming projects?
SM: Right now we only have a small time off for the summer and I would love to maybe shoot a movie or something, but end goals: I just want to play a superhero. I think that would be so much fun. I’m putting that energy into the universe for sure.
PHOTO SHOOT CREDITS (PICTURES BELOW) —–
Photos 1 and 4: Kenneth Cole jumper
Photos 2 and 6: Jenny Schwarz jacket, Emporio Armani shirt and PRPS pants
Photo 3: Gstar button down shirt, H&M t-shirt, Diesel jeans, and John Varvatos boots
Photo 5: Alternative Apparel tank with Emporio Armani jeans.
