Actress Phyllis Somerville Talks Lady Ray Farrell In 'Outsiders' On WGN America! [INTERVIEW]

WGN America is just days away from the an all-new episode of their new drama, Outsiders. In an exclusive interview with MStars News, actress Phyllis Somerville discusses the impact of Lady Ray Farrell's shocking twist in the fight for power and control within the Farrell Clan.

As we previously mentioned, Outsiders takes place high in the vast Appalachian Mountains. The wild and criminal Farrell Clan is pitted against the outside world, which is even more corrupt than they are. The Farrell Clan have spent 200 years surviving on Shay Mountain. The Clan is up against a group of money-making investors and a small town looking to move them out as they expand. This close-knit family of anti-heroes has to protect themselves in order to preserve their way of life.

In our recent recaps, Big Foster (David Morse) wanted to believe so badly that he was the prophesied chosen one who would save the Farrells. Unfortunately for Lady Ray, she actually picked G'Winn Farrell (Gillian Alexy). Though he attempted to murder her before, Big Foster realized time was running out for him with Lady Ray sticking around. Their secrets and lies culminated in a shocking confrontation.

Before Tuesday's all-new episode, Trust, the Outsiders actress discusses her character, what she enjoys about Lady Ray, and dishes on how that shocking twist came about.

MStars News: Tell me how you got involved in the project.

Phyllis Somerville: I auditioned, the old fashion way. I think it was called 'The Titans" when I auditioned, then it came again as "The Outsiders" so, that's it.

MS: Tell me what interested you about Lady Ray.

PS: Oh, so many things,I am fascinated by the fact she's is so true. She is illiterate, but I think highly intelligent. She is very into the old ways, respecting of the old ways, but smart enough to know there has to be some changes. I like that she shows softness to the people she likes and in certain situations, she is hard as nails when she needs to be. She can sometimes be way open about things, but pretty wildly about stuff.

Like when she was pretending to be wide opened when pretending to welcome Big Foster back. Because she knows what happened and she knows what she is going to do. But then, he also killed her in a bathtub, so there you go.

MS: Before your death scene in episode seven, Decomp of a Stuck Pig, I love your scene with Gillian Alexy (G'winn Farrell).

PS: Oh that was a good one wasn't it? I liked that one too!

MS: Tell me how you two played out that scene, because there is so much foreboding.

PS: Well for me, it's pretty much the words are there. You don't have that much time to do it but the words were good. And we played what was written. I am not real complex about stuff like this. I thought it was a really good scene. I love their relationship. We've done a couple of scenes already and that helps too, cause you know the others work, you know more things about what the character is and how the actor is like. I just really love working with her and it works pretty well. And I think that's when the complexity comes out. There is a good deal of foreboding there! You're right about that!

MS: The next scene that follows up is Lady Ray death's scene, did you know beforehand that was going to happen? Did you have discussions with the creators about your death scene?

PS: When did I know? I mean, of course, I didn't just get on set and they told me incidentally you are getting killed today. No, I don't remember how long before I knew. Yeah, I knew.

MS: Tell me about playing out the scene with Big Foster (Morse), because that was also, heartbreaking to watch as a viewer.

PS: Yeah, I thought it went very well. I talked to some relatives. I have lots of cousins and they said: 'Why didn't you fight! You could have fought! ' I said 'Yeah I weigh 105, I am 5'2, and also that was what was written!" but she knows. She knows what's going to happen. So I found it fascinating. I found it a fascinating scene, to do, because she is so vulnerable in that tub, that deep tub, with her son looking down at her. It was a little hard for me to watch too!

MS: Was the scene rehearsed before or just filmed right away?

P.S: I thought I was getting a rehearsal the day before, with the water, because I was a little concerned being under the water, because I have gone under the water but I mean I haven't done that, there were times that I would go under water and then I'd hear "cut, go again, you closed your eyes!" [Laughs} It's kind of natural, when you go under water, to close your eyes, so that was one of the things I had to do, was really concentrate on keeping those eyes opened, and so as far as using my old brain to remember I think it was basically just maybe lining up and as you do another take and then another take that's the rehearsal, and we've done some scenes together too, and that is half the battle, there is a battle and in this case it was nice, once again he is good to work with.

MS: In episode eight, It's Good To Be King continued with Lady Ray's funeral scene, what was that like for you as a performer, pretending to be dead?

P.S: Well, its hard! This time it wasn't as bad, but I have had to do it other times, and its hard to hold your breath! "You moved!" Well yeah but I am alive! [Laughs] So holding your breath for a long period of time can be hard. And people know you're not really dead. I'd rather not be dead, but I am so that's it!

MS: What other projects are you working on now?

PS: I am not working on anything. I need a little break actually. The only thing I am working on now is, I am doing some workshops of a musical called 'The Holler.' And it's also about mountain people. I'm guessing there are patterns, but its really with some wonderful people I've known for a long time. I have done a lot of television work, we're having a good time, cause I haven't done a musical for a long time. So of course, I'm scared!

Outsiders continues Tuesdays at 9pm on WGN America.