Gracepoint Star Kendrick Sampson Talks To Anthem Magazine

Newly cast Gracepoint actor Kendrick Sampson has been talking to culture magazine Anthem about his new role in the crime drama. Gracepoint follows the impact surrounding the murder of an eleven year old boy in a tiny Californian town. The event series starts shooting on Vancouver Island, BC on 28th January with a cast that also includes David Tennant, Anna Gunn and Nick Nolte.

"I’ll be playing a character named Dean Iverson," Kendrick explains. "As far as what I know I can say, Dean works part-time at his uncle’s restaurant to pay for college. He’s dating Chloe, the daughter of the father of the boy who the mystery is surrounding in town. I believe I can tell you that…I’m not sure if his last name was Iverson in the original show, but his first name was Dean." 

Gracepoint is based on the highly successful UK series Broadchurch. Kendrick says, "They’re sticking to the story pretty faithfully. The creator of Broadchurch wrote the first episode of Gracepoint. And, of course, they’re bringing David Tennant over from the original, which is amazing. They’re sticking to a lot of the same story. The only thing different from what I understand is the ending. They’re also extending the season by two episodes as opposed to the eight episodes Broadchurch had. So there will be some differences, new twists and things. But Dean will be the same."

Of his casting and preparation for the role he says, "It was pretty unexpected and abnormal. I had one audition and they cast me. That’s not normally how it goes at all. It was very short and fast. Usually, the process is pretty extensive.With Gracepoint, I think I’ll have more time to prepare than usual. We have such an incredible cast that I think they will be more mindful of giving us time to prepare. I’m not going to say that I don’t need the time, but honestly, the scripts that I’ve read have been great. Everything falls into place."

Source: Anthem Magazine

Gracepoint shoots between January and May this year and is expected to premiere as part of Fox's 2014-15 season.

Check out our website for all the latest Gracepoint news

GRACEPOINT: Kendrick Sampson Joins Cast As Dean

Kendrick Sampson, of The Vampire Diaries has joined the cast of Gracepoint as Dean Iverson, the boyfriend of Chloe Lassister, sister to the murdered Danny. Dean works bussing tables at his uncle’s restaurant to help pay for college in the ten-part drama for Fox which follows the impact of the murder of a schoolboy on a small coastal community in California. The part is based on that of Dean Thomas, played by Jacob Anderson, in the original series Broadchurch upon which Gracepoint is based.

Speaking exclusively to Just Jared Kendrick said, “I’m super stoked about getting to work with such a high caliber of talent from top to bottom. The list of top tier talented writers, cast, crew, show runners, producers, network execs and casting seems is just under a mile long. I’m honored and humbled. Can’t wait to get to work with all of these amazing individuals! I don’t even want to start to list names of all of the phenomenal talent in front and behind the scenes. Literally everyone is widely well respected…and that’s an understatement. I’m humbled and grateful!”

Kendrick joins a cast that includes David Tennant as lead investigator Detective Emmett Carver, Anna Gunn as Detective Ellie Miller, Nick Nolte as Jack Reinhold and Kevin Zegers as reporter Owen Burke. Chris Chibnall, the creator of Broadchurch will be acting as executive producer on the new adaptation. Shooting starts on the series on 27th January on Vancouver Island, BC. Earlier this week the Fox network entertainment chairman Kevin Reilly revealed that the new reworking of the series would have a different ending to the ITV original. 

Check our website for all the latest news on Gracepoint.

Gracepoint is scheduled to air as part of the 2014-15 winter season on Fox