David Anders – May 2015 – CONversations with Craig

In May 2015, Craig sat down with David Anders at Comicpalooza in Houston for one of the very first convention panels he ever moderated. Anders, known for playing unforgettable villains and complicated characters in Alias, Heroes, iZombie, The Vampire Diaries, and Once Upon a Time, looked back on his career, his reputation as one of the rare American actors known for convincing British accents, and the mentors who helped shape him. The conversation moved from funny set stories to emotional reflections on rejection, persistence, and the people who gave him a chance. David talked about the early days of Alias, how J.J. Abrams fought for him to get the role of Sark, and why the character being British changed the course of his career. He shared stories from Heroes, iZombie, The Vampire Diaries, and Once Upon a Time, including the strange fun of playing characters who are villains, undead, immortal, or just beautifully terrible. In one of the most personal moments of the panel, David opened up about giving up sports, finding acting, moving to Los Angeles at 18, and the teachers and mentors who helped him keep going. “Always know everyone, know the scene backwards and forwards. Just know your words. And always be 15 minutes early.” Want more exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes stories from the people who bring your favorite characters to life? Subscribe to our podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or on your favorite podcasting platform for more behind-the-scenes stories and exclusive interviews.