Interview With Stars Of New Dark Comedy HEADLESS: A SLEEPY HOLLOW STORY

Shipwrecked Comedy has a new dark comedy out now, Headless: A Sleepy Hollow Story. The story puts a new twist on the classic story as Ichabod Crane finds himself in the position of helping the Horseman find his missing head. I got a chance to briefly interview three of the stars of the show, Sean Persaud who plays Ichabod Crane, Mary Kate Wiles who plays Kat Van Tassel, and Sinead Persaud who plays Matilda Bishop. Each one has brought a fun, modern take to the story and I hope you enjoy hearing from them about the show. You can catch new episodes of Headless: A Sleepy Hollow Story as they release every Monday on YouTube.

SEAN PERSAUD:

Q: What characteristics of the original Ichabod Crane did you want to bring to this modern retelling?

A: Ichabod in the original short story has some very distinct characteristics, but is honestly not a super likable character, at least in my opinion. He’s a teacher, he’s into Katrina (but more so because she comes from a rich family), he’s this lanky, awkward rival of the town hunk Brom Bones. In our version, he’s a science teacher who is not as willing to believe tales of the supernatural, so when he’s thrust into this ghost story, it creates a fun little dynamic between him and the Headless Horseman. He’s intelligent and kind, and he’s got a bright-eyed, bushy tailed quality to him, but we wanted to keep him awkward and maybe a little lonely as well. I love him.

Q: What was the most challenging part of acting alongside the headless horseman?

A: Tom DeTrinis, who plays the Horseman in Headless-mode, is one of my favorite people and best friends and I have a real hard time acting opposite him because we crack each other up way too easily; so it was nice to not be able to see his face. I mean that in the best way possible. But the hardest thing was probably eyelines - focusing on where I should be looking when talking to him. Where would you look if you were talking to a headless ghost? It’s hard! I’m still not sure I have an answer!

Q: There is an impressive amount of guest stars in the show, are there any you were particularly excited or nervous to work with?

A: This would be very easy for me to cop out and just say all of them, which is true because we assemble great casts - incredibly talented people who are also a delight to be on set with. And while we love having a familiar little troupe of actors we work with all the time, I’m always excited to work with new people. So on that note, working with Matt Mercer and Lee Newton for the first time was very exciting. I am very proud of the stuff Sinead and I came up with for their characters and I was so pumped to see what they brought to them. Both of them just floored me. So much talent, so generous with their time, such good energy. Can’t say enough nice things about them.

MARY KATE WILES:

Q: What characteristics of the original Katrina Van Tassel did you want to bring to this modern retelling?

A: I’m going to be honest - I feel like we’ve really created a very new version of Katrina in our retelling of the story. Sean and Sinead have made her very guarded, witty, and sassy - she’s so much more than the ingenue of the original story. She’s still the mayor’s daughter, she’s still sort of caught in this love triangle between Brom and Ichabod - but she’s much more of a modern female lead with agency and wants and needs and fears of her own.

Q: From the first three episodes it looks like there is more depth to Kat’s character than the original, what are some new aspects you are most excited for people to see about her?

A: I don’t want to give too much away because Kat’s history is doled out in bits and pieces throughout the series, but I think there’s a lot brewing underneath her calm and grounded exterior. That was a fun challenge for me. I’m so honored that Sean and Sinead wrote such an interesting, complex update on this literary character for me to play.

Q: Was there anyone on set that was hard to film with because they kept making you laugh?

A: Haha. This is a great question, because Shipwrecked sets are always a blast and we are ALWAYS laughing. I got mad at Gabe (Brom Bones) a couple times. He kept looking right at me as he put that “mayo” in his mouth (in the first episode), and we couldn’t keep it together.

SINEAD PERSAUD:

Q: What is your favorite thing about your character?

A: What I love about Matilda is her loyalty and adventurous attitude. Even though at first glimpse she seems closed off, rude, and even downright mean… she’ll be the first to help out in a bad situation. She’s curious about the world and her place in it, especially when it comes to her unique abilities. It was so fun to write and perform a character that I think people might relate to!

Q: What is something about the original story that you were excited to have in the modern retelling?

A: I think our modern update on the “Brom Bones” character was most exciting for me. Instead of your stereotypical villainous jock, we have someone who is constantly trying to do the right thing but always gets in his own way. He has so much growing up to do. As played by the incredible Gabe Greenspan, he’s also just so hilarious and loveable! It’s just a testament to the short story that so many of the characters and themes are still applicable today. Also little Easter eggs throughout are homages to the story that I think discerning viewers will be delighted by. Those always feel cheekily amusing.

Q: If you could pick any other character to play, who would it be?

A: Verla Wolfson for sure! But Ginny Di is impeccable in that white nightgown so I would never have dared.