Mercedes Mason brought to life the complex character of Ofelia Salazar in Fear the Walking Dead, a daughter of immigrant parents navigating the onset of the zombie apocalypse. In an exclusive on-set interview, Mercedes Mason delves into the nuances of her role, the importance of diversity on screen, and her personal excitement as a Walking Dead universe fan joining the prequel series. This interview offers a unique glimpse into Mercedes Mason’s perspective on Ofelia and the broader themes of family and survival explored in the show.
Ofelia Salazar, as explained by Mercedes Mason, is deeply shaped by her upbringing. “She’s very much a child of immigrant parents,” Mercedes Mason notes, highlighting Ofelia’s sheltered yet protective nature. Initially, Ofelia sees herself as the protector of her parents, particularly her mother Griselda, who struggles with English. This dynamic shifts dramatically as the world around them descends into chaos. Mercedes Mason elaborates, “As things start progressing and the apocalypse starts coming in, the rules start reversing.” This reversal forces Ofelia to confront hidden aspects of her parents’ past and her own untapped strength. The actress describes Ofelia’s journey as a turning point, stating, “It’s like fight or flight. Sometimes when something dire happens, you either crumble and die or you step up and become strong.” This pivotal moment unleashes a resilience within Ofelia that Mercedes Mason portrays with compelling depth.
The conversation with Mercedes Mason also touches upon the groundbreaking diversity of the Fear the Walking Dead cast. Mercedes Mason passionately addresses this, stating, “Our show specifically takes place in east LA, which is very much a diverse place. It’s like a bowl of colors, for lack of a better word.” She emphasizes the necessity of representation on television, connecting it to real-world issues and the need for inclusivity. For Mercedes Mason, the diverse casting isn’t just about mirroring reality; it enriches the narrative, especially within the apocalyptic setting. “It really forces people to view themselves and view each other, create families, create bonds that a lot of shows don’t have the ability to do,” she explains, underscoring the show’s exploration of family beyond traditional norms.
Family, indeed, emerges as a central theme in Fear the Walking Dead, a point Mercedes Mason reiterates. While acknowledging the zombie backdrop, she emphasizes the show’s deeper focus: “To me, the walkers are more of a catalyst. They sort of represent humanity and our fears.” The extreme circumstances of the apocalypse strip away societal facades, forcing characters to confront fundamental questions about family and human connection. Mercedes Mason appreciates the show’s exploration of these evolving dynamics, noting how it challenges “traditional norms” and redefines the very concept of family in times of crisis.
Before taking on the role of Ofelia Salazar, Mercedes Mason was already deeply familiar with The Walking Dead universe as a devoted fan. “Huge fan. I lost my s— when I got this,” Mercedes Mason exclaims, conveying her genuine excitement about joining the franchise. Her pre-existing fandom provided her with a unique perspective, aware of the larger mythology while embodying a character completely ignorant of the zombie phenomenon. This duality required Mercedes Mason to compartmentalize her knowledge, “The fan in me knows way more than Mercedes the actor and way more than Ofelia,” she laughs, explaining the need to “act dumb” to authentically portray Ofelia’s initial naiveté. This contrast adds an intriguing layer to Mercedes Mason’s performance, appreciated by long-time fans of the franchise.
Navigating the initial ignorance of the characters regarding the walkers presented a unique acting challenge, as Mercedes Mason points out. The balance lay in portraying believable reactions without making the characters seem unrealistically oblivious. “It’s tricky, though. You have to be careful because it’s exciting to show that, but you don’t want the characters to seem too dumb,” Mercedes Mason acknowledges. She highlights the clever narrative structure of Fear the Walking Dead running parallel to the original series, providing continuous content for fans throughout the year.
Mercedes Mason’s anecdote about her dog’s reaction to a zombie extra on set injects humor into the conversation, revealing the immersive reality of filming. This behind-the-scenes glimpse further illustrates Mercedes Mason’s engagement with the Walking Dead world, both as an actress and a fan.
In conclusion, Mercedes Mason’s portrayal of Ofelia Salazar in Fear the Walking Dead is marked by depth and nuance. Her insights into the character, the show’s themes of diversity and family, and her own perspective as a fan provide a compelling look into the series. Mercedes Mason effectively captures Ofelia’s transformation from a sheltered daughter to a resilient survivor, making her character a significant part of the Fear the Walking Dead narrative. Her enthusiasm for the Walking Dead universe shines through, making her involvement in the series particularly rewarding for fans.
For more Fear the Walking Dead intel, follow Dalton on Twitter @DaltonRoss.
•Ruben Blades says Fear the Walking Dead deals with ‘very tough and important questions’
•Fear the Walking Dead star Kim Dickens on making the zombie apocalypse ‘relatable’
•Elizabeth Rodriguez on going into ‘survival mode’ forFear the Walking Dead
•Robert Kirkman on why Fear the Walking Dead is a ‘great appetizer’
•Fear the Walking Dead: Alycia Debnam-Carey hopes people will be ‘confronted’ by the new take
•Frank Dillane on how Harry Potter prepared him for Fear the Walking Dead
•Cliff Curtis explains why Fear the Walking Dead is more than a zombie show
•Fear the Walking Dead showrunner on characters that ‘don’t know how to defend themselves’
•Fear the Walking Dead showrunner promises ‘psychological tension’
•Fear the Walking Dead: Robert Kirkman says new show contains clues to the original
•Robert Kirkman promises ‘zero woods’ on Fear the Walking Dead
WANT MORE EW? Subscribe now to keep up with the latest in movies, television and music.
