- Hello Harley Shellhammer and thank you for your time for the Fans of WearetheWalkingDead.de.

 

- Harley , When was the time you know you want to be an actor?

- When I was very young, all I wanted to be was a professional NHL Goalie, but my Mother always wanted me to be an actor. It has always lived inside of me to do it from her. I would always hear from everyone, I look just like John Travolta and I should be an actor, etc; hahahaha

 

 

You worked in one of my Favorite series. "The Walking Dead". How did you get cast?

- My agent at the time called me and asked me to film a “side” they sent me. They didn’t tell me what it was for, but that it was needed right away. That’s pretty much it. I heard back the next day I was booked.

 

Which role did you play in the series?

- My character was called, Prison Newcomer. I was the leader of a colony that was taken in by the group, living in the upstairs part of the prison when people started becoming sick and turning into Walkers without being bitten. After we escaped, my character became ill and was placed with main series character, Sasha (Sonequa Martin-Green) in another part of the prison where we were to begin our transformation into Walkers. This was all shot during episode 3. However I was informed after filming my second episode, the writers changed the script to bring me back later in the series. The idea was to lead a small group against Rick’s group to inflict revenge on them for getting our people killed inside of the prison. Unfortunately, this was also deleted as this often happens when storylines change.

 

Working in TWD Universe, What is the first what you remember when you look back on set?

- I will never forget watching Andrew Lincoln get himself pumped up before every scene we shot. He would listen to music to get himself ready for the intense scenes needed during filming. Everyone was very kind on set. But I will never forget the first day I drove to set, entering the studio gates. It was a surreal moment.

 

What do you think has been the key to this show’s success and why have people responded to it like they have?

- I can only speak to the original series. It was written, shot, and performed so well, it was very captivating. There was no shortage of characters for the audience to route for or against. Each season continued to grow as both the characters and audience experienced this new world they were learning about. People’s true character was being displayed. Some very good, some very bad. It became a world of survival every week, and this propelled the show through its best seasons, so much so, the creator, Robert Kirkman, couldn’t keep up the writing fast enough. And now today, you have an entire Universe created across multiple time lines and geography's.

 

Here’s a fun little hypothetical for you.How would you fare in a zombie apocalypse? Being a former athlete, I would have had the confidence to survive. The mental mindset it takes every day to compete against others, would have prepared me for the every day living responabilities to survive. Overtime however, I’m sure this would diminish, but hopefully the world would have survived as well to become what we once knew it as.

 

Do you have any interesting or funny stories from your time on the set? - Truthfully, no. It was extremely professional on set. Everyone knew what they needed to do. The episodes I spent on set, season 4, episode 2 and 3, were very intense ones. TWD was very different from other productions I’ve worked on, in a great way of course. But I have worked on other sets that produced some funny memorable moments.

 

Harley , you also work in "Deadpool & Black Panther: The Gauntlet". Is there something you can share with us?

- This was actually a fan made film by several actor and stunt professionals. It was shot just like a true large production with many of the bells and whistles, but it was a fan made rendition. Very fun time on set. I also got to work with my brother in law for the first time as he was the Director of Photography.

 

You worked in so many series and movies, whats is your personal Highlight so far ?

- It’s always amazing to work along side the big name actors as you learn a lot from them. Even on big productions like Flight, Fast and the Furious, What to Expect when You’re Expecting, The Brittany Murphy Story, Trouble with a Curve, The Watch, Identity Thief, and many more. But landing my first leading role, number 1 on the call sheet, for a TV series we shot in NYC just before the world shut down in 2020. Having so much responsibility as the lead actor was a lot of pressure, but it was also my moment to take the show and run with it. There is nothing like filming in the streets of New York City with thousands of people watching at times. But even after all that, my couple of weeks filming TWD will always be my most cherished time as an actor. Even with little air time, just one line, that experience will always be my personal highlight.

 

2013 you worked as precision driver in "Prisioners" with Hugh Jackman and also in "Anna Nicole" What does a Precision Driver?

- Landing a role in TV or Film is very difficult. They ask hundreds to audition for every part. It’s not easy to be a consistent working actor. Therefore you learn other skill sets that may help when not working on set as an actor. For me, I love to drive. I was certifed to drive a vehicle at fast speeds, experience uncontrollable actions, but maintain control of the vehicle. Precision Driving is when the Film or TV needs a trusted driver to perform actions along side the stunt team. The stunt team needs to have trust in us so they can perform the higher level of stunt needed for the scene. While filming Prisoners, I had mentioned I was a PD to the Director. One day while I was at home, I received a call from the AD if I could come to set to drive. That was it.

 

Is there anything else you would like to let TWD Fans and your fans know?

- I have been fortunate to audition for every season of, Stranger Things. I was very disappointed I didn’t book that show. I felt as a character actor this show was right up my ally. I was close to booking the final season I was told at the beginning of the year, but it didn’t happen. Unfortunately, things have slowed down tremendously for me. I’m hoping over the next the few years, we will see a resurgence in TV and Film production which will product more opportunities for us actors. In the mean time, I will continue to support my children in their endevors in any way I can. I am proud to say I have a son who is an elite level soccer player. Much of my time is spent with him and going on road trips for his matches. I want to say thank you to all of TWD fans around the world. It has been 11 years now since I filmed my scenes and to this day, I continue to receive messages or request to talk about my short lived time on this show. It just shows the impact TWD world left on so many. Thank You again….