Tyler Francavilla Talks New 'Roommates' on ABC Family by Troy Rogers
When you first settle into college, finding a good roommate isn't easy. When you settle into college in New York City, you never know who will be passing through your part of the apartment. But when you meet a girl you once had a crush on in high school and move in with her in the hope of winning her over to find love, being a roommate isn't so easy when she has feelings for another guy and you don't like her best friend.
For actor Tyler Francavilla who plays loveable but awkward college freshman Mark in ABC Family's new Roommates, airing Monday, March 23 at 9pm, life becomes a comedic roller coaster ride when he moves in with actress Dorian Brown's character, Katie, while they're both starting college in New York City. And when Mark doesn't get along with Katie's best friend, Hope, played by Tamera Mowry, who's also his new roommate with a business minded James, played by Tommy Dewey, college life in one apartment with four people becomes a struggle for love and a battle to keep a wannabe roommate and four sets of overbearing parents at a distance.
With Roommates about to make its Monday night debut on ABC Family, we caught up with Tyler Francavilla to learn more about his character Mark, the dynamics of having four roommates, and how they'll be working out the bathroom schedule.
THE DEADBOLT: Since there are really only four roommates, what’s the story on Thom?
TYLER FRANCAVILLA: Well, Thom, who’s played by David Weidoff, he is Mark’s best friend from college. He is a quirky, kind of goofball character who’s always trying maybe a little bit too hard at times to be a part of the group and work his way in to be friends with everyone. But he’s also - as goofy and weird as he is - he’s also Mark’s best friend and he’s who Mark goes to for advice when he needs to turn to somebody. And he actually, occasionally, does give Mark some good words of wisdom.
THE DEADBOLT: So technically he’s not one of the roommates. He’s like a fixture, always there?
FRANCAVILLA: Yes. He’s always hanging around and he doesn’t live too far away. Hopefully they’ll have him moving in a little bit closer later on down the line.
THE DEADBOLT: It sounds like there’s some tension between you and Tamera Mowry's character, Hope. How do Katie and James get along?
FRANCAVILLA: They seem to get along just fine. Mark is the one entering the atmosphere. He’s the one entering the apartment and disrupting the way things are. So Katie and Hope are great friends and they all seem to get along well enough with James. Everyone sort of takes James with a grain of salt - him being a little bit cocky maybe or a little bit egocentric - but a lovable guy nonetheless.
THE DEADBOLT: What’s been the funniest moment for you so far?
FRANCAVILLA: Well, we’ve had some pretty wild experiences. I’d say one of the best weeks we had was when we had Marilu Henner guest start on the show, playing James’ mom, and that was quite a thrill to have her come. We had a great time with her, she was hilarious, and she’s going to be fantastic on the show. So that’s one to look out for.
THE DEADBOLT: What are your thoughts on the comparison to Friends?
FRANCAVILLA: I think that there are definitely some similarities. Obviously you have a bunch of young adults kind of living together. I guess the differences would be that we’re obviously younger than they were. Our characters are a lot different. We don’t have the same sort of characters that they had on their show. Our relationships are much different. That’s, I think, the thing that’s going to set it apart. And the main difference is [that] when you start to get to know these characters you’ll see that they’re different individuals and there’s a different group dynamic, and I think the tone of the show is a little different. It’s definitely a fun, lighthearted, out-to-have-a-good-time kind of show.
THE DEADBOLT: Will the bathroom schedule be a central theme in the show?
FRANCAVILLA: Well, it does come up a couple of times. You’ll see, because obviously we live in what would be an absolutely beautiful apartment in Brooklyn and yet we only have one bathroom.
THE DEADBOLT: And two women.
FRANCAVILLA: And two women, yes. And for four people, yes. Two women and one very vain man, which would be James. So that’s kind of a recipe for disaster. But it will definitely pop up and rear its ugly head a couple of times this season.
When you first settle into college, finding a good roommate isn't easy. When you settle into college in New York City, you never know who will be passing through your part of the apartment. But when you meet a girl you once had a crush on in high school and move in with her in the hope of winning her over to find love, being a roommate isn't so easy when she has feelings for another guy and you don't like her best friend.
TYLER FRANCAVILLA: Well, Thom, who’s played by David Weidoff, he is Mark’s best friend from college. He is a quirky, kind of goofball character who’s always trying maybe a little bit too hard at times to be a part of the group and work his way in to be friends with everyone. But he’s also - as goofy and weird as he is - he’s also Mark’s best friend and he’s who Mark goes to for advice when he needs to turn to somebody. And he actually, occasionally, does give Mark some good words of wisdom.
FRANCAVILLA: Well, we’ve had some pretty wild experiences. I’d say one of the best weeks we had was when we had Marilu Henner guest start on the show, playing James’ mom, and that was quite a thrill to have her come. We had a great time with her, she was hilarious, and she’s going to be fantastic on the show. So that’s one to look out for.
FRANCAVILLA: Well, it does come up a couple of times. You’ll see, because obviously we live in what would be an absolutely beautiful apartment in Brooklyn and yet we only have one bathroom.