TV Goodness Q&A: Star Tyler Posey and EP/Creator Jeff Davis Talk Teen Wolf [INTERVIEW] 

Yes, Tyler Posey did flash us during the Teen Wolf roundtable at Comic Con this year. He was showing us the Teen Wolf themed “tattoos” that were being given away at their booth (and that he happened to put on his nipples) and we weren’t objecting. After you appreciate that for a bit, read below as I share intel from both Tyler and Creator/EP Jeff Davis. They gave us some insight on what to expect in the second half of the season and expanded on some of the exciting moments from the season so far.

On the season so far and what’s coming up in part 2 of season 3.

Tyler Posey: “I don’t know how much I can say. I’ve only read episode 13 so far ’cause there’s season 3a and season 3b. In season 3a, Scott has to prove himself. He has to be the man that he wants to be, risk his life, risk his friend’s liv[es] for what he really wants and he rises to be the true alpha. He’s not really trying to become an alpha. In the back of his head he’s like, ‘This is what I have to do.’ The true alpha happens to be on the path I want to be going down so hopefully it happens, because it would be really fun to play. But what’s coming up for Scott? There is possibly a new love interest. That could be really cool to play around with. There’s such good stuff coming up. I cannot wait you to see it, especially in the last two episodes [“The Alpha Pact” and “Lunar Eclipse’]. It’s gonna blow your mind. [Scott] is gonna make a lot of choices that will risk his life and his friends, but he will do what he thinks is right.”

On introducing the Alpha pack this season.

Jeff Davis: “It was really gratifying, especially because of the actors who play them. They’re just great people. It’s been really nice working with new people and crafting new characters that are exciting. It’s been fun getting to know the actors and seeing the response online.”

On whether or not Scott will become a true alpha and when he’ll become telekinetic, like he is in the new opening credits of the show.

Tyler Posey: “Yeah. That was cool, huh? I absolutely loved shooting that opening sequence because it’s brand new. The reason we had to shoot it is because my other opening sequence had Colton [Haynes] – Jackson – involved so we had to re-shoot that. Colton’s unfortunately not on the show anymore, but he’s still in my heart. Love that kid. But, yeah that was really fun. That’s something that we really haven’t dealt with in the actual show yet. I don’t know if it’s ever gonna happen to be honest, when Scott flies or floats or whatever. True alpha though. True alpha is something I’m very proud of and I absolutely love playing. I think it’s one of the coolest mythologies we’ve ever had to deal with. You basically understand the world of werewolves on Teen Wolf. There’s alphas that are angry and evil and so far that’s the way anyone knew you could become an alpha. But now Deaton is telling Scott he’s turning into  true alpha, which is becoming an alpha on his own good merit and force of will just by him being a good guy. I’m getting the chills talking about it. It’s so much fun to play. I can’t thank Jeff Davis enough for writing that. I’m not a true alpha yet. I don’t know what’s gonna happen or not, I can’t tell you guys, but we’re definitely toying with the fact that I could become a true alpha and Scott’s a great guy. He just wants everyone to survive and live and do things without fighting or without confrontation. But if he does have to defend himself and his friends he will. So I think that’s what really makes him a true alpha or true good guy.”

On incorporating Tyler’s tattoos into the show.

Tyler: I do have many tattoos and I’m still adding on. Jeff didn’t know about [his arm tattoo]. I did it and I thought it’d be ok, they can cover it up, but they wrote it into the show. And it’s a great storyline. It has a lot more, really than we’ve given away so far. So that’s something to look forward to. This has become a really cool part of the show.”

On why the focus is more on friendships this season than romance.

Jeff: “Part of what we wanted to do this season was develop Scott’s new pack and see those friendships forming, but we’ll see more romance in 3b.”

On “Motel California.”

Jeff: “We spent a lot of time working out that episode. It was difficult to craft and we wanted to do a midpoint episode that dealt with the character’s psyches.”

On Stiles and Lydia.

Jeff: “The kiss between Stiles and Lydia is a big moment. I’m actually really proud of how that came out and it’s very important to the plot. You’re gonna see things about Stiles in the winter season coming up that changes [his] character quite a bit.”

 On Stiles, Allison, and Isaac.

Jeff: “It’s nice to see them figuring things out. We like to build season long arcs, build the foundation of a nice mystery, clues to be figured out, twists and turns that surprise the viewer and surprise the audience and have them figuring things out as well.”

 On finding out what Lydia was.

Jeff: “It’s been really fun crafting her character. In season 2 we laid in a very specific clue to who she was. You hear her scream in the first episode and it’s echoed, we use the same exact scream from Holland [Roden] every time you hear her scream, partially to maintain her vocal chords.”

On what’s coming up for Allison.

Jeff: “A lot. There’s a very important revelation that occurs in “Lunar Ellipse” that I don’t want to say too much about that connects Allison, Scott, and Stiles in a very big way. You’re going to see each of those characters carry something into the next set of 12 episodes. There’s a big psychological reveal. She’s been really fun to write for because we’ve taken  her to such extremes. We really wanted to make her a bad guy in season 2 and we really wanted to redeem her in season 3a. I think we did a really good job with that. It was nice to see fan response.”

 On growing as a character and as an actor.

Tyler: “I’ve been acting since I was six years old, but a lot of my growth has been on this show. First of all I’m surrounded by amazing actors, Dylan O’Brien especially. I learn a lot from everybody every day, but what I really do is I watch the season right before we film and I’m like, ‘Ok this is what I have to change.’ Scott has grown a lot. I’ve grown a lot. I’m really proud of myself. I’m proud of Scott. I think it’s really cool growing up with him. I love Scott’s arc, growth, maturity and I can’t wait to see where it goes.”

 On Tyler’s favorite scene so far this season.

Tyler: “The scene where I save Deaton or where I try to save Deaton was a lot of fun. They actually had air compressors shooting at my face so it was a giant blast of air that would knock me on my back. It kinda hurt and I was bruised but it was really fun. I like coming home with battle scars. I feel like I’m doing my job so that was a really fun scene to shoot. I can’t tell you what else.”

On the mid-season finale, “Lunar Eclipse.”

Tyler: “It doesn’t leave you too in suspense. There’s a lot of questions that get answered. There are many cliffhangers, but you don’t have that big of a gap in between seasons.”

On filming in LA as opposed to Atlanta.

Tyler: “I love Atlanta. I have so many good friends in Atlanta. I had some of the best times in my life in Atlanta, but I love being home. I have a fiancée now. We live together. We have dogs now. It’s great. It’s absolutely great. It’s fun being home.”

The summer finale of Teen Wolf airs Monday, August 19th at 10/9c on MTV.

Edited for space and content.