Actor Silas Weir Mitchell transforms into new role

GRIMM -- "Lonelyhearts" Episode 105 -- Pictured: Silas Weir Mitchell as Monroe -- Photo by: Scott Green/NBC

(This story was published in the Life section of The Oklahoman Monday, Nov. 21, 2011.)

Who’s afraid of the big, bad Blutbad?

“Monroe,” a reformed werewolf creature called a Blutbad, hopes no one is.

Actor Silas Weir Mitchell’s character is just trying to live a normal life among humans in the new drama “Grimm,” the series inspired by the classic Grimm’s Fairy Tales and which airs at 8 p.m. Fridays on NBC.

Mitchell appeared as convicted killer Glen Ake in the movie “Heaven’s Rain,” which was filmed and set in Oklahoma, but he’s back on television with “Grimm.”

Monroe assists Portland homicide detective Nick Burkhardt (David Giuntoli) in solving crimes perpetrated by other creatures who don’t want to be as good as he is.

Burkhardt has discovered he’s a descendant of an elite line of criminal profilers known as “Grimms” who are charged with the responsibility of keeping balance between humanity and the mythological beings of the world.

The pair build a friendship as they work together on this mission.

Philadelphia native Mitchell, whose acting resume includes appearances on television shows such as “Prison Break,” “My Name Is Earl” and “24,” answered questions about “Grimm” and his role on the show during a recent NBC phone conference call.

Q: Would you elaborate on your character, and will more be learned about Monroe’s background in future episodes?

A: Well, to elaborate more on my character, basically, I suppose everything you hear in the pilot is, you know, that’s pretty much as far as we get. I mean, I’m a Blutbad, and I am sort of a reformed Blutbad. I’m trying to live as a human on the straight and narrow.

And, we will definitely learn more about my character in future episodes. But as far as sort of family history, we’re not getting into that yet. We do learn about me — I’m a clockmaker — but it doesn’t get too much into my history or anything.

Q: Would you talk a little bit about the process of establishing a relationship with your co-star in order to make the chemistry work for the characters?

A: I can only talk about this case in particular, but we’re very lucky in the sense that we love working together, and I have a lot of respect for David. I think he’s very well cast, and I think he’s just a lovely guy.