When you first meet Ford, you’ll be forgiven for thinking that he’s a stereotypical teen who likes to cause problems. That’s not the case in Grosse Pointe Garden Society, and it’s something that Felix Wolfe has enjoyed about his role.
We chatted with Wolfe about the character of Ford, diving into why he wanted this role and a look at what’s to come for the rest of the season. He also gave a tease about Quiche, although I can tell you that it doesn’t help to narrow things down at all!
Felix Wolfe talks Ford in Grosse Pointe Garden Society
Precinct TV: What was it about Ford that made you want the role?
Felix Wolfe: Oh, I love that question. Right off the bat, he was presented as a very imperfect character, and I thought that was very engaging. You look for characters that I think you can resonate with, but I also feel like they can be molded into something a little more unique, a little more personal.
Bill and Jenna are creating such a great show, and they were so willing to create a character that was very imperfect and didn’t have all the answers. It gives you that permission to make space and round him out and play with those imperfections. It makes him very human.
He has trust issues, and he doesn’t really have his footing in the world yet. He felt very relatable, very human, and so for me, I immediately gravitated toward him.
PTV: He is imperfect, and I think he’s so relatable for a lot of younger viewers watching the show. What’s it like to be able to bring someone like that to life on the screen and show it’s normal to not know what you want to be or do?
FW: There’s an ingrained responsibility when you take a character like that. You’re appealing to a younger audience, and an audience that very much is likely going through a lot of the same things that Ford is going through. I’m 22 in real life, and I still feel very adolescent in a lot of ways. I certainly don’t have everything figured out. So, I think, I relate to him in that way immediately, but it’s a responsibility that I feel honored to have the privilege to represent.
I think it’s a time in our lives where there is so much uncertainty, and there is a layer of fear just kind of operating through the world, because you’re exiting being a kid but you’re definitely not an adult yet. It’s a very transitional period, and that can be difficult. So, I’m honored that I get to play such a great character that shows the youth out there in the world that it’s normal to feel confused about what’s going on, where you’re headed, what your path may or may not be.
Early on was him kind of evolving his own friendships, and seeing the people that he’s been spending time with might not be who he is going to spend the rest of his life with. That’s super relatable in real life. So, yeah, I feel honored, and I hope I do a good job.
PTV: There’s also that focus that sometimes you just need that one person to believe in you. When Birdie gave that speech in the principal’s office, Ford seemed to realize that he could be something more and then we see him studying. Can you speak on what that’s like to show?
FW: Oh yeah! I think that’s so crucial. I mean, no one does it alone. There are times in that period of our lives that we can feel like we’re going through life alone and no one understands. You’d be surprised that it takes one person to see you for not what you are, but what you can be, and I think that’s so important.
Birdie is such a multi-layered character. Melissa plays her in such an exceptionally developed way where there are so many sides to her character. I think she immediately relates to this kid who’s considered a lost cause, or she kind of sees the world write him off and she refuses to write him off. I think that shows that importance of having one person say “No, I don’t accept the bare minimum, and I won’t accept you accepting what everyone believes you to be. I know what you can be, and I’m going to push that”
It’s no different than a great parent or a great coach or a great mentor. Even a professor. Hopefully someone we come across in our journey that sees something in us that other don’t. So, I think that’s beautiful, and I love that it is represented.
PTV: Grosse Pointe Garden Society has gone against the “whodunit” and opted for a “whydunit” and “who is it.” What’s that been like for you. I mean, most of your scenes are with Birdie or Joel, but that doesn’t stop you from potentially being Quiche.
FW: That’s right. In this case, you could be talking to a dead man. You know, it’s been really fun. I remember while we were shooting, each time a new script would come out, we would all get really excited and read it. I was notoriously terrible at reading scripts because I didn’t want to know. I didn’t want to ruin the surprise, so a large portion of it I don’t always remember, in hopes that I can experience it with the fans, which is really fun. I’m a fan of the show myself.
If you’re in it, you peel back the curtain and you obviously find out certain things. I’m very excited for fans to see where it goes. I don’t think it goes in a predictable way, and if you think you know who Quiche is, you don’t. Maybe you feel like you’ve pieced something together, no, it’s not that. So many things evolve, and it could be a number of people. It’s pretty crazy.
PTV: I keep saying that it’s too obvious to be particular characters.
FW: Maybe that’s it, though.
PTV: My final question. Can you tease anything for Ford in the next episodes. I think we have maybe five left.
Note: There are six left at the time of this being published.
FW: Yeah, we got 13 in the season. I can attest that as an actor, I’m very happy with how this season 1 arc for Ford has gone. I think it carries a lot of emotion. I think there’s a lot for the fans to get behind, and I think there’s a big evolution within his character. I’m excited for people to see that.
I felt extremely honored that they gifted me the opportunity to bring that story to life and evolve with the character. For me, toward the end of the season, because I remember auditioning for the character and shooting the pilot, and in the early episodes, you’re kind of think you knew who Ford was. As time went on and we shot more, I got closer with everyone and started to see where the writers were going with the character. I’ve been very moved by it.
I think how much he was changing affected me in real life, and how he was willing to evolve, it kind of motivated me to try to evolve in my own life. I think there’s a lot of heart and a lot of emotion.
Subjects like death and all that stuff hit harder. I won’t say why, but I just think that within this world, the relationships that develop with a multitude of characters is beautiful. I hope fans enjoy my presentation of that.
Grosse Pointe Garden Society airs on Fridays at 8/7c on NBC. Catch up the following day on Peacock.
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