Tim Rozon trades in his iconic mustache, and cowboy attire for spiky hair, a full beard… and an unforgettably whacky journey into space! Vagrant Queen, a brand spanking new sci-fi series full of emotion, and giggles enlists Rozon to test (and totally nail) his untapped comedic genius. Sure, we’re not used to seeing “Doc Holliday” crack jokes, but despite his broody, laid back personas on projects like Wynonna Earp and Schitt’s Creek, he sure does bring the laughs in SYFY’s intergalactic show. Who knew!
Not only does Vagrant Queen star some bold, bright women such as Adriyan Rae (Elida) and Alex McGregor (Amae), but at its helm is an ALL female team… yes, you read that right: writers, directors, and even the showrunner! It’s no secret that Rozon is amongst great company on this show, but he also gets to have a bit of fun as well. He plays goofy Isaac, a human stranded in space who has an often rocky friendship with Elida, an overthrown heir to the intergalactic kingdom turned scavenger in another galaxy — not yours. Isaac has one goal: to get home to his wife and son. Admirable, right? Maybe not… caught in an elaborate plan by a group of loyalists hoping to restore Elida to her throne (which she is soooo not for), Isaac’s priorities are never quite crystal clear. Without giving too much away, he will be faced with some challenging moral conundrums despite his budding friendships and home-centric goals at hand.
Rozon recently spoke with FANDOMIZE during his hiatus from Wynonna Earp, and well– everything (thanks Pandemic). He shared insight into Isaac’s thought process, praised his on-screen cohorts Amae, and Commander Lazaro (Paul du Toit), and spilled on what his go-to karaoke song would be if his life was on the line…
Now onto an interview, not yours…
MCKENZIE MORRELL: Explain Vagrant Queen to the readers. Tell us about Isaac, the character that you play?
TIM ROZON: It’s a sci-fi show based on a comic book of the same title by Magdalene Visaggio and Jason Smith. I play one of the characters from the comic books that made it over to the television show by the name of Isaac Stelling and he’s a Canadian man who kind of got trapped in another galaxy – and I won’t give away how he got warped into another galaxy, but he did and it’s just kind of his adventures with Elida in her galaxy.
MM: And this show has a Star Wars feel. Have you gotten a character comparison to Han Solo yet?
TR: Only from my brother, I’ll take it! I grew up loving the original Star Wars movies — well four, five, six, and the other ones later. I like all the Star Wars movies, but I grew up on four, five, and six and Han Solo obviously was just a real hero growing up. I’m not going to complain if I get compared to Han Solo, I’ll tell you that much!
MM: Right? And what’s one thing about Isaac that you admire about him and one thing you wish you could change about him in terms of his personality or character traits?
TR: I admire his loyalty, and that’s to his wife and child back home. Isaac has one goal the whole show and that’s to get back home and I really admire that he’s loyal to his wife the whole time that he’s gone. But at the same time that’s the one thing I don’t like about him is that he’s selfish and he kind of has his own agenda the whole time and that’s to get home back to his wife and his kid. Which I get and I understand but sometimes he puts himself before everybody else.
MM: Exactly. And there’s clearly a lot of history there with Isaac and Elida. We learned a lot about their friendship in the first few episodes and how that trust was broken. Will there be more flashbacks in the upcoming episodes? Like what can fans expect for what’s to come in terms of their friendship and what’s gone down in the past?
TR: Yeah. These are some of the best written scripts that I’ve ever come across and I remember reading each script and they’re so good as an episode, but then the really cool thing is that as ten complete episodes you understand that the whole story gets connected. Everybody’s backstory is going to get delved into more and we’re going to find out about all the characters, including Isaac, including Elida, including Amae, including Lazaro. Everybody’s backstory is going to get dealt with and Isaac’s is definitely going to get dealt with.
MM: Oh, wonderful! I know that I wanted to know more about how exactly Isaac got into space, he briefly spoke about how he was catapulted up into space from Earth, but I know there’s obviously more going on to the story so it’s comforting knowing that we have that to look forward to.
TR: I’m telling you, the scripts are so good. Each episode is so full of fun and humor and heart and then heartbreak and I think as the season progresses we’re going to see all of that stuff, but like I said my favorite part is getting to the end, all the dots get connected because midway through the season you’re kind of going to wonder why some of the characters are making some of the choices they are, but by the end of the season you’ll be able to see the big picture and understand why some people did what they did so that’s super cool.
MM: And we did see Isaac overhearing a conversation with Elida’s council, talking about a side plan to saving her mom since that’s her goal, but they have something else that they’re going for. Is this going to come up in future episodes? Obviously we don’t want to spoil anything, but are his choices of how he’s going to let this unravel come up in the future?
TR: Yeah, I can’t say too much without spoiling, but everything is going to get dealt with and if you have questions I think it’s because you’re supposed to have those questions at where you are in the episodes and Jem Gerrard, the showrunner and main writer, she’s very smart so if you’re having questions it’s probably because she wants you to have those questions. You will get the answers. I don’t know if you’re going to like the answers that you’re going to get, but you are going to get answers to the questions you have.
MM: We don’t have to like it but we’re going to love the show so that’s okay! I know that I loved the scene where you guys were doing karaoke. It was such a fun thing to watch. If you had to choose one song to sing to get you out of imminent death, what would be your go-to song?
TR: I’m not much of a singer, I kind of noodle around on my guitar and play Willie Nelson songs so probably ‘Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain’ would be my go-to. Plus it’s only two minutes and four seconds. I always feel like people pick these long songs at karaoke and it’s the wrong move. Short and sweet! Get in, get out.
MM: Short and sweet, you can’t go wrong! There’s a lot of dynamic characters on the show including yours. Which character would you want to step into their shoes for an episode?
TR: You know who really just jumps off the screen? I mean obviously Elida, just from the first second you meet her she comes on, she kicks those two aliens’ asses. But Amae is my personal favorite cause for me, Amae is the heart of the show. She really is the heart and the glue that puts that trio together and without Amae I don’t think you could have that team. And though I do love Nim, the person that just really jumped out at me right away when I watched that first episode was Lazaro. I thought Paul du Toit’s Lazaro was just so fun. I know he’s a villain and you’re not supposed to like him, but he looks so deliciously fun. The way that he’s portrayed and played, I would love a run at Lazaro.
MM: Right? The bad guys are always the ones that have that little thing that you want to step into. What about the most memorable costume?
TR: Oh yeah! I got to be the guard. You know, Amae and I got to put those outfits on. And I don’t recommend that to anybody, as cool as it looks. Unless you’re in the middle of our pandemic right now and you need that outfit to go get groceries I wouldn’t recommend it because it’s not the most comfortable.
MM: And you mentioned that Amae is kind of the heart, the glue that holds Elida and Isaac together. Will we see more of a dynamic between Isaac and Amae?
TR: Episode three is when Isaac and Amae go on their own adventure and Elida is dealing with her own thing and we will get more of it. It’s some of my favorite stuff because look, Elida obviously can take care of business and take care of herself and kick a lot of ass. Isaac and Amae, they kind of have to use other ways other than just pure physical dominance to get out of the predicaments and scenarios they get themselves into. There are super fun things that come up. Plus, they’re opposites. Amae just has this way of understanding Isaac that I don’t think anybody else does. She just didn’t judge him from the first moment she meets him and it’s really sweet. It’s one of my favorite relationships on the show.
MM: We’re looking forward to that unfolding, I know Amae is one of my favorite characters as well. In terms of Isaac, we learn in passing that he was a lawyer. Not sure if this is true or a defense mechanism he concocting up in space to get him out of trouble. If you could choose a second career in real life, what would it be?
TR: Wow… well I’m lucky enough that I do another show called Wynonna Earp, also on Sy-Fy, where I play Doc Holliday. Through being on that show I now co-write the Wynonna Earp comic book with the creator of that comic book, Beau Smith, who created Wynonna Earp. Him and I now co-write comic books together. If I could just write comic books I’d be the happiest guy in the world, too. If acting ever just doesn’t work out, I’d love to just keep writing comic books and I’d be pretty happy.
MM: Right, and that’s something that you definitely can do while you’re on TV and while you’re not. I met Beau Smith at New York Comic Con a couple years ago, he’s a good guy. I really enjoy his stuff.
TR: He’s a really nice guy and I’m very humbled just the fact that he would let me come into his little world and let me co-write with him. Plus, he taught me so many things. He’s really a mentor and a great friend. I really, really adore that friendship.
MM: To circle back to Vagrant Queen, Isaac is obviously desperate to buy his way home to Earth. This is what his goal has been from the beginning. What would you say is your most important tool in real life if you were ever stranded in an unknown place with no kind of financial means to get home?
TR: I mean that’s tough. Throughout this quarantine I taught myself to juggle. So… I have juggling? I feel like maybe that could impress some space aliens and I could try to make some money if they’d never seen juggling before. Other than that, I can play guitar but I wouldn’t know how to make a guitar in space on my own. But I feel like I could juggle anything so maybe this juggling can get me out of some jams.
MM: Right? Dazzle them with juggling weird items that you’ve scavenged on some sort of space terrain that we aren’t used to.
TR: Well as we say in Vagrant Queen, “in another galaxy – not yours.”
MM: Not yours! Right? And the fans wanted to know about your biggest role yet, becoming a new dad! Congratulations, by the way. How has that experience been, especially with the quarantine? Any curve balls thrown at you yet?
TR: To be honest I think I’m one of the only people not complaining about this quarantine. I was literally halfway through filming season four of Wynonna Earp out west in Canada so I wasn’t with my son at the time so this gives me the opportunity to be with him. And anybody who knows, that’s had a baby or a child, knows that they need a lot of attention and affection in the beginning. And I’m more than happy to be there for him. He keeps me super busy and it’s making it all worth it. It’s fun! He’s just a happy little guy and he keeps me happy and I don’t really think about what’s going on outside of these walls. It’s been a blessing to be honest.
MM: That’s the most important thing. You’re not one of the parents that are obviously pulling their hairs out teaching their kids and stuck in the house with the kids running amok so that’s good that you get to bond and take the time to be with your son during this time.
TR: I’m lucky and he’s in that perfect age where he needs a lot but he doesn’t need a lot, you know? It’s just a really special time and I’m really, really happy that I’m here for it.
MM: Aw, that’s amazing. As we start winding down I like to add in my signature question into all of my interviews: if you were to construct a donut based on your real life personality what kind of donut would it be and what toppings would be on it?
TR: It would probably be one of those fruit filled ones, you know, covered with icing sugar and stuff but I’d probably have to put rainbow sprinkles on top of it also just cause I’m really kind of a softie and I think I see myself as this mushy, squished up, raspberry filled donut.
MM: Can’t go wrong with that!
TR: You know, with some sparkles on top! Cause I’m still a dreamer.
MM: Well yeah, you have to dream because if you don’t have any type of dreams or hopes or anything like that, the world is scary without holding onto something.
TR: Yeah, you know I was actually thinking about that the other day because I’ve been so lucky, like I said I get to be on these amazing shows and I get to play these amazing characters and I get to write the comic books and these were my dreams and I’m living them. And it’s tough to ask the universe for more, it really is, because I’ve already far exceeded any expectations I had for myself. I was thinking about it the other day and I said ‘well I’ve got to have one’ so my dream is to be in a video game. I’m a gamer and I’ve never been in a video game and I said well I’ve got to have something to really strive for. Cause if not, I could honestly die happy tomorrow after everything I’ve achieved and been a part of. I’m very lucky.
MM: Well we’ll put that out there and I’m sure within due time we’ll be seeing you on video games and stealing the gaming show, as well!
TR: Yeah, that’d be awesome.
MM: Any last words to the fans? Why should they tune into Vagrant Queen if they haven’t gotten the chance yet?
TR: It’s just a super fun show. Someone asked me to explain the show using three words and I kept saying heart, humor, and hectic. I don’t mean to use all three H words, it just comes that way. It’s just really fun, it doesn’t take itself too seriously so don’t take the show so seriously, but then at some points it kind of does and you should. I think as the audience you’ll know when to not take it too seriously and when to take it seriously. Not to mention, it’s hectic because we filmed in South Africa and that’s a word like most people say there all the time and hectic means so many things. Like hectic means “how are things?” it’s just “hectic, man, hectic” and that means “not good, everything’s crazy.” And then other times you say “how are things?” and people are like “it’s hectic, man, hectic” like it’s far out, it’s the best, it’s awesome. And that’s kind of so Vagrant Queen. It’s hectic, you know, there’s a lot going on. But I think anyone that comes on, it’s a feel good show and they’ll have a fun, fun time.
MM: Right, I totally agree. It’s becoming one of my favorite shows. I came from Wynonna Earp so a big fan of your characters and the work that you do. I definitely will make sure I put out the word that everyone should be tuning into this series as well because it’s just fun all around. Very clever. Witty.
TR: Thanks Mckenzie, that’s awesome. And that’s all a testament to Jem Gerrard, our showrunner and writer. She’s incredible.
MM: It’s just some of the writing… all of the writing is really, really good. I was just re-watching it the other day and I was just like wow this is… it’s so clever, I just couldn’t explain it into words.
TR: She’s a genius.
MM: Anything else we should know? If there’s anything else you want to add, you know now is the time.
TR: Thanks for taking the time to talk to me and wanting to talk about the show. I love anybody who loves the show. It’s pretty incredible to be a part of shows with strong female leads. It’s pretty awesome, and for the sci-fi genre that’s not something you see hardly ever. I am coming from another show that’s done a great job with that, in Emily Andras and Melanie Scrofano and Kat [Barrell] and Dom [Provost-Chalkley].
MM: You definitely get drafted onto shows where you’ve got those strong females and it’s so great to see that support and you shining in these worlds.
TR: Yes! Well I ain’t complaining.
MM: Right? Nope! But thanks again, Tim. I appreciate it and I look forward to seeing the rest of Vagrant Queen and Wynonna Earp when you’re able to start back up again.
