James Wolk Interview: Is He the Man to Bring a "Happy Ending" For Max? Let's Ask Him!

Grant (James Wolk, l) could be the perfect Valentine's Day present for Max (Adam Pally, r).

Ever since it was announced that actor James Wolk was set to appear on a few episodes of ABC’s Happy Endings as a love interest for Max (Adam Pally), our minds have been whirling. Series creator David Caspe already told us that the two characters are reunited on Valentine’s Day, but what happens from that point? Since Wolk is set to appear on at least three episodes, could this turn into something more than just a physical thing? And could our beloved Max, who is normally anything but the romantic type, finally get all mushy about another guy and settle down?

The Valentine’s episode is set to air tonight and Wolk himself took time for a phone interview with AfterElton to tease us a little bit about whether there will actually be a "happy ending" for his and Pally’s characters.

AfterElton: I wasn’t able to screen your first episode so what can you tell me about your character?
James Wolk: I play an ex of Max’s [and] his name is Grant. When we meet Grant it’s Valentine’s Day and he and Max run into each other and since it happens on Valentine’s Day it rekindles the relationship. Whereas Max is very laid back and goes with the flow, Grant always wears the right dress/tie combo and says everything perfect so there’s a lot of humor that comes between this dichotomy between these guys.

AE: Sounds like Grant could be the anti-Max...
JW: Yes, he is. But he really loves what Max is all about because Grant is always trying to be perfect and Max doesn’t care what other people think, and Grant admires that in him.

In tonight's episode, Max's limo picks up Grant (Wolk) and his date (Wes Armstrong). Awkward!

AE: And how is your chemistry with Mr. Pally?
JW: Oh man, that guy is a handsome man! We had great chemistry. He’s a great actor and a great guy and really funny and it made the whole thing really easy. We just kind of rolled with it. It was really important to us to bring a lot of truth to the relationship on-screen. We wanted people to laugh, but we also wanted people to watch it and feel that this is a genuine relationship between these two guys. That was an important thing.

AE: Did you have to think about playing a gay character differently than some of your past roles?
JW: You know, I didn’t and something that’s really fantastic about this show and the way that they’ve created the character of Max on Happy Endings. The creators – David Caspe and those guys – the way that they’ve written Max and the way Adam plays Max is that Max is gay, but that doesn’t define him. He’s a human being just like anyone else is a human being, and I love that they’ve shown Max in a real honest way. I thought what a great environment to step into and play this relationship where the creators and the actors are…there’s not a stigma to playing it.

AE: Who is the better kisser? You or Adam?
JW: [laughs] Well, it takes two to tango, right? We’re in this together.

AE: I don’t always think of you as a comedic actor, but I can see it in you. Are there different challenges for you there than when you’re doing drama?
JW: Yeah! I’m really excited about this, also, because on network television I haven’t been able to show these colors. I grew up doing theater and studied theater in college and love comedy. So when I had the opportunity to step into this role and play on this show, which is such a great show, it was really exciting. The best way to describe comedy for me, at least, is it’s kind of a dance. There’s just a rhythm to it, a certain surrender that comes to it. I just got done doing a play here in Los Angeles and I feel that live theater and comedy have a certain rhythm that is similar so it was close to that experience so I was able to jump into this show and just roll with it.

Wolk wasn't kidding when he said the other characters take a shine to Grant...and his furry chest.

AE: How was it working with the cast? From being on the set I know they’re a funny group of people!
JW: Yeah. They are all awesome! All six of those actors were all so intuitively talented and care so much about the work that it makes it a joy to be on that set. I was a fan of the show before I went on it and really always thought there was a real chemistry between them, but when they yell ‘cut’ that chemistry continues and they’re still laughing, still joking, still smiling. And I think that’s what brings so much great energy to the show. I think that they were so gracious for bringing me into that environment and making me feel right at home. It was a joy working with all of them.

AE: Since you’re on three episodes at this point, do you interact with everyone on the show?
JW: I do! I interact with everyone on the show in a big way and they all respond to Grant. He makes a big splash with this group, and it will be fun to watch.