Interview: Star Jeremy Sisto Says WICKED CITY Will Push Network TV Boundaries

Very little can shock American TV viewers anymore. From gore to profanity to nudity, we've more or less seen it all since cable became a leader in high quality, ground-breaking programming. While the standards and practices associated with broadcasting over the public airwaves normally hamstring networks, that doesn't mean that they aren't actively looking to push the limits of TV dramas. Next Tuesday at 10/9c, ABC premieres its new anthology series WICKED CITY, which they have actively advertised as "pushing the boundaries of network TV." The show centers on a sexy, serial killing couple in glamourous 1980's Los Angeles, and like everything else in the decade, the sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll are all done to excess.

(Visit WICKED CITY's official site for more details on the show.)

Jeremy Sisto stars as Detective Jack Roth, the man tasked with bringing the killers, played by Ed Westwick and Erika Christensen, to justice. No stranger to network crime dramas, Sisto, who came to fame in 1995's CLUELESS, played Detective Cyrus Lupo on LAW & ORDER before leading ABC's critically beloved sitcom SUBURGATORY.

With over two decades of television work under his belt, Sisto knows that ABC has loosened the reigns for WICKED CITY. "I think most networks, I don't really know what goes on in that whole world," Sisto admitted, "but I imagine there's some element of feeling the need to not just compete with the progressive nature of cable television, but there's also a certain freedom that has come with what people are used to seeing. This show for sure is pushing those boundaries."

Sisto said that the network is taking a chance with WICKED CITY, because, not only is the content beyond the scope of normal network dramas (drug use, bondage, and dismembered body parts all feature heavily in the first episode), but the story also veers into a number of different, dark alleys that most network shows try to avoid (a necrophilia fetish is at least suggested in Tuesday's episode). Westwick and Christensen play killers Kent and Betty, and while simply murdering naive, young beauties would be bad enough, the two do it with a sexually sadistic glee.

"Our really intriguing serial killers, are both doing really interesting stuff," Sisto said, "The way the story is being told around them, is really fun to watch. It's very stylized in a way, but it's not too stylized that you don't get invested in these characters. Both Ed and Erika are doing great stuff in that part of the (show's) world."

From the beginning of Tuesday night's pilot, it is clear that Kent is trying to get Jack's attention, initially copying the M.O. of a notorious killer that the detective put behind bars. As the season progresses, Kent becomes more brazen in his overtures toward Jack.

"Kent takes a very specific aim at Jack, for his own reasons," Sisto teases. "He starts speaking to him by name, writing letters to him, and getting up in his world in a way that is really explosive and undermines what Jack wants. It becomes a very personal case, not just because of his own issues, but because this killer has got him in his sights."

Even though he has a loving wife and daughter, Jack has his share of demons as well, many of which are revealed in Sunday's premiere. "What's interesting about (Jack) is that he is like many of us; in parts of his life he just doesn't know what to do," Sisto explained. "He knows he is on the wrong path in certain aspects of his life; he's a bit of a mess. It's called WICKED CITY, all of the characters have a wicked side, and (Jack) definitely has his own shadows and his secrets, so there's a lot to play."

Despite the dark nature of the subject matter, Sisto insists that the characters are innately entertaining, making the show feel unlike most murder mysteries. "You'll find that it has a tone that's so different, that it's really a fun watch; it's a fun ride," Sisto said. "The characters, you're really allowed to invest in them, and it's a great cast; everyone really brings something special to the show."

Sisto raved about working with each member of the show's cast, which includes Taissa Farmiga, Evan Ross, Gabriel Luna, Karolina Wydra, Anne Winters, and Jaime Ray Newman. He also added that another thing the show has in its favor, is being set against the backdrop of the crazy, drug-fueled 80s in LA.

"You're also hanging in this legendary time on the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles." Sisto said. "There was a sense of superficiality, of the outside being the most important thing in the world. Living the dream, but at the same time, the dream being king of a nightmare. To me, (WICKED CITY) is a very unique show, and I'm really excited to be on it."

Check out WICKED CITY's teaser trailer below:

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Banner Photo Credit: Eric McCandless | ABC