“Between Light and Shadow: The Versatility of Zach Gilford”

Zach Gilford is one of those rare actors who can quietly command a scene with authenticity, whether he’s portraying the humble heart of a small-town quarterback or the chilling depths of a complex killer. Best known for his breakout role as Matt Saracen on Friday Night Lights, Gilford has since crafted a career defined by range, emotional honesty, and an understated devotion to craft. In this candid Q&A, the actor-turned-director reflects on the lessons that shaped him, the challenge of making monsters human, and why comedy might just be his next creative frontier.

1 Looking back at your early work on Friday Night Lights, how do you feel that role shaped your approach to acting?

-My experience on FNL taught me to be present in scenes. Our style of shooting was going off the page a lot. And Often while shooting a director would have an idea for the scene and shout it out while you were in the middle of the scene. This would force you to adjust and not just deliver the canned performance you planned the night before at home.

2 Matt Saracen was a fan favorite. What parts of his character still resonate with you today?

-My favorite part of Saracen is his “everyman” quality. He’s someone with nothing “special” about him, but always does his best. And as is often the case in life, his best sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn’t. But he never gives up.

3 After Friday Night Lights, did you feel pressure to avoid being typecast? How did you navigate that?

-Nah, I just wanted to work. I’d be happy to play a different version of matt over and over if people asked me to, but I have been lucky to be able to show I can do more over the course of my career.

4 After wrapping Friday Night Lights, did you have a clear sense of where you wanted your career to go?

-Employment, that’s it.

5 You’ve played everything from sensitive leads to terrifying unsubs. What draws you to such diverse roles?

-As an actor, I just like to act. I try and find something interesting in every role I do.

6 What was the biggest challenge transitioning from grounded roles like Matt Saracen to darker characters like Elias Voit?

-There really wasn’t a challenge. It all starts on the page, I try to take the script, figure out who I think the character is and see what happens on set with the other actors and director, etc.

7 You’ve worked on medical dramas (Off the Map, The Mob Doctor), horror (Devil’s Due), and thrillers (The Purge: Anarchy). Which genre excites you most right now—and why?

-They’re all fun, but honestly: I really wanna do a comedy. 

8 How does your acting process change when you’re playing someone as layered and disturbing as Elias Voit?

-The process never changes. I memorize my lines, show up, and see what happens.

9 Midnight Mass was intense and philosophical—how did that experience compare to Criminal Minds: Evolution?

-This was a much different project than most others I’ve worked on. It was very personal and…for lack of a better word: heavy. But again, I just memorized my lines and showed up. 

10 What inspired you to step behind the camera and direct for Criminal Minds: Evolution?

-I’ve always wanted to direct. I did a lot in high school and college. This was just the first time I was able to convince someone to pay me to do it.

11 How did your experience as an actor influence your directing style?

-I just came at every scene as an actor. I put myself in every character’s “shoes” to try and figure out how a scene could most honestly work.

12 Were there any specific visual or narrative techniques you wanted to bring to North Star, your directorial debut?

-Music. I read the script and instantly had specific songs in my head for different scenes. other than that…I shot a lot of feet.

13 Do you see yourself pursuing more directing in the future? Any dream projects?

-Definitely want to direct as much as possible. I hope to do a feature at some point. 

14 Elias Voit is a uniquely cerebral and emotionally complex villain—how did you prepare to embody such a psychologically layered character?

-Again, it starts on the page. I took what they wrote and just tried to see what I could discover from there.

15 As Criminal Minds: Evolution evolves the franchise’s format with more serialized storytelling, how do you think that shift has impacted your character’s arc and the way viewers connect to the story?

-Honestly, if the show hadn’t evovlved and become more serialized, I wouldn’t be on it any more. I’ve been luck that with every season, we’ve gotten to show a different side to Voit.

16 Elias Voit has a chilling duality—family man and serial killer. How did you approach balancing those two sides without turning him into a cliché?

-I try to make the audience like my character and sympathize with him, no matter who he is. So here, I tried to make people like the monster. 

17 What has been the most surprising fan reaction to Elias Voit so far, and has it changed how you view the character?

-Some people hate him coz they want the old format back. Too bad, go watch re-runs.

18 You’ve always been an outdoorsy guy. Has spending so much time outdoors led you to become more eco-conscious in your personal life?

-I try my best. But its hard. We get so set in the life of convenience we live. I drive an electric car, or bike to work when I can. I change the little things I can in my life, but I still take planes to get across the country. So does that make me a hypocrite?

19 Can you tell me about your character in The River Why and the attempts to make it a green production?

-That was a fun project. Weirdly because it was a green production, it was the first I’d ever been on that had water jugs instead of individual water bottles. Sadly even the first that recycling.

20 Do you think it’s been easier for you to stay grounded as a celebrity shooting in places like Texas and Hawaii as opposed to Hollywood?

-Nah, its the same wherever you are. You can choose to be an asshole, or you can choose to stay yourself.

21 What do you think you’d be doing if you weren’t acting?

-I’d probably be a teacher. I studied education in college, and almost took a job teaching high school upon graduation, but my parents encouraged me to pursue acting. “teaching will always be there.”

22 Which character do you personally identify with more: Matt Saracen or Dr. Tommy Fuller?

-Sadly, Tommy fuller. I, like him, still have a lot of growing up to do.

23 If you could revisit one past role and reshape it with what you know now, which would it be and why?

-That’s a good question. Hm. Probably none. I’ve learned something with every job I’ve had. I’m proud of everything I’ve done. I just hope to keep getting better.

Whether he’s embodying a villain who hides his darkness behind a family man’s smile or stepping behind the camera with music and nuance in mind, Zach Gilford approaches every project with quiet confidence and relentless curiosity. Grounded, unpretentious, and refreshingly self-aware, he reminds us that longevity in Hollywood doesn’t come from chasing the spotlight,it comes from showing up, doing the work, and letting the performance speak for itself. And while he’s come a long way since Dillon, Texas, one thing is clear: Gilford is just getting started.   

Photographer DaMarko GianCarlo www.damarkogiancarlophotography.com

Story Kyra Greene @noteasybingreen

Make Up Tamieka Gardner @tamiekamua

Grooming Myrlen Monge @myrlenmonge

Wardrobe TajayDupree @royalt_fashiion

Produced By The Greay Firm & The Coi Group