The second episode in the Shadowlands series is titled Mating Season. In the early 1950s, a couple explore the idea of opening their relationship while on a remote camping trip when they encounter a mysterious stranger.
Colombian born actor Oscar Moreno stars as Matteo opposite Nicolas James Wilson in the Shadowlands series.
Tell us about your story in the Shadowlands series. What were the main challenges and fears you had in your role?
Oscar Moreno: In our episode , Will and Matteo negotiate the terms of their relationship while on a camping trip. This was my first leading role in a TV production. So initially I was concerned with the filming process.
As for the role, I was very excited to be exploring a gay character that was dealing with complex issues. For a long time mainstream gay media has focused on coming out stories. I’m glad to be a part of a story that brings to light issues that arise in relationships through a gay perspective.
How much of yourself goes into a character?
Oscar Moreno: I think that in order to create a meaningful performance, part of yourself has to go into every character that you play. For me, it was about about exploring my own emotions and thoughts with regards to open relationships. I believe that powerful performances comes when an actor is able to find the emotional truth of each moment.
How much were you able to relate your own experiences to create your character in the Shadowlands series? And how much did you have to research or imagine?
Oscar Moreno: Philosophically I relate more with Nicolas James Wilson’s character of Will. Since I believe that open relationships are usually more progressive. This however was a conclusion that took me some time to come to.
So in order to give life to Matteo, I had to think back to how I felt before the idea ever entered my field of view. Ultimately the experiences and emotions Matteo goes through are betrayal, self doubt, reconciliation and love. These emotions can be very visceral to most so allowing myself to connect to these emotions and apply them to Matteo’s circumstances was a wonderful challenge to tackle.
I also enjoyed learning about artists like Tom of Finland. I was familiar with some of his work but really enjoyed learning about his life and what drove him to draw such magnificent men in a time where homosexuality was condemned.
Nicolas James Wilson and Oscar Moreno in the Mating Season episode of the Shadowlands TV series
What aspects of the Shadowlands series are you excited for an audience to experience or discover?
Oscar Moreno: The Shadowlands series offers a unique twist to conversations around sexuality and identity. I hope that the audience will get a chance to reflect on their own experiences and learn something new about themselves in the process.
The themes brought up can sometimes be challenging but ultimately it’s all about humans in different sorts of relationships. Allowing the audience to get a peak at how others live, we can hope to continue the conversation around sexuality and identity.
Each story or episode in the Shadowlands series is unique and has its own world of characters, time and place. And yet there are connections between them. Were you aware of these connections while filming or was it a surprise to learn later?
Oscar Moreno: During filming i was only aware that we were matching the lying down shot from Pygmalion Revisited but now I’m happy to be learning more though here.
Matteo (Oscar Moreno) and Will (Nicolas James Wilson) in Shadowlands ‘Mating Season’
Xavier (Marc Devigne) and Rudy (Charlie David) in the Pygmalion Revisited episode of the Shadowlands TV series.
Romance between men and between women was common place and written about in Greek and Roman mythology. Why is it important to continue sharing these types of stories today?
Oscar Moreno: Romance, sexuality and identity aren’t just for the Greeks and Romans. These are universal themes that should continue being explored. But the exploration is only beneficial if we take different perspectives from our own. As humans we tend to fear what we don’t know.
So it is up to each and every one of us to share our stories so that others may learn from it and thus fear it no more.
What was the hardest scene for you in the Shadowlands series to do and why?
Oscar Moreno: The most nervous I got during filming was when we were doing my monologue. Not only was it a lot of text to recall, but the subject matter of meeting Will through means of getting the shit beat out of me was really difficult for me to justify.
Who is a major influence for you and on your creativity?
Oscar Moreno: I have been a fan of musical theatre since high school, so I take major influence from that. I admire other actors that are able to seamlessly create captivating performances on stage and screen.
Is there a type of role you dream of playing but haven’t had the opportunity yet?
Oscar Moreno: I would like to continue to explore queer characters dealing with their lives. I’ve watched enough gay films to say that it’s about time we go beyond the unrequited love story of a suicidal gay teen.
Queer people have some of the most fascinating and unique stories. I look forward to being a voice for those stories that are told less often.
In addition to acting, tell me about the other areas of entertainment you’re pursuing.
Oscar Moreno: Stay tuned for the launch of my Youtube Channels Totesom and Cuddleom. Totesom will focus on fun entertaining videos that will give you feel for how musical the world is through my eyes.
Cuddleom is a channel that is be devoted to spreading love and exploring the benefits of touch. These channels will uplift and empower viewers to take full advantage of their lives while having some laughs along the way.
With so much going on in the world today, what’s your motivation to be a performer? Do you act to explain? To get away? To move past? To widen our knowledge? To incite a conversation?
Oscar Moreno: Originally I started acting to find a safe community where all my quirks would be accepted. Now it has developed into an exploration of what it is to be human.
With the works that I’m part of I always look for the opportunity to give the audience a reflection of themselves while at the same time challenging their conventions. It is only through discomfort that we can truly grow.
What’s next for you as a creator/actor/performer?
Oscar Moreno: This summer in Toronto, I will be making my Drag Queen debut in this years Fringe Festival in a new musical called The Ding Dong Girls. Come check it out July 4- 15 at the Factory Theatre.
I am also a Professional Cuddling Practitioner in Toronto. If you are a career driven individual who notices they are lacking affection in their lives, take the initiative and reduce feeling of stress and isolation by contacting me for a consultation and cuddle.
Originally born in Bogota, Colombia Oscar Moreno moved to London, Ontario (A.K.A Londombia) with his family in 2003 after having lived in New Orleans for three years. While in London, he participated in the prestigious High School Project at The Grand Theatre where his passion for the performing arts was awakened and fostered.
This lead him to Ryerson University in Toronto to study Theatre Production. After graduating in 2013, he was cast as Ritchie Valens in a production of The Buddy Holly Story at Theatre Northwest which started his professional theatrical career. (He later reprised the role in his home town at The Grand Theatre).
Since then he has been cast in leading roles in short films and will be making his feature debut with the Shadowlands series. You will also see Oscar in the upcoming season of Second Jen as Diego.