None have aged, and none possess memory of what happened to them.
Thrust into the investigation is Agent Jessica Tanner of the Department of Homeland Security, played by actorWilder Yari.
Who is 4400’s Agent Jessica Tanner?
So what can you tell me about Jessica Tanner in “4400”?
She works at the Department of Homeland Security.
And she really believes in good guys, bad guys.
And really does not care about how people perceive what she does.
What’s your status on the show?
Are we going to be seeing more of you coming up in the rest of the season?
I’m in the season a lot.
And it’s funny because Twitter has been so warm about the show; they’re so lovely.
I don’t, that’s not …
I don’t I like whoever that is."
And for good reason, for good reason.
She’s sort of between the White House and local law enforcement.
So she’s kind of middle management and is trying to just verify that everybody stays safe.
But in my opinion, she’s not particularly sensitive to the needs of the actual 4,400.
It sort of shuts down and becomes less of a flexible humanitarian situation.
So I think Jessica is definitely like, “I don’t know what’s going on here.”
I don’t know what you are.
I’m definitely uncomfortable.
No matter what people are telling me."
It’s a nuanced question.
A short answer, no.
I’m not really a big sci-fi fan, really, until this show.
And I don’t think I’ve really given sci-fi its due before this show.
And then I watched the original series and was like, “Oh my.”
All those intense character studies.
It’s just in a different format.
How familiar were you with the original show that this one’s based on?
I was not familiar at all.
You’re really exposing my weak points here.
I didn’t watch sci-fi.
I didn’t see myself playing a cop.
Didn’t watch the original show before.
But I wasn’t a fan of the original series.
Did you debate whether or not to watch the original?
So I didn’t have a problem [watching the original series].
But not in the case of this at all.
It’s very different, but the themes are the same.
What was that experience like to film there?
It was magical, honestly, and I’m not making that up.
And then, did the architecture tour.
I have my Chicago facts at the ready.
Do you know why it’s called the Second City?
I don’t actually, no.
Because it burned down ‘cause of this giant fire.
I get it."
But no, it’s because it burned down.
Chicago is really magical, and I was surprised, as well.
I thought we were going to be heading out to Vancouver, but it was a pleasant surprise.
All the testing and the distancing and the pods and all the safety measures on set?
People were calling me and being, “Yeah, we’re downstairs.
We’re going to test you.”
I’m like, “I’m not on set today.”
And they’re like, “Yeah, we know.”
But yeah, the COVID protocols were great, and I was kind of already used to it.
Does that affect your performance at all?
So the masks, they were shields, but once you’re on set, it all comes off.
And it’s just the two of you anyways.
Honestly, it wasn’t that big of a barrier.
You mentioned “The L Word.”
What can you tell me about your role in that?
So, I am in one episode of “The L Word.”
I’m in one episode; it would be a stretch to call it a guest star, really.
But I’m very much a part of the queer scene in Los Angeles.
They’re like, “Is that?
Wait, I think I just saw you on TV.”
And I’m like, “Oh, my God.
Yes, it’s one line.
But yes, that was really fun actually.
With “4400,” they’re already kind of like in a groove.
So on “The L Word,” it was like me and just three other actors.
These three series regs on the show.
It was just like the three of us in holding.
And I was like, “I watched you when I was 12 years old.”
I’m like trying …
They sure can be.
Are there any opportunities you see arising to do conventions, that kind of thing?
Because from what I hear ka-ching!
I would love to.
There’s 10 main characters, and they’re all incredible.
Once again, Twitter has been very kind.
And for good reason; they’re so talented.
They’re so endearing.
You just fall in love with these people.
So there’s 10 of them.
So the bus is full, basically.
They’re like, “We’re good.
I will pick up the phone.
As a non-binary actor, have you noticed that shift behind the scenes?
That’s an interesting question.
Basically, there’s definitely more demand for non-binary roles and trans roles, and that’s really amazing.
Not to just shamelessly plug, but we have three trans writers in the room.
And it lends so much to the show.
Whereas in other scripts I’ve seen, they don’t really get it.
They’re like, “This androgynous person,” and that’s not really what that is.
Or with this male character who’s wearing a dress and are they non-binary now?
I’m like, “No.”
It just makes it all more important to have trans non-binary representation behind the scenes as well.
It seems like the last couple of years, there’s been this groundswell, this big shift.
“Groundswell” was exactly the word I was thinking as well.
Yeah, I’m so thrilled to see it.
And I think what Hollywood is discovering is there’s a massive market for all of this stuff.
But it’s also like, you don’t need to be …
It’s a beautiful story.
Same thing with “Moonlight.”
The list goes on and on.
But yeah, you don’t.
You’re supposed to empathize.
Television can be a great vehicle to educate.
I was talking about this in another interview I did recently.
Like 80% of people in the United States say they have never met a trans person.
So really all you have is representation.
Or it even opens a door for you to Google.
Google is free, you know what I mean?
Just a quick side note: I got into this huge argument with someone relatively recently about hormones.
And it’s not.
Things that really sort of stuck with you?
There are a couple things.
Everyone is sort of within the same age range.
I want to say most of the cast are under 35, the vast majority.
Most of them in their 20s.
So there’s this real sense of community and just love, to be honest with you.
Because it’s sort of very “High School Musical”; we’re all in this together.
It’s all our first big thing.
We did a watch party when the show premiered on October 25 and everyone was losing their minds.
We were at Joseph David-Jones’ house in this screening room in his apartment building.
But something about one of us coming on stage and we’re like, “Ah!”
And we all do karaoke together, which is not something I was expecting coming in.
But everyone on the cast can sing, which is a bummer for me.
But yeah, there’s just been so many really beautiful moments.
But especially off set for me.
So when’s the musical episode?
Dude, the main cast keeps talking about the musical episode, and I’m like, “Stop.
Guys, I’m going to get written off the show.
you might’t do this to me.”
But just really quickly, one more note about karaoke.
So JoJo and his girlfriend come in kind of at the end, the tail end.
And Jaye Ladymore is one of the series reg, she plays Claudette.
She’s a beautiful singer.
So she starts singing “Adorn.”
And I don’t know why someone just hands the mic to JoJo.
I was there with my partner, and we were just like, “Oh, come on.
And you too, JoJo?”
But I don’t know.
The main cast had to move to Chicago.
So I say nine of the 10 did not live there.
So everyone’s exploring the city at the same time, and nobody knows what to do.
Are we going there?”
So yeah, you really rely on each other in a different way.
And the same thing happens when you go on location to shoot a movie.
It’s this weird little pod.
It’s you against the environment.
Especially, because there are writers involved who are all wonderful and sort of their own pod.
Where a lot of the writers, it was sort of their first big gig as well.
And the writers get to produce their own episodes.
So they’re always on set.
We get to meet them.
We spend some time with them.
In a vague, non-spoilery kind of way?
I mean, wow.
There’s break-outs, there’s break-back-ins.
There’s like a haunted episode.
I’m not trying to give anything away, I want to entice.
There are characters that you don’t even know yet that are going to come into the picture.
Jessica continues to be on the rise.
Multiple couples come together and fall apart in these really unique ways.
And “don’t trust the government” is my big slogan for everybody to watch the show.
Wilder Yari reveals their favorite celebrity couple
Let’s shift gears and talk celebrities.
Do you have a favorite celebrity couple?
I go all in on celebrity couples.
I’m a huge fan ofKourtney [Kardashian] and Travis [Barker].
Listen, I love them.
I want to look away, but I can’t look away.
But I’m with it; they’re my favorite.
Whereas, I feel …
I want to show you this photo.
Hold on, I’ll show you.
It is … Yeah, there we go.
But they look so happy and I love that for them.
I’m like, rock and roll!
Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly.
I’m like, “Okay.”
And also just because Megan Fox is bisexual, and I’m just like, “Come on.
Yeah, and I really hope Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson aren’t dating.
That’s perfect though.
It’s so true.
But yeah, that is my favorite couple for sure.
What about favorite celeb look of the year?
Do you have any celeb looks that have stood out for you?
I love talking about fashion.
I did a whole, like, Met Gala rundown on my Instagram.
It’sWilder.Yariif anyone is wondering.
I’m trying to think, my favorite celebrity look of the year.
Man, let me think.
Oh, definitelyZendaya at the “Dune” premiereso far.
She’s in this nuts Rick Owens thing.
I don’t even know how to describe it.
It’s like floating but solid, and it’s appropriately sand-colored.
Yeah, she’s a star.
I think she’s going to win the Fashion Icon Award, the youngest recipient.
That’s definitely my favorite so far.
Did you see what Lady Gaga wore at the “Gucci” premiere?
My parents are gone.”
Yes, and I love that for her.
That’s a great color.
Like rock and roll.
I wrote it, producing it, starring in it.
You know, classic.
Gets into this affair with a married woman.
It’s sort of like “The Farewell” meets … Oh my God.
Oh, where to go?
Oh, “Rummy.”
“Rummy” meets “The Farewell.”
The short version is done.
Well, thank you so much for your time.
Thank you so much.
It was so much fun talking to you as well.
Truly, call me whenever.
We can talk about fashion at any time.
“4400” can be seen Mondays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on The CW.
