In a corner of that soundstage, David Giuntoli sits in the set that is the house Nick and Juliette share. The connection has extended further than the show, as Giuntoli and Tulloch are now an offscreen couple, as well.
“It was a very deep scene study that turned into an actual relationship,” Giuntoli says.
Their real-life dating has not affected how they work on set, Giuntoli says. “No, when you come in, it’s just very businesslike on set. We dated on the show for years, and we did a movie prior to ‘Grimm,’ and we had to do bedroom scenes, and kisses and things. But when we actually had our first kiss, it was very nerve-wracking.”
Giuntoli talks about how it is like on set in Portland, that alike most of their fellow casts, Giuntoli says he and Tulloch are becoming true Portlanders.
“If a real Portlander is a person who thinks they’ve been here forever, and gets angry when new people show up, then yes, I’m a Portlander,” Giuntoli says, with a grin. “All these new people showing up, who do they think they are?”
The couple has been enjoying hanging out in Portland while filming on set, Giuntoli adds. “She’s kind of like the Trail Blazers super fan girl. I’ll tag along for those, and I love that.”
While filming Grimm, Giuntoli says that bot the cast and crew try to be aware “that we are a visitor to the a neighborhood. We’re trying to keep Portland happy, because you guys have been so good to us.”
Claire Coffee also agrees that she’s got that same Portland feeling. “I think I have enough coffee coursing through my veins at this point to qualify for Oregonian status,” she says.
Bree Turner, who plays Rosalee Calvert, is also feeling at home in Portland.
“I don’t go back to L.A. at all anymore,” cites Turner. “We bought a place up here, which just made sense in my situation, with a family of four.” Rather than flying back and forth from Los Angeles to Portland, Turner says, “We made the decision to make this our home. It’s been way better for my family. I’m able to enjoy work more, because I’m totally present.”
Mitchell, who plays Monroe’s character, acclaims Portland for swaying the tone of Grimm. “The Portlandness of Portland seeps into both shows,” Mitchell says of “Grimm” and “Portlandia.”
“Obviously, ‘Portlandia’ is about that,” he says, “but there’s a sense of humor in our show that isn’t out of place on ‘Portlandia.’ And I think that’s a tribute to the city’s identity. Shows that are so utterly different have the sense of humor that is Portland’s. There’s a serious whimsy to Portland, and that’s a really unique flavor. Portland has an earnest iconoclasm that, to my mind, is unique. I love that about this place.”
The Grimm cast are also becoming more accustomed with Portland culture.
Mitchell and Roiz will be participating together in the play “Three Days of Rain,” at Portland Center Stage. The play will preview from May 17-21 and will open on May 22.
Roiz was also an aiding force in convincing his fellow Grimm actors to get involved in making visits to patients and families at OHSU’s Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, and fundraising for the “Grimmster Endowment,” which helps families to afford care at Doernbecher.
Russell Hornsby, who plays Hank Griffin, will also play Stanley Kowalski in a Portland Center Stage production of “A Streetcar Named Desire” next year. Hornsby also has collaborated with Portland students in the August Wilson Monologue Competition, which assists high school-age actors achieve more insights into the vision of August Wilson, the great African American playwright.
“Because of this job,” Hornsby says, “this security, and knowing we’ll be here another year, my life has gotten less about me.” Acting can be an occupation that turns you narcissistic, Hornsby explaiss. He’s grabbed the chance to work with students, “because you know the financial side is fine, so you can not be so selfish. You can think about other things.”