Like just about every character on The Lying Game, Ryan Rottman's Jordan comes in with an air of mystery about him. It was one thing when he pulled up on a motorcycle, a potential new bad boy in school who caught Mads' (Alice Greczyn)'s eye. It was quite another when he knocked on Rebecca's (Charisma Carpenter) door at the end with a "Hi, mom," catching her by just as much surprise as the audience. So who is Jordan, how trustworthy will be prove to be, and why is he in town? We caught up with Rottman to find out!
"Jordan's got quite a few secrets, all around!" Rottman said. "He's a very secretive guy. I don't think he trusts many people."
Rottman pointed out that Jordan showing up was a surprise to Rebecca, who "didn't expect him quite so early."
"It will be fun to explore just how in cahoots Rebecca and Jordan are. She is welcoming him, even though him showing up was as much of a surprise to her as it was to the audience."
When Rottman initially heard of this role, he went into the audition without any idea of the level of importance Jordan would play in show's major arc. He didn't know who's son he was or how long he would really be sticking around. Even going into filming in his first episode, Rottman was only given a little bit of Jordan's backstory. For some actors, that might be too daunting-- to fill in the gaps in their own mind-- but Rottman felt like it served this particular story well. As episodes go on, he noted, the character evolves and changes anyway. What the audience thinks of him in the beginning may not be the case after a handful unfold.
"I think at first, he's definitely a bad boy. At first, I don't think he's the best influence," Rottman said.
"He's there, not knowing anyone, and all his loyalties are to Rebecca, but as it goes, he becomes more involved, and I think he does become a better person with a better understanding and head on his shoulders."
Mads and Jordan had a connection already, but Rottman shared that it doesn't take much-- or long!-- for Jordan to notice Laurel (Allie Gonino), as well.
"The attraction is pretty quick. I see her sing at the golf course, and I go talk to her, not knowing that her and Mads are close," he said.
The complication for Jordan quickly becomes choosing between the two friends or trying to work both sides ("He starts having a little thing for Mads and for Laurel, and he's kind of torn between them, and I think because of that, he starts trying to set up a life there," he said). But Rottman believed that Jordan and Mads were the better match because of everything going on:
"They both have problems with their families and are kind of going through similar situations. They're both in the same state of mind at the time about not knowing who they are or what's going on or what their place is," Rottman said.
"By Jordan coming in, it gives her somebody to possibly lean back on and to trust and to keep her mind off things and to make her happy."
Of course, Sutton (Alexandra Chando) might further complicate things for Jordan, though, considering she was in Rebecca's house when he showed up, and she is known for using knowledge and secrets to her advantage.
How will he fare? Well, you'll just have to watch and see for yourselves!
The Lying Game airs on ABC Family on Tuesday nights at 9 p.m.
Want more The Lying Game news and interviews? Follow LA TV Insider Examiner on Twitter!
Comments