Visiting the Set of Graceland

Last week, I had the exciting opportunity to go on a press trip to Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. for a set visit of USA Network's hit hour-long drama series, Graceland.

In prep, I watched all the episodes from the first season, back-to-back, bingeing on them like a TV junkie. And like a junkie, I found the show to be highly addictive. I love when I can’t predict what is going to happen next and this show has so many twists and turns, I was continually having my mind blown. Plus, the hot looking guys in the show also helped to keep me glued to the tube.

I really got a kick out of being on the set and walking around the beach house that is at the core of each episode. I felt like I was trespassing or something, lol. Unlike other sets that I've been on, this one is actually setup like a real home, with each of the character’s rooms totally decked out and completely enclosed with walls, windows, ceilings and everything. The furnishings were so cool; they could be featured in a House Beautiful magazine. I definitely would purchase several of the posters and furniture that I saw.

Here’s the famous Chore Wheel referenced and seen in several episodes. The post-it note reads: “Johnny- Where is the freakin vacuum? -Charlie” Gotta love the detail!

In addition to the set tour, we saw a scene being filmed from the 7th episode of the second season and conduct interviews with each of the six main actors and actresses. All of whom, were super down to earth and very friendly.

When I first started watching the show it was the handsome Daniel Sunjata who I recognized right away from Grey’s Anatomy, Sex and the City and for his role as Ranger in One for the Money. He also starred in TV’s Rescue Me and in the last Batman film Dark Knight Rises. In Graceland, he’s a mysterious, cocky, bad ass. He walks a fine line between good and bad, but yet you can’t help rooting for him.

I was familiar with Aaron Tveit's musical career on Broadway and his role in the latest Les Miserables movie, but this was my first time seeing him in a role sans singing. In-person, his hair was perfect and I felt like I was being drawn in by his eyes. He was also well spoken and sincere.

Manny Montana was super personable and even led us on the set tour himself and led us over to the food services truck and ate lunch with us.

Brandon Jay McLaren, who I liked from She’s the Man, was especially good at keeping the spoilers in season two to himself.

Serinda Swan meanwhile wasn't filming that day so we met up with her over breakfast, which was a special treat. We also got to meet her french bull dog Buddha (photo).

And our final interview of the day was with Vanessa Ferlito inside her character Charlie's room. She was funny, dropping F' bombs and telling it like it is. We all got a kick out of her refreshing interview.

I also had fun visiting the props truck, where I picked up a fake bag of cocaine, which was filled with brownie mix, making it feel like real powder inside. The FBI badges and plastic guns were all surprisingly heavy also adding to the realism.


For more photos from my visit on the set, check out my Google+ album or 2015 Graceland Set Visit Post.

And for a sneak peek for what's ahead on Season 2  and Season 3 of Graceland click on the desired season to read my Huffington Post articles with spoilers.