Exclusive: Jade Hassouné talks Shadowhunters and That’s My DJ!

Jade Hassouné sat down with us and discussed Meliorn’s journey on Shadowhunters and his web series, That’s My DJ

We know it’s been torture having to wait for the third Season of Shadowhunters. And though we can’t do anything to shorten the wait, we still have a treat for you. We sat down with no other than Jade Hassouné to chat about the show and his webseries That’s My DJ.  As we all know, in Shadowhunters Jade plays Meliorn, a faerie-knight, who is described as handsome, elegant, and equal parts angel and demon. Jade can also currently be seen in the web series “That’s My DJ” as Sam, which it’s third Season follows his character’s story.

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We talked with Jade about Meliorn’s future, and he dished on what’s like working on a web series that’s built with so much love and work from both fans and the team behind it. Excited to get to know more about our favorite Seelie? Follow along our interview and see why we can’t help falling in love a bit more with Jade everytime we get to know him better.

When you joined the show, did you expect it to receive so much love from fans all over the world? How was is like to see how the fans reacted to the news of your casting?

Jade Hassouné: Well, it was incredible, honestly. It’s really rare that it happens that you get casted on a show that already has a fanbase that’s so huge, and uhm, it was… it was crazy. I mean, it’s something that you see or dream about when I was a kid and was excited for eventually in my life but this came in such a big kind of wave all at once. I remember all my notifications were on in my phone and stuff and my agent was like “Okay, at 1pm they’re gonna announce your casting and so you gotta send this video and just kind of be ready.” And I just stared at my phone and it just blew up and my phone was just like freezing cuz there was too much was going on. So that was great! People have been very supportive and happy about the casting for my character since the beginning so I was fortunate to have that support right away. And it’s still happening today. I mean, we are starting to meet fans and going to conventions and things around the world and it’s incredible, really.

It seemed that Meliorn had a good, we wouldn’t say friendship, more like an agreement with the Shadowhunters and other Downworlders during season two. But after the season finale we really doubt it is still there. Is Meliorn going to try to earn their trust back or he doesn’t really care about it at all?

I hope so! [laughs] I really, personally as an actor enjoy it when Meliorn is in an alliance with the Shadowhunters and kind fights alongside them. Right now, on the storyline, it’s very much about what the Queen is wanting. And she’s looking after her race and her people. And… Something that’s not everyone knows about Meliorn is that he is pretty much tied to the Queen, kinda in a bondage to her because of a life bet that he owes her because of how he was raised and stuff like that. So he really, really has to follow what she does and what she chooses… I mean ultimately, each race of beings is looking after their own and they understand that sometimes, there are threats that, you know, will go against the Downworld and the Clave doesn’t necessarily wants to protect the Downworlders because the Clave is very much kind of an elite that is very much looking to keep their power and dominion over the Shadow World. So I mean, there is darkness in that as well. I hope Meliorn is gonna be there to join the trust again. I’ve seen the first episode (of Season Three), well I’ve read it, and I can tell that things aren’t looking as bad as they seemed in the end of Season two, and so that’s kind of all I can say. I’m hoping everything gets turn back around and for it not to become this, you know, an evil Meliorn that just ends up, you know, having to be fought off or something.

We know Seelies are not the warmest or welcoming people. But we still think Meliorn went through some changes from Season one to Season two. Do you think we can expect more changes from him in the upcoming season?

I really hope so! I think so. You know, knowing the books and things like that but also because of what’s been developed on the show that wasn’t necessarily in the books. There are some friendships and alliances that will remain… you know, the alliance with Isabelle or this kind of having each other’s backs, it’s sort of always there and I hope that that continues and there is always, you know, the seelies and the vampires have some sort of an agreement and friendship as well. But is because the Queen has an agenda and she is gonna follow through with it that Meliorn can really do anything except follow orders because he’s gonna lose… he’s already lost half his face, you know so… [laughs] So I’m really really hoping there is going to be more kind of, you know, joint missions and fighting alongside each other, it’s my favorite.

Who do you think was a better match for Isabelle: Meliorn or Raphael? And why?

I think it was fine that it was the way it was. Because he (Meliorn) had to go through some things and Raphael was there for that specific thing. I think Meliorn would’ve reacted very differently to her struggle and what she is was going through and also he wouldn’t have the same solution, you know,  the Yin Fen is kinda still vampire blood and it’s very helpful in a way but because if it isn’t, Raphael had it running through his veins, so he was the right person to help her. And also he’s been through the same kind of struggle, the sort of come out from a dark place and being addicted to blood himself when he became a vampire, he really could help her with that. I think that a seelie would have acted kinda differently sort of, maybe given her a cold shoulder and been like “Izzy, deal with that on your own. You are a Shadowhunter after all  I have better things to do.” You know? Kinda something like that. And their relationship, Meliorn and Izzy, was very much, I think it was more lust than love but even though there is some love there and it was also kind of like an exchange of information. And I feel like Isabelle and Raphael was more sentimental kind of caring for the other type of relationship. I mean, they’re both doomed, and fans know that is not really gonna go there, so I think they are cool. It’s cool they way they created this love triangle and when we got to see them all together, it creates a cool dynamic. So I mean, I’m okay with it, I’m okay with it. And I’m glad at this stage because in the books we don’t even really get to see it, it’s more of an afterthought like “Oh yeah, they used to date.” So, we got to see it, yeah.

What is one thing you would like to see Meliorn doing in Season 3?

I’d like for him to just kind of be around a little bit more. And sort of be part of… some storylines.  I can’t really control that, I don’t really know where it is going, they are very secretive about everything. And I kinda gotta appreciate what I’ve got. So yeah, I’d just like to be present and kind of, you know, be there a little bit more. I mean, or just for us to know a bit more about him (Meliorn), get some insight into his life, and things like that.

Let’s talk about That’s My DJ. We know it’s a project very dear to your heart, what is it like to see the reaction and support from the audience on social media?

Well the good thing is that it’s been very online, kind of interaction since the beginning, even before we had to shoot it, because we had to raise funds and everything. So it’s been very fantastic to have the support, even of a lot of the Shadowhunters fans, because it kind of well happened all at the same time and it’s great. I mean it’s so so great to get to see the people’s response. A lot of people relate to it, specially Season 2. Season 2 was LGBTQ focused, Season 3 is a little bit more, it´s very different in terms of storytime and going to darker subject manners. And more… We wanted to start conversations about depression, grief, addiction, things like that. And it’s really great. Every time someone responds, or is excited about it or makes kind fan art or edits of it’s just such… a joy and it’s just feels so good. Specially since we are trying to get people to watch it and we’re always kinda pushing for it. When it’s received and kinda appreciated it really feels great, and the whole team, we are all very excited every time it happens. Every little tweet counts, every little thing… and is great because we get messages from all around the world when people that aren’t necessarily interested in producing music, underground dj scene or anything like that but there are others that are very much into it. It’s really cool.

TV After Dark: Or even like to be into it, you know? Even opening the possibility that’s what, it’s kind of done of, enjoying something that you never really thought that you would and you took that moment in expanse.

Jade: Yes.

What would you say is the main difference from working on a web series like That’s My DJ to a TV show like Shadowhunters?

Well, honestly is such a big difference. Shadowhunters is a big big production, there’s a lot of moving parts, it’s Disney, it’s a big machine really.  And when you are there you get to really connect to the people that are kind of there, that were setting up this board on that specific scene with you and everything like that. And you have almost zero time so you gotta get through it and everybody is doing their best and it’s really incredible to see hundreds of people work together to create something like that. It’s very cool. The difference is That’s My DJ was created with a very small group of people. The vision of the creator was very much stayed the same and wasn’t edited because there aren’t a lot of decision makers, and a lot of writers. It’s very much focused, you know, from the source of the creation. And the team is so tight. We’ve been working together for 3 years now, five years, I came in later. And so there is this energy between everybody is so set up. It’s a very much more intimate space, you know? The locations, if it´s an apartment it’s a real apartment, if it’s outside, it’s really outside… And we have the time and kinda the focus and the space and the intimacy to really go deeper into certain things…

TV After Dark: So apparently TV is pretty fast right?

Jade: Yeah, that’s it. TV is extremely fast and you have to get it right away. And there is also no rehearsal. But a project that is more independent and has a little team, we really get to delve deep in before and while it’s happening, we don’t move on until we have it. Especially having the creator, the visionary there with you, being the Director, being the one that’s experienced the things and had the vision it’s very much… it’s very very different. It’s a lot more connected and inspiring to me in a way… It’s a very two different inspirations, I mean, I adore big productions, I love fantasy, I love epic things. So I’m super excited and happy when I’m on set as well. It’s just a very different type of focusing or creative energy.   

In Season 3, the story focuses on Sam’s journey and struggles through his career and personal life. How was it like to take this character into a darker path?

Oh man, it was so so fun! I mean… [laughs] it’s funny to think fun when it’s such a dark and like sad thing you know, but it’s something I’ve always wanted to do. It’s like the requiem for a dream type movie one dreams to do and I got to do it and I’m so proud of it and I’m so happy about it. I mean there’s something so fun about just delving into, because you know, some experiences in the show I’ve never lived before. And I was kind of worried that I wouldn’t be sort of able to portray it, but I was. And that’s what I love about acting is that I keep being reminded that if I just stay open and dive in, I will be able to live whatever the situation is and it will come to life, and it will take over. And there is nothing more fun than that. That’s why I love doing it. It’s really really fun… I think it’s the best thing I’ve ever done and some of the most fun work I’ve done, even though it’s such a dark thing.

Do you think Meliorn and Sam have anything in common?

[Laughs] No, absolutely not.

Lastly, we challenged Jade to a few quick fire round of “Yes, No and Maybe” questions.

• Have you ever forgotten your lines right on the spot? Yes.
• Have you ever been starstruck while meeting someone? Yes.
• Do you think Meliorn really had feelings for Izzy at some point? Yes.
• Have you ever cried watching a tv show or movie you’ve been in before? Omg Yes! At almost at everything I was I cried!
• Have there ever been a moment when you’ve regretted your decision to be an actor? Yes.
• Have you ever worked with someone you had a big crush on? No.
• Do you think Meliorn is the way he is not only because of what he is but what he has been through? Definitely, yes. Yes.

For our Sister site, we had to ask one more question:

In your young days or even now, what superhero did you wanted to be? Buffy, the Vampire Slayer. That’s a debate, is she a superhero or is she not? But she definitely is!
Make sure you check out Jade on That’s My DJ, out now on their website: http://www.thatsmydjseries.com. Trust us, you won’t regret it! And keep checking our site as we update you on the latest Shadowhunters news and everything related to Season 3, coming out early next year!