Wolf Entertainment and Prime Video’s Wolf Entertainment’s On Call stands out in the crowded field of police dramas with its cinéma vérité style and emotionally charged storytelling. The series, which explores the lives of police officers through the lens of bodycams, dash-cameras, and cellphone footage, features compelling performances by Lori Loughlin as Lieutenant Bishop and Eriq La Salle as Sergeant Lasman. In a recent interview, the stars opened up about their roles, the challenges of leadership, and the collaborative energy that shaped the show.
Lori Loughlin’s Transformation as Lieutenant Bishop
Loughlin takes on a complex new role as Lieutenant Bishop, a leader who balances the demands of mentorship with the diplomatic finesse required to navigate her department. The character pushes Loughlin outside her usual comfort zone, a challenge she embraced with the guidance of director and co-star Eriq La Salle.
“Bishop is such a different character for me just out of the gate overall in general, so I feel so lucky to be playing the character at all,” Loughlin explained. “Eric, as a director, was really instrumental in helping me find all those aspects of Bishop—pushing me outside of my comfort zone, helping me find that leadership strength, being unapologetic in my performance.”
Loughlin credited La Salle’s mentorship for helping her bring out Bishop’s layered personality, showcasing her growth from a cautious diplomat to an unapologetically strong leader. This evolution highlights Bishop’s personal and professional challenges, offering audiences a relatable and compelling portrait of a woman in power.
Eriq La Salle Balances Acting and Directing
For La Salle, stepping into the dual role of actor and director required careful preparation and a deep sense of trust in his team. As Sergeant Lasman, La Salle portrays a seasoned officer with a steadying presence, a role he approached with the same level of dedication as his directorial duties.
“I do the homework the same. You go in, you try to find out who, what the essence of the character is—what are the truths, what are the compromises, what are the strengths, the weaknesses, the flaws, the highlights, all of those things,” La Salle said. “What I don’t want to do is in any way compromise a fellow actor because I’m not there with the same watchful eye that I have as a director when I’m just back here.”
La Salle’s dual role not only shaped his portrayal of Lasman but also fostered a supportive environment on set. By balancing his responsibilities and empowering his castmates, he ensured the team’s collective strengths were reflected on screen.
Collaboration on Set
Despite feeling “rusty” as an actor after stepping away from the craft, La Salle found himself inspired by his co-stars. He spoke candidly about leaning on their performances to rediscover his own rhythm.
“I was pleasantly surprised at how much I could just lean on my fellow actors and follow their truths,” La Salle shared. “Particularly Troian [Bellisario] because we had so much together, but in all my scenes, I’m just like, ‘Wow, I can forget about directing. I can be in the scene and forget about directing when I’m in a scene with Lori, with Troian, with Brandon.’ That was a luxury.”
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Loughlin reciprocated the praise, describing La Salle as “the ultimate pro” and highlighting the trust and camaraderie that made their on-screen partnership so believable. This collaborative energy not only enhanced their performances but also shaped the tone of the series.
A Groundbreaking Vision
With On Call, Wolf Entertainment has created a series that merges high-stakes drama with innovative storytelling techniques. Loughlin and La Salle’s portrayals of Lieutenant Bishop and Sergeant Lasman add emotional depth to the show, offering a nuanced perspective on the challenges of leadership and the human side of law enforcement.
“The format is incredible because it pulls you into the world immediately,” Loughlin said. “You’re not just watching a show—you feel like you’re there, living it.”
La Salle emphasized how the unique style of On Call enhances its storytelling:
“The bodycam perspective allows us to tell the story in a way that feels raw and real. It’s about putting the audience in the shoes of the officers.”
What to Expect from On Call
Lori Loughlin and Eriq La Salle bring commanding performances to On Call, anchoring its emotionally charged narratives with authenticity and heart. As Lieutenant Bishop and Sergeant Lasman, they navigate the complexities of leadership, mentorship, and morality, offering audiences a grounded yet gripping portrayal of modern policing.
With its innovative style, collaborative energy, and dynamic performances, On Call is set to leave a lasting impression on the streaming landscape. Don’t miss the premiere of this bold new series exclusively on Prime Video on January 9, 2025.
About On Call
Release Date: January 9, 2025
Creators: Tim Walsh and Elliot Wolf
Executive Producers: Dick Wolf, Tim Walsh, Elliot Wolf, Eriq LaSalle, Peter Jankowski
Production: Universal Television, Amazon MGM Studios, Wolf Entertainment
Cast: Troian Bellisario, Brandon Larracuente, Lori Loughlin, Rich Ting, Eriq La Salle
Synopsis
On Call, a thrilling new half-hour drama series from Wolf Entertainment and Universal Television, is an adrenalized and visceral police drama that follows a rookie and veteran officer duo as they go on patrol in Long Beach, California. Incorporating a mixture of bodycam, dash-camera, and cellphone footage to create a cinema verité effect, the innovative series explores the morality of protecting and serving a community.
What excites you most about On Call? How do you think the unique filming style will shape the viewing experience? Let us know what you think on social media!
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