For the upcoming release of SCREAM VI, Nightmarish Conjurings’ Shannon McGrew had the chance to speak with actor Dermot Mulroney (My Best Friend’s Wedding), who plays Detective Bailey. During their chat, they discussed everything from the excitement of being part of an iconic horror franchise to working alongside Radio Silence, and more.

It’s such a pleasure to be speaking with you today, Dermot. How does it feel to be part of one of the biggest horror franchises of all time? 

Dermot Mulroney: It’s incredible. It’s definitely a whole new experience in some ways for me. As much work as I’ve done over the years, to join an already successful franchise with fans of this movie who cannot wait to see it, that’s a fresh look for me. I’ve had so many opportunities and so much success and good luck, but this is a unique experience in the ways that you’d think that it’s already ripe on the vine in some ways, you know?

What was your reaction upon learning you’d be playing Detective Bailey?

Dermot Mulroney: I had a weird way of finding all of this out. They sent the script in pieces and they didn’t really give me all the details. So the whole process of learning the whole story is a story in and of itself. It was really interesting how they let me know how the story was going to go.

I’ve been a big fan of Radio Silence since their segment in the horror anthology, V/H/S. What was your experience like working with them?

Dermot Mulroney: Every aspect of making this movie was incredible. The best part, I think, was getting that phone call that said we’d like you to be in SCREAM VI [Laughs]. Thanks to them for that!

In the film, you play Detective Bailey who joins in to help Sam and Tara go up against Ghostface. With the passing of Deputy Dewey in Scream V, it’s almost felt like you were stepping into his shoes in some ways. How was that for you?

Dermot Mulroney: I was so touched when I saw Scream V. There were some really deep scenes in Scream V, especially from David Arquette’s character, and right when he was getting like really real and really deep, that’s when they killed him [Laughs]. I’ll say though that I think all of Dewey’s goodwill and small-town, humble vibe really helped my cop character in SCREAM VI. A lot of that may have been attributed to me, but he had set up for five movies that the cops are maybe somehow in over their heads.

One of the most impressive set pieces in the film was the Shrine room. For fans of Scream, it was a treasure trove of easter eggs. What was it like to be surrounded by all those props from the entire franchise? 

Dermot Mulroney: It was an incredible set to be on and, even though I knew enough about Scream, this stuff was really the real deal. If you soak a costume with blood and leave it sitting around for 25 years, you wouldn’t believe how bad it looks [Laughs]. It would be balled up like an old piece of evidence. The art direction and set dressing really topped itself in this as the directors did in the action, in the blood, and the body count. Everything is much more expanded.

You’re no stranger to the horror genre, having acted in such series as “American Horror Story” and “The Purge.” What do you enjoy most about playing in the sandbox of horror?

Dermot Mulroney: I’ve been lucky. Sometimes those parts are really good as is the case with SCREAM VI. I like all kinds of acting, but I guess Scream would be the extreme of it where horror just has, maybe because of Scream, it has just a little humor around it, sometimes. It’s like a drama but we all understand that we’re in a horror movie, so it’s slightly something different. So, that’s really attractive to try and navigate that spot. Directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett had it all dialed in and said, come on in, right in this slot, and it worked perfectly. The dictate was really clear, too. You’re in a Scream movie so it has these goalposts to work within.

We can’t end a Scream interview without asking the most important question of all: what’s your favorite scary movie? 

Dermot Mulroney: I’ve been asked that a lot now and I keep going back to a small movie that was really inspirational for me. I worked with the lead actor right afterward on Young Guns, so that tells you it must have been 1987. And [the answer] is Terry Quinn in The Stepfather. It was a very humorous horror movie.

And lastly, if you found yourself face-to-face with Ghostface, do you think you could take Ghostface out?

Dermot Mulroney: Not a chance. I wouldn’t have a chance against Ghostface.

Find out who survives and who dies when SCREAM VI arrives in theaters only on March 10, 2023. For more on the film, check out our review here.

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Shannon McGrew

Founder/Co-Owner at Nightmarish Conjurings

Shannon is the Founder of Nightmarish Conjurings and a lover of all things horror and haunt related. When she's not obsessively collecting all things "Trick 'R Treat" related, or trying to convince everyone that "Hereditary" is one of the greatest horror films ever made, you can find her designing interiors for commercial restaurants. An avid haunt fan, Shannon spends the entire year visiting haunts and immersive experiences throughout the Southern California area and hopes to one day design her own haunted attraction.

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