Up-and-comer Mat Vairo loves playing the quintessential “bad boy,” Connor Bennett, on Revolution.

When we spoke recently about his role on the futuristic series, he admitted, “I like Connor’s dark side.”

Connor, the Rebel

The son of Sebastian “Bass” Monroe (David Lyons), Connor has perhaps had to do a bit of growing on his own, despite being raised by his late aunt and uncle.  And, even though he’s now found his father, the two have had quite a tumultuous relationship.

Sometimes playing such an emotionally-charged role can be exhausting, so I asked Vairo what he’d like to change about Connor if he could.  He told me, “I’d like to see a little more vulnerability in his story.  I’d like to see his heart start to open.”

The Surprise of Dialogue

And sometimes Vairo can take those type suggestions directly to the writers.  Though he’s not quite a major player at the moment, the channel of dialogue with series directors as well as writers is somewhat open to him.  Still, he said, “I like to be surprised with each episode.  Though, sometimes I get a complete curveball that I didn’t see coming.”

Sometimes playing the role of Connor has truly challenged his acting abilities.  “Connor loves being on the edge.  Different sides of him come out at different times.”

Connor, the Loner

And, though Connor is more “badass than I am in real life,” Vairo said, “there’s a common thread with him that I can relate to.  In the end, he’s like everyone else.  Everybody wants to be loved.  I think he does too.  I think he can get a bit lonely.  And maybe he wants of bit more of that family dynamic.  Right now, though, he’s a bit of a loner.”

A Call to the Theatre

Vairo came to the Connor role via spots in the likes of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and Switched at Birth, though his heart belongs to the theatre. 

He said, “I played Aladdin in Disney’s Aladdin:  A Musical Spectacular at Disneyland.  That was fun.  I’ve also done some theatre in L.A.  I like the theatre and would like to get back into some of that someday.  That’s where my heart is.  But, right now I really enjoy playing Connor.”

He also auditions when potential parts come his way, though he has nothing new other than Connor on the horizon.

Watch Vairo in Revolution Wednesday nights at 8/7c on NBC.