You might not know the name Gilles Marini, but if you watch even a little TV, you'll recognize the face.
Maybe you saw the French heartthrob as the lecherous pastry school teacher on "2 Broke Girls," during his two runs on "Dancing With The Stars" or in a steamy, scene-stealing role as Samantha's neighbor in the "Sex And The City" movie. And if you've been watching the Lifetime drama "Devious Maids," which kicked off earlier this month, you'll certainly recognize the man who plays Sebastian, the shady realtor.
Marini, 39, took time from his busy, devious, schedule to talk to HNGN exclusively about his latest role, his love of mixed martial arts, family, politics, female empowerment and his mom in France, whom he's surprising with a visit this week (yes ladies, he is that sweet).
"Devious Maids" airs Mondays at 9 p.m. EDT on Lifetime.
How's everything going on Devious Maids?
It's so much fun, it's going to be a crazy season. The most important thing is the people you are working with and the people here are astonishing. It's like they screen every one of them for awesomeness, and when they reach 100 percent they'll hire you [laughs]. That includes everyone from the crew to the stars; it seems I spend most of my time in the dressing rooms chatting with the girls. I'm just having the best time ever.
So how does it feel to be a part of the 100 percent awesome club?
I wasn't talking about me; I just try to be as good as they are. On the show I don't care what time I start or finish, and they've been really good with my schedule which allows me to get back to Los Angeles to be with my family as much as possible. The show is a well-oiled machine and so much fun.
Does the family ever travel with you to Atlanta where you shoot the show?
No, they haven't. My son Georges is 16 and in high school, so it's difficult and he's doing so well. I wish I had the intelligence that kid has. He works so hard that it's mind-boggling. He starts super early in the morning, and at 9 p.m. he's still doing homework. I never wanted to disturb the fact that he got into a really good school after moving to the USA, as that made no sense. But I shoot for two or three days and then I'll get a break, so I'll go home.
So you still get time to get away to your cabin in the woods?
I do every time I can. Usually when I get back to Los Angeles I'll wait a couple of days and as soon as the kids are off school - boom - we head to the cabin. It's an hour or so out of Los Angeles, so it's pretty easy. I absolutely love it up there.
We know the show is full of surprises, so what can you say about the upcoming season?
That's hard to answer, so I'll say what the others say, and that's everyone from the executives down to the people on the street that watched the first episode: it's the best season yet! We shot all of them and have one more to go, and I'm telling you, every single script we got way in advance, and that's huge for any actor. A lot of times you get a script the day before, so you never know what's happening, but the writing staff here were so on it and everyone here believed everything was making a lot of sense. In a way it's like a brand-new show, and that's really cool. The girls on the show are absolutely loving it!
As the new kid on the block, how was it coming to the show?
They were all so sweet and absolutely amazing. One of the things I love about the show is the whole cast is very international, so it's nice having cast mates that understand you. Being an actor is difficult in a way, you try to do your best at all times and what you do will be seen for the rest of your lifetime and more, so it's complicated. And on top of that, this is my third language and that adds another layer. I've worked with a lot of people from here and often they don't understand what I was before or after, here everyone understands. I think that's one of the reasons I feel so comfortable here. Everyone here is super-professional and understands, so at times even delivering one line, when something is your third language, takes a lot of effort. So for me I feel so much respect and love that the show could go on for another 10 years and I would be so happy.
Do you speak Spanish?
I understand it, I did a couple of shows with Spanish-speaking characters and I understood it. I did spend four years in Miami, and Italian is very close to Spanish, it's all Latin-based, so for me it's easy to understand.
Although it's not really a show that predominantly speaks Spanish or has a lot of Spanish language like "Jane The Virgin."
No, and I love that show. Here we are in 2015 and people finally get it. People understanding that this world is a small place and realizing that people now have the opportunity to go far away from where they lived. A lot of people stay within their 5-mile radius, and if you don't go anywhere how do you have the chance to experience any flavor? A show like ["Jane The Virgin"] shows it's finally happening and I'm excited. The next thing you know I could be playing a cop? It's possible; if I wanted to become a cop tomorrow I can, because I'm a citizen. The only thing I can't do is become the president [laughs].
Would you want to be president?
Politics is something I'm very into. I take that very seriously, I vote and try to make the world a better place. I think, unfortunately, we've been run by massive corporations all for power and greed, and it's sad that that is the way it is. It's like that in France and everywhere. There are a lot of people that immigrate to America and we all fight so hard to be here, you put everything on the line because you understand what America has. It has so much that a lot of other countries will never have. There are so many advantages, passion, dedication and freedom. Unfortunately, there are those that take that for granted, and as a whole we should really pay attention to those in office and keep America the number one country in the world. If you give me five years I could talk about politics, and I do it because I love this country
And the country fell in love with you on "Dancing With The Stars." Will you be busting out any moves on "Devious Maids"?
I didn't dance, and I'm kind of happy about that. The producers knew I was good at it, and everyone had the thought that, "He dances well," but I was taught to dance well. I can move OK, but I'm getting some juicy scenes, and that's really nice. People may think it's a campy, fun show that takes you away from things on a Monday night and everyday life, and that's what it needs to be. The show has to be intriguing and have mystery, and that's what "Devious Maids" is giving the audience this year.
It's nice to have that escape from life?
It's like movies, there haven't been many good movies that do that, and I have to say I love Dwayne Johnson. As a man in everyday life and as an actor, he inspires people every day to be good and better, he's a role model to me. I went to see "San Andreas," and I absolutely loved it! That's what the movies are about. It was awesome. He kicked ass, and I could even see my house in one of the shots [laughs], that was cool! It was a thrill ride that took me away. I told my wife to take the kids and just have a good time, that's what I want a movie to do. I love "The Blacklist" and "Forever," just something that takes me away, and that's what "Devious Maids" does. They paid a lot of attention to the lead characters, and the girls are having so much fun with it, in fact it's not called "Devious Maids" anymore, it's "Devious Men."
And you weren't the only cast addition this season?
Yeah, Nathan [Owens] and Christian [de la Fuente] also joined the cast, and let me tell you, I have nothing on those guys. They are the quintessential example of the most beautiful people on earth. I'm just happy to be here and doing the best I can when it comes to my acting ability and the deviousness, the women will love it; when Nathan takes his shirt off he'll shatter most TV screens in America. Every time I see him on set I'll say "hi" and then go and do 500 pushups in my trailer. That's how he inspires me. He should not wear a shirt at all at any time; he should just walk the streets like that. He's also very down to earth as is Christian, which all contributes to me having a blast.
How are you keeping up with your martial arts training while you're in Atlanta?
I'm doing it every day. When I got to Atlanta I had to find a new school and found one in Buckhead Brazilian Jujitsu. There I meet this guy named Sam Joseph who said, "I know you're very passionate about Brazilian jujitsu and you love it with everything you have. You also keep talking about how women should be involved in it, would you like to do a free seminar?" It's important to me, as a lot of women in this world are being attacked and a lot of the situations are easily avoidable by learning this martial art. It's really the only one in the world where a smaller opponent can be the bigger one. Since I started jujitsu, I've asked why isn't it taught in every school? Every woman from a young age should learn it, that's my dream. So I did my first seminar last weekend, which was packed. All these women from around Atlanta came to learn. The demonstrations we did had the women's eyes opened so wide. It's hard to hear things like, "I wish I'd known that before my sister was murdered last year." This is my calling, I'd love for every woman in the world to at least know the basics of Brazilian jujitsu as it would help them a lot, give them confidence, and it's a beautiful art that doesn't require punching or kicking. It's all about locks, it's the purest self-defense form ever created and the only one people really need to learn. And I can pretty much guarantee any attacker on the street wouldn't know the art because I don't know anyone that would do such a thing if they were practicing such a beautiful art. I'm so proud of that seminar; to me it was like getting an Emmy Award or something.
Is that something you've instilled in your own family?
My daughter Juliana started when she was 5; my son has two championships and is really good at it. I hope she never has to, but I can't wait to hear my daughter tell me she put some guy to sleep for doing some crazy stuff. Often women feel powerless in those situations, but I really want to empower women and think Brazilian jujitsu is the answer.
Do you have anything else in the works over the summer?
I'm signed to this show, and while I can do guest spots or movies, I have to ask permission. So it gets a little tricky. I'll probably do something if it's a thing I really love, like last year I got to do something on "The Mysteries Of Laura," which was such a cool project and "The McCarthys." I'd really love to do something with action or play the bad guy, if something comes along and it's something I've never played before I'd go for it. I'm actually going home to surprise my mom this week, she's not feeling the best at the moment and it's a complete surprise.
That's so sweet, she will love it!
She's in the hospital, but she's my mom so I have to step up and make her feel good. I have a bunch of exciting things for her to do that I know she loves. I have something planned for every day I'm there to make sure she feels like a million bucks!
With reporting by Steve Gidlow
