FROM Star A.J. Simmons Sits Down for Exclusive Q&A

Added: 2026-05-25

[00:00:00]All right, everyone. Today I got the honor and the privilege of interviewing the one and only AJ Simmons, the man behind the character of From of Randall on from uh one of our favorite characters so far and who started as one of the the people that was more skeptical about it, but now has become one of the biggest figures of the entire season. And now with season 4 coming out, season five has been announced, the final one. And I just want to, you know, we all know already who Randall is. So I'm not going to ask you this the simple question that everyone knows about who is Randall or anything like that. I want to get a little bit of information from you on how you see the fans reception when it comes to Randall. You know, this is one of he was introduced as one of the most abrasive characters, but over time he became one of the characters that the fandom has actually been the most protective of. So, when did you first realize the audience was starting to shift from hating him to rooting for him?

[00:01:00]>> Some people still hate me. They They do still hate me. Well, I should say Randall. Um >> That's true.

[00:01:06]>> Yeah, people love to hate. No. Um I think it was season 3 once um Randall had his run in with the uh the nightmare creatures there. Um I think there was an maybe some sort of element of oh he's been humbled so to speak that the haters were like ah yeah okay now it's a level playing field but then you know his his whole sort of journey with Julie and trying to help her out and you know the trauma bonding that went on there I think yeah towards the end of that season really was sort of people maybe warm into the idea of maybe this guy just isn't like a consistent [ __ ] all the time do you know what I mean which Yeah, I'll say say about that really.

[00:01:52]>> Absolutely. And I definitely want to get into the whole thing about Julie and and that scene that you were mentioning in season 3 uh in a little bit, but I I had another question about the the fans perception of him. So >> Randall being one of the the very few people that says what he's thinking, even if it's in the worst possible way, do you think that is part of why the fans have connected to him?

[00:02:18]Yeah, I think so. I think so. Cuz, you know, I mean, if you're looking at the rest of the town's people, everybody's so easily able to go along with what everybody else is doing or saying, be it town or colony house. Randall's like, I don't believe any of you people. So, >> they get they get a lot, but Randall just does what he wants.

[00:02:36]>> Yeah. He's like, "Nah, man. Seeing believing, you know, like that was his whole mo of season two, right?" Um, but yeah, I I don't he's not the kind of person that really gives a [ __ ] what anybody thinks of him, you know, especially in those extreme circumstances. So, it's like, yeah, having that kind of attitude of like, I'm going to question everybody and everything. Yeah. You know, I think personally to me, I feel like it's a nice palette cleanser cuz, you know, having everybody on a show being on the same team all the time is like, you know, it's it's nice to have a little bit of uh difference in there, difference of opinion. Do you know what I mean? So, >> Absolutely. And I I want to I want to build on that that you just mentioned right now. So Randall seems kind of like he turns his fear into aggression almost instantly. So when you play him, do you see that anger kind of as a defense mechanism for him, a survival tool, or is it something that he just genuinely cannot control because of who he is?

[00:03:31]>> He's just a really angry man. No. Um I think what it what it is with Randall is like he's the ultimate pragmatist, right? And he's pretty capable. He's, you know, the kind of person that's like very independent. Um, and I think, you know, putting himself into very extreme, arguably supernatural circumstances, you know, he's going to rely on like his own fight or flight response, which is pretty strong as we've seen. Right. Right.

[00:03:55]>> Um, I I don't necessarily think it's just that he's consistently angry more so than he just doesn't have any time for [ __ ] And why would you have time for [ __ ] in a scenario like that? in, you know, in front, right? It's like it's extreme.

[00:04:12]>> Um, so he has he hasn't got time to try and sugarcoat anything or whatever be his response to danger or Yeah. trying to, you know, it's some kind of goal or common goal trying to fix things. It's like it's not doing anybody any favors by being like, "Oh, yeah. We'll just talk about your feelings." It's like, "No, no, no. I don't give a [ __ ] Let's just get it done." Do you know what I mean?

[00:04:30]>> Yeah. We don't have time for feelings with everything that is going on. Let's get it done right now.

[00:04:33]>> Yeah. Exactly. Yeah. And and it's it's interesting to me because a lot of fans debate whether Randall is becoming a hero or an anti-hero of sorts, just someone that the the town is slowly weaponizing. So which which of those interpretations feels the closest to you when you play him? Or does it change episode by episode, especially now that Randall kind of has taken a little bit more of a of a backseat role when he's helping Julie with the whole story walking? So, do you see him more as a hero, anti-hero, or is he being weaponized by the town with everything that is going on with him?

[00:05:09]>> I mean, I don't know about being weaponized, but you know, I feel I feel like he's um the thing is about Randall, he's not trying to be heroic, you know? He's not he's not like cuz that that that's his whole mo. It's like he doesn't really subscribe to that kind of thing of like the group think of this, the group think of that more so than like let's just deal with the immediiacy of like what's going on, you know? So maybe maybe he's sort of, you know, given how he came into the town is leaning more towards like the anti-hero maybe. But at the same time, it's like the thing is he's not a bad dude. He's just mis misunderstood. Do you know what I mean? And I feel like he has kept the capabilities to like, you know, do heroic things. If you asked him, are you a hero? It'd probably tell you to go [ __ ] yourself. It's like, no, I haven't got time for that. Do you know what I mean? It's like, do you know what I mean? So, it's like I think it's open to interpretation at this point. We can see where it goes. But um yeah, you know, it's like when he when he stick with the duty thing, you know, when when he is seeing somebody that he's, you know, got shared trauma with and you know, can see that this person's in need and they actually wants they need some help, maybe some guidance or whatever. It's like he's not going to be like, "Nah, see you. Not my problem." Like to a degree, you know what I mean? So, I feel like if it makes sense, then he'll he'll chime in and help. So, yeah. I'd say maybe a blend of like nanny hero hero kind of thing. I don't know.

[00:06:36]>> I I love the way that you describe it and how you talk about his his whole process of like not necessarily trusting anybody and the whole like seeing is believing thing cuz thinking back to like he's a character that doesn't really trust anybody easily. I mean he even took Donna and tied her up to a tree in the middle of the forest just to see if it was true what they were telling or not. So in a place like this like from with everything that is going on and like where basically every single answer feels like a trap for them do you feel like Randall actually being suspicious is wrong or is that working for him?

[00:07:12]>> Well let me ask you this. I mean you personally if you were in a situation like he was or any of those guys and someone was saying yeah here's some people that exist and look like you and I but then at night time they're going to come in and rip your head off. It's like, are you going to trust anybody?

[00:07:26]>> Exactly.

[00:07:27]>> You know what I mean?

[00:07:28]>> That's why I think that everyone connects with Randall so much because the part of us like everyone just gets there like, "Hey, there's monsters outside. Stay inside like, okay, fine.

[00:07:35]I'll do that." But Randall's like, "No, [ __ ] this. I'm going to go check it myself."

[00:07:40]>> Right. So, I feel like, yeah, that that kind of element is, you know, to me it's so it's it's fun to play that kind of Yeah. that perspective cuz if I'm being totally honest, I'd probably be very similar. Do you know what I mean? Like to a point and I think, you know, to maybe to his detriment sometimes in terms of interpersonal relationships, you know, that could get in the way that lack of trust, but it's also very key for survival. Do you know what I mean?

[00:08:07]Yes. So, it's like, >> you know, I think it's a good thing.

[00:08:10]Speaking of speaking of survival, since you should just mention that, I want to go uh back to a scene from season 3 that >> that we haven't really gotten a followup from. So, Randall being left behind by Boyd >> was one of the most brutal moments for the character. I mean, from from his point of view, is that something that he can move past being the kind of person that he is, or is he now just it's is that permanently baked into his head every time he sees Boyd? Especially since Randall hasn't interacted with Boyd since that whole thing happened.

[00:08:44]So, is that something that now he's like Boyd's image is just completely >> caught up from him or does he understand why Boyd did that?

[00:08:55]>> Yeah. I mean, to to me Randall doesn't forget, >> you know.

[00:09:02]>> Yeah. that that's that's what it is, you know, >> whether or not that develops or not, >> you know, it's out of our hands, right?

[00:09:11]But like he he doesn't forget. That's for sure.

[00:09:14]>> Another another scene that was with Boy that I thought was very important to the character of Randall itself was the moment when they were on the bus and they were watching the monsters and and just something felt different and Randall was like anxious and pacing around back and forth, which is usually it's not how he usually behaves. He's usually controlled and and when he's not letting his anger out, but even Boyd pointed out that he was being fidgety.

[00:09:39]Did you receive direction to portray him that way or was that something that made sense to you when you were reading the script of what was going on? you were like, "Okay, maybe maybe Brand should behave this way because he's feeling anxious about what's going on since he's the one that noticed the pattern every single night, >> but now he's like pacing back and forth because something feels off to him."

[00:10:02]>> Well, yeah. I think, you know, I mean, this is kind of an amalgamation of the two the two statements there, but I I feel like, you know, there was there was x amount of it on the page, but then to me, it just sort of felt like it would be interesting to explore, you know, the side of this character that is very focused and driven. He's not had anything else to do except watch on said bus since he moved onto the bus, right? So it was kind of you know approaching it from a side of like that obsession you know particularly given how pragmatic he is as an individual you know it's like if there is a sudden change that given the the realm of the town you know and what had happened with him and you know the zicas and that kind of stuff is like any little difference here it's like it's almost like a glitch in the matrix you know it's like that scene when they walk see the cat and it comes again you know and it's like deja vu it's like it's kind of like that you know it's like there's >> in a in a town where things can, you know, hit the fan real quick. It's like, >> you know what I mean? So, I feel like it was it was just yeah, amalgamation was on the page and then that sort of psychology of how that would be and and also, you know, it's kind of as an actor, too. So, obviously, it's it's nice to fully, you know, live out certain elements of one's personality.

[00:11:16]Do you know what I mean? So, it's not just Johnny one the old times. I mean, >> uh, I love that you keep describing Brando as pragmatic. You've said it a couple times during this interview, and I know you've said it before in other interviews. So um he being pragmatic and and efficient the way that he is. But in season 3 and four, it has actually put him through experience that are not practical or explained at all or very easily to explain. So how does a character like Randall deal with the horror that he cannot use his anger like punch through or bully his way through?

[00:11:50]Yeah. I mean, >> I don't think he has much time to think about it.

[00:11:56]>> That's true as well. They don't give him much time.

[00:11:59]>> And I think he doesn't give himself much time to think in the sense of like I mean, you know, we saw the end of season 3 like he was going to fry his own brain. You know, it's like it was things were, you know, the certain malevolent entities were getting a bit too much for him. But, um, I think he's Yeah.

[00:12:16]part of like this whole Randall Judy thing, and I keep bringing this up, but I think that helps his brain because it's something to focus on whether or not he believes what she's doing will be of use or whatever, >> something to ground him a little more.

[00:12:31]>> Yeah. It's an immediate sort of thing, you know, with somebody that he somewhat connects with versus like anybody else.

[00:12:39]Do you know what I mean? And it's like, all right, well, here's here's a goal I have to do today. let me do that and then then if you're not doing that, I don't know. Let's let's go do some more pull-ups. I don't know. Do you know what I mean? Or whatever.

[00:12:50]>> Which is interesting. It's interesting how he he basically he's trying to help Julie with the whole thing that is going on, but he still doubts it. Like even though he's seen the monsters and he's seen everything that the town is capable of, Julie is telling him that she's story walking and going to other moments in time, but Rand's just like, "Nah, you're just having a seizure. Like, I don't know what you're talking about.

[00:13:11]There's nothing going on. having a seizure.

[00:13:14]>> Yeah, >> it's it's really interesting.

[00:13:16]>> I feel like the um I feel like the uh trying to sort of retain some kind of belief that reality is normal is definitely evident, you know, with with him.

[00:13:27]>> That's fair.

[00:13:28]>> But yeah, I mean it's it's interesting, you know, hearing you describe it like that. It's quite >> Yeah, I I definitely want to get into that that whole dynamic between Randall and Julie in a second. I just have one more question for you. Um, regarding the the fans discussion that are going on around whether Randall surviving the monsters means he is important to the mythology of the town or whether the town is just using him to scare everyone else or Boyd like they wanted to break him, you know, since they used the whole thing with Tan Chan and then Randall that Boyd left him behind but they left him alive. So, when you filmed those scenes, did you know how much the fans would obsess over Randall's survival or was that just something that you didn't really see coming?

[00:14:09]>> Not at all.

[00:14:10]>> Not at all, mate. I I honestly thought people would be like, "Yay, he almost died. Ah, he's alive. Shit." You know, like and then it's Yeah. So, but I mean that that's the thing with these sort of mystery type shows, right? It's like the the fun bit about it is like when you're doing it cuz I mean also we don't get told anything anyway. So, it's like us actors. We get the script and that's it.

[00:14:31]We're like, "Okay, cool." Like it's very keep it very tight, you know. Um, but yeah, one of the, you know, most enjoyable elements of like the fan response is like I mean people are creative, man. I think, you know, they they come up with some left field kind of theories and it's like it's interesting, you know, but it but that's cool. That's the genre, right? And it's fun. So, >> yes.

[00:14:52]>> Yeah.

[00:14:53]>> Yeah. Uh, now speaking of uh, fan theories and all that, do you guys as as the cast whenever you get the script and you read it over sometimes, do you have one where you're like, "Oh my god, that makes so much sense." Or do you guys do your own theories for fun?

[00:15:06]>> Um, yeah. I mean, you know, sort of like privately like we're out and about, we might, you know, share thoughts here, there, and everywhere, but like usually we'll have an idea of what where something's going to go and then it goes the complete opposite way. You're like, >> you know what I So it's like at some at some point you just got to like let go of the steering wheel and just be like yeah whatever just just just let it just let it go it's going to go and that's it. You know what I mean?

[00:15:27]>> Now speaking speaking again building up on the whole theories thing the framile studies every single detail the cicas the trees the drawings the the bottle tree the man in yellow everything gets just completely looked at under a microscope. So, what has surprised you the most about how intensely fans investigate the show and everything that happens every episode?

[00:15:52]>> I just think the commitment to be honest. It's like from what I hear or what you know >> get tagged in or whatever. Do you know what I mean? Or the conversations that I'm privy to every now and again. It's like >> Yeah. I mean, it's great. Like it's it's nice that people are invested about it and then sometimes when you hear or see something completely out there you're like you just sort of have to admire the creativity to be honest. Well, your imagination is is is something, you know, I think that's kind of fun. And that's >> I have honestly >> I have honestly come up with some theories myself that when I post them, some people leave in the comment section like, "Okay, you're frying my brain. I can't with this anymore." Because it's connecting some of the wildest things that you could never think of, but some others that actually make sense and still end up not happening. Now, I I did want to ask you and and obviously I'm sure you cannot confirm or deny anything, but there's a theory going on right now that Randall is the cowboy monster primarily because of the fact of the way that he he holds his belt belt >> and I know for a fact you have seen it.

[00:16:53]So, are you a big theory guy who checks those out >> just to see how crazy the fans are going or do you just completely avoid them?

[00:17:01]Have you seen any theories on Randall that have made you laugh?

[00:17:06]Yeah, that one is kind of hilarious. Um, I had heard about that. Um, I don't actively really check in on all that because there's a new one every week or whatever. Do you know what I mean? And I'm like, fine, cool. I mean, I'm grateful that, you know, the show gets the attention, but I'm like, as as you're sort of just saying, I I can't keep up people's, >> you know, creativity sometimes. I'm like, that's that's that's insane.

[00:17:29]That's impressive, but it's insane. Um, but yeah, I uh yeah, I'm not going to confirm nor deny, but I just think it's uh it's hilarious.

[00:17:38]>> I know the two most popular right now is Randall is the cowboy monster reincarnated and Randall is the man in yellow. I don't know if you've seen it, but there's a picture of circulating around that someone took of like the man in yellow and then Randall next to it in the same angle and they measured the pixels of like the ears is the same length and the jawline is the same. And I'm like, you guys are taking it a little too far with this.

[00:18:02]>> Yeah.

[00:18:02]>> But I just think it's it's hilarious how deep into it people get.

[00:18:07]>> Yeah. I mean, hey, look, you know, it's it's cool. I think it's cool. People, you know, go for it, man. You just have to keep watching and find out, I guess.

[00:18:16]>> True that. Now, let me let me circle back on the whole dynamic between Randall and Julie real quick. So, their relationship has become one of the most unexpected dynamics of the entire show.

[00:18:27]What do you think Julie sees in him that most of the town either misses or refuses to acknowledge? Because Randall is typically just either cast aside or he keeps himself separated from the town. But Julie and Randall kind of gravitate back to each other. So, what do you think she sees in him that the town doesn't?

[00:18:48]>> Good question. Um, I think I think it goes back to shared experience. I mean, you know, Julie, Mary, and Randall all had a runin with, you know, the entity in in in in the form of like those cicas, right? And they all sort of >> went through that sort of psychological torture there. Um, so I think that trauma bonding is one thing, but I also think that um I don't know cuz it's definitely like big brother little sister kind of vibe in the sense of like I feel like she's not like at least for Randall it I think it's all it's quite pure. You know what I mean? and and and it it comes from a place of like all right we we share the thing >> the playing field is sort of level between the two now you know um they both face the same thing they're both try trying to make sense of the same thing um and you know and I I think that that that fosters a connection between people do you know what I mean if they have a mutual shared experience be it positive or negative right and um and I think that >> maybe she does like Julie does give um Randall a bit more license to just be himself outside of this sort of >> without him >> abrasive new guy or like you know guy that came in on a bus. It's like oh you can kind of see the fact we went through the same thing we dealing with the same thing. Um >> but I can see you know that there there's a sort of like there's a potential to be of of use to each other kind of thing, you know. So >> absolutely makes sense. Being the kind of person that Randall is, do you think he, and by that I mean like a loner, do you think he feels bonded to Marielle and Julie in that sense because they all experience that same thing or do you think he sees it more as like they experience the same thing, but that said, there's not really like a bond between them.

[00:20:43]>> I mean, I definitely say there's a bond between um Julie and Randall. I mean, how healthy it is, I don't know, because they're consistently getting into getting into danger. Do you know what I mean? with Mario. Yeah, I'd say there there is there is one, too. But I think there, you know, they're all sort of like three individuals that >> didn't really talk about it. Do you know what I mean? Like >> so it's it's like they're bonding.

[00:21:06]>> Stays quiet.

[00:21:08]>> Yeah. She stays very quiet and like, you know, how how much of it do they want to explore with each other? And that's, you know, Randall's thing, too, right? It's like I could sit here and, you know, cry about it till the cows come home, but it's not going to change anything. So, let's try and do something. You know what I mean? And I feel like that pragmatism >> sort of bonds well creates a bond with, you know, Julie where Julie is actively coming to him. I need help with this. I want to do that. Do you know what I mean? So, I'm like, okay, maybe.

[00:21:38]>> Yeah. Yeah. So, that I think those are the kind of connections there. Do you know what I mean?

[00:21:42]>> Yep. That makes sense. Looking ahead, season 4 is now moving the story closer to bigger answers. I mean, we just saw episode 5 was one of the biggest reveals >> that we have had and a lot of things are starting to connect. Season 5 has been announced as the final season. So, without spoiling anything, is there any specific episode or scenes that you think the fans should really pay close attention to or be looking forward to?

[00:22:07]>> I'm just going to >> cuz up until now, a lot of the the actors from the show kept saying, "Oh, episode five. Episode 5. Episode 5 was my favorite." So, we already got episode five. Is there something else?

[00:22:19]>> For me, episode five is like >> was was up there, too. I would have said the same thing had we done this earlier.

[00:22:25]Do you know what I mean? Because episode five goes hard. Um >> Yeah, man. I I just think the way it just develops, man. The last the last couple eps I just think >> the last couple of episodes.

[00:22:36]>> Yeah, dude. It just it just it just ramps, man. And it's like it's just it's a really good springboard into uh into our final season. That's for sure.

[00:22:44]>> Love it. Love it.

[00:22:45]>> Uh, now I want to ask you something a little bit more on the personal side.

[00:22:50]So, you have background in dance and choreography. Uh, I recently just saw a video of you dancing to a Michael Jackson song. I don't know how old it is, but it's been circulating around X.

[00:23:00]So, Randall's not necessarily break dancing at Colony House, which honestly is a missed opportunity in my opinion.

[00:23:06]>> To be honest, that would be great.

[00:23:07]>> It's a missed opportunity in my opinion.

[00:23:09]But does that physical training uh affect the way that you handle his tension, his posture, his explosive moments or is that something that is just separate to you?

[00:23:19]>> No, I mean it's a good question. Um I sort of came into the business as a dancer like years and years and years ago. So it's like I've always approached my work like through that physicality, you know, and Randall being who he is, it's like that his physicality is a big part of his personality, you know. Um, so yeah, totally. I mean, >> would I consciously put my dance background into the role? I don't know.

[00:23:44]But I mean, my process is always I approach everything quite from the physical first, you know. Um, so yeah, maybe you're seeing that sort of like Yeah, pull-ups. Yeah, exactly. Right.

[00:23:55]Um, so it's it's Yeah, it's I don't know. Yeah, it's just kind of the way I am. I mean, if I was if the character of Rand was, you know, a bit more reserved and he was a pen pusher, do you know what I mean? I probably wouldn't, you know, infuse as much of that, you know, >> which you never really play >> cuz I mean, you worked, you've worked on Reacher, Swing Kid, Slasher, now from never necessarily seen you as the the pencil pusher type of guy. So, >> what do you mean? I could play a pencil pusher.

[00:24:23]>> You could you could I'm just saying you haven't really.

[00:24:26]>> Well, no, I haven't. Exactly. It's uh >> you're usually in the tougher role.

[00:24:30]>> Yeah. You know, I just think Yeah.

[00:24:32]bringing that sort of dance background to my to my work in the physical sense is like yeah it just makes sense to me.

[00:24:40]You know what I mean? And >> yeah I would we some of us joke because there are actually quite a lot of dancers in in our cast.

[00:24:49]>> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. There's a bunch of us very >> I know Scott Mccor does music but I didn't know that there were dancers in there.

[00:24:57]>> Oh yeah. Like Avery dances, Chloe dances, Arold dances, you know, like it would be nuts. Like if we did like a musical episode, we would just kill it.

[00:25:06]Like insane.

[00:25:08]>> But like, you know, >> I'm not saying I don't want you guys to dance. I would love to see y'all dancing, but don't bring me a musical episode. I've seen enough of those.

[00:25:18]>> No, she say Yeah. No, but anyway. Yeah.

[00:25:20]So, there's quite a few of us. But, uh, >> that's awesome. That's awesome. Um now I I just mentioned a few of the roles that that you've played like Reacher, Swinky, Slashers. Now from >> what has this role of Randall demanded from you that your previous work did not?

[00:25:36]Um I think the focus of like you know playing one particular character for several years you know and going through quite a drastic change in um just his psychology and his lived experience you know in long format um you know I come from the theater so I I you know I used to do like a lot of long runs with that but that's you know you're doing the same story top to bottom every night you know so that's that's a different kind of challenge but I think yeah the difference with this this this show is that it's it's always moving along, you know, but you're playing the same person, but he's you get to play that evolution of someone >> over many years, which is great, you know, and it's a completely unique challenge. I haven't haven't done that really yet. So, yeah, that's that that's that's tough, but it's also a blessing, too, because it's uh keeps one on their toes. Yeah.

[00:26:27]>> Yeah.

[00:26:27]>> Any final words for the formerly watching out there that you want to give them?

[00:26:32]>> Any final words? I don't know. Just thanks for watching, man. I appreciate you guys. And yeah, keep watching.

[00:26:39]>> Keep watching.