Wyatt Russell (‘Lodge 49’) on capturing the ‘magic of the mundane’ and pondering what the surreal show is ‘truly about’ [EXCLUSIVE VIDEO INTERVIEW]

When he read the pilot script for “Lodge 49,” actor Wyatt Russell thought “it would never get made.” But despite his low expectations for its commercial prospects, Russell wanted to get involved. “If I was going to do a television series,” he explains, “this was one I would want to do because it felt like it could go in any direction.” Watch our exclusive video interview with Russell above.

SEE Emmys 2019 exclusive: Category submissions for AMC, BBC America, IFC, Sundance

Created by “Middle Men” author Jim Gavin, this AMC drama centers on Sean “Dud” Dudley (Russell), a California ex-surfer who finds himself adrift after the death of his father and the shuttering of his family’s pool business. Through a strange confluence of events, he arrives at the doorstep of Lodge 49, an ancient fraternity that offers good vibes, cheap beer, and strange alchemical philosophies that lead to some surreal moments.

Although he’s the star, even Russell admits he has “no idea what the show is truly about. It really is an all-encompassing show about our lives and the struggles we endure, and the things that we pursue” while we’re on this Earth. “I always call it the magic of the mundane, of your everyday life, and that’s what we try to capture.”

SEE Over 150 video interviews with Emmy contenders

Prior to moving into television, Russell appeared in such films as “22 Jump Street” (2014), “Everybody Wants Some!!” (2016), “Ingrid Goes West” (2017) and “Overlord” (2018). He will next be seen in Joe Wright‘s thriller “The Woman in the Window,” starring Amy Adams, Gary Oldman and Julianne Moore.

“Lodge 49” has been renewed for a second season, which will premiere on August 12.

PREDICT the Emmys now; change them until July 16

Be sure to make your Emmy predictions today so that Hollywood insiders can see how their TV shows and performers are faring in our odds. You can keep changing your predictions as often as you like until just before nominations are announced on July 16. And join in the fun debate over the 2019 Emmy taking place right now with Hollywood insiders in our television forums. Read more Gold Derby entertainment news.

SIGN UP for Gold Derby’s free newsletter with latest predictions