In Juliet & Romeo, a bold, musical reimagining of Shakespeare’s iconic tragedy, Dennis Andres steps into the slick shoes of Lord Paris—a character who’s no longer just a plot device, but a full-blown scene-stealer.

Dennis Andres brings intensity and wit to every role he takes on. In Juliet & Romeo, a bold musical remix of the Shakespearean classic, Andres steps into the polished shoes of Lord Paris, this time reimagined as more than just Juliet’s second-choice suitor.

In this exclusive Q&A, the Workin’ Moms alum opens up to HOLR about falling for the project (and Italy), working alongside stars like Rebel Wilson and Jason Isaacs, and how his past quietly shapes the depth behind every character he plays, even the ones with an uphill romantic battle.

In Juliet and Romeo, you portray Lord Paris in a bold, musical reimagining of Shakespeare’s classic. What drew you to this project?

I mean, before it was Juliet and Romeo, it was Romeo and Juliet… It’s hard not to get romantic about being a part of that, right?! So, when Tim and I spoke, and he thought I would be a good fit for Paris in his reimagining of this timeless story, it didn’t take much more for me to be excited to be a part of it!

It also didn’t hurt that we would be shooting on location in different parts of Italy. I know it sounds like a drag, but you have to do what you have to do. *Flips hair*

The film has been described as a “pop opera”—how did the musical aspect influence your performance, and what was it like working alongside such a dynamic cast, including Rebel Wilson and Jason Isaacs?

I’m so glad you asked—they still rant and rave about how much they enjoyed working with me. “Alongside true greatness,” I believe, were their exact words.

No—it was obviously an awesome experience getting the chance to work with people in this industry that I have respected for years.

Well, this is the first musical I got to be a part of, and I’d be lying if I said it was for my voice. In this musical version of the story, Paris is there to help build some more tension and act as an extra obstacle in a less melodic medium.  But he is reeeeeally charming.

Audiences know you from your work in Workin’ Moms, Feel the Beat, and The Changeling. How did your experience on those projects shape your approach to Juliet and Romeo, and what makes this role different from anything you’ve done before? 

Truthfully? They didn’t, really.

The characters serve completely different purposes in telling those stories. Paris lives in a different world, with a different weight, tone, and rhythm.

I guess, if anything, shooting in Colombia gave me a bit of a taste of working abroad. But even then, a couple of weeks isn’t the same as being away from home for a few months.

I think what makes this role different is that it pushed me in new ways. That’s exactly why I wanted to do it and why I want to do most characters that I portray—a new or different challenge.

Before acting, you served in the Canadian Armed Forces and are a nationally ranked martial artist. How have those disciplines informed your acting, especially in roles that require intensity, precision, or stunt work?

I mean, I have spent a lot of time thinking about this kind of stuff, and I think the best answer I can give you is simply the more crap you have to drag your feet through, the more “characters” you find. It’s like losing an important fight—who’s looking back at you in the mirror with a fractured nose and splitting headache? Or after an experience like being woken up by a commanding officer picking your cot up off the ground and dropping it while screaming into your face to, “Get the @#$% up!!” And I mean, the list goes on. This stuff shapes who you become, how you listen and respond, or how you think a character might. So, long story short and short story long, if you are asking “how?” in every way, good and bad.

With Juliet and Romeo now out in North America, what do you hope audiences take away from this fresh take on a timeless story?

A great time!

Whether it’s for the music, story, cinematography, or all of it. I just hope people enjoy themselves. And a newfound love of Lord Paris. *Winks*

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Published by HOLR Magazine

Image Credit: Darcy Ryan