Luca Oriel was thrilled to receive a role that was perfect for him on the Showtime series Shameless.
Oriel spoke with Sports World News in an exclusive interview to share the details of his part on the drama, on which he played Debbie Gallagher's (Emma Kenney) love interest and aspiring UFC fighter Derek in Season 5.
The role was fitting for Oriel as he does MMA training in real life, traveled the world to perform in karate tournaments and, perhaps most importantly, was a huge fan of the show.
"My manager just called me up and said I had an audition for it," Oriel told Sports World News. "And it was kind of cool for me because I've always been a fan of the show. When I got the audition, I was like, 'No way, really?' So I went through the whole process and called back and when they told me I got the job, I totally freaked out."
Oriel relished the transition of seeing some of his favorite characters on television become his co-stars.
"It definitely was [surreal]," he said. "Especially when I first got to the table readings and seeing everyone there like right in front of me. Yeah, it was definitely surreal."
Oriel, whose father Ray Oriel had a role in the 1993 film Blood in, Blood Out and whose mother is also an actor, didn't have an ordinary childhood. The 18-year-old spent his youth traveling around the world and competing in karate tournaments.
"I started doing sport karate when I was 5-years-old," he said. "Then I traveled and competed around the world until I was 10-years-old and that's when I officially retired. But then after that, I started getting into mixed martial arts - just for the training aspect - to try and stay in shape."
At ages where most kids were playing outside with neighborhood friends, Oriel was traveling the globe and learning valuable lessons.
"I was in elementary school and I would get pulled out on a Thursday," he said. "Fly out, then compete Friday and Saturday and then come home on Sunday. I did that for like five years. I was so young, so I didn't really know anything else, but I'm kinda glad that I did it because it taught me a lot of discipline."
It's the mixed martial arts background that enabled Oriel to land the role of Derick and while he enjoyed mainly working with Kenney, he hopes to return and to possibly work with Gallagher family patriarch and resident alcoholic Frank, who is portrayed by William H. Macy.
"I'd definitely like to work with Frank, William H. Macy," he said. "He actually directed me in an episode. I would like to be involved with the Frank character and work with him. I think that would be interesting. It was amazing [being directed by Macy] because that was really like one of the first times I met him and it was weird seeing him act so different from his character. He's such a nice man and I loved working with him. It was one of my favorite episodes of the season actually"
Macy directed the seventh episode of Season 5, entitled "Tell Me You F---ing Need Me," which stuck out in Oriel's mind.
"It was in Episode 7 when I first told Debbie that I liked her and I kissed her in the car," he said. "It was definitely a fun scene to shoot because it was like below zero and it was hailing during the scene here and freezing. It was definitely a fun experience to go through."
The young actor doesn't just play a UFC enthusiast on television as he is an avid MMA fan.
"Huge fan of UFC," Oriel said. "I'm actually going to the Conor McGregor and Jose Aldo fight in July. Conor McGregor is my favorite. I just love his style and his philosophy about fighting. And also Ronda Rousey too. She gave a judo throw to a guy and broke his ribs. That was so funny. I hope to [meet her] one day."
Oriel said he doesn't train in just one specific place.
"I kind of train all over," he said, "wherever my coaches are. Sometimes I go to different gyms, but I basically just stick with the trainers I trained with when I was younger. "
Oriel also offered up a prediction on the upcoming Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather fight on May 2.
"I do watch boxing - very rarely - but I am excited for the upcoming Pacquiao-Mayweather fight," he said. "I say Mayweather [is gonna win]. He's just so flawless and effortless when he fights. I enjoy his style. I love Manny Pacquiao too. I just hope it's a good fight."
As for acting, Oriel isn't sure what his future in Shameless holds, but he's hopeful to be back for Season 6 and has plenty of other stuff going on.
"Right now, I have a few projects in the works," he said. "Can't really talk about it yet. As far as Shameless, I really have no idea, so we'll just have to wait and see."
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