Episode Seventy-Three: Ryan Robbins & Ted Sullivan

The YVR Screen Scene Podcast

Episode Seventy-Three could easily be divided into two separate episodes – one the riveting origin story of a busy screenwriter, and the other a deep-dive into the nuanced relationship between actor and scribe – but presented together, the separate story arcs form one incredible journey.

Ted Sullivan is a writer and producer whose filmography includes Supergirl, Star Trek: Discovery, Revenge, daytime dramas, and Riverdale. Ted joined the Riverdale writing team for season four – which is how he ended up in Vancouver, and how he met actor Ryan Robbins.

In the months since Ryan first appeared on the YVR Screen Scene Podcast, he’s stepped into a pivotal role on Riverdale: that of Uncle Frank, the long-lost brother of Archie’s father, Fred. The renowned actor who played Fred – Luke Perry – passed away in March 2019. It was a devastating loss for many people, including the cast and crew at Riverdale, and instead of recasting the character, the show opted to bring in another Andrews man to mentor (and sometimes tangle) with young Archie: Fred’s wayward brother, Frank.

In this special episode (recorded pre-COVID-19, before Riverdale and the entire Vancouver film and television industry ground to a halt), Ted and Ryan discuss Uncle Frank and Luke Perry, as well as the special relationship between writer and actor – and how that relationship can impact what we see on screen.

Episode sponsor: Almiro Studios’ ‘Foreign AF’ web series