Calypso is enigmatic, giddy emcee of ‘Twisted Metal’

NEW YORK, Aug. 29 (UPI) — Barry, Gotham and The Forgotten actor Anthony Carrigan says his character Calypso is a colorful addition to Season 2 of Peacock’s PlayStation game adaptation, Twisted Metal.

Set in the post-apocalyptic United States, the show follows ruthless teams competing in a deadly demolition derby for the grand prize of their “heart’s desire,” which ostensibly will be provided by the powerful Calypso.

The series co-stars Anthony Mackie and Stephanie Beatriz as resourceful contestants John and Quiet.

“Calypso, obviously, is the kind of master of ceremonies when it comes to the Twisted Metal tournament,” Carrigan, 42, told UPI in a recent Zoom interview.

“He is kind of this enigmatic, yet giddy, force of nature, truly, and I think he definitely brings a lot to the table when it comes to getting everyone excited and, yet, also terrifying everyone.”

Carrigan knew there would be high expectations from gamers and TV viewers when he signed on to the project.

“You want to do the characters justice because it’s got a massive fanbase for a reason, right? All of these fans love these characters,” he said, adding he wanted his Calypso to be a “badass,” but also believable.

The Walking Dead and Avengers alum Michael James Shaw, 38, plays another fan-favorite character, Axel, who is a formidable contestant in the derby.

“Axel is a gas-powered, half-man, half-machine killer and, throughout the season, you’ll get to know a little bit more about him, but he’s definitely a watchdog and an assassin. He’s a force to be reckoned with,” Shaw said.

“This was a challenge, but also the fun of it is how you take something that’s 2-dimensional and bring it to life,” he added. “That was the fun part — linking the dots with the imagination. I think that’s why we do this as actors. We want to let our imaginations run free and they really created a space in a world for us to just go ape [expletive].”

Carrigan complimented Shaw’s ability to ground Axel in reality, despite his extraordinary appearance.

“He’s got this huge rig and he’s also bringing this really human part of it, as well. So, he’s half-machine, yes, but that half-human that you see really comes through,” Carrigan said.

Calypso and Axel’s roles mean they cross paths with derby frontrunners John and Quiet.

“They’re dangerous in their own right,” Carrigan said.

“They have this kind of fierceness to them, this loyalty, I think, that is almost incorruptible in a certain way. But Calypso is really so adept at pulling strings,” he added. “Calypso is the type of character who you never know, truly, what’s going with him. He’s always a bit of a mystery.”

Axel views John and Quiet just like any other competitors in this tournament, according to Shaw.

“They’re going to be road kill under my tires,” he laughed. “I need my wish.”

While the show is hilarious and ultra-violent, it also has a heart, particularly when it looks at how the more altruistic drivers would use a wish to improve the lives of others.

“Everyone is fighting so fiercely because they so badly want the world that they miss to come back to fruition,” Carrigan said.

“It’s kind of this funny juxtaposition of seeing the insight into their heart and, yet, the kind of bloody lengths to which they will go to achieve that.”