‘Mayans MC’ Star Michael Irby is “In It For the Long Haul” in New BTS Video
Fans got their first introduction the new Mayans MC President Obispo “Bishop” Losa last week and now this week FX is giving fans the opportunity to meet the man who plays him, Michael Irby. In a short behind the scenes video, fans can see Irby on set and in costume as he talks about just how terrible (not) it is working on the Sons of Anarchy spinoff, Mayans MC.
[row]”Whats up good peeps? Here you are on set of the Mayans. I have to come here every day and ride motorcycles, smoke cigarettes, play guitar, hang out with la familia…it suuucks,” he jokes. “Amazing gig, best gig to date and I’m in it for the long haul. Let’s go. Come with me. Ride with me. Peace.”[/row]
Check out the full video below!
Living the life. #MayansFX #BehindTheScenes @MichaelIrby pic.twitter.com/a0E7kq9dKe
— Mayans MC (@MayansFX) August 14, 2018
While recurring Sons guest-star Emilio Rivera will be reprising his role as the Mayans Oakland Chapter President Marcus Alvarez, Bishop reigns over at the Santo Padre Charter, which the show will be following. He is, however, Alvarez’s cousin and an Iraq war veteran, so expect to see some very interesting dynamics playing out around his character.
Last month, creator Kurt Sutter revealed to Deadline that Irby was actually one of the actors they brought on during the pilot reshoot and recasting last year. Fast and Furious’ John Ortiz was originally meant to play the role, but when it came down to the script and overall character changes, Sutter found that Irby was a better fit for the new vision.
[row]“We replaced John Ortiz with Michael Irby, and that was really in the writing because I had that [club leader] Bishop being a little bit more indecisive. He was under the wing of Alvarez [Sons’ vet Emilio Rivera]. And we realized what it did is undermine the power of that charter, of that MC, so we changed that character. He became a military guy, more aggressive, and John just wasn’t the right choice for that and that’s why we went to Irby. It had nothing to do, honestly, with performance.”[/row]
Hitting FX this September, Mayans MC will pick up three years after the Sons finale and follows EZ Reyes (JD Pardo), a former golden boy who once had the perfect future in the palm of his hand, as he leaves prison and begins prospecting the Santo Pedro charter. In addition to Pardos, Rivera, and Irby, the series also stars Law & Order: SVU alum Danny Pinto, Clayton Cardenas, Richard Cabral, Emilio Rivera, Edward James Olmos, Sarah Bolger, and Antonio Jaramillo.
Having studied Media & Writing at James Madison University, I always knew that I wanted to do some type of creative writing, but being able to write about zombies, Starks, and superheroes on a daily basis for Fan Fest is my actual dream. While I probably shouldn’t be as proud as I am to be so similar to Nick Miller, I do hope to one day write my own “Pepperwood Chronicles’.
