Interview by Paul Salfen
In a lively conversation with AMFM Magazine, Levi Fiehler, who plays Mayor Ben Hawthorne in the Netflix series Resident Alien, shared insights into the upcoming fourth season, his experience working with co-star Alan Tudyk, and the personal impact of being part of this quirky, heartfelt sci-fi comedy. Based on the Dark Horse comics, Resident Alienfollows a crash-landed alien named Harry Vanderspeigle navigating life on Earth. Season 4 dives into high-stakes drama and humor, with Harry and his baby Bridget imprisoned on a Grey Moonbase, a shape-shifting Mantid alien impersonating Harry on Earth, and the residents of Patience, Colorado grappling with mysterious abductions and deaths.
A Wild Ride in Season 4
Fiehler teases a chaotic and emotional journey for his character, Ben Hawthorne, who, alongside his wife Kate, discovers they’ve both been abducted by aliens and have a child they never knew about. “It’s hard enough if your child has been kidnapped on Earth, but we don’t know anything about a baby off in a spaceship somewhere,” Fiehler explains. “We’re kind of grasping at straws.” While Kate takes a proactive, almost combative approach to their predicament—training to confront the Greys—Ben stumbles through “dead-end roads,” trying to make sense of their bizarre reality.
The season also sees Harry, played by Alan Tudyk, escaping the Grey Moonbase for a showdown with the Mantid impostor, only to face new challenges. Meanwhile, Sheriff Mike (Corey Reynolds) and Deputy Liv (Elizabeth Bowen) investigate mysterious deaths in Patience, suspecting otherworldly forces. Asta (Sara Tomko) and D’arcy (Alice Wetterlund) navigate their own secrets, adding layers of tension and comedy to the mix.
Alan Tudyk’s Directorial Debut
A highlight of Season 4 is Alan Tudyk’s television directorial debut, helming the first two episodes. Fiehler, a long-time fan of Tudyk, describes the experience as “an opportunity of a lifetime.” Tudyk’s Juilliard-honed comedic instincts shone behind the camera, with Fiehler recalling how Tudyk would toss out line pitches mid-scene, energizing the set. “He’s such an amazing actor… and he brought so much energy to the directing,” Fiehler says. While Tudyk didn’t direct in full alien gear, Fiehler chuckles at the memory of seeing him in costume, noting it might’ve been a bit distracting to take instructions from an alien.
Playing a Paranoid Mayor
For Fiehler, portraying Ben—a nervous, people-pleasing mayor shaped by a lifetime of alien abductions—required diving into the emotional weight of such a revelation. “It’s so big that it can be slightly overwhelming,” he admits. Ben’s fidgety, anxious demeanor stems from being a “lab rat on a spaceship” his entire life, a backstory that informs his quirky personality. Fiehler leans on the writers and directors to handle the broader narrative, focusing on grounding Ben’s reactions in authenticity.
The Joy of Resident Alien
Fiehler describes working on Resident Alien as a “Hail Mary moment” in his career, especially in an industry marked by uncertainty. After considering a move back to Alaska and a career change, landing this role felt like a gift. “To get to do one more show that I actually care about and love the people I work with… what’s better than that?” he reflects. The tight-knit cast, including Tudyk, Tomko, Wetterlund, Reynolds, Bowen, Meredith Garretson, and Judah Prehn, became a “show family” over the years, supporting each other through personal losses during the nine-month shoot for Season 2.
The show’s blend of sci-fi, comedy, and heart resonates with audiences, and Fiehler shares a touching story of a fan who found solace in Resident Alien while their wife was in hospice care. “It brought comfort and joy… even for a moment,” he says, emphasizing that bringing joy is what acting should be about. “Outside of that, it’s a pretty dumb profession,” he jokes, likening himself to a “talking monkey.”
Advice for Aspiring Actors
For aspiring actors, Fiehler offers practical, heartfelt advice: “If you love it, just keep doing it.” He encourages creating your own content with the tools available today, like smartphones, and finding collaborators who “get you.” Reflecting on his own journey, Fiehler recalls the discouragement of early days in LA, where agents struggled to categorize him—not quite a character actor, not quite a leading man. “Find the people that get you and make stuff that you think is cool,” he advises, urging authenticity over chasing trends.
Looking Ahead
As for what’s next, Fiehler is embracing a quieter life, building a house in Alaska and waiting for the phone to ring with new opportunities. For now, he’s grateful for the Resident Alien journey and its impact on fans. The show’s themes of human connection, as highlighted by writer Chris Sheridan, underscore the strength of coming together to face challenges—a message Fiehler hopes resonates with viewers.
Resident Alien Season 4 promises to blend absurd humor, emotional depth, and alien intrigue, with Fiehler’s Ben Hawthorne at the heart of the chaos. As the Patience crew battles extraterrestrial threats and personal revelations, fans can expect a season that’s as entertaining as it is thought-provoking.
