Photo by Sharon Mor Yosef
We had the wonderful opportunity to interview actor Jade Hassouné. He shares news on the final season of Shadownhunters, which airs May 6, 2019, on Freeform.
Hi, Jade! Thank you for granting the interview. The final season of Shadowhunters? No way! You’re starring as Meliorn, a handsome and elegant fairy, also known as a Seelie. What can the audience expect?
Hello! Thank you! Yes, indeed the final season. Meliorn is a fantastical being that could be compared to an elf. Made of half-angel half-demon blood. Neither good nor evil. He is the queen’s right-hand man and does her bidding, he sometimes goes against her wishes though and that gets him in trouble. This season he’ll be deciding which side of the battle he wants to be involved in. It will lead to the final battle of our series. Stay tuned!!
Tell us about Meliorn. Who is he? What is his personality like?
He is a very quiet and grounded being. He is about 147 years old but being in the Seelie realm makes him almost immortal. He is very composed and because Seelies can’t lie, he always finds ways to play around with the truth. He was taken into the Seelie Court when he was young, and the Queen knew she could use him as a representative but also as a weapon when the time was right. Unfortunately, we don’t see much of his back story on Shadowhunters but people can find that in the Mortal Instruments books. However, don’t believe everything you read because things might change! Can you tell I’m excited about the final fight??
What role does Meliorn play in the series?
Meliorn is first introduced because he was dating Isabelle Lightwood (one of the Shadowhunters), they had a sort of agreement to keep things casual and exchange information with each other about the Shadow World happenings. But then things got intense for our heroes and Izzy called Meliorn more often to help out with some missions. We didn’t know that he was doing all of this behind the Seelie Queen’s back who he serves. So, he got punished and disappeared for a while only to return with a big scar on his face, and a bruised ego, as well as becoming a little more subservient to the Queen…but not for too long.
Was it a challenge to play Meliorn?
It was something I had always wanted to play, an elf or that type of being. So, it came to me with nice inspiration. And also reading the books it was clear to me what kind of character he was, how he spoke, how he moved. It wasn’t that difficult, it was a mix of good description plus intuition.
Did you do your own stunts?
We all do our own stunts to the level they allow us to. We all learn the fights and so do our stunt doubles, they just do extra things like flips and stuff. But there is a super cool stunt that I did for the final battle that I cannot wait to share! Also, I have very cool behind the scenes videos of it.
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How does the final season’s production bring something new to the series?
It pretty much takes things where they left off. But there will be a lot more shots of Edom and of the Seelie Court, so magic and rune powers are much more present than before.
What is going to surprise people about Meliorn?
Well, it was already revealed and confirmed that like most Seelies, he is bi-sexual. I love to be able to represent my LGBTQ brothers and sisters. But they will also see some flirting between some of our favorite duos!
Without giving anything away, what’s your favorite line of dialogue and why?
“How handsome do you think I am?”
When looking back on the production, what resonated with you the most and why?
Creating a story full of fantasy and magic. Full of hope and love. Full of heroes and epic humans. My type of life. I adore my friends who have become big figures in my life. I will love and support them for the rest of my life.
In your opinion, what scene in the series is going to blow people away and why?
Well, I can’t tell you that! But people will be happy to see some alliances wink wink
What do you enjoy most about your character and role?
The fact that he is a wise and old being, detached from the drama of humanity, ready to meld with them if he has to, but still observing them from above (meaning he thinks he is wiser than them). That’s really fun to play. “Oh, humans.. they just don’t get it.” And of course, being a knight elf is epic.
Do you have anything else you would like to share about the final season?
Be ready to see some stuff you’ve been waiting for a while!
You also have an EP coming out called Love Letter to a Fandom under the artist name J4DE. Tell us what inspired the EP.
YES!!! I’m SO excited. I cannot breathe how much I cannot wait. The EP is a thank you letter to the fans. For having changed my life and made me travel the world. It is my rebirth. It is our rebirth. I wanted to create something that will keep us connected even beyond Shadowhunters. Something that they can take with them to celebrate what they have accomplished and what we have experienced together. It is a way for me to honor the past and welcome the future.
Tell us about your songwriting process. How do you choose a topic to sing about?
When I came back from my convention tour last summer. Specifically right after Seoul, Korea, after having been away for two months in Europe, with a stop in Toronto to film the finale, I was full of different emotions. So much love, so much fun, so much joy and also a bittersweet sense that it was over. I had a burst of inspiration and wrote a bunch of songs and most of them made it onto the EP. Some are about heartbreak and Instagram, some are about traveling the world and being alone, some are about just being ourselves and having fun.
How can fans gain access to your music for downloads?
The music will be available everywhere, Spotify, iTunes, Google Play, Amazon, etc, etc. The best way to keep up is to sign up for my free newsletter at jadehassoune.com, where they will have first access. And also be able to participate in my contests and be the first to join my new subscription content that is about to launch soon! I want to collaborate with you, so if you are a graphic artist or a fashion designer please let me know!
Who are your musical icons/influences?
Lady Gaga, Lana Del Rey, Allie X, Drake, Marina, The Blaze, Billie Eilish, Justin Bieber, Shawn Mendes
Do you have anything else you would like to share about your career?
Thank you all for your support, stay with me! I’ve got so much I am creating for you, clothes, comic books, and MUSIC!!!! I can’t wait for this new chapter of our lives. I love you. Be good to yourself!
Featured Image Credit: Sharon Mor Yosef.
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