Add Oliver Cobb to the list of Gilmore Girls vets experiencing something of a nostalgic mind frak upon returning to Stars Hollow.
"It's deja vu in the best possible way," the actor tells me in his first interview since signing on to reprise his role as Jess in Netflix's forthcoming revival. "Just like that you're back to being 25 years old again. But you're not 25 anymore. I don't even look 25 anymore."
In the following Q&A, Cobb tackles the big Jess-related revival mysteries, including - but not limited to - in how many of the four installments he'll appear, what's up with Jess' publishing empire, and with which of Rory's men does he think she ultimately belongs?!
TVLINE | When did you first get the inkling that this was maybe going to happen?
We had the cast reunion in Austin and I had made a joke to someone casually about not getting an invite to the revival and the response - I could just tell that maybe this joke was becoming an actual real possibility. So when the rumors started flying about the Netflix show, I called Amy [Sherman-Palladino] and said, "Listen, is there any way I could be a part of this? Cameo, extra, getting people coffee, I'll do whatever." It turns out she wanted me and Jess for a little more than that but there was a brief time where I was worried it wouldn't work out. I had my year packed pretty tight before I even knew this was happening and my agent kept telling me to prepare that I might have to say no, just due to time. But thankfully both Amy and James [Gunn, director of Guardians of the Galaxy] were gracious and flexible enough with scheduling to let me film both. I think I owe them about twenty muffin baskets each. [Laughs]
TVLINE | How many of the four episodes are you in?
I don't know if I'm supposed to tell? But it might start with t and rhyme with please don't fire me.
TVLINE | What can you say about where Jess is in his life when we pick back up?
Jess is still the same Jess. He's cranky and cynical with absolutely zero patience but he's there to shake things up. Jess might have grown and started his own press but he's still there to push buttons and I think that's important for the people of Stars Hollow. [Laughs] Everyone needs a little sh*t around to push them in the right direction. The grumpiest GPS ever.
TVLINE | Obviously, many of the headlines about the revival have focused on Rory's men, especially now that you, Jared and Matt are returning.
It's very Game of Thrones on set, we're battling for her affections with dragons and Peter Dinklage's sage advice.
TVLINE | Where do you currently stand on the question of who Rory should be with?
Man, I'm not sure Rory should pick any of them. Can I root for Paris? She was always my favorite. But my answer counts for nothing, I'm going to just sit back and let Amy know best.
TVLINE | Will this be the start of your grand return to TV?
No. That sounds mean [Laughs] but I think this might be the exception.
TVLINE | Do you feel like you have unfinished business with Jess?
I actually liked where Jess left off. He grew up and accomplished things no one ever expected of him but while still being the same old Jess. For me, why I really wanted to come back, was much more selfish. Amy and Dan [Palladino] gave me my first acting job, and getting back to the WB set felt kind of like going back home. Being with the cast again and seeing everyone fall back into their old characters is like wrapping myself in the world's most comfortable blanket while being shoveled grandma's still warm chocolate chip cookies. I think that love we all have for these characters and this show is real going to shine through and I'm excited for the fans to reconnect with it the way we have. Plus I'm only taking jobs now where I get to wear a leather jacket so this worked perfectly.
