Spotlight: Tim Walsh and Elliot Wolf
On Call is Wolf Entertainment’s first original streaming series — but that’s not the only thing that sets this show apart. With each of its adrenaline-pumping half-hour episodes, this new procedural is bending the rules to achieve a visual language and storytelling format unlike anything else on television.
Created by Tim Walsh and Elliot Wolf, and starring Troian Bellisario and Brandon Larracuente, On Call follows veteran female training officer Traci Harmon and her rookie male ride-along Alex Diaz as they navigate the loss of a fellow officer and politics of modern day policing in the department and on the streets of Long Beach. All 8 episodes of the series’ premiere season are now available to stream on Prime Video.
We spoke with creators Tim and Elliot about their experience making On Call and what fans can expect from the exciting first season. Read on to learn more.
Q: How does On Call differ from other procedurals in the Wolf universe?
Elliot Wolf: While it still has the Wolf DNA in it, On Call is completely different from any other Wolf show. We took inspiration from the shows of the 1950s-60s, specifically the half hour procedurals. Given the format, we wanted it to feel like you’re being shot out of a cannon, right from the moment it starts. It’s highly adrenalized and it’s visceral. It’s also much more grounded than a lot of other series that are out there today. We use body cam, dash cam, and cellphone footage to give it a sense of reality that you don’t see often on your TV screen.
Tim Walsh: This isn’t a typical procedural. We don’t start with a crime and solve it by the end of the episode. We’re much more interested in the human interactions between our characters and the people and the problems they face. It’s much more character-driven than any of the other procedurals. A lot of inspiration for the show came from cinema, from films like Dennis Hopper’s police drama Colors.
Q: What was the inspiration for the two main characters, Tracy Harmon and Alex Diaz? What was most interesting about the dynamic between them?
Elliot: Spending time in Long Beach, with the community and with the police department, definitely shaped these characters. We wanted the humanity of these characters to shine, and how we did that was by looking at what drew them to the job in the first place and what continues to motivate them. As the audience, we’re coming into this dynamic through a situation that is momentous for both of them, and through that we get to experience it through those two very different points of view.
Tim: We have Harmon, a 12 year veteran who has faced all of the turbulence of being a police officer, in a position to train a rookie, Diaz, who is coming to the job with a fresh outlook and complete naivete. We thought that the tension between those two officers who are at very different points in their careers was fascinating, so that dynamic is a major part of the show.
Q: Why was Long Beach chosen as the setting for the show?
Tim: Long Beach is one of the coolest cities in the country. It has a unique blend of grit and beauty that is a great reflection of our two leads and the differences between them.
Elliot: It’s a truly unique place — even though it’s part of Los Angeles, it’s its own entity. Choosing it as the setting allowed us to capture a West Coast vibe while still feeling different enough to set it apart from other police procedurals that have been set in LA.
Q: How does the show approach the topic of modern day policing?
Elliot: We have made a very conscious effort to embed ourselves in Long Beach, to experience the city firsthand and have the show reflect the real experiences of the people there, sometimes with differing points of view. Our hope is that folks can watch the series and walk away with an understanding of someone else’s experiences, and that the show is able to set the table for conversation.
Tim: We aimed to present these stories as unencumbered as we possibly could, so that the viewer can come to their own conclusions. The focus is always on our two main characters, as well as the fragile bond between the police and the community.
Q: What has been the most gratifying part of working on the show?
Tim: It’s been amazing to see our leads flex their acting abilities in this role. People are going to see a very different side of Troian and Brandon through their performances on the show.
Elliot: Every step of the process has been incredible. Taking the experiences that Tim and I have had in Long Beach, translating them to the page, and then seeing the words brought to life and watching the entire cast do an unbelievable job embodying these characters has been amazing.
Q: What can fans expect to see on the show?
Elliot: Expect the unexpected. The beauty of being a patrol officer is you never know what your next call is going to be — we’ve embedded that spirit into the show and included twists and turns that are going to make for a very fun watch.
Tim: I’d add that viewers should expect one more thing: they should expect to be entertained.
Q: What is your favorite episode of On Call?
Elliot: Episode 4 is a highlight for us both. Tim and I were standing next to each other during the filming of the final scenes of that episode, and we were both pinching ourselves. It was an amazing performance by Troian that we can’t wait for everyone to see.
Stream On Call now exclusively on Prime Video.
