Robert Englund interview: Tour the dark side of True Terror

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SEATTLE, WA – MARCH 05: Actor Robert Englund speaks on stage during Emerald City Comic Con at Washington State Convention Center on March 5, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Mat Hayward/Getty Images) /

Robert Englund will be making his debut as host of the new Travel Channel series, True Terror tonight at 10 p.m. We had the chance to sit down with the legendary actor to discuss the dark underbelly of the American psyche.

Robert Englund is hosting the new Travel Channel series, True Terror which premieres tonight at 10 p.m. We were fortunate enough at 1428 Elm to snag the legendary actor for a chat about his latest effort which will take viewers on a tour of the dark underbelly of the American psyche.

The Art of the Storyteller

1428 Elm: Thank you for taking the time to speak with us. We had the chance to review True Terror and it is one of the best reality series that we have seen in a while.

Robert Englund: It was a real project from the heart for our writer/creator. He was a big fan of Unsolved Mysteries. That was one of his go-to childhood comfort shows that he really liked.

True Terror is a formula, a wonderful formula. I think formula in television, whether it’s a Dick Wolf Law & Order show or it’s a sitcom we all like or an episode of Dateline, I think is an underrated aspect and a part of television viewing. The powers that be at Travel Channel really got their act together with the formula for our series, I really like it.

I like the rhythm, the poetry of it and the reiteration. And also, the fact that all of our stuff is historical. Most of our stories take place in the 19th century or early 20th century. It’s back in time enough so there is a forgiveness for science and there is a certain forgiveness for conspiracy theories, legends and myths.

Our series is a little bit about the psyche of the underbelly of society back then. It’s almost like a David Lynch story taken back 150 years.

1428 Elm: What we think is compelling about True Terror is your ability as a storyteller. We know that when you were first starting out, you did quite a bit of Shakespeare before you appeared in movies and on television. Was it your work in theater that honed your skills? Do you think your training helped prepare you for not only your career but True Terror as well?

RE: One of the challenges of True Terror was me blending my on-screen persona. So, it’s Robert Englund but it’s Robert Englund (insert Freddy Krueger voice) who kinda likes this stuff.

It’s Robert Englund who likes his H.P. Lovecraft and his Stephen King. It’s Robert Englund who likes a good horror movie and a good serial killer exposé in the Sunday New York Times magazine section.