Verona man gets some extra attention

Jeff Green | Jan 12, 2022

He spent 11 long, dusty days last summer on the Kingstown set, at the former Kingston Penitentiary, dressed up as a prisoner.

He got the part by answering a call and sending in a photo to the producers of the show.

“I sent in a photo, looking as angry as I could make myself look.  The first day I showed up, everyone else was much bigger and covered in tattoos. They sent me to Makeup, put some bags under my eyes, and marked up my face a little bit, and I was ready to be thrown into gang fights.”

The days started at 5am, with a COVID test, and continued for 15 hours. And at minimum wage, the pay was not substantial, but Lucas is always keen for filming and other arts endeavours, having been in smaller productions ever since he moved to Verona three years ago from Timmins.

“I am a singer and songwriter as well, and I have found so many opportunities to do things in this area since I came here,” he said, “being in Kingstown was just one of them.”

He has been watching the episodes of Kingstown as they have been released each week, and throughout most of the season, many of the scenes that he had played more prominent roles, seem to have been cut from the final version that aired on TV.

The series stars Jeremy Renner and Aidan Gillen, and Lucas spent a fair bit of time in scenes with Renner, who he got along with very well.

As he started watching the final episode of the season, which features a prison riot, Lucas began to see himself on screen. He popped up, in scene after scene. 

“I was all over the final episode,” he said, “it was a thrill to see it all. I was in there 17 times. I couldn't believe it.

When not pursuing music or film opportunities, Lucas works at Ali Baba Restaurant on Princess Street in Kingston.

“Things have been slow there during COVID, and they are very good about letting me off work when things come up.

And if Kingstown gets renewed for a second season, and is filmed in Kingston again, you can expect to see Lucas Pell again.

“The guy who cast me said that if there is a second season, I will be asked to come back. I'll be ready,” he said.

To view some of Lucas Pell's music performances, go to Youtube and search for him.