Dylan O’Brien’s ‘Stiles’ has been through the wringer the past few seasons on MTV’s popular Teen Wolf. From being the fun sidekick to possessed by a demon, Stiles has undergone a lot of changes but fortunately he’s now got Malia (played by Shelley Hennig) to help him over the bumps while he in turn helps her adjust to life back as human after years spent as a coyote. Teaming up together to discuss the series at the 2014 San Diego Comic Con, O’Brien and Hennig talked about their characters’ relationship and Stiles’ darker side.
Dylan O’Brien and Shelley Hennig Teen Wolf Interview
How do you think the introduction of Malia to Stiles has affected them both?
Dylan O’Brien: “Yeah, definitely. I think that’s what’s so sweet about them is that Stiles has been a really good positive thing for Malia, and Malia has been the same thing for Stiles. Both coming at times when they’re struggling with things in their own lives. You know, they met in a mental institution because Stiles was being possessed by an evil spirit and killing everyone around him. And Malia has just like now been transformed into a human and found out that she murdered her family. It’s sort of like we’re both very…it comes at a really good time where it’s like that’s why I love that scene in the basement. It’s just very nice; it’s sort of like a break. We kind of take a break for a second from all the chaos that happens all the time. I think it’s just been very sweet to have this relationship for each of our characters in this difficult time.”
Shelley Hennig: “I think both of our characters make the other character better, which is a good thing in real life relationships. In real life, sometimes people do come into your life at the right time and that relationship really works because you’re making each other better. I like that it’s really relatable.”
The show’s gotten really dark for Stiles. You still have your light moments, but do you like the darker side of Stiles?
Dylan O’Brien: “Yeah. I loved doing the #3B arc, playing what he was in A was awesome. I love doing both the comedy and the drama, and then evil was so cool. But, yeah, I’m happy to have him back. I like that Stiles is back now you know. I really enjoyed playing the nogitsune but I sort of missed him on the show a little bit. I feel like he’s necessary in there, so I’m glad to be back in that funny [way].”
If Stiles had to choose to become a supernatural being, what do you think he’d choose?
Dylan O’Brien: “I don’t know. I don’t think Stiles would choose to become anything. I feel like he almost feels a responsibility to be human. It just helps, in a weird way, because he can’t physically help anyone.”
Shelley Hennig: “You’re not useless.”
Dylan O’Brien: “Exactly. I don’t know. It’s just a heroic thing about the show, having a human always be a part of things and actually help out. You don’t have to have superpowers in real life to be a hero. I think that heroes are actually defined by completely other things and qualities, and I think he represents that. So I don’t know that I would choose anything.”
Malia seems to be getting herself more under control but will she continue to struggle with her transformation?
Shelley Hennig: “I think that is a huge turning point for her. She’s getting better and better at human things and controlling her coyote powers. I think it will always be there. I mean, just like you saw at the chalkboard her claws came out. I think she’s getting a better handle on it.”
Do you think she still wants to go back to being a coyote?
Shelley Hennig: “I showed up to season four and I was like, ‘Yep, I’m still going to fight.’ I was thinking my character was still in that same place. I didn’t realize that off-camera some time had passed and Malia had accepted human life. I think Stiles had a lot to do with that, and I think in real life coyotes choose their mate very early on and they stick with them until they die. That’s a little dramatic to say about teenage kids, but I do think it’s a part of Malia. They’re very loyal and so she’s going to be very loyal to Stiles, and he’s been very helpful.”
– Teen Wolf Cast Photos at Comic Con
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