Skeet Ulrich might not be a household name, but his roles tend to permeate the zeitgeist — chances are you know him as the iconic “Scream” villain Billy Loomis or Jake Green from the cult-favorite CBS series “Jericho.”
Ulrich, 47, is currently pullling double-duty on two networks: he’s a series regular The CW’s buzzy “Riverdale” and he’s starring in Lifetime’s “I Am Elizabeth Smart” (airing Nov. 18), which centers around the infamous 2002 abduction case.
While Ulrich’s diverse resume spans over 20 years, he’s recognized in public “usually for two or three things,” he says. “‘Scream’ or ‘The Craft.’ Sometimes ‘Jericho.’ ‘Riverdale’ lately.”
His involvement in “Riverdale” began with a letter. “[Showrunner] Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa wrote a really nice letter saying that he wanted me for the part,” he says. “Because they had already made the pilot, I got to see it. I was pleasantly surprised by how riveting it was. I thought it had a lot of layers. I like the blue collar aspect of it — I think [my character FP Jones] and [his son] Jughead are really dissimilar from most of the characters on the show.”
Ulrich was promoted from a recurring character to series regular for Season 2 of “Riverdale,” a modernized noir spin on the classic Archie comics. This version of the idyllic small town is rife with murder and a gang called “The Southside Serpents,” led by FP. His son Jughead (Cole Sprouse) is re-imagined as a brooding, beanie-wearing writer. “The relationship with Jughead has been a roller coaster,” says Ulrich. “We just shot a scene on Friday that was so riveting — just Cole and I. I’ve always loved diving into family relationships, and we’re able to work together in a shorthand. [Cole] understands things on a deep level.” Ulrich describes the remainder of Season 2 as “going to a dark place. It starts out as a kind of retribution; ultimately I think we’ll get more towards revenge.”
While FP is an incarcerated gang leader with a drinking problem, he has redemptive qualities like loyalty and love for his family. Ulrich’s character in “I Am Elizabeth Smart” is much darker. The Lifetime movie depicts the abduction of Elizabeth Smart (she narrates the movie). Ulrich stars as Brian David Mitchell, the fanatical drifter who kidnapped and raped the 14-year old Smart. “Most times, I have no problem switching off,” Ulrich says. “But this one in particular seemed to follow me; it gave me nightmares night after night.” One vivid dream involved pulling hair, rope, and a black heart out of his mouth. “It scared the crap out of me,” says Ulrich, “but I realized I had released him.”
Though Ulrich’s most famous roles tend towards the dark side, he maintains that he’s played a greater number of heroic characters. “For some reason though, I’m remembered more for those darker parts,” he says. “There’s something in that.”
Unlike his role in “I Am Elizabeth Smart,” Ulrich doesn’t bring FP Jones home from the “Riverdale” set.
“It’s kind of the opposite,” he says. “I find I’m bringing a lot to him from my home life. If anything, I’m reminded of my roots and my love and protection of my own kids.”
“Riverdale” 8 p.m. Wednesdays on The CW