Johnny Sibilly has made his mark on the TV landscape in a relatively short amount of time: After an unforgettable turn in the landmark FX series Pose and then Max’s Hacks with screen queen Jean Smart, Sibilly is now making even bigger waves — or perhaps more accurately, flames — on Station 19.
Though his character’s arc on the series will naturally be a bit short given that Station 19 is winding down, it’s one with bite: Sibilly plays EMS firefighter Dominic, a strong, strapping guy who enters the Station 19 world through Theo, Dom’s coworker at the private EMS firm Theo joined. But it’s not all work: When Dom shows up, he’s there to not only save lives but also possibly change the course of another one. (Cough, Travis, cough.) Shondaland caught up with Sibilly in between scenes to talk about what to expect from his episodes and the actor joining the Station 19 crew and disrupting the order of the well-established show.
MALCOLM VENABLE: Tell me about Dominic and how he ends up at Station 19.
JOHNNY SIBILLY: I feel like it’s like a happy accident. Dom is recently out of a relationship. He just started a new job; he’s trying to make this money. Theo’s the new guy on the job, but he just can’t quit Station 19. He has to be a part of it somehow. And Dom kind of gets dragged into it. But while being dragged into it, he finds himself in a precarious sort of situation where he finds himself also wanting to keep coming back to Station 19. It reminds me of having a crush in school. It’s like you see that person, and you’re like, “Oh, wait, I want to keep going back to wherever that person is at.” You know?
MV: I definitely do! You’re only in a few episodes, sadly, but right away we see some butterflies happening and some batting eyes between Dom and Travis. What’s going on? Why is Dom attracted to Travis?
JS: I mean, well, first of all, he’s hot.
MV: Fair. Agreed.
JS: I think Dom likes him because he has this thing about him. Like his smile. You know, if you watch the show, you know that Jay Hayden [as Travis Montgomery] has this special quality about him. He’s, like, attractive, but he’s also really goofy. I think Dom finds that intriguing and exciting because Dom is a little more by the book, plays by the rules, and he’s finding himself at Station 19, where he’s meeting people that are good people, but they’re not necessarily rule followers. He finds that intriguing in Travis. The more he can hang around him, the more he will and wants to.
MV: You have played so many different types of roles. I’ve loved you in Hacks and Pose, but we haven’t seen you do a whole lot of physically demanding stuff yet. Does this role entail a little bit more physicality — like lifting things and rescuing people and all that?
JS: Yeah, I would say this role is one of the hardest things I’ve done. There’s so much more that goes into it than just saying the words at each other. There’s the firefighting of it all, the EMT work. I mean, even putting on the medical gloves and trying to make it look easy. It’s difficult trying to make it look professional. But it’s like a dream come true. You always want to play a hero, and the people on this show are heroes. They’re big shoes to fill. So, I think it’s been really exciting and fun. It’s really fun to put on a firefighting uniform and, like, run and play. It reminds me of being a kid, but it’s also very real circumstances these people go through. I tip my hat to them.
MV: I’ve only seen you play gay/queer characters. I’m curious: Is that something that you are adamant about when you take on roles or projects?
JS: I will play whatever I’m given. In this economy?
MV: Okay! I know that’s right.
JS: I will say that I do get a special joy out of playing queer characters because there’s not a lot of us out there on TV. So, I feel very blessed to be able to embody these characters, especially, you know, a gay firefighting badass. Those stories deserve to be told too, so it’s very exciting to be able to do that.
MV: You’re only in a couple episodes, so whatever is gonna happen, it’s gonna happen pretty fast. As the episodes continue to progress, how does Dom fit into the overall arc?
JS: I would say he causes some disruption when it comes to Travis. I think he reminds Travis about what life could look like if you kind of just let go. Dom’s a little bit more rigid. I think he sees the way Travis is, and that inspires him a little bit to be like, “This is what I want. I want to be a part of this.” So, I do think he shakes things up a little bit. He kind of fits in a way that is kind of unexpected. For Travis, at least. For fans of Travis specifically, I think Dom offers a sort of resolution and excitement for what could be for Travis. If you’ve watched the show, you’ve seen him go through many men. I think Dom offers a different flavor and a different understanding of what Travis could see for his life.
MV: What’s it been like joining the show at this stage and being part of the final season?
JS: It was freaking epic. I felt so lucky to be part of it. These people have been doing this show since 2017. I felt really grateful to be not only welcomed with open arms, but to be able to be part of such an important story at its very end. There’s an admiration that not only I have as an actor, but as Dom the character for this family. I think he clocks very early on like, “Oh, I see why you love these people.” And it’s the same thing working with not only the crew, but the cast. I see how much this family loves each other. And it’s been a real treat to be part of that.
