They Call Her Trouble: Interview with Grimm's Jacqueline Toboni

Grimm's Detective Nick Burkhardt finds a new ally in Teresa "Trubel" Rubel (Jacqueline Toboni). Photo copyright of NBC.

There are some mornings when you hate to get up out of bed, and it is even tougher when you are a college student. Fortunately, Jacqueline Toboni resisted the urge to stay under the covers and, instead, got up and went to her Friday morning screenwriting class at the University of Michigan. Coincidentally, Jim Kouf, executive producer/writer and co-creator of the hit NBC supernatural police procedural TV drama Grimm, and his wife Lynn, who is a producer on the show, were at the university to visit their daughter. They were also speaking to Toboni’s class that same day, and little did she realize that their presence would eventually lead to her booking a recurring role on Grimm.

“We were sitting in class when Jim and Lynn Kouf asked a few of us if we wanted to tape an audition for a part that they were casting at the time,” recalls Toboni. “I think we were all a bit shocked that they asked us, but we also didn’t get our hopes up too high. So I picked up my [audition] sides, went home and began watching episodes of Grimm. The next morning, they put us on tape and it was a really positive experience. We were given great direction and there were also readers there in the room working with us on the dialogue. It was a very warm audition environment and the three of us [students] were extremely supportive of one another.

Trubel (Jacqueline Toboni) in action! Photo copyright of NBC.

“That night I got a call asking me to fly out to Los Angeles and meet with more people from Grimm, which was pretty wild. When I got there, I auditioned for the executive producers as well as casting people, and then I subsequently read with David Giuntoli [Detective Nick Burkhardt], which was fantastic. David actually called me before I went up to Portland, Oregon [where Grimm is shot] to read with him. I had been watching Grimm 24/7 and while we were on the phone, I was pacing the room and nervous that I was talking with this actor who I’d been watching on my computer for the past three-and-a-half days,” says the actress with a chuckle.

“When I got to Portland, David took me under his wing right away, which was amazing. I actually visited the set before I got the job and did the test read with him. Although he only had a few short breaks while filming, David still made a point to take me aside and said, ‘Let’s run your sides and make sure we have this down pat. I’m really rooting for you.’ David was very gracious with his time and making certain I wasn’t too nervous. After that, I did the test read, it went well and here I am today.”

Trubel (Jacqueline Toboni) initially gets on the wrong side of Detective Hank Griffin (Russell Hornsby). Photo copyright of NBC.

Toboni’s character of Teresa Rubel a.k.a. Trubel (pronounced Trouble) makes her debut in the season three Grimm episode Nobody Knows the Trubel I’ve Seen (airing Friday, April 25th @ 9:00 p.m. EST/PST on NBC). Although her onscreen alter ego soon finds herself right in the thick of things, the actress herself was initially on her own when shooting began on this episode.

“My first day on the show’sset was a little bit different from the rest of the days I’ve had in that I didn’t work with any of the series regulars,” she notes. “So I walked onto the set kind of expecting to see all the familiar faces of Grimm, but I actually went straight into make-up and then filmed my first scene. At that point, my character hadn’t met any of the other main characters, so it was just me shooting my introduction on the show.

“When you first see Trubel she’s alone, and therefore I was alone in this scene. We were filming at night on-location, and it wasn’t raining, which is kind of out of the ordinary for Portland. It was such a beautiful evening, and as I stood in front of a mountain on this lonely road, I looked around and thought, ‘I can’t believe I’m here.’ The audition process and everything else happened so fast, so it’s one of those moments where I look back and remember how special it was. Since then it has been incredible. What I said earlier about David Giuntoli goes for everyone on this cast. They’ve all been nothing but incredibly nice and welcoming to me. In fact, right now I’m staring at my very first call sheet that the entire cast signed and had framed for me, which will always be something quite special to me.”

Trubel (Jacqueline Toboni) has a close encoutner of the very unusual kind in "My Fair Wesen." Photo copyright of NBC.

Not always but very often, a person’s upbringing and environment make them who they are, and that appears to be true with Trubel. “She’s had a very rough time of it and comes from quite a tumultuous past,” says Toboni. “I don’t want to give too much away, but I think that’s what truly makes her who she is. Luckily, I’ve had an amazing upbringing, including a big support system made up of my family and friends, and I don’t believe Trubel has necessarily had that. I’ve had to kind of wrap my head around that mindset when playing her, as far as being alone and having to rely on just yourself for survival. It’s funny, although Grimm is an amazing community and, again, has really welcomed me into it, being separated from the community I know so well in Ann Arbor, Michigan, has given me a better insight into Trubel’s world because I’m in a new city and living on my own for the first time.

“In order to protect herself all these years, Trubel has had to keep these [emotional] walls and barriers up, and I think the Grimm writers have done a great job of allowing us to see through those walls without bringing them totally down. My character has been on her own for about eight years, so those walls aren’t going to come down right away whenever she meets someone she thinks she might be able to trust. As the episodes go on, though, Trubel allows herself to learn more, and, in doing so, changes.”

Trubel (Jacqueline Toboni) and Ken (Michael Graziadei) in "My Fair Wesen." Photo copyright of NBC.

When the show’s resident slayer of supernatural baddies, Nick Burkhardt, comes face-to-face with Trubel, he is surprised to discover that the two of them have something very much in common. He ends up allowing her into his inner circle, and she, in turn, is amazed to find a number of other people are familiar with the secret she carries.

“I’ve now had scenes with almost all the series regulars, including, of course, David Giuntoli, along with Russell Hornsby [Detective Hank Griffin], Bitsie Tulloch [Juliet Silverton], Silas Weir Mitchell [Monroe] and Bree Turner [Rosalee], all of whom I look up to both as people and actors,” says Toboni. “So I’ve been able to learn a great deal from all of them just in the scenes I’ve done. Most of the time, though, it’s Nick, Hank and Trubel up there onscreen, and it’s a lot of fun watching the three of them interact with one another.”

With only a few episodes left until Grimm’s third season finale, is the door left open for Trubel to return next season? “I probably know as much as you do on that front,” says Toboni. “I’m sure they’re waiting to see how viewers react to what’s happened so far and Trubel’s story. I think she’s an amazing character that I hope to see in the future, but for now, we have some wonderful surprises in store forfans in these last four or five episodes of the season, so let’s get excited about that,” enthuses the actress.

Trubel (Jacqueline Toboni) keeping her own "Grimm" journal. Photo copyright of NBC.

Although she left school to work on Grimm, the actress is still expected to graduate with her class this May. In fact, her graduation day coincides with the airing of her second episode of the series, and on that day, Toboni will also receive The Earl V. Moore Award in Theatre for outstanding achievement in the dramatic arts. Looking ahead, what are her plans with regard to acting?

“I think Grimm is a great starting point for my career,” she says, “so once this amazing adventure comes to a close, I think I will move to Los Angeles and, hopefully do some more acting. I’ll hit the pavement with auditions, word hard, and see what comes my way.”

Steve Eramo

As noted above, photos copyright of NBC, so please no unauthorized copying or duplicating of any kind. Thanks!

Comments

[Meghan Jones]

I really like this actress and she's perfect for Nick's sister. I was a little worried when I heard another Grimm was coming in but this character is written and acted so well that it was a relief. Really brilliant writing and casting. She is completely believable and has infused a new direction and energy into the show. The possibilities are endless. She also fits seamlessly into the ensemble. Bravo! (1 critique - I'm not loving the name "Trubel". I understand why she's called that but it's trite. I'm sorry!) Otherwise, I love her! :-)

[doreen stec]

I love what Toboni has brought to the show and her character (let's keep her)! Love the show.

[Jeff Kelley]

Theresa (Trouble) Trubel is an excellent addition to Grimm. I was totally upended (in a good way) by the addition of another Grimm to the series. Trouble’s tomboy character is quite fitting for a girl growing up on the street. The fact that she’s a Grimm necessarily improves her ability to survive and become a bad-ass Wesen tanker. Jacqueline’s Toboni’s first episode was a bit disconcerting, as she appeared afraid of her attackers, yet for some reason I felt she was hiding something terrible about herself that she didn’t want to come out. Nevertheless, I’m glad her secret did come out, and put her on top to become the gladiator for which I love her.
Jacqueline is a fine actress, and a perfect fit for this role as Nick's pseudo-sister. I think she’s hot, even though a bit uncouth. Yet, I know her social graces will improve as she wins her way into the hearts of the other women of Grimm. I can’t wait until she meets Nick’s mother face-to-face. To tell the truth, the series needed a little sprucing up. I love Grimm, but the same ole monster routine gets old. Great job Grimm! You’ve got my attention.

[Hannah]

I love her character & she's a positive addition to the show. I,too, am not crazy about the name Trubel and maybe as she eases into her new "life" she'll change back to her "real" name. She's a good actress! On the other hand, Nick's mother was not a good addition. Glad she's not on much.

[V White]

I absolutely love Trouble being added to Grimm. She's definitely a keeper. She's cute, yet street-smart and tough. She certainly can be helpful to Nick and Hank because she can go where the boys can't sometimes. Yeah!

[kat]

Trouble is such a welcome to the show. Love her!!!!!

[Mari Drechsel]

She's a perfect addition to the cast and is pretty amazing as a new actress. I wish her much luck and hope to see her through out the Grimm story.

[Alexandra Spyker]

I love this actress!!! She is wonderful

[Jerry Hugo]

Love love love lover her character....The ONLY thing I wish the writers had done differently is when after they were able to calm her down and introduce her into her new world. She's sitting at the station and I wish, (oh how I wished), Nick would have taken her to the Captain!!! That could have been so awesome, give her an introduction to the Royal's as well and that could have let the Capt know there was another Grimm in the area too....but they didn't *sigh*

[m4rit]

I like this new development! Juliette and Rosalee are such loving characters, and I absolutely adore them both, but its nice to see a tough female character like Trubel. I must say I'm also not a big fan of that name. When they called her to the table it was like they were calling a dog or a cat.

Anyway I'm looking forward to how GRIMM is going to develop, and I hope Trubel is going to be a keeper. Great acting by Toboni btw. Although her nonchalance is a little bit over the top.

Keep it up!

[Jason]

Trouble (Trubel), how lame of a name. Every time they call your trouble, it annoys me! Poor writing decision!!!

[Petar Waldner]

I like her, she has thag "something" which makes her a fine actor and her character in the series is very cool, I also like the fact that we have another Grimm on the show.
Haven't yet watched the last two episodes of this season, but from the episodes I saw her in I very much hope she comes back as a regular next season!

[Destiny Grace]

I love The new Grimm and her nickname Trubel. I find that it suits her character. I find the actress true life story fascinating and I pray her blessings in her career!