Grant Bowler: Filming Liz & Dick With Lindsay Lohan Was ‘A Roller Coaster Ride’

Grant Bowler recently wrapped filming on Lifetime’s upcoming “Liz & Dick” alongside Lindsay Lohan, and the New Zealand-born actor says playing Elizabeth Taylor’s longtime love and leading man was extremely challenging.

“I’ve got to say, playing Richard Burton was about the hardest thing I’ve ever done as an actor, and one of the most rewarding,” Grant — who will next be seen in SyFy’s “Defiance” — told Access Hollywood’s Scott Mantz at “The Expendables 2” party at Comic-Con 2012 in San Diego on Thursday evening. “We had a limited shooting schedule, not too many days. God, we had a roller coaster ride!

“I think we came up with something special,” he continued. “And I hope that we honor both Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.”

Grant, best known for his roles on “Ugly Betty,” “GCB” and HBO’s “True Blood,” said his co-star’s off-screen life draws many parallels to the often-tumultuous times of Elizabeth Taylor.

“In a lot of ways, it’s uncanny how Lindsay mirrors Liz — you know, they were both child stars, they’re both very, very kind of demanding of the material they do, both are perfectionists, both quite a bit obsessive about the work,” Grant explained. “So, you know, in some ways, Lindsay was always a walkup start to play Elizabeth Taylor.”

And if critics have any questions regarding the strength of Lindsay’s talent, Grant said her “Liz & Dick” performance will hush any doubters.

“I think there’s absolutely no doubt of Lindsay’s acting ability. I really do,” he said.

Though the production required long, hurried days, the actor said both he and his co-star gave it their all.

“We had 20 days primary shooting to tell a story over three decades,” Grant told AccessHollywood.com in an additional interview, at the Wired Cafe at Comic-Con. “Everything was period, wigged, for both of us, so it was long days. Lindsay came at it with absolutely everything she had and so did I.”

A premiere date for “Liz & Dick” has yet to be set; “Defiance” will premiere in April 2013 on SyFy.

–Erin O’Sullivan