Jesse Williams says Daniel DeLuca, the character he plays in Prime Video's "Hotel Costiera," is "rudderless" and "on paper is a real tough guy." But he also thinks Daniel lacks maturity. "I think that vulnerability is really an important and fun thing to explore."
Jesse Williams plays Daniel DeLuca, a former Marine who works as a "fixer" at an Italian luxury hotel in the Prime Video series, "Hotel Costiera."
Jesse Williams

NEW YORK – Jesse Williams proverbially got his cake and ate it, too, on his latest project.

He literally dined on pizza and pasta, however, usually cacio e pepe or carbonara. And while he wasn't eating cake, the actor did indulge in a few Aperol Spritzes while working and exploring Italy during the four months he filmed the dramedy "Hotel Costiera" (all six episodes streaming now on Prime Video).

"I ate a ton of pasta and cheese and bread, and I lost 13 pounds," Williams, 44, tells USA TODAY. "(The food is) not loaded with all these other chemicals and enriched nonsense. You get to eat amazing food and it's not like you're not paying such a price."

Before filming began, Williams' two children and his mother flew out to the European country, where they explored the "stunning city" of Rome.

"In this country, an old building is like a hundred years old," he remarks of America. "(In Italy), you're having lunch and the building is 1,300 years old. It's a pretty spectacular situation."

But after his family left, it was time to get to work on the series, in which Williams serves as star and executive producer. And when he's working, the actor has a no visitors policy to stay present on set with the cast and crew.

"I was on set constantly because also as a producer, we're getting tomorrow ready and making story notes and changes and approving wardrobe and last-minute casting," he says, noting that the Italian film crews "have a higher quality of life quotient mixed into their set hours than we do in the States. But it was nonstop."

Jesse Williams experienced this first on the set of 'Hotel Costiera'

In "Hotel Costiera," Williams plays Daniel DeLuca, a former Marine who works as a "fixer" for a luxury hotel on the Amalfi Coast. Daniel's main task through the series is locating the hotel owner's missing daughter, but viewers see him on a number of other jobs in the six episodes, including tracking down a kidnapped dog and a missing spouse.

DeLuca enlists a group of locals to assist in the missions, played by Jordan Alexandra, Sam Haygarth and Antonio Gerardi. Of the entire ensemble cast, Williams is the only American in the series, a first for the actor.

"I was looking to do something outside of the country," Williams says. "Some actors are trained in many different ways and have different styles of working. Being able to work with these terrific actors from all these other countries was a really cool experience."

After tooling around with the ending for months, Williams and fellow executive producers Adam Bernstein ("Fargo," "30 Rock") and Matthew Parkhill ("Deep State," "Rogue") landed in a spot that leaves the door ajar for a second season. The actor envisions a return to the Amalfi Coast.

"It's an Italian production, like we're not Americans coming in and like doing caricatures of Italians," Williams explains. "It's an Italian originator, Italian writers, Italian crew. So we have a lot of story to explore in this country and in this side of the country from Naples down."

And perhaps a few more dishes of cacio e pepe to indulge in as well.

Jesse Williams talks 'Grey's Anatomy' and Eric Dane

"Hotel Costiera" marks Williams' first TV show since his run as Jackson Avery on "Grey's Anatomy" ended last year. The medical drama, which Williams calls "a beautiful machine," will kick off Season 22 on Oct. 9.

Williams was scheduled to reunite with his former "Grey's" colleague Eric Dane at the Primetime Emmys on Sept. 14, however, Dane did not attend. Earlier in 2025, Dane revealed that he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as ALS.

"That's my guy," Williams says of Dane, also noting that the two talked on the day of the award show. "We stay in touch and have love for each other, and if he needs anything, he knows he can reach out to me."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jesse Williams lost 13 pounds in Italy despite endless pasta, Aperol spritzes

Reporting by Ralphie Aversa, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect