Lucy Lawless
ARCHIVE OF AMERCIAN TELEVISION INDEPTH INTERVIEW SERIES
21 August 2013
 

In her three-hour plus Archive interview, Lucy Lawless discusses her experience in drama school and her early roles as a guest star on New Zealand television. She talks of hosting the series Air New Zealand Holiday, recounts being cast in an early role on Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, and shares how she was later cast as "Xena" on the same show. She recalls her transition from Hercules: The Legendary Journeysto her own series, Xena: Warrior Princess, and details the ways in which the character changed for the spin-off. Lawless speaks at length about "Xena", her effect on popular culture, and her status as a feminist icon. She speaks of her stint as the Cylon "D'Anna Biers" on Battlestar Galactica, and touches on her guest roles onCurb Your Enthusiasm, The L Word, and Saturday Night Live. She recalls being cast as "Lucretia" onSpartacus, and describes the difficulties the series encountered due to the untimely death of lead actor Andy Whitfield. Finally, she outlines her role on Parks and Recreation, speaks of career highs, and offers her philosophy of acting. Nancy Harrington conducted the interview on August 21, 2013 in North Hollywood, California.


 

 

 
PART 1
  • On her early life and influences; on television she watched as a child
  • On appearing on the sketch comedy show Funny Business; on going to drama school; on various guest-starring roles on New Zealand television
  • On appearing in the Hercules: The Legendary Journeys  made-for-television movie; on playing "Xena" on Hercules: The Legendary Journeys; on the popularity of Hercules: The Legendary Journeys
  • On the spin-off of "Xena" into her own series, Xena: Warrior Princess; on the character of "Xena" on Xena: Warrior Princess; on the costumes and stunts on the show

 

  
     
PART 2
  • On the world of Xena: Warrior Princess; on "Xena's" relationship with "Gabrielle" on Xena: Warrior Princess; on her co-stars on the show
  • On the atmosphere on the set of Xena: Warrior Princess; on the production process of Xena: Warrior Princess; on censorship of the show
  • On fan reaction to Xena: Warrior Princess; on dealing with her fame and being a feminist icon; on the different genres included in Xena: Warrior Princess and her favorite episodes of the show; on the end and legacy of Xena: Warrior Princess
  • On hosting Saturday Night Live; on various guest starring roles; on playing the Cylon "D'Anna Biers" on Battlestar Galactica

 

  
     
PART 3
  • On the end of her character on Battlestar Galactia; on appearing on Curb Your Enthusiasm, Celebrity Duets  and The L Word; on guest-starring on Flight of the Concords
  • On being cast on Spartacus; on her Spartacus  character "Lucretia"; on Andy Whitfield as "Spartacus" and his illness
  • On Liam McIntyre taking over the role of "Spartacus" on Spartacus; on her Spartacus co-stars; on her character "Lucretia's" backstory on Spartacus 
  • On the costumes and wigs of Spartacus; on her favorite moments of Spartacus; on the end of her character "Lucretia"
  • On her fans; on appearing on No Ordinary Family and Parks and Recreation; on then-current projects

 

  
     
PART 4
  • On how celebrity has affected her;
  • on her involvement with Green Peace;
  • on what she likes about acting and her approach to acting
  • On how television has changed for actors since she started;
  • on advice to an aspiring actor; on her achievements and regrets and
  • where she sees herself in the future

 

  
 

 

    
 

Snippets from the Interview