On Film Magazine
1 December 2003
 

Lawless leaves jungles of Toronto
 

Forever to be known for Xena: Warrior Princess, New Zealand TV action star Lucy Lawless has had a little less fortune in her latest series. The WB network-funded Tarzan series has closed down production only eight episodes into its inaugural season, and the "hiatus" status It has been given sounds ominous.

Lawless joined the cast two episodes in, playing the legendary lord of the jungle's aunt, but her addition apparently didn't aid sagging ratings. The series was shot in Toronto, and the city and Lawless soon created a mutual admiration society. While preparing to return to her LA base, Lawless told The Toronto Star's Rob Salem that she'd miss Toronto. "I had such a good time there. Great city, wonderful culture, and it reminds me a lot of New Zealand. The people are sensible. In stark contrast to LA, there's a good amount of common sense there. Also a sly sense of humour that I quite enjoyed."

Lawless aided local charity Gilda's Club (named in honour of late comic Gilda Radner) in their fund-raising drive by immortalising her breasts in plaster for a recent online auction. She also impressed with her singing on a cover of a Barenaked Ladies (appropriate, that) tune at a Gilda's Club fundraiser.

She is back on Canadian TV screens now as host of a five-part Discovery Channel documentary series, Warrior Women, which profiles such femme heroes as Joan of Arc and Apache warrior Lozan. Lawless also told The Toronto Star that she has a development deal at WB, with "some pretty cool projects coming up. In the meantime. I'm very happy to be looking at little bits of film work."