When last I spoke with Ãœber-actress Lucy Lawless, she was in discussion to return to the role of D'Anna Biers in the fourth and final season of BATTLESTAR GALACTICA. The discussion is obviously over, because Lawless is on set filming episodes even as this is being written. Since the new season has been pushed off to April, the air of secrecy has been heightened, so don't expect spoilers in this interview. However as Lawless is always charming, intelligent, and of course beautiful, she finds ways to tease iF MAGAZINE in this exclusive interview about her return to television and what lies beyond BATTLESTAR GALACTICA.


iF MAGAZINE: How is the feeling on the set with this being the final season?

LUCY LAWLESS: Things seem great actually; far more comfortable than we did on XENA at this stage, but maybe it hasn't hit them or maybe it's an easy adjustment because there are so many of them and several of them are working on BIONIC WOMAN. The mood is really great. I'm surprised how comfortable they are. Halfway through the last season of XENA, the cast tended to get snappish with one another, and I think it was just anxiety of not knowing where your mortgage payments were coming from. I think the writers' strike is probably of more significance at this moment; than the end of the show. I don't think it's quite real to them yet.

iF: So if the writers' strike did happen, that would extend BATTLESTAR a bit further ?

LAWLESS: Right and that would be great because what a hot fantastic show!

iF: Is there any talk on set about the SCI FI Channel splitting Season 4 over two years?

LAWLESS: Oh really? [Laughs] Maybe they don't want to let their baby go. Maybe they don't want to let the show that put them on the map get away.

iF: I figure if they split it, they might find some way to bring it back in the meantime.

LAWLESS: Oh God. I am so sick of these long lay bys. The thing is these days, when you shoot something in television it doesn't come out for at least five months.

iF: The season doesn't start until April now and you're already filming the midway point, so it'll be awhile before we get to see what you are shooting.

LAWLESS: Yeah. [Sighs]

iF: How is it being back on set with everybody?

LAWLESS: Lovely. Lovely, lovely. It's fun and things are really relaxed. It's nice to be able to hang out with them. Of course these scripts are super secret. You have to go into the office to read a copy of the whole episode.

iF: Before you had said everybody gets naked and sexed up on GALACTICA. Is that happening again with your new experience?

LAWLESS: Yeah oh my God they're naked as we speak. [Laughs] Look, I keep telling Tahmoh Penikett to put some undies on. I'm tired of him sauntering around and flashing everyone.

iF: So then is there more nudity for you?

LAWLESS: Yeah I was in a tub of goo yesterday, so there's more nudity. You start liking it after awhile. The tub of goo, I mean, not the nudity.

iF: I would assume they have to keep that tub heated so you don't get too cold?

LAWLESS: Yeah they have seven dwarves under there rubbing it keeping you warm.

iF: When last we saw D'Ana Biers she was being put in cold storage, I can assume she won't be terribly happy when we first see her?

LAWLESS: No. She has very mixed feelings about being brought back. Although she does thank Brother Cavil in her own special way. Cut to nudity. [Laughs]

iF: Being on BATTLESTAR this season compared to the other two seasons you were on the show, is this a more intense run?

LAWLESS: There are strange alliances. There is a lot more contact with the humans. I'm very excited because I get some face time with Roslin. I just love working with Mary [McDonnell]. I love her as person and as an actress. Everything gets turned upside down this season and it's very satisfying.

iF: I know you've been an action figure before but have you gotten your D'Ana Biers Minimate Lego-type figure yet?

LAWLESS: Really? I had no idea. That's something Brother Cavil can keep in his boudoir, a whole bunch of little D'Anas to play with. That's hilarious.

iF: When last we talked at the Arclight Theatre BATTLESTAR event in Hollywood, you weren't entirely sure you were coming back for season four. When did that change?

LAWLESS: I don't know. I'd known about this for a while. It was always likely that I would be coming back, but it's always a complex matrix when you have a certain budget and amount of time. There are all of these storylines that need to get wrapped up with things that really, really are important. Anything that's extraneous you have to cut out for budget or screen time reasons; filming time and screen time reason. So, as someone who has listened to her producer husband [Rob Tapert] moaning about every aspect of filmmaking for the last twelve years, I understand the complications when producing these sort of things. It's never personal, but the matrix either allows for it or doesn't allow for it at that point in time. Then I have to check my matrix and say bye, bye' or I can and that's great. Their needs and my time lined up and it's very nice.

iF: Jumping tracks from BATTLESTAR, I've heard you are doing another show at The Roxy?

LAWLESS: Yup. I'm doing The Roxy and then I'm thinking of going to Europe next year. I'm going to do a show in London, and then I don't know if I'll go across to a few other countries, but again it's that complex matrix of money, availability and desire. Can you get a team of people that are going to love the rigors of that life, so we'll see what happens.

iF: So for The Roxy show, have you thought up a new provocative title?

LAWLESS: It's so weird that you ask, because someone else is bothering me about that as well. I'm thinking about Give me some [pauses] comma [pauses] Sugar. I'm not sure what I'll do this time, but something sassy.

iF: Last time you did a really eclectic blend of all kinds of music, and put on hell of a show.

LAWLESS: We went to Buddy Guy's in Chicago and did a far more blues and funk show, because it was at Buddy Guy's and it was a much more authentic Chicago sound so we wanted to go in a much different direction. We made a few new discoveries. It was a great experience. We just keep it rolling; you know what I mean?

iF: So then I guess the next question is when can fans expect and album?

LAWLESS: Oh gosh, that's the other thing. I would like to have a couple more originals to add to it. My education has me coming into it late. Every time I do a show it becomes a slightly different animal. Your talent develops and your tastes change, so I haven't quite hit the magic formula of what would be my album at this point. I would like to have something before a year is out though.

iF: Once you finish filming BATTLESTAR what's next?

LAWLESS: F**k I don't know! [Laughs] I roll with the punches man.I'm always getting ready to do my own thing.

iF: Well you did CELEBRITY DUETS, maybe you could do DANCING WITH THE STARS?

LAWLESS: You know something they did invite me and I said, nah, no that's not my thing at all. But in my life and what I'm doing, I'm just a lucky little monkey.

iF: Since you and David Eick have such a good working relationship has he talked to you about being on THE BIONIC WOMAN?

LAWLESS: No we've never discussed that.

iF: You should, but that's just my personal opinion.

LAWLESS: OK. [Laughs] Yeah, there are a few GALACTICA people on there already.

By SEAN ELLIOTT, Senior Editor
Published 10/30/2007

The Glamazon faces the Warrior Princess
Written: November 28, 2007
In this week's Superstar to Superstar, Women's Champion Beth Phoenix
talks to actress and singer Lucy Lawless.

In the latest Superstar to Superstar, two strong, sexy women become quick friends, as Women's Champion Beth Phoenix talks to actress and singer Lucy Lawless. It seems the Glamazon and the star of Battlestar Galactica and, of course, Xena: Warrior Princess have plenty in common.

Beth: On Battlestar Galactica, I found out your character was killed off last season, but you'll be returning for additional episodes. I know you can't give me a whole lot of details, but can you give me a taste of what's in store for you?

Lucy: My character & My character &You know what? I've been sworn to absolute secrecy!

B: No problem!

L: With that show & in geek roles, as I lovingly call them, the people really don't want spoilers. So I think the producers really try to honor that, so they can keep everybody surprised all the time. & There are some surprising returns, a lot of the characters. You're going to be shocked, let's put it that way. There are some twists and turns that you would have never predicted.

B: Awesome. So, in other words, make sure we watch! Stay tuned.

L: Yeah.

B: Well, that segues nicely into my next question, which is: Why is Battlestar Galactica popular among our fans in WWE?

L: The fans are pretty in tune to the larger-than-life characters, and well, just larger-than-life situations. In Battlestar Galactica the characters are very underplayed, actually. But you have to suspend disbelief to think that you're being abducted by aliens every week. They're certainly prepared to go along for the ride, and I think the fans of WWE and Galactica are up for anything.

B: Definitely. I think the sci-fi element, too, would interest our fans because there's just so much colorfulness in WWE.

L: There are a lot of guys, more men than women.

B: Definitely. Our demographic is mostly men, as well, like the 18 to 35 range is our largest demographic. & So let's talk about your appearance on Celebrity Duets. How has this impacted your singing career?

L: A lot of people warned me; they said I shouldn't do that. I said I didn't care, that it was a chance at too much fun, that life is really short, and I think I made the right decision for me. It also propelled me off in a whole different direction. I'm doing quite a lot of singing now. It's just another form of performance. It just makes me happy, and you really don't need more of an excuse than that, do you?

B: No, of course not!

L: Just do something that brings about joy. You've got to do it.

B: I totally agree. So your singing career has obviously given you the opportunity to perform in front of live crowds. How can you compare performing for a live crowd, as opposed to working in a studio on say, the set of Xena or Battlestar Galactica?

L: Live performance is a bit of a drag, I've got to say. What happens to me is that I get such a high, such a buzz off doing a live show, and then I'll go and do television, and it's a much more low-energy kind of performance. And after a while I just sort of meld that energy with the thought of gearing up again. Like, I've got to do another show again in January. It's terrifying! Like, oh my God, how am I going to get back up to that pitch again, in terms of energy? It's very much like training for a big fight, I think. You get into a bit of a doughnut in between time (laughs), so I have to get fighting fit for my next show, and quick!

B: Oh, I'm sure you're always at the top of your game.

L: No, certainly not. The more relaxed you are, the more fun you're having. & There's a time to be a doughnut, and there's a time to be a fighting fit warrior, right?

B: Yeah, you have to have that balance in your life. & Do you have any more plans to star in a reality show of your own?

L: Not really, but I have to admit, I'm not much of a plan-maker. I have all the drive of a jellyfish. I just, like, go with the current and I have a great time wherever I am. That makes me very frustrating for agents or people who want to keep you on the treadmill, thinking about your career all the time, but it makes me much happier, I think.

B: Right, and versatile, too.

L: Yeah, try something else. Risk all.

B: Yeah. So I read that you did the voices for a character in the new Dragonlance and the voice of Wonder Woman in the new Justice League animated movies.

L: Yeah, I thought I needed to cement my cult status just a bit further. It seems like I'm living on the edge of the cult world all the time. Anyway, that was fun.

B: You have been able to play the role of Wonder Woman and play another role of a strong woman, Xena. I am the Glamazon, who is similar to Xena. So what's it been like to play an iconic female character like that?

L: So much fun, though I'm wondering how much of the character& did I get confused about who was who at times? (Laughs) But no, I'm not like that with my family, at all. I mean, they wouldn't put up with it for starters. I'm wondering in my private life, away from this, have there been times where I was a little bit confused? (Laughs) Maybe I did start to identify with that tough-girl side of me, as if I needed that. And maybe growing up I did. I have a lot of brothers. Do you have a lot of brothers?

B: I have one brother, actually. I always was the older sister, so I always had to take the dominant role in our family, kind of looking after him.

L: How come?

B: I felt protective over him, I guess. So I guess I always felt like I took on more of a brotherly role, I think. So you grew up with several brothers?

L: Yeah, so I think you kind of have to be tough because they were not very sympathetic to my prancing about and doing ballet and stuff. I don't know, I think I might have adopted that kind of toughness as them. So now I'm sort of examining these things and thinking, Do I really need them anymore in my life? Sometimes you do, you get confused about who is you and who is your job. You're the role.

B: Now that you have a family and children, would you say that helps you identify with who you are?

L: No, I don't really think that. Just slip into new roles as prescribed by your parents, like oh, now I'm a mother, now I'm a wife, now I'm a sister instead of. & No, I think who are you has nothing to do with any of those things. They're just jobs.

B: I told many of the WWE Superstars I would be talking to you, and the common thread amongst everyone is that they all saw your appearance on Curb Your Enthusiasm, and everyone said what a great job you did. Can you tell our fans about your experience on Curb Your Enthusiasm?

L: I don't remember an acting job since Xena that was as much fun. You know, when was the last time you had really great fun? Because it was sunny, we were always out in nature and it was bright and colorful and goofy, and it felt like a six-year-long party. ... And Curb Your Enthusiasm, though, is now picking up our fan base. It was the first time I had that much goofy fun. Everybody was like-minded, and it was just bright and cheery, and I loved it.

B: Awesome. So obviously it was different from filming Xena or doing voice-over work. & I have just one more question to wrap it up: Is it true that an astronomer nicknamed a recently discovered planet Xena in honor of you?

L: A guy called Mike Brown at Cal State University was a fan of the show from back  when did we start, 1996?  through whenever he identified this huge lump of ice and whatever, out beyond Pluto. And he lovingly referred to it as Xena and its moon as Gabrielle. However, all the astronomers of the world got together and ganged up and decided they could not possibly name this lump of rock after a fictional character on television, so it had to be called something like Persephone or whatever  who wasn't real either, by the way! (Laughs) So, frankly, I think they're all a bunch of dummies. (Laughs) And the main problem & even Pluto got demoted because they suddenly realized they'd gone to the trouble of defining what a planet was. So they formed a definition, and not only did Xena lose out on its planet status, but Pluto was kicked out of the solar system, too.

B: Well, in my mind, you're always a star, Lucy.

L: Aww, thanks! I was hoping that my moon could be Ravishing Rick Rude or something.

B: Nice!

L: He was always my favorite.

B: Really?! He's pretty easy on the eyes, too. (Laughs) He was an amazing star in WWE. & Lucy, I won't keep you any more. I want to thank you, so much, for taking time out of your day.

L: OK, Beth. You're welcome. It was nice to talk to you. Bye-bye, take care.

B: Bye-bye.