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Preview Newsletter 17 (2000)
This
interview is property of the DXF (German Xena Fan Club). Copying this
in any way without written permission is prohibited. All rights are (c)
by the DXF 1999.
An Exclusive Interview with Adrienne Wilkinson (July 2000)
We contacted Adrienne Wilkinson via the website of her fanclub OAWF. A heartfelt "Thank you!" for responding so very quickly to our interview request and for the great co-operation!
1. Since you are a new face on the show, could you please tell us
something about yourself?! Where are you from, how old are you, is it
true that you play in an all-woman rock band? Which other shows or
movies did you appear in?
Let's see, a little about me. I am 22 years old. Originally from the
Midwestern United States - Missouri to be exact. I currently live in
California. Yes, I am not only an actress, but also pursuing a music
career, and trying to balance the two. I started out on stage as a
dancer- and things sort of grew from there. I've been in the business
about 5 years now- I moved to California immediately after high school
and well, here I am. Prior to Xena most of my career highlights were
sit-com based, I was generally the girl next door- the cheerleader type
- and now on Xena I get to play the most amazing villain. I LOVE it.
2. How did you get the role of Eve? Were you aware of Xena's
popularity and the Xena fandom? In other words: Did you know what you
were getting into?
I had NO idea what I was getting into. And I've been pleasantly
surprised ever since. I could never have expected to receive so much
feed back and interest. Every day I'm shocked and delighted by some new
aspect of the "Xenaverse" from Conventions and special events to
interviews and my very own fan club! Working on Xena has provided me
with some fantastic opportunities- and experiences.
3. What is it like to work with Lucy Lawless, Reneé O'Connor and Kevin Smith? What kind of people are they?
Renaissance
Pictures must have a knack for finding great people- every one of them
is so helpful and giving- funny, and they all work together- you never
have to worry about being nervous- everyone is there to help you be
your best - its refreshing. I don't think a day went by without me
thinking about how much fun I was having- and how the experience was
better than I could have imagined. There were tons of challenges, and
obstacles- like the weather that could make you miserable- but instead
it was just so much fun. Lucy is beautiful- and inspiring- she is so
good at her job- could practically do it in her sleep. Renee is such a
special person- very warm and giving-- she just makes you feel like you
can get through any challenge that comes up- she definitely made me
feel welcome. Kevin- was hilarious! I loved working with him-he has the
job of forever being 'outsmarted' or physically out done by all of the
women of the show- and he has a great sense of humor about the whole
thing.
4. What did you like most about the filming of the episodes? Is
there anything you didn't like? Will Eve remain a regular character in
the sixth season?
My favorite part of filming Xena has been working with such great
people. I mean there really weren't any down sides- it shoots in the
most beautiful place you can imagine- it is absolute fun, I have
amazing costumes etc- but truly the best thing was just being
surrounded by these amazingly talented, gifted, genuinely beautiful
people that made everyday wonderful. I made some fantastic friends and
memories that will last forever- it was a perfect adventure.
I have no insight into Eve's future- it is at the producers discretion-
I am in four episodes of season 6 that I know of- who knows after that.
5. Are there other current projects you would like to tell us
about? There are, for example, rumors about a spin-off with Eve and
Virgil. What are the chances this may come true, and would you be
willing to do it?
I've heard the rumor about Eve and Virgil, but I actually don't know
any information that could confirm any rumors. The idea is very
exciting- and a little bit scary- but how lucky would I be for that to
happen? It would be wonderful.
6. Was it easy for you to cope with the more physical demands of
playing a major part in an action series? Did you enjoy that aspect of
you role? Did you receive any special training?
Easy? No. But certainly possible. I LOVED the fight scenes. At first I
was completely terrified of them- and I'm sure the first few rehearsals
were scaring the choreographers- but once I got the hang of it- I had
so much fun, and I was able to do almost everything they asked. The
majority of training was done in NZ - just lots of rehearsals with the
stunt people. I was so nervous about the fighting in the beginning- and
now as Eve I really miss it.
7. What do you think of the subtext regarding Xena and Gabrielle?
I
think it presents a great challenge to satisfy all aspects of the Xena
audience, those that watch for the relationship between Xena an
Gabrielle, those that watch for action, those that watch for the
creative story lines etc. The show has created quite a list of elements
that need to be addressed and related through the story line- and
having so much to be accountable for- really means some very creative
writing, and delicately handled scripts- its a lot to do justice to.
8. What was your reaction when you found out that Eve has two mothers?
To
be honest- my very first reaction was simply confusion. I didn't know
the story line- but I was under the impression that Xena and Callisto
were 'not the best of friends' so I didn't really understand how it
made sense. Once I knew all of the story line- I found it quite
ingenious.
9. Which part was the easier one to play: "evil" Livia or the
"reformed" Eve? If you had been offered a choice between the two parts
(instead of playing both), which one of the two would you have chosen?
Both of the roles have their challenges and rewards. Playing Livia was
more fun, but has been far more physical. Eve- while more demure, is
more realistic and the opportunity for real emotion is far more
available. Purely because it was so much fun, and the challenge was so
great- if I had to pick only one- it would be Livia because she is so
different from anyone else I have played.
10. Why did Livia refuse to acknowledge Xena as her mother? Did
she really not believe that Xena was her mother? Or did she sense the
truth but refused to accept it with all its consequences?
I believe that there is a bond between mother and daughter that just
can't be denied- something about the genetics of that bond is both
wonderful and frustrating and almost impossible to deny. I think Livia
instictivly knows the truth of her mother instantly- and that is what
drives her crazy. I think the refusal to acknowledge Xena is a
combination of a few things. First Livia has never answered to anyone-
and how dare someone come in and wreck the strategically plotted life
she has created. Second- how angry is she for the being - in her own
eyes- abandoned by her mother- and why should acceptance be
automatically assumed. I think that there is a fear in accepting Xena
as her mother it opens a lot of doors- and also shuts quite a few, as
Livia now becomes, for all practical purposes, a follower of Xena as
opposed to the independent warrior she had been.
11. Eve is very much like her mother Xena, in that she's turned
from evil to good at same point in her life. Do you, personally,
believe that it is possible for a woman with a past like Livia (or
Xena, for that matter) to be redeemed and to be forgiven? Can Eve ever
forgive herself?
Playing Eve I must believe that redemption is possible- and I can't
love and respect my mother without accepting that she has received
redemption as well. The evil that Livia is responsible for is beyond my
comprehension - but the journey that she takes to make up for all of
her wrong doing is just as intense. I think having walked that dark
path- there is always the temptation to go back- but I must be able to
accept that one can put it behind them as well.
12. Are you aware that Livia, at her angry best, very much
resembles Callisto, Xena's former arch-enemy? Was there a model for
your portrayal of Livia? (Did you ever meet Hudson Leick?)
I haven't met Hudson, though I was able to watch tapes of her
performance. My actual model for Livia was just a very self absorbed
teen ager who always thinks they are right and has never been held
accountable for their actions - someone who expects to get everything
they want- and would throw a fit in an instant if it didn't happen. A
lot of built up anger and confusion that come boiling over at any
moment.
13. Is Livia truly "evil" and does she change only because of
some divine intervention? Or do you feel that there was something good
in her all along that she only didn't dare to admit?
It most definitely takes divine intervention to change Livia's ways-
but no I don't think Livia is truly evil- I love her- so my perspective
is that she is brilliant and strong and fierce, but misguided and
misunderstood. After all- I do believe that she was born good- but her
natural instincts for leadership, independance and survival were honed
to create a warrior of unsurpassed talent.
14. The audience only know Eve as a little baby and then 25 years
later, when she has become a brutal warlord. There isn't much
information about her life in between. While preparing for the part,
did you develop an idea about past?
Absolutely- I can't say that I went into intense detail- but I did put
together a history and an idea of how Livia was raised- how her values
were created and what she considered important. I believe it is also
why she is so powerful and strong. She was forced to be very dedicated
and focused- basically the perfect little soldier from the moment she
was born. Not having a mother I think she feels cheated and angry and
wants answers- and once she sees she is surrounded by those weaker than
she, and often far less competent than she, well she decides to rule
things the way they should have been all along.
15. And finally: Any chances you might ever come to Germany and meet the German fans?
Oh
of course. I can only hope that I get the opportunity in the future-
Germany seems like such a fabulous place to visit- and I love meeting
the fans of the show!
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