Interview: Lost Girl

On Wednesday, March 14, I was invited, along with a host of other journalists/bloggers, to speak with Lost Girl stars Anna Silk (Bo), Kris Holden-Ried (Dyson) and Ksenia Solo (Kenzi) about the amazing reception the series has received around the world, the benefits and drawbacks of working in science-fiction and how Silk spent her birthday naked and covered in blood.

Read on for the choicest bits from the conversation…

In part the interview was conducted in anticipation of the show entering the final leg of its first season in the United States, and also because this Monday’s episode (1×10: ‘The Mourning After’) is very important. What I found interesting about the interview was the diversity of locations my fellow interviewers were calling from: some were from Canada and the UK. As a result they were asking questions that touched on content from the show’s second season (which nearly completed airing in Canada). Other people were from the United States and were therefore only familiar with the first nine episodes that have aired on the Syfy network. The result was a bit of a scattershot series of questions as the stars avoided spoiling upcoming episodes.

There were a few questions about the show’s evolution and how that has affected the dynamic between the cast. All three elaborated on the close knit “family” vibe on set (which makes sense in part considering the size of the cast and how regularly they interact with one another). Solo suggested that in the first season, they were still getting a feel for who their characters were and what the world of the Fae entailed. When they came back for season two (which begins airing in the US the week after the first season finale on April 9), they came back “ready to kick ass”. They also credited the fans for embracing the show and, as Silk suggested, taking “ownership” of it. Solo elaborated how exciting it is to see fans dressed as her character Kenzi when they attend conventions (such as Comic-Con).

At one point they were asked to consider specific episodes and guest stars, in particular guest star Paul Amos who plays Vex (introduced in 1×08: ‘Vexed’). Holden-Ried praised the actor’s talent, and confirmed that we have not seen the last of his character, while Solo suggested that Vex is so memorable because – unlike many of the other characters we’ve encountered – “He doesn’t take it seriously. Vex gets under our skin” because he’s so carefree. Solo (demonstrating why she’s such a great fit for Kenzi) deadpanned that it is Amos’ ability to wear leather pants like no one else that helps him stand out. She elaborated on his physicality as an actor, imbuing the character with intrigue and sexiness that reminds her of Johnny Depp. She also suggested that his Britishness makes him far sexier.

Aside from an amusing write-in question by Rick Howland asking about their favourite memories of working with him, the other actor of note that the stars highlight is Inga Cadranel. The actress has yet to appear on the show (she makes her debut as Saskia in tomorrow’s episode, 1×10: ‘The Mourning After’), but apparently she made quite an impact.

The discussion about Cadranel, the return of Amos and how it felt to shoot season two knowing the show was renewed for season three in Canada and would soon debut on Syfy in the United States demonstrated the struggle of conducting interviews when the show is at different points in different countries. Speaking about the success of the show, Solo (ever the joker) suggested that they all became bigger divas during season two. Ultimately all three downplayed the news about distribution in the US and the season three pick-up, suggesting that although it was exciting, they focused on the day to day elements of putting together a great show. If anything it allowed them to relax because they were armed with the knowledge that they would have the opportunity to continue building and developing telling stories about the world the show has built. When asked specifically if it is a challenge for them to do press for season one, Silk admitted that “As characters and actors we’re in a different place. It’s challenging, but really exciting to bring it to a new audience.” She also admitted she has gone back and rewatched old episodes before press junkets.

One interviewer asked Holden-Ried and Solo what it was like to film the episode “Food For Thought” (in which Dyson cares for Kenzi after she almost dies from eating contaminated food). Holden-Ried laughingly suggested their bond comes from their Latvian heritage, then delved into their chemistry as actors, which emerges from a place of trust and family.

My favourite part of the interview was when they were asked about their most memorable experiences on the show, which elicited the interesting nugget that the pilot was not the first episode shot. Instead it was episode eight, ‘Vexed’, which opens with a very steamy sex scene between Bo and Dyson. Silk confessed that that sex scene was shot on her birthday, so her introduction to Bo, the world of the show and actor Holden-Ried was naked and covered in blood on her birthday.

Of course sex is a key ingredient on the show. In addition to leather pants and Solo’s request that Holden-Ried spend more time shirtless, there were also questions about the dirty bits. I personally wanted to hear about the actor’s perceptions of the show’s depiction of sex, which I consider groundbreaking and refreshing. Silk shared my enthusiasm, in part because of the nature of her character, but Solo put it best when she explained that “Sexuality is such an important part of life and our show is open to it. Gay or straight, black or green, it’s open to the entire human race.” Naturally this led into a follow-up from another blogger about the love triangle (a topic I explicitly avoided because I personally feel that there’s too much emphasis on shippers in science fiction). Due to the twists and turns of the Bo-Dyson-Lauren relationship, Silk was unable to address it in detail, simply suggesting that “Each has its own strengths and then they both get challenged.” She did elaborate that both will continue to evolve as the season goes on, as well as into season two.

Overall although its difficult to get into a great deal in a single hour, it was a real pleasure to talk to the actors behind the characters. What I came away with were a few very amusing anecdotes, but more importantly a sense that the actors genuinely care for each other, that they really enjoy making the show and that they love connecting with fans.

Other tidbits:

• Silk’s biggest challenge working in sci-fi is the green screen. “You just have to trust that it looks good in the end”
• Solo’s favourite Kenzi line: “It smells like fried bitch” (from ‘Vexed’)
• Supernatural creatures they’d like to see on the show: Minotaurs, Leprechauns and Trolls
• How did they prepare physically for their roles?: Silk worked with a martial arts trainer between S1 and 2 while Solo has a dance background that she has found helpful for stuntwork
• All three of them wish that audiences could find out more about their characters’ backstories, including the childhood of both Kenzi and Bo. Holden-Ried revealed that S2 will feature a Dyson flashback, which Silk mocked for its “sexy long hair”
• Stupidest question of the hour: Describe your character in 3 words. Not only did it stump the actors, it felt genuinely pointless. Note to journalist/bloggers: think before you ask, especially when we only have one hour with these folks! Grr!

Be sure to check out our continuing coverage of the show, including weekly recaps each Monday. Lost Girl airs Mondays at 10pm EST on Syfy. Canadian audiences can watch the entire series on Showcase.ca.