Exclusive Interview with 1945a's Thomas Mikusz!

As I promised earlier in the week, I have an exclusive interview for you with the actor who plays the role of the ''Nazi Colonel'' in the short WWII Sci-Fi movie 1945a, the lovely and talented Thomas Mikusz. Since Thomas is definitely an up and coming actor in Hollywood I wanted to seize the chance to let you know about him.

Mikusz hails from Austria and has appeared in quite a few tv series such as Days of our Lives, Passions and The Unit so you may have already noticed the handsome actor on your TV screen before. It's my belief that we could very well see Thomas Mikusz on the big screen soon so look out for him!

Exclusive Dawn Olivieri Interview: Heroes's Mysterious Lydia!!!

The lovely Dawn Olivieri as Lydia with Bad Boy Sylar played by Zachary Quinto

Recently, I had the great pleasure of sending some interview questions to the lovely Dawn Olivieri who is one of the newest cast members on Heroes. Miss Olivieri plays the mysterious Lydia, who has some sort of empathic power where she can see and give information about the people appearing on her tattoed skin with the ink provided by Samuel. The character was even featured in the Web Exclusive Sprint series Slowburn.

Miss Olivieri is no stranger to Sci-Fi, having appeared in a guest role on the last season of another famous franchise: Stargate Atlantis, as a thief by the name of Neeva, as well as on Knight Rider. On Heroes, she brings much poise and luminosity to the show and it is always a pleasure to see her.

As the mysterious Lydia, you are one of the newest cast members in the Heroes family. How do you feel about coming into such a big ensemble show?
If i had really stopped to think about it too much it would have probably been more overwhelming then it was. I was lucky because i joined the show at the very beginning of the new season and ushered in a much needed, well received chapter in Heroes history.

We do not know yet whether Lydia is a good or bad character since most of Samuel’s and the Carnival’s history and motivations are still hidden from the viewers (as of episode 5). Have the writers given you any hindsight into who she is and where she comes from in order to play her?
When i was brought on as Lydia, I had a brief meeting with some of the writers regarding her but not much character direction was given. They expressed their intention of "letting me discover her" so creating Lydia was a collaborative effort. In the original breakdown, it described a "gullible" tattoo girl...this i chose to ignore, No one with all of her insight and knowledge would be "gullible" at least not REALLY;)

We have learned that Lydia’s a mother from the webisodes and that only Edgar seems to know her secret. Do you think she has more surprises down her sleeves?
Sleeves?? lol Lydia rarely sports sleeves, tattoo sleeves maybe. and if she did have them they would be full! Lydia's powers seem almost mystical in nature; she seems to see the future and makes predictions through the ink used by Samuel on her skin.

Will we get to learn more about her powers this season?
Her powers will become more defined in the episodes coming in the new year.

What was your first reaction upon learning what your character could do?
well, like many of the fans, there was so much that was unanswered. I had so many questions that i had to fill in the blanks myself. As an actor, its part of the job:)

What kind of powers would you, yourself, like to have?
hmm...to heal others

How did you prepare for the role? Did casting tell you that you would be covered with that many tattoos?
they did ask us all at the audition if we were claustrophobic in any way haha. And yes we did know it would involve tattoos. I loved the thought of it all though.

The show is hinting at a romance between your character and bad boy serial killer Sylar. Romances on Heroes have never been successful. If that is the case, how do you think this could bode for Lydia?
I cant say much about this because there will be more to come involving this storyline in the new year. Lydia is a different kind of girl;)

Heroes is not your first foray into Sci-Fi television. You’ve had quite a prominent guest part on a season 5 Stargate Atlantis episode called ''Identity'' where you played Neeva, a thief who switches bodies with Dr. Keller. Is science-fiction a genre that ever appealed to you?
I LOVE sci fi!! I would be happy if that was the only genre I ever worked in again!! It is by far my favorite subject to read, to watch, to act....

Miss Olivieri, can you talk to us about your upcoming projects?
Well, I have two films coming out that i shot actually BEFORE Heroes one called Dozers and another called Drop Dead Gorgeous. Both are fun sci-fi films in which I play a lead role.

One last question: When you are not working on Heroes, what are your guilty pleasures on television?
Due to my profession, I try to watch a little of everything. This can be exhausting and unfortunate because even the shows i love to watch do not get their fair share of watching. I also tend to favor shows i would love to be a part of such as: True Blood, Dollhouse, Dexter, Californication, Fringe, Heroes, the Discovery show (i do not need to be on this one lol) unless i was doing a travel show which i would not be opposed to! Old westerns are fun. You know every piece of cinematic art i have not had the pleasure of watching i try to see and that is a lot. It is my classroom after all.

I want to thank Miss Olivieri for having taken the time to share with us Heroes and Sci-Fi fans alike. I am looking forward to seeing more of this lovely actress, and her character Lydia, in the coming months.

Exclusive Interview with Sinead Keenan: Being Human's Nina

Recently, I had the occasion to ask a few questions to the lovely and talented Dublin born actress Sinead Keenan, who plays Nina on the BBC's breakout hit Being Human, which is currently filming it's second season. The TV program has recently finished it's North American run here on BBC America and I believe it has already found a loyal fan base.

In the interview, I wanted to discuss the character of Nina as well as the actress's upcoming appearance in the final two episodes of David Tennant's Doctor Who. Since this is hot potatoes, she had to remain tight lipped about quite a few things which is making me even more curious about the finale.

You play the character of Nina on Being Human, a show that has a werewolf, a vampire, and a ghost living together in a house. At first glance it's not a concept one would think could work, but Being Human does it beautifully. What was your first reaction upon reading the script?
My first reaction when my agent tried to explain the concept to me was "Is this for a children's show?". But then I read the script which I thought was amazing! Toby Whithouse is a genius as far as I'm concerned!

Were you ever a fan of the Sci-Fi/Fantasy genre?
I'm not gonna lie to you, sci-fi-fantasy is not a genre that hugely interested me in the past,which is a bit unusual seeing as I've spent the best part of the last year working in the genre. But I'm slowly but surely opening myself up to those kinds of shows and films.

Your character was introduced in the second episode of Season One as George's love interest. What is your take on her?
My initial take on Nina was that she was a bit of a battle axe! But it then began to emerge that so much has gone on in her past that she's built this wall or front to hide behind. Underneath it all she's just a big softie really!

Nina seems to have some secrets: The burn scar on her stomach indicates a possible traumatic event in her life. Will we get to know a bit more about Nina's background in season 2?
Oohhhh.... All I can say is yes, you will get to know more about her scars in season 2.

It was revealed at the very end of the last episode of Season One that Nina was scratched by George when he was changing into a werewolf, meaning she will probably become one as well. Do you know if that will happen in season 2 and if so are you looking forward to these scenes?
Oohhh, once again can't give too much away! All I will say is maybe she was scratched by George,or maybe they were old scratches?? I know what will happen, but I can't tell you guys. Sorry!!!!!

This next question comes from Sheindie: if YOU had written your role, how different would it have been from what we've seen?
Good question Sheindie, but I don't think I would have written Nina any differently at all. As I said before Toby Whithouse is a writing genius in my opinion, so why mess with perfection eh?

You will be in the final two Doctor Who specials that will feature David Tennant as the Doctor. Can you tell us a bit more about the character you're playing?
Oohhh, once again for confidentiality reasons I can't. Sorry!!

What was it like to be on the Doctor Who set and to work with both David Tennant and Russell T. Davies? Did you get to share some scenes with David? How was the atmosphere like on set?
The Doctor Who set, is one of the nicest sets I've ever worked on. It had such a friendly,family atmosphere. I can tell you that most of my scenes were with David and he is a joy to work with. Russell T Davies is a gorgeous man also. Not only a supremely talented writer but a wonderfully friendly man.

Russell Tovey, your Being Human co-star, will also appear in the final two Doctor Who specials, reprising his role of Midshipman Frame. Do both your characters get to interact? If you do, how was it like to act together again but as different characters?
Oohhh, once again I couldn't possibly say. Sorry!

One last question: What are your thoughts about the recent successes in North America of British Sci-Fi/Fantasy shows such Being Human, Doctor Who and Torchwood?
It is so thrilling to be involved in a production that has been so well received not only in the UK but the US also. I don't know why they've been so popular with the Americans but we're so delighted they are!!

Thank you so much, Miss Keenan, for taking the time to talk with us!