Spartacus: Blood and Sand Production Blog

[#1]

10 Questions for Lucy Lawless

1. What you think the best and worst qualities or characteristics are in Lucretia? (Czarina)
   Lucretia's worst characteristic is that she is a liar... the ultimate liar. She's also very venal. Her best quality -- well, her best qualities ARE her worst qualities, because she's so good at them. She's the most talented liar and no one is more persuaded by money.
   
   
2. How does it feel to show that much skin in Spartacus? Are you comfortable with it? (arjemma)
   Hell, no! I was so stressed that first time that I had to go home and go straight to bed at 7PM. I crashed out for 12 hours straight, then got up and did it all over again. After that, it all becomes a bit of a snore.
   
   
3. I know the fighting scenes weren't your favorite parts of Xena, but were you even just a tiny bit tempted to pick up a sword on the Spartacus set for old times’ sake? (renny)
   Not even a little bit. The fighting was always torture to me. When I got into acting, I thought I'd be dong Shakespeare!
   
   
4. What kind of accent are you using as Lucretia? (janna235)
   My own!
   
   
5. What about the Lucretia character attracted you to take on the role? (JaneC)
   The bad girls are always the most fun to play. And let's face it, no one's ever gonna cast me as Sandra Dee. I'm not boo-hooing about it.
   
   
6. Love scenes aside, what are the more challenging or rewarding aspects about playing this Character? (JaneC)
   I don't get to work with Andy much but I have had a great deal of fun working opposite John Hannah and Viva Bianca. Tremendous actors and people.
   
   
7. Any chance at all of an onscreen reunion with Renee? (JaneC)
   The problem with Renee and I in the same show is that, all of a sudden, you have 2 major components from another show and it breaks the illusion of this show. It's not really up to me what happens but I would love to work on something together again.
   
   
8. Even though they are two different women, do you find yourself trying to suppress any Xena-like characteristics in Lucretia? (RainnB)
   I have to make sure I don't turn towards comedy. That's my natural inclination but it would ruin this show if we camped it up. So I have to keep a lid on it.
   
   
9. You've previously mentioned Lady Macbeth in relation to your character on Spartacus. How do you see your character on "Spartacus" in relation to Lady Macbeth? (TeresaOrtega)
   She is fatally ambitious and pushes her husband on to worse and worse excesses. In a way, she is his fatal flaw just as Lady M was her husband's.
   
   
10. Did you play any pranks on the cast or crew? (renny)
    No, this shoot was too intense. Everybody was running all the time. There was no time to screw around.

 

[#2]

Thank you for answering our questions, Lucy. I'm a little bummed not to see my question there but you actually answered it on Fancast. And I figured that's why mine didn't get answered here. It was great to talk with you on fancast and to have you answer a few questions here as well. Thank you for caring about us, your devoted fans.

XG4E! aka: XenGab4Ever! & Angela.

[#3]

Thanks Lucy for answering our questions. Mine wasn't choosed either, but you answered me on the Fancast chat as well(mine was the first question) so I am very gratefull for your time.

[#4]

Woot my question got picked! Thank you!
You are one awesome woman!

[#5]

Even though they are two different women, do you find yourself trying to suppress any Xena-like characteristics in Lucretia?
I have to make sure I don't turn towards comedy. That's my natural inclination but it would ruin this show if we camped it up. So I have to keep a lid on

My only "wahhh?" in the entire thing.

Not to be the naysayer - but I know everyone was probably thinking this...

Didn't the "cgi cartoon" blood camp it up? I would love some wit in this show - it is sorrily lacking. A nice trade: sophisticated wit for campy anime blood...

Maybe?

[#6]

SPARTACAS IS AWESOME but i would love to see LUCY in a comedy.

[#7]

Although my question have not been chosen too it was answered by Lucy, consciously or unconsciously, when she gave an interview to The Torch Online (TTO) posted on 14 January 2010. For that thank you Lucy.

Dulce

[#8]

I would have to say that it was Lucy that grew me to this show, plus the fact that it reminded me of "300". Now that I have been able to see the first two episodes, I would say that I am undecided as to whether this is a good show or not. The problem with new series is that it usually takes a full season for a show to really develop--writers trying to fill in the story and get it flowing--producers, directors, actors, and everyone involved looking to see what works and what doesn't. I was glad to hear that it got a second season, so something must be working. I can't wait to see how this series unfolds and I just pray that the networks won't axe it before it gets a real chance to shine. I hate it when that happens. The cgi scenes/blood are very obvious but when I watch a show I am more interested in the dialog anyway. A little more humor would be nice. Spartacus:Blood and Sand has sparked my interest and I will keep watching.

[#9]

Hey lucy i was just wondering what what type of relationship does your character have with CRIXUS
and i was also wondering, what did it mean when ILIYTHIA kissed you on the lips i sensed something there but i wasnt able to grasp the meaning of that

[#10]

I agree that Lucy's wit and talent for comedy is astonishing. But Lucretia does not strike me as the funny one but evil with a smile, sarcastic, ultimate plotter, unfulfilled, materialist, desperate to recover what they have lost, sweet and loving when maternal instincts kicks in wishing to have a child on her own.

I agree with Lucy that she should refrain to do any "Xena like" witty stuff. It would ruin the character.

[#11]

I love the actor/actress talent Spartacus in bringing to the table. Which actor or actress impresses you the most on the set? P.S. Its the best show on TV keep it up. I loved the movie Gladiator and Spartacus has filled a long overdue void in my life.

[#12]

Lucy,you rock my world!(do you know that there is an ACTUAL WORLD named after your character Xena?)

One question;do you get to see the actors in the buff-guys like Crixus?

[#13]

I was wondering if they are going to start showing Sura in the episodes... They should also show what's been going on with her...

[#14]

Ok Spartacus maybe another hit for RT , with that said , whats up with lucy character and Viv? And everytime Lucy character see Spartacus ,she hates him,Why is that?Xenamar Marlene

[#15]

Well this really dropped my jaw. I remember that campy Xena, and usually shows like that are career killers. She honestly looks NOTHING like the chick I saw running around with the big Wall hanger sword, the linebacker shoulders and the stovepipe calves and ankles (Cankles I think they call 'em)!

Honestly honey I gotta give it up for ya, I mean seriously, Vive La Differance'! Hot, exquisite, intelligent, in short pure feminine Vampishness at it's best. I never doubted her acting ability, only the production values of the doofus'es she's had to work for in the past. This show will BURY all that once and for all.

[#16]

I have been so glued to this show, I love it and never looked so forward to a friday night.

[#17]

Lucy you have took a huge leap from Xena to singing and now Spartacus. It only makes me wonder what do you see yourself doing after this show?

[#18]

Hi Lucy! I read that you try not to bring comedy into the show but, I have to tell you that your facial gestures are to die for! Your character makes me laugh out loud - you nail this role - bravo! Great cast - love Andy too - he comes across as very sincere - love love love your show! I look forward to watching every week - I am totally hooked! What do you like the best about your character? (You must love playing this part!) )

[#19]

Congratulations to the casting directors for picking such excellent actors as John Hannah and Lucy Lawless to play the major roles in this series.

Without their wit, subtle interpretations of their characters' machinations, open yet ambiguous sexual attraction to each other (the scene in the bath, for example, where Lucretia wants Batiatus to have **bleep** intercourse with one of the slave girls while she herself watches), and more, these two characters would become mere caricatures rather than the flesh-and-blood people that the talented John Hannah and Lucy Lawless have turned them into.

These two fine actors alone make the show worthwhile for my husband and me. Their delivery of their lines, their facial expressions, their body language are all perfect and contribute to the show's immediacy, intimacy, and chemistry.

The "younger" actors -- all of whom are good in their own way -- have much to learn from these talented veterans, and I, for one, am delighted to be able to tune in every week and see such inspirational actors in such substantial, serious roles.

Yes, I know the show is about Spartacus, blah blah blah, the gladiators blah blah blah, it's modeled after graphic novels blah blah blah, but I wouldn't watch it if it weren't for John Hannah strutting his stuff so subtly imperiously as Batiatus and for Lucy Lawless sweeping the ludus so insecurely securely as Lucretia. Wonderful.

Finally, these two excellent, talented, tremendous actors get to show the depth of their talent. I hope they win Emmys and Golden Globes for their excellent work on this show.

Constantinova

[#20]

i love the show , it is very real and very convincing , by far the best i have seen in a long time ....the only thing in my opinion is the names of some of the charecters dont match with the province ( region)that they represent ....but it really is a great show and a lot of my friends that i told about it, love it and watch it religiously ....great job

Spartacus Blood And Sand Episode 10

[#21]

Thank you Lucy for all the time, effort, and creativity in the candid informative responses.

[#22]

Lucy, As a bagpiper I'm dying to know about the music track that was used in episode 105. It was kind of a thematic melody for Theokyles. Is there anybody who could tell me more about it and who wrote and/or played it on the sound track? Also, I love the role they have you in. Great job! BPalmer

[#23]

Thank you for answering these questions. I'm your fan 4 life forever! You do such an amazing job each and every time. I couldn't ask for more, but I will cause I don't expect any less from you. Keep up the great work!!! I am so glad to see you in such an epic masterpiece. Thank you so much!

[#24]

Lucy, I would like to just say, even though you may never read this, I have always enjoyed your work and hope that you will be continued to be seen on screen weather it the big or small. Congrats on making the character all that we fans could hope, for you make me love and both hate her all in the same for her many talents. Thank you for keeping your fans interested. May your star shine bright upon your adventures and no matter what role you play you always play it well. Thank you again for taking upon this venture in helping make Spartacus what it is. Sincerely, Jacquelyn Berghorn