VAMPIRES & SLAYERS: Do you look for action roles for yourself?
KATE: I don’t and it’s kind of weird I’m doing these films. When I ended up doing the first Underworld, it was because I had done a lot of classical things. Whenever there was a part that required a little bit of edge or something, and they would go English and soft, they called me. And then Underworld fell into my lap and I didn’t know if I could pull it off, because it’s not really my sensibility, I’m not sort of Action Girl, really, and that took off more than I anticipated. So I really do enjoy doing this, but it isn’t really my comfort zone; I get quite anxious about it.
VAMPIRES & SLAYERS: Is there a feeling that people look down on these kinds of movies?
KATE: I know how these movies are perceived, that there’s no acting required, which actually isn’t the case. It’s just a different set of muscles, and I think for an actor — it’s all very well to stay in whatever your comfort zone is, but it’s best to get out of it. I’m surprised that I get as nervous as I do doing the stunts and action for Underworld considering that I’ve done them a few times, but I do every time — it’s like suddenly you’re told you have to dance, and you’re not a dancer. And then it is a bit like riding a bike, but I haven’t reached that point where I’m, like, “Yes, I can do this,” so those things that scare you and freak you out — I think if you have the opportunity as adults to freak yourself out, it’s a good thing.
VAMPIRES & SLAYERS: You said you’re someone who is more comfortable doing the dramatic parts, but every now and then is it fun to step out of it?
KATE: Yes, and the thing about these movies is that they’re not the same. If you’re doing a play, or a Chekhov, or you’re making a small, very intimate drama, it’s a different sort of enjoyment; it’s more of an enjoyment as you’re going along. With Underworld, at the end, you go, “Wow, I did that?”, because half of the stuff you haven’t seen, so there’s a bit of a Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride element on these, which is also cool. But it’s nice to mix them up.
