We recently got the chance to sit down with the beautiful Katrina Law, one of the stars of hit TV show Spartacus, who answered a few questions about the show, what it was like to bare all on TV, and which superhero she would like to play…
UTF: You play Mira in the show, for our readers who haven’t seen it yet can you give us a quick overview of who she is and the role she plays?
KL: Mira is a former house slave of the house of Batiatus who was key to helping Spartacus start the slave rebellion. In Season 2 of Spartacus: Vengeance, Mira is on the run with Spartacus and the rest of the rebel slaves fighting Romans at every turn and on the hunt for freedom and revenge.
UTF: So far the show’s taken a fresh approach to the Spartacus legend, will we see any nods to some of the past iterations, or will you guys stay on your own, separate path?
KL: I think all of the nods have been made so far and from this point on the writers will probably stay adjacent to history. But, to be honest, I think this question is above my pay scale. You should ask Steven.
UTF: The show has a very stylistic feel to it, is it a challenge acting in front of a green screen?
KL: I didn’t find the green screen to be a challenge but I think a background in theatre helped me out a lot with that. In theatre you are used to having to imagine the fourth wall and embellishing the sparse scenery around into a full world. It did make it a lot of fun to see the final product after all of the post production was added. All of a sudden you realize exactly how massive that fire ball hurtling towards you was.
UTF: The show is noted for its violence and sex scenes, were you nervous baring it all for the camera? Have you forbidden your Gran from watching it?
KL: I was extremely nervous about getting my kit off in Season 1. I remember having to mentally steal myself and giving myself pep talks in the trailer before heading out to set. Then I just had to view it as jumping into an ice cold pool of water and just having to dive head first. Season 2 nudity wise has a been a breeze for me in comparison. I did warn my parents not to watch my first couple of episodes with any friends.
UTF: And speaking of the violence, you have some pretty intense fight scenes, do you do your own stunts, and how did you train for the show?
KL: Before season two started I did a couple months of training with a personal trainer in LA. But for some reason that didn’t really seem to help out when I got into Gladiator Boot Camp with the boys in New Zealand. It was fun and tough and it did make me feel better that I wasn’t the only one who was sore for weeks. I did do all of my own stunts with only a few minor injuries to show for them. My favorite stunt was probably the “flying squirrel monkey jump” in episode 4 closely followed by the group fight in episode 9.
UTF: So spill the beans, who is the better kisser Liam McIntyre or Ellen Hollman?
KL: Ellen. Sorry, Liam. It’s a woman’s touch 😉
UTF: What was your favourite scene to film this season?
KL: It was definitely the group fight scene in episode 9 when Spartacus is trying to get the rebels and Germans to get along. I got to fight Carl, who is a hulk of a man, and I remember thinking, “Is this supposed to be fun for Mira? I feel like she is actually fighting for her life against this man!” It was great energy that day with all of the cheering and laughter and play fighting. Plus I got to make out with Ellen.
UTF: Will you be back for a third season?
KL: I think Mira comes back as a Zombie.
UTF: When you’re not kicking ass and taking names on the set of Spartacus how do you like to spend your free time?
KL: When I was filming Spartacus: Vengeance, any free time was spent sleeping. Now that I am back in the states, any free time is still spent sleeping (it was a physically exhausting show), but I do like to throw in a couple of hikes, some snowboarding, and reading. Actually just finished the 13th book of the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan and I am anxiously awaiting for the 14th and final book to come out.
UTF: Other than the Spartacus series what are your favourite TV shows?
KL: I am currently obsessed with Game of Thrones. Loved Homeland. Lost Girl is my new guilty pleasure. New Girl, Up All Night, and Modern Family just make me feel good.
UTF: Have you got any upcoming projects you can tell us about?
KL: I am sworn to secrecy at the moment.
UTF: Are there any roles you would like to play, despite the popularity of superhero films over the last decade there have been a lack of superpowered women, do any of those roles appeal to you?
KL: I would love to be an Avenger (the Scarlet Witch?) or Wonder Woman. Pretty much any woman who can kick ass and take names, I am down! I have also always wanted to be a sultry mermaid or a bad ass fairy.
UTF: If you weren’t an actress what would you be?
KL: Probably a Park Ranger in the Sierras or working for Green Peace or a scuba instructor on some amazing tropical island.
Make sure you check out Katrina Law on Starz and look out for the DVD release of Spartacus: Vengeance when it drops this September.
S#!T Talking Central