Hollywood Reporter

January 4-10, 2000

Renee O'Connor

Gabrielle, Xena's sidekick

Like series star Lucy Lawless, Renee O'Connor came into the "Xena: Warrior Princess" universe playing a different character in one of the first "Hercules" telefilms. She caught the eye of executive producers Rob Tapert and Sam Raimi, and was cast as Gabrielle, Xena's at first unlikely then increasingly important companion. Since then, Gabrielle arguably has become as important as Xena, due to the emotional bonds between the two characters that the series' writers have built up over each season.

"Every year seems to be a new adventure for me, playing the character," says the Texas-born actress, who concedes she thought Gabrielle would probably be "finished up" by the end of the first season. "In the beginning, it was quite difficult because she was going through adolescence, and I'd already been there. And then I sort of came into the character a little more in the second and third year, (showing) more of myself. Now I think Gabrielle is catching up to me again. I think that I've sort of matured in my personal life, and Gabrielle has become more of a woman like I have."

O'Connor trains daily with weights and has undergone training to learn how to use her chosen weapons. "Gabrielle is going through this change where she's the Warrior; she's the one protecting Xena and fighting on behalf of the two of them. It's definitely more (physical) than I have been, so this actually has been the most challenging year for me, by far. I never would have dreamt that I would be somewhat coordinated with a weapon. It still gives me a false sense of security, though, where, say, if you get upset with someone who's tailgating you or something and you want to get out of your car and ... "

Prior to "Xena" and "Hercules," O'Connor worked on the ABC TV movie "Follow The River" and starred in another TV movie, "The Rockford Files: A Blessing in Disguise," but she admits that working behind the camera is of more interest. "I'm not even concerned about acting when this is over. I'm sure that I'11 get back into it, but I personally would like to o to a film school and learn what goes on behind the camera," she says. Directing an episode of "Xena" last season ("Deja Vu All Over Again") gave her a taste for production, and she says she has been "inspired" by the New Zealanders around her who make projects independently.

"I always want to be facetious and tell the horrible lies about Renee's drug habit, or her nymphomania or something," laughs Lawless. "She's just fantastic. I couldn't have gotten luckier with my producer's good taste and casting and character. (Renee) is truly a good, great friend to me, and to all of us."

-- reprinted from Hollywood Reporter January 4-10, 2000

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