Hollywood Reporter

January 4-10, 2000

Wonder Woman

New Zealand native Lucy Lawless has carried the show on charisma - and a real big sword.


AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND Like many of her New Zealand counterparts in the series-"Xena: Warrior Princess" star Lucy Lawless sees her role as a unique opportunity to combine a whole set of skills, and has even said previously that she will never have a bigger or better role. "I said that because no movie you ever do is going to give you the opportunity to do slapstick, musicals, action, high drama, low humor and bawdiness," she says. "No single role is going to offer me this kind of breadth or scope." Not to mention exposure. In recent years, Lawless' trademark leathers and ever-handy chakram (that ring-shaped weapon) have catapulted her to international stardom -- not bad considering that, in classic Hollywood fashion, she almost didn't get the part. An American actress was chosen for the original role, which first appeared in sister-series "Hercules: the Legendary Journeys." As fate would have it, the actress pulled out and Lawless, who had already appeared in "Hercules" as an Amazonian warrior and a centaur's bride, strode in to clinch what has become one of the most famous, if offbeat, roles ever created for a woman on television.

For the current season, the show's producers have written her real-life pregnancy (with husband and series' executive producer Rob Tapert) into the story line. "It was yet another one of our many steps that on the surface may seem crazy, but it provides a creative, fun opportunity to take the character in an even more outrageous direction," says co-executive producer Eric Gruendemann. Adds Lawless, matter-of-factly: 'There was no hiding it. It's not ideal for an action show, [but] I'm still fighting and, yes, it is groundbreaking." After the birth of her son late last year, Lawless took a break from the series to return in November, this time made up to look pregnant.

Five seasons and 100 episodes under her well-heeled warrior's belt has not dulled the charms of her character or the actress. Lawless has none of the affectations of fame -- a trait self-deprecating New Zealanders find hard to take seriously. On set, she is easygoing and one of the team, although she's clearly the focal point. Her peers, meanwhile, pay tribute to her calming, supportive presence.

"Lucy gives so much of herself, and you just work off that," observes Renee O'Connor, who has played Gabrielle, Xena's companion, since the series began.

"I've never seen her lose her cool, ever," adds Bruce Campbell, who plays Autolycus, a recurring character. "We did an episode where we sort of had a $10,000 bet of who would crack first because we did a whole episode in the water. It was called 'Tsunami.' A boat gets stuck upside down and, you know, it sort of wore on us day after day. But she never lost her cool, which I've never seen, and that's much to her credit because the show has been extremely taxing, I can only imagine, on her."

"I've been through a lot of changes all of us have -- but I've really had to look quite actively for ways to stay appreciative and to remain a morale leader on set, [because you really are if you're the star," says Lawless. "You're the person everybody has to look at. If you're grousing and being a pain in the ass, you just make their lives miserable, and why would they want to stay?"

Lawless has flexed her muscles for various charities, although she is the first to admit she doesn't believe in being a celebrity for causes just for the sake of it. "You have to pick the things that you really care about, because let's face it, you don't have that much time," she says. Her main causes are child literacy, children's welfare and women's rights (particularly in Afghanistan). 'That's my focus at this stage."

As for other ways to expand her scope beyond "Xena," Lawless admits she is interested in film work, possibly a' juicy little part with a great company" during her downtime. And afterward? "I'm not looking to jump into another TV series immediately after this. I've always said I'd love to do two movies a year and raise my children." And that means going anywhere as long as the project is right, she adds, as well as doing the hard yards to get the job. "I'm not great at schmoozing. I don't understand the game, but I sure understand how to audition. I understand how to do my job. So [if] you can just let your work speak for itself, and if I can do three auditions a day, I'd be happy." To date, Lawless' engagements outside of "Xena" include the Broadway production of "Grease," a cameo role in some New Zealand films and as a host on "Saturday Night Live."

And while other actors on "Hercules" and "Xena" have taken the opportunity to get behind the camera, Lawless has other interests. She says writing interests her more than directing, and that she even has "an idea for a little film" she'd like to make "one day. According to Lawless, she is not interested in directing. (On 'Xena') we've always called the director 'chump du jour.' They don't mind, they all think they're so blessed to be working in their chosen field, as we all do. [There are] very few directors who aren't bullied by budget, time constraints or film stock, or producers and brattish actors. Directors? Man, they're timekeepers. Why would I want that? I love my job, because the buck stops with me."

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

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