‘Fringe’ Star Finds a Challenge
She was a long way from her Australian roots. Now she would be working in New York City, living near Broadway.
“When I first got there, I bought so many tickets to all the shows,” Torv recalled. “I had to give them all away, because I didn’t get done with work on time.”
Welcome to TV, American-style. “Fringe” – finally back to new episodes, after a long winter break – has become one of the season’s few ratings hits. It’s also a huge undertaking.
A typical hourlong drama might mean 12-hour work days.
“‘Fringe’ is a much bigger show than most,” Torv said. “The subject matter is huge.”
The show comes across as a different sort of fantasy story each week, nestled alongside a three-person drama.
At the core are a genius scientist (John Noble), considered mad and confined for decades. Now he’s been brought out to investigate plots, some related to the projects he once worked on; his estranged son (Joshua Jackson) reluctantly helps.
In charge, sort of, is federal agent Olivia Dunham. “When we first met her, she was a very competent and solid agent,” said Torv, who plays her.
Then Olivia’s world crashed. Her lover was a traitor; she kept coming across new phenomena. This is an almost-regular person, in bizarre situations.
“There was a very sweet scene that I loved playing,” Torv said. “She’s on the phone, all dressed up to go to a party. She has her earrings on; she’s putting her make-up on.”
Then she gets word of a mission. Almost matter-of-factly, she removes the facade and returns to work.