Fringe’s Leading Lady Says New Season Will Bring Answers To The Public – Translated Interview

Huge thanks to @theotherbea for bringing the interview to our attention and offering to translate.

London – The Australian Anna Torv, doesn’t have much in common with the character she plays in Fringe. Unlike FBI agent Olivia Dunham, who in the show is responsible for investigating unexplainable phenomena, the actress is a simple woman, full of good humor. The show, a success on TV (translator note: the show is actually very successful in Brazil), is just starting its fourth season in Brazil, broadcast by Warner Channel on Tuesdays at 10pm. In an interview with “Revista da TV” in London, Anna explains how she got the role, tells us how she met JJ Abrams (the producer of the show and the creator of Lost) and tells us some of the details of the new season.

What’s new in the fourth season?
Anna Torv: It’s a reset, but I can’t tell you much. We’re still filming. Things are going to start falling into place, especially when it comes to “When is Peter Bishop (Joshua Jackson) going to be back?” The producers, actually, say this new season is going to be about Peter. And it’s also going to be an opportunity for John Noble (who plays the mad scientist Walter Bishop, Peter’s father in the story) and I to work together.

This year hasn’t been a good one for science fiction on American TV. Why do you think Fringe survived?
AT: I think in science fiction, the further away you go, the more you have to base your characters and your relationships in reality. From the beginning of the show, the central story was about the conflicts between father and son. Having something like that, it’s possible to take the show anywhere. Women who don’t like to see monsters and ghosts are happy to see a show about relationships.

And are you interested in the science behind what happens in show?
AT: The show changed my view of science, the ethical and moral part of it. And in this past year we explored the subject of faith… That’s the kind of thing I think most about when I talk about supernatural stuff. However, Fringe is more connected with science than with that stuff. Most of the science shown in the show is based on things that are really possible. But it’s not my job to understand why those things happen. I don’t research anything that we talk about. John understands better than me the reasoning behind what happens.

Have you ever had a supernatural experience?
AT: No. People always ask me that. But you know when you go to sleep and sometimes you hear voices, like people who are already dead or people who you haven’t spoken to in a long time? I believe that’s only our memory.

What would you like to happen with Olivia on the show?
AT: I think it would be awesome if there were more parallel universes and other Olivias in each one of them, and they would be further and further away from the original character. I would like to play Olivia 20 universes away (laughs).

How would you describe your character?
AT: Olivia is kind and very serious. I don’t think I’ve ever played anyone like her. She wants to protect people and do her job the best way possible. But we also can’t forget Bolivia (also played by the actress), who comes from a parallel universe. Both of them do the same job, the same thing, but Bolivia always wants to win no matter what. She is very competitive, while Olivia wants to be the best at what she does.

Do you think you’re like Olivia?
AT: Hum… I think I can be very serious sometimes, maybe a little more than necessary. But I like people more than Olivia does (laughs).

Up until now, what was your most difficult scene?
AT: It was at the end of the second season, when my character went to a parallel universe. There was a scene where Olivia and Bolivia met and had a fight. They were very technical scenes, but a lot of fun to play.

How did you end up on Fringe?
AT: I was in Australia going on auditions, when I got a call to put on a test for Fringe. It was very fast. The next morning, I got a call to negotiate the contract. In the States, they do that before they offer you the job, that’s not common in Australia. I didn’t even know what I was going to do in the show exactly!

Do you remember how was your first meeting with the guy responsible for Lost, JJ Abrams?
AT: As soon as they offered me the job, I got on a plane to meet JJ. At the time, he was filming Star Trek. I had never been in one of those big studios, I was very nervous. I met him in the set of the movie. It was surreal! That night, I flew to Canada to start shooting the show. I had the help of a speech coach to teach me the American accent and two days later, I was working.

Original article