While you were working on Farscape, did you always know what the writers had in store for Aeryn?

David Kemper would always keep me in the loop when he came up with things, and I would never hold my breath in case it wouldn't happen, things would change or the show would get axed. Most things happened, and some things shifted rather than changed.

Do you share any of Aeryn's characteristics?

I hope not in some ways: she’s not very happy and her family life is a disaster, not to mention her lovelife, most of the time!

What was the most challenging thing about being a PK chick?

Aeryn is physically strong, whereas I lose arm wrestles with small chicks!

What is your comment on the SCI FI Channel's decision to cancel Farscape?

Gosh, I have so much to say about the show finishing, but I know that SCI FI tried their hardest to make it work. Everyone did. Only a very small percentage of shows even make it to a fourth season. Even though we didn’t get to finish the story the way we wanted to, on our terms, we should be very, very proud of all we accomplished. By that I mean what the makers and the viewers achieved. We were all in it together.

Please say a few words about what happened when you heard about the cancellation. How did you feel, what were your first thoughts and what were the last days of filming season four like?

I was about to go away on a trip to try snowboarding for the first time. I was therefore full of so many conflicting emotions that afternoon. Once a phone call had been made to the Farscape set on someone's mobile, the news spread like a bush fire. I wanted to cancel my trip, but everyone said that it was the best medicine - to get away from it all for the weekend and have some fun. Ben had the day off, which never happens, so I talked to him every chance I got.
As soon as I saw Brian Henson I burst into tears. I was so sad for him. For everyone. He had been up all night on the phone desperately trying to keep the show afloat.
Some of the puppeteers were there at the lunch tent so we talked about mortgages and house renovations that would have to wait. There was mutual admiration, we ate large 'last meal' portions and set about finishing the day in a state of arrest. Tears came flooding out of me when Andrew Prowse walked over to me to announce that I had just shot my last ever scene of Farscape. I am still in shock. It will take time.

Which among the many Farscape episodes do you like more than others, for whatever reason?

I like the ones which told a great story, challenged us as actors or gave us an opportunity to play. I especially liked the ones that were delivered on time - that way the actor can take greater risks because they have been handed the basic necessary structure with which to work the story.
I like watching Won't Get Fooled Again - I didn't have much to do in the episode so there was more pleasure watching it than being on set.
I like the episodes we shot in the sand dunes Til The Blood Runs Clear, Look At The Princess, and Infinite Possibilities, because out there we were free as birds.
I loved playing the 'Princess' in John Quixote because I took risks and they paid off. And Ben's original script was excellent - I hope we didn't ruin it too much.
That's just to name a few!

How long did it take to film John Quixote? It was very funny. Did it need more takes than normal because the cast were laughing?

Ben's episode did not receive any special treatment, least of all in the way of extra time. On the contrary, in fact. Ben had to re-write things at the last minute because certain sets would not be available. He had made all his deadlines -probably early- in order to give the costume department the time necessary to prepare. Ben had the additional challenge of writing an episode that could be shot in nine days instead of the usual ten. We took no extra time on set.
I hadn't told anyone what I was going to do with the Princess character except Ben. Once Tony Tilse agreed to let me do it after the rehearsal I just had a ball with the improvisation in the fight scene.

What was the funniest moment for you during filming Farscape in the studio or on location?

We all used to goof around a lot. I can not think of one instance which rises to the top.

Did you produce the alien sounds to create the Sebacean language, or was it an effect? How did you do it if you did it?

I made the sounds live as we recorded. The inspiration for the sound comes from hearing speech backwards in an ADR (Additional Dialogue Recording) booth. The sound is similar to a 't' in reverse. An actor I worked with once used to do it when he was mucking around, and he showed me how to do it. Eight years later it became useful.
I always liked the idea of creating a language close to English to connect Sebaceans and humans. The Asian tone gives it a global/futuristic feel.

How difficult was it to shoot Crichton's death scene in Infinite Possibilities?

The scene was a catharsis to shoot, and devastating at the same time. It affected me deeply because the scene could so easily represent anyone, anywhere, losing a great love or loved one. So it was an honour to try and portray it. I personally feel that if you love someone it is so hard to let go of their physical presence in your life. While it was easy for me to connect with what was on the page, I was worried that on the day I may not deliver. I had met with a little resistance from the director in the rehearsal because he had preconceived the blocking. I was glad when he went with my instinct. It is one of the rare times we see Aeryn emerging as a woman from her childlike shell as she stoically releases him into a peaceful slumber at such mammoth cost to her. It is love in its most romantic state.

Was it difficult to play Aeryn/Harvey in Promises? How helpful was Wayne Pygram and how much of it came from your own ideas?

I find mimicry easy. I talked to Wayne about character intention and how it is reflected in speech rhythms. I never did many scenes with him, so I needed to turn my parody into something a little more grounded and make sure I was on the right track.
I did get the closest I have ever gotten to fainting in that costume. The pressure on the neck from the head-piece was too tight once my hair was packed in, so I saw stars and then pulled myself back from passing out. That was the only real adversity. But it is hot in there. I don't know how Wayne did it.

How long is your hair now? It's grown so long -have you done anything special to it there's a great difference between seasons three and four!? Don’t you get a terrible headache because it is so heavy?

David Kemper had told us that the characters would all have been through some sort of private fell prior to being reunited. So I wanted that to be reflected somehow in Aeryn's appearance. My idea was to have some sort of punk haircut, but no one went for it. The second option was long hair to denote time spent away from Moya. So I wore a 'three-quarter' wig -so my hair was integrated with a hair piece.

Who did you get on best with on the set?

I'm not picking one person, sorry.

Which Farscape director did you enjoy working with the most?

What is it with you guys and favourites?!!

What character from literature would you like to play the most?

I've just finished reading The Pursuit of Happiness by Douglas Kennedy. The character of Sara is a doozie.

What was your fist acting experience?

Unpaid: the lead role in the kindergarten school play -my teacher had already noticed I liked showing off. Paid: a commercial -but I can’t remember what it was for.

Do you have any acting heroes/heroines?

I have always loved the two unrelated Hepburn ladies Katherine and Audrey. They had panache.

What was it like to play Chiana in Unrealized Realities?

I have a newfound respect for Gigi Edgley, now I’ve done that. I’m in awe of her, because she’s created this totally alien character. You don’t get much opportunity to do that in Australia, so while most actors would have jumped at the chance, I don’t think many of them would have succeeded as well as she did.
The hardest thing for me was I turned up to the costume department, and they expected me to fit into her wardrobe! Thanks, guys!
Gigi does this crazy thing with her breath. When Anthony Simcoe played Chiana in Out of their Minds, he ended up getting rushed to hospital because he was hyperventilating.
The challenge was just physically learning how to play Chiana, and trying to duplicate some of Gigi's mannerisms. I was vocalising her in a particular way, and I thought that it didn’t sound right. I do a lot of stuff by ear, and I realised it was just not right, but I knew we had to revoice it anyway. When I went into the sound booth, Angus Robertson, who does all the ADR, said to me, 'There’s something about it that just isn't right. I'm going to get into a lot of trouble for saying this, but you just need to put more breath into it.' Doing that makes it much more difficult for guys when they’re doing the sound mix, but that's the way that Gig plays Chiana. It's very exhausting to do.
It was a terrific challenge to play her. My favourite book is Harper Lee Jones’ To Kill A Mocking Bird and the lesson in that book is that you have to walk around in people's moccasins for a while to understand them. It was glorious, and I think Gigi is an amazing artist. It was an incredible experience just for that.

What is the best thing about Australia?

There are soooooo many things. Its natural beauty and diversity - the rainforests, tropical beaches, snow (but not much), desert, and the harbour cities. Its culture diversity which has led to excellent restaurants. The spirit of its inhabitants.

Do you watch ROVE Live? (Rove McManus is a TV host on Channel 10 in Australia and he is the funniest guy ever. Everyone watches it here so I was wondering if any of the cast do too)

Yes, I do. I think he is very watchable and gets good guests, including Elmo.

What Australian artists (singers or bands) would you recommend to someone not extremely familiar with Australian music?

Butterfly 9.

Which are your favourite, pair or earrings?

Ones that my mum gave me the stones for and I designed. They are simple and classic. I am not a 'girly-girl' so I don’t like wearing lots of accessories. I wear them most of the time.

Have you ever been to Poland? If not, are you going to visit our beautiful country some day in the future?

I hope to, one day.

In of your interviews you said that you love jazz. Who are your favourite jazz artists?

I have quite mainstream jazz likes - Ella Fitzgerald and Miles Davis to name two.

Name five CD albums you would take with you to a desert island?

Grace by Jeff Buckley. Welcome to the Cruel World by Ben Harper. Maybe Essential Ella... I’ve been listening to the new wicked beats sound system a lot but it is a bit derivative... I love breaks, so maybe Stanton Warriors.

What do you like to do in your free time?

Snowboard; roller-skate; have dinner parties; read; travel and hang with friends.

Are you going to be in the Pitch Black sequel?

Shazza didn't stay down, remember?

What are you going to do now that Farscape has finished? Big screen movies, TV series, theatrical plays? Maybe writing and directing?

It all depends on what emerges from the ether into which I have thrown myself. Just good quality work with good people. The more talented people are, the more generous they are, I think. I was very spoiled working on Farscape because it was so collaborative, and everyone was so supportive. Some of the best work I've done has been with people like Paul Goddard, who would say things like, 'I love what you're doing, that's such a great choice.' That just empowers you with an incredible strength to go on. With that confidence in my heart, I'll be able to get anything.
It's probably a good idea to think really hard about the next science fiction project I may be offered. I've been offered a few films, low budget independent things mostly. I want to sink my teeth into something really naturalistic. You want to break people's perceptions of you and subvert whatever clichés there are about you. Science fiction has always been one of my favourite genres, especially on film, and Farscape was rare within television because it was like making a film every week. The woman are great -they're strong, they carry scenes, if they’re lucky they carry the story. What made Farscape so rare was the relationship between John and Aeryn -it was always David Kemper's intention to make it into a love story, and I'm so grateful for that because it gave the show and the story a real heart and soul.
So I'm looking for something with heart and soul, very bright, and strong, groovy women. That would be ideal.

What is your motto in life?

Fortune favours the brave.

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