Presumably it all happened very suddenly for you?
I auditioned on the same day I had the role, essentially.
And I heard they were seeing a lot of girls.
The casting director told me that.
Im about to walk into the room and audition and you tell me that!
And I got on a plane and went, and now Im here!
Its generally the case, anyway.
You go on a million auditions anyway as an actor, and one out of a hundred you get.
Its a hard life, but you cant really think about it that way.
How long between the audition and shooting the first scene, then?
That must have been very quick.
Did you have much foreknowledge ofV?
I heard they were remaking it and I thought thats such a great idea.
I cant believe theyve not remade it before.
I remember the original.
I remember watching it with my brother.
The things everyone remembers.
And we bet youve never been asked this: you remember the guinea pig?
Yeah, of course!
[laughs] Who would forget that?
Are you going to ask me that?
Of course Im going to ask you that!
Im going to print out a press statement!
Is your character vegetarian, then?
Eat some carrots or something?
That would be far better!
Something will be happening, but Im not sure what form itll take!
First you feel that I hope its going to be good.
When I read the script I thought I really hope theyve updated it.
Theres multi-ethnic and cultural relationships in it, which is really great.
And a priest, the idea of faith, and what were playing with is wonderfully contemporised too.
I like that idea, that we are not safe in our own borders.
From your point of view, its an ensemble piece.
Its your face on the poster!
Its an actors dream and an actors nightmare at the same time!
I feel very humbled and excited that theyve chosen me as the leader of the Vs!
Weve got so many fans ofFireflyover here, such a remarkable show.
That was your first job too…
Yeah.
Surely thats the definition of landing on your feet?
It is, definitely!
The thing is as well, I think Joss Whedons work has had real ramifications for television since.
I know, it was very bad.
And I think whats been going on withVonly shows how positive Warner Bros and ABC feel about the show.
We didnt have that opportunity onFirefly.
We were just shut down, and it was really sad.
Help yourself, however you want to phrase it?
[Laughs] Well, I cant possibly play Inara and Anna at the same time!
What do you watch yourself when youre switching off?
But what about when its just you and the telly?
Im actually not the sci-fi girl you guys think I am!
I watchModern Family, which is one of my favourite shows.
A really funny show with great actors.
Is comedy something youre keen to tackle more of yourself?
Ive done some sitcoms here and there, but nothing long term.
I would love, itd be really fun.
So what will be the dream project?
Whats the one you want to do the most?
Oh, so many!
Id love to do a comedic film.
Id love to do a very epic Shakespearian film.
Which Shakespeare would you do?
I still want to play Juliet!
A role I really love.
Who else would I play?
Helena inA Midsummer Nights Dream, Portia inMerchant Of Venice.
I think Juliet is the one Im really aiming for before it gets to be too late.
Who would be your Romeo, then?
Yeah, I like him.
Thats the first question Ive asked you that youve not been asked before, isnt it?
[laughs]
You come from an acting family too.
Does that shape your personal ambitions?
That would kill me!
Nobody wants to hear that from their mum!
And we do very different things.
Shes an actress in Brazil and does comedies, big broad things.
I think Im more the method acting school.
Most parents are like, quit now and become a doctor!
Who were you in the school play?
I did a lot of them!
My final year I did Cecily inThe Importance Of Being Earnest…
You went to a good school.
We just did rubbish at ours…!
We didLoves Labours Losttoo!
Stargateis shooting near you in Vancouver.
Is that a franchise you want to go back to again?
Im really lovingVso much that I dont want to take away from that world and that character.
I think theres a great mystery about Anna, so maybe doingStargateis not the best thing.
I think theyve got a great thing going with that franchise.
Who knows, though?
Do you get that pressure too, is that something you want to pursue?
Ive love to do more movies.
Just because Im interested in the medium very much.
Ive done a lot of theatre at this point, and Ive done a lot of TV.
Ive done a few independent films, but a lot of them have not seen the light of day.
Itd be really nice to be in a film that gets out there.
Morena Baccarin, thank you very much!
V is screening in the UK on SyFy.
