Interview with the new guest star, Yvonne Strahovski, by Eric Goldman. via uk.IGN.com: If you’ve been missing Yvonne Strahovski since Chuck wrapped up early this year, don’t fret – the Australian actress is back on TV soon, in a new recurring role on Dexter. Strahovski’s character, Hannah McKay, will be introduced in the third episode of Season 7, playing an important role as the season progresses.
I recently sat down with Strahovski to talk about playing Hannah, the differences between working on Chuck and Dexter and more. It was an amusing conversation, as Strahovski did her best to discuss her role while also trying to not reveal too much about her character early on.
IGN TV: You were on a show for years that had a very loyal and specific fanbase. What's it been like for you moving onto Dexter? Is it exciting for you to do something so different in tone?
Yvonne Stahovski: Yeah, definitely. Chuck was such a specific thing in itself. Although we got to do a lot of drama and action stuff, within that comedy show it was still very loose and farfetched. I think Dexter is farfetched itself, in a way, but it’s a dark style of acting. It just seems like the people are a little more real within their farfetched circumstances. You know, I’m not running around in high heels fighting bad guys. So yeah, it’s different, and I like that I’m not in any sort of law enforcement agency. It’s a complete 180 because it’s going to be so much darker. I can’t say much, but my character Hannah McKay does have this dark past. Little pieces of that will start coming into play pretty early on. I start in episode three, so it will progress pretty quickly. There’s a couple of things I’m pretty excited about that I know they’ve never done on the show that involve my storylines. So that’s really exciting. Read the rest of the interview, after the jump...
IGN: You got the role first and then did your three weeks of super catch-up on the series, right?
Strahovski: Yes, gung-ho catch-up! I had nightmares throughout those three weeks. [Laughs] I actually have a funny story. I was just in the thick of watching some episode that was pretty creepy. I was home alone and there was a knock at the door. It was some random real estate agent doing door knocks, and it was just so suspicious to me. I remember, at the door, I was like, “Yes? What do you want?” He then asked me a thousand questions, and I was still completely, very suspicious. I thought for sure he was a serial killer. For sure.
IGN: So here’s where I get to try to get you to talk a bit more about your character. I don’t know if you saw that interview [Dexter executive producer] Sara Colleton did with TV Guide a few weeks ago, and she said some stuff...
Strahovski: Yeah, she said some stuff… [Laughs]
IGN: What can you say about the background of Ms. McKay?
Strahovski: Well, she has a checkered past that involves her boyfriend at that time. God, I really want to tell you more, and I can’t! I'm trying to politically correctly say things! She meets Dexter because she has to help solve an old murder case. It’s in her best interest to help them… That’s a little something!
IGN: Michael C. Hall hinted to me there are some things about your character that give Dexter the feeling of having a connection to her.
Strahovski: Right, okay. Wow, that’s a lot! Yes, Dexter and Hannah share a connection. They share an attraction to one another... for reasons that I cannot tell you. [Laughs] This interview is lame, I'm sorry!
IGN: [Laughs] I feel bad, because I know how it is for you trying to keep these secrets! Michael, obviously, gives such a wonderful performance, and it’s such an iconic role. What is it like playing off of him as Dexter?
Strahovski: It’s great. I feel so blessed to be a part of this show. It’s obviously critically acclaimed and award winning. Michael is amazing. He is everything you want an actor to be when you work with him. He’s totally generous and amazing in his own right at what he does. It’s just a joy to observe him work and what he does. He’s great to talk to, as well, about the character and about the scene. He certainly gets right in to all those discussions. Yeah, it’s everything you want an actor to be. It’s been great. I love it. I come home everyday and say, “I love my job.” I think it’s fantastic.
IGN: Does Hannah’s past weight heavily on her or does it seem like she’s been able to move on with her life?
Strahovski: I think she seems like a pretty normal, slightly tomboy-ish, sexy girl. She’s probably the most sort of physically free character that I’ve played, I think -- just comparing her to somebody like Sarah Walker, who’s kind of rigid. But you pretty quickly find out what her deal is and why they are approaching her to help with this particular murder case. But on the outside, she just seems like a fun-loving girl!
IGN: So, compared to Sarah, she might work that Wienerlicious outfit a bit more?
Strahovski: Right, right. There is a hotdog stand. [Laughs]
IGN: I know I've walked onto a set I've seen a lot on TV and it's slightly surreal. What’s it been like just being in the world of Dexter and working with Michael and Jennifer and everyone in the Miami Metro setting, having watched all the episodes?
Strahovski: I was completely saturated with Dexter in my brain when I came on to do my first day. I don’t think I had a line in my head as to what was real and what wasn’t. Everything was just… They were their characters, and I was actually standing in a police station. It took me couple of days to sort of remind myself that it’s a set and you’re here to do a job. Yeah, it’s great, though. I’m now obviously such a fan of the show. It’s so fun to be in that world. It’s also a slower pace, so it’s really nice to slow right down. Chuck was very go, go, go -- there was a lot of action, it was very fast. This is a lot slower. There’s a lot of attention to the small details, and that’s some of the stuff -- going back to working with Michael -- that we get out of working together and doing the scenes together. There’s a lot of attention to detail that will hopefully come through. I think there’s a very quiet excitement going around right now about this season. Everyone seems to be very excited about the first couple of episodes. Have you seen the first one?
IGN: I saw the premiere. It's great!
Strahovski: Yeah, so there’s a little buzz!
IGN: Is it cool for you to be coming in right in the middle of what is such a huge shift in the paradigm of the show?
Strahovski: Yeah, it’s a very pivotal season with Debra and how they’re going to play that out. It was funny because I knew that when I did my whole back-to-back viewing session. Some of the seasons were spoiled for me because I knew what was going to happen. I knew Rita was going to die, I knew Debra was going to [see him]. But what I really enjoyed were Debra’s therapy sessions. I didn’t know that was going to happen. I didn’t know that she would discover that she had these complex feelings for Dexter. That was a total shock and surprise. So now I’m super excited when I get the scripts.
IGN: That leads me into asking, what does Deb make of Hannah?
Strahovski: Yeah, we’ll see! [Laughs] There will be some scenes there that we do, I’m sure. I don’t know. Anything I say is going to give stuff away. It’s too far down the line.
IGN: I’m curious to know what your Comic-Con experience was like this year because you had this interesting Thursday where you did a panel for Chuck [at Zachary Levi's Nerd HQ] and then you did the Dexter panel the same day. Was it kind of cool for you to have that shift from something familiar to something new?
Strahovski: It was very cool. I felt like when I saw my cast members from Chuck, it felt like home base. It was actually exhilarating and weird at the same time to move on and do all the same press things that we do every year at Comic-Con and the panel and do all those same things, but this time, you know, solo -- representing a different show. I’m so used to having my old cast members with me, but this time it was different. I’m on my own. It was a new experience. I loved it. I had such a blast. I had a really great time at Comic-Con, mainly because everyone has been so welcoming. It seems like there are a lot of Chuck fans who cross over with Dexter fans as well. Fans of Chuck are so loyal; they’re going to follow all of us actors to whatever we go into, I feel like, because our support is there. I’m very excited. It’s also really nice to sit back and listen to Michael and Jennifer and Sara and Scott [Buck] talk about the show and see what they have to say. It’s a completely different world. I feel part observer and part participant, because I am the guest. It’s a different responsibility, a different experience altogether.
IGN: I know I shared that excitement hearing about your casting – “Oh, she’s going to be on Dexter!” Did you quickly encounter that from fans?
Strahovski: Yeah, I think my Twitter followers jumped up to, like, another 20,000 in a couple weeks from Dexter fans, I think. That was pretty exciting. But no, there’s definitely a lot of support. There’s a whole lot of support out there. I feel the love, all the time. Twitter sort of helps you feel connected to that as an actor. I was peer pressured, originally, into Twitter. I never wanted to be a part of it. Now that I am, I can’t look back. It really is your official word as an actor. You get to say what you want to say and show people what you want to show. It’s a way to touch base with the fanbase and stay connected, really, with the people that are making it happen for you, on the outside.
IGN: Lastly, I have to sneak in a question about the end of Chuck. Chuck and Sarah have that kiss, but there were some fans that were concerned about not seeing what happened next. What do you think happened ?
Strahovski: I think they started a relationship, and she slowly started remembering. Things started coming back to her.
IGN: So they’re okay?
Strahovski: I think they’re okay!
IGN: My wife was among those fans saying they wanted to see Sarah remember and be 100% sure. I was telling her, "I'm sure they're fine, honey!"
Strahovski: Well now you can tell her! You can play her this interview!
I recently sat down with Strahovski to talk about playing Hannah, the differences between working on Chuck and Dexter and more. It was an amusing conversation, as Strahovski did her best to discuss her role while also trying to not reveal too much about her character early on.
IGN TV: You were on a show for years that had a very loyal and specific fanbase. What's it been like for you moving onto Dexter? Is it exciting for you to do something so different in tone?
Yvonne Stahovski: Yeah, definitely. Chuck was such a specific thing in itself. Although we got to do a lot of drama and action stuff, within that comedy show it was still very loose and farfetched. I think Dexter is farfetched itself, in a way, but it’s a dark style of acting. It just seems like the people are a little more real within their farfetched circumstances. You know, I’m not running around in high heels fighting bad guys. So yeah, it’s different, and I like that I’m not in any sort of law enforcement agency. It’s a complete 180 because it’s going to be so much darker. I can’t say much, but my character Hannah McKay does have this dark past. Little pieces of that will start coming into play pretty early on. I start in episode three, so it will progress pretty quickly. There’s a couple of things I’m pretty excited about that I know they’ve never done on the show that involve my storylines. So that’s really exciting. Read the rest of the interview, after the jump...
IGN: You got the role first and then did your three weeks of super catch-up on the series, right?
Strahovski: Yes, gung-ho catch-up! I had nightmares throughout those three weeks. [Laughs] I actually have a funny story. I was just in the thick of watching some episode that was pretty creepy. I was home alone and there was a knock at the door. It was some random real estate agent doing door knocks, and it was just so suspicious to me. I remember, at the door, I was like, “Yes? What do you want?” He then asked me a thousand questions, and I was still completely, very suspicious. I thought for sure he was a serial killer. For sure.
IGN: So here’s where I get to try to get you to talk a bit more about your character. I don’t know if you saw that interview [Dexter executive producer] Sara Colleton did with TV Guide a few weeks ago, and she said some stuff...
Strahovski: Yeah, she said some stuff… [Laughs]
IGN: What can you say about the background of Ms. McKay?
Strahovski: Well, she has a checkered past that involves her boyfriend at that time. God, I really want to tell you more, and I can’t! I'm trying to politically correctly say things! She meets Dexter because she has to help solve an old murder case. It’s in her best interest to help them… That’s a little something!
IGN: Michael C. Hall hinted to me there are some things about your character that give Dexter the feeling of having a connection to her.
Strahovski: Right, okay. Wow, that’s a lot! Yes, Dexter and Hannah share a connection. They share an attraction to one another... for reasons that I cannot tell you. [Laughs] This interview is lame, I'm sorry!
IGN: [Laughs] I feel bad, because I know how it is for you trying to keep these secrets! Michael, obviously, gives such a wonderful performance, and it’s such an iconic role. What is it like playing off of him as Dexter?
Strahovski: It’s great. I feel so blessed to be a part of this show. It’s obviously critically acclaimed and award winning. Michael is amazing. He is everything you want an actor to be when you work with him. He’s totally generous and amazing in his own right at what he does. It’s just a joy to observe him work and what he does. He’s great to talk to, as well, about the character and about the scene. He certainly gets right in to all those discussions. Yeah, it’s everything you want an actor to be. It’s been great. I love it. I come home everyday and say, “I love my job.” I think it’s fantastic.
IGN: Does Hannah’s past weight heavily on her or does it seem like she’s been able to move on with her life?
Strahovski: I think she seems like a pretty normal, slightly tomboy-ish, sexy girl. She’s probably the most sort of physically free character that I’ve played, I think -- just comparing her to somebody like Sarah Walker, who’s kind of rigid. But you pretty quickly find out what her deal is and why they are approaching her to help with this particular murder case. But on the outside, she just seems like a fun-loving girl!
IGN: So, compared to Sarah, she might work that Wienerlicious outfit a bit more?
Strahovski: Right, right. There is a hotdog stand. [Laughs]
IGN: I know I've walked onto a set I've seen a lot on TV and it's slightly surreal. What’s it been like just being in the world of Dexter and working with Michael and Jennifer and everyone in the Miami Metro setting, having watched all the episodes?
Strahovski: I was completely saturated with Dexter in my brain when I came on to do my first day. I don’t think I had a line in my head as to what was real and what wasn’t. Everything was just… They were their characters, and I was actually standing in a police station. It took me couple of days to sort of remind myself that it’s a set and you’re here to do a job. Yeah, it’s great, though. I’m now obviously such a fan of the show. It’s so fun to be in that world. It’s also a slower pace, so it’s really nice to slow right down. Chuck was very go, go, go -- there was a lot of action, it was very fast. This is a lot slower. There’s a lot of attention to the small details, and that’s some of the stuff -- going back to working with Michael -- that we get out of working together and doing the scenes together. There’s a lot of attention to detail that will hopefully come through. I think there’s a very quiet excitement going around right now about this season. Everyone seems to be very excited about the first couple of episodes. Have you seen the first one?
IGN: I saw the premiere. It's great!
Strahovski: Yeah, so there’s a little buzz!
IGN: Is it cool for you to be coming in right in the middle of what is such a huge shift in the paradigm of the show?
Strahovski: Yeah, it’s a very pivotal season with Debra and how they’re going to play that out. It was funny because I knew that when I did my whole back-to-back viewing session. Some of the seasons were spoiled for me because I knew what was going to happen. I knew Rita was going to die, I knew Debra was going to [see him]. But what I really enjoyed were Debra’s therapy sessions. I didn’t know that was going to happen. I didn’t know that she would discover that she had these complex feelings for Dexter. That was a total shock and surprise. So now I’m super excited when I get the scripts.
IGN: That leads me into asking, what does Deb make of Hannah?
Strahovski: Yeah, we’ll see! [Laughs] There will be some scenes there that we do, I’m sure. I don’t know. Anything I say is going to give stuff away. It’s too far down the line.
IGN: I’m curious to know what your Comic-Con experience was like this year because you had this interesting Thursday where you did a panel for Chuck [at Zachary Levi's Nerd HQ] and then you did the Dexter panel the same day. Was it kind of cool for you to have that shift from something familiar to something new?
Strahovski: It was very cool. I felt like when I saw my cast members from Chuck, it felt like home base. It was actually exhilarating and weird at the same time to move on and do all the same press things that we do every year at Comic-Con and the panel and do all those same things, but this time, you know, solo -- representing a different show. I’m so used to having my old cast members with me, but this time it was different. I’m on my own. It was a new experience. I loved it. I had such a blast. I had a really great time at Comic-Con, mainly because everyone has been so welcoming. It seems like there are a lot of Chuck fans who cross over with Dexter fans as well. Fans of Chuck are so loyal; they’re going to follow all of us actors to whatever we go into, I feel like, because our support is there. I’m very excited. It’s also really nice to sit back and listen to Michael and Jennifer and Sara and Scott [Buck] talk about the show and see what they have to say. It’s a completely different world. I feel part observer and part participant, because I am the guest. It’s a different responsibility, a different experience altogether.
IGN: I know I shared that excitement hearing about your casting – “Oh, she’s going to be on Dexter!” Did you quickly encounter that from fans?
Strahovski: Yeah, I think my Twitter followers jumped up to, like, another 20,000 in a couple weeks from Dexter fans, I think. That was pretty exciting. But no, there’s definitely a lot of support. There’s a whole lot of support out there. I feel the love, all the time. Twitter sort of helps you feel connected to that as an actor. I was peer pressured, originally, into Twitter. I never wanted to be a part of it. Now that I am, I can’t look back. It really is your official word as an actor. You get to say what you want to say and show people what you want to show. It’s a way to touch base with the fanbase and stay connected, really, with the people that are making it happen for you, on the outside.
IGN: Lastly, I have to sneak in a question about the end of Chuck. Chuck and Sarah have that kiss, but there were some fans that were concerned about not seeing what happened next. What do you think happened ?
Strahovski: I think they started a relationship, and she slowly started remembering. Things started coming back to her.
IGN: So they’re okay?
Strahovski: I think they’re okay!
IGN: My wife was among those fans saying they wanted to see Sarah remember and be 100% sure. I was telling her, "I'm sure they're fine, honey!"
Strahovski: Well now you can tell her! You can play her this interview!
I love that she's such a fangirl. Nice interview, she seems to be a lovely person.
ReplyDeleteI was initially excited that she was announced to guest star on the show, and I still am. These interviews have only convinced me that she will do very well. I like to hear about how thrilled she is to be on the show. Seems like she has come to love the show from playing catch-up. I'm also glad she feels welcome. Can't wait to see Hannah's story unfold. It sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteOf course she's going to rave on about how much she loves the show. She's being paid a lot of money. What else do you think she's going to say.
ReplyDeleteMoney, sure, but you can tell that she genuinely appreciates the show. It doesn't sound like she considers it just another job. She's excited to be there.
ReplyDeleteGod, she better not be another Lila... or even another Lumen...
ReplyDeleteI like what she says about using Twitter. She's an actor that understands the value of being somewhat connected to the public/outside world (showing her appreciation - and being connected "with the people that are making it happen for you") as well as using it as a tool to promote her work and opportunity to giive her 'official word as an actor'.
ReplyDeleteShe seems to have her head in the right place.
Good and interesting interview.
The entire Chuck cast always interacted closely with the fans. And still do.
DeleteAm I the only one who read this in her accent?
ReplyDeleteMaybe, I read it as Napoleon Dynamite because they look alike. Geez what's up.
DeleteQuit being a dick to everybody Patrik.
DeleteWhen have I ever been a dick?
DeleteUhm let me think...oh right, everytime you right something. I guess your internet buddy Patrick Bateman is going to come and defend you pretty soon.
DeleteThat's quite a bold statement. I know I'm a dick but come on, not everytime i WRITE something.
DeleteBack off anon 3:34 don't mess with the big boys . Just go away quietly and leave patrik alone
Delete3:03
Deletei want to take a shit right between your eyes. provide some clarity for you.
I just miss when idiots like them weren't here. New fags who have watched the show for a couple of months.
DeleteAnd why the fuck do you spell your name "PatriK"? Are you italian or something?
DeleteAre you seriously gonna get racist with me?
DeleteI'm from Sweden, if it matters. Let's not continue this. I'm warning you, I am a lethal killing machine. It was a secret government experiment. They did stuff to me. Spooky stuff... Anal stuff. It turned me into a dangerous telekinetic.
DeleteFucker at 5:52, is fag that watches the show for a couple of months all you got? LOL i will make you septicemic when i shove my dirty rusty tools in your baby powder covered bottom. lol you make me bored.
Deletehe can spell his name with whichever letter of the alphabet he feels like using, now get on your knees and lick his boots.
Deletethat's all you're good at anyway.
DeleteWell she is very lucky to be working on Dexter or else she would be currently unemployed.
ReplyDeleteHardly, it's just what she picked instead of other options. She didn't approach Dexter, the show approached her... and she's already got a Broadway play lined up after she's done with the filming.
Deletewho gives a fuck and why do you even know her schedule?
DeleteShut the fuck up Patrik & Patrick. Quit being assholes to everyone who posts...It's getting annoying.
ReplyDeleteDon't start none, won't be none..
DeleteUGH, just don't be dicks to people who are posting about Dexter.
DeleteYvonne Strahovski strikes me as an actress in a hurry to get as much fame and money as possible before she passes her peak. She is no spring chicken now being 30 yrs old.
ReplyDelete