TVLINE | In this midseason stretch of episodes, youve had more to sink your teeth into whereas at the start, Evil Laurel was kind of, like, just looking fierce and stuff, strutting, sneering
screaming
.
TVLINE | Do you feel like these more recent episodes have given you so much more to work with?
Oh, yeah. Absolutely. Its so funny I literally just spoke to [co-showrunner] Marc Guggenheim about this, because as an actor I want to continue to be challenged or grow, creatively, and thats whats these writers literally did for me, from Season 1 to the end of 4, and then I came back a bit for 5 and now its 6
. Ive been really fortunate, so I love it. Its almost like the devils playground, is how I think of it.
TVLINE | Now we get to see Laurels wheels turning. One scene that stuck with me was when she was holed up in the cabin with Quentin (played by Paul Blackthorne), sitting on the couch, and then at one point you almost flip a switch and snark, Theas right, Daddy and you realize she was playing him the whole time.
Right, right, right. I know what youre talking about. The thing that I think is interesting about this character is I do feel like there is room for redemption in some aspect. However, we dont know what her life has been like on Earth-Two; we know bits and pieces, and thats what I think is interesting about playing this character, how we keep finding out more and more information.
Ive built a backstory off of script analysis and character breakdown, and while it doesnt always match up, thats part of the fun of it, just creating and being able to play and these writers and producers certainly have been willing to do that with me. This is the stuff I thrive off of. I just love strong female characters in general, not necessarily because, Shes evil or Oh, because shes good. Yes, of course its fun to play evil, but its simply fun to play any different characters.
TVLINE | Its fun just to play complicated
Exactly. And thats whats cool about Earth-Two Laurel shes kind of a loose cannon. You dont really know what shes going to do.
TVLINE | Every time we start to think, Hmm, maybe Quentin was right, maybe hes getting to her, the rug gets pulled right out from under us. That said, do you think that maybe there is a half of a half of a seed of something good inside this Laurel, that can be cultivated?
As I said before, I do think theres room for redemption although maybe, personally, Im just too forgiving of a person. If someone killed [someone else], you cant forgive that kind of stuff here on our Earth, but definitely I think theres room for redemption. I think she has a lot of explaining to do and understanding, and yet
. Shes kind of a wild animal. Its almost like inside of her theres this wild animal in a cage that wants to come out, and she wants to let it out, but also I think that shes sort of torn internally, because I dont think she was born this way. I think things happened to her that made her this way.
TVLINE | Thats why I think that the most interesting place for this to lead would be to have her be kind of a frenemy, versus full-on redemption. Dont put her back on the team in a new suit, but in a pinch, you know, we could call on her.
Maybe she moves to the city next door? [Laughs] Well be on Wednesdays at 9 pm and she has her own sort of vigilante thing going.
TVLINE | How would you describe Laurels dynamic with Diaz (Kirk Acevedo) ever since they formed this alliance of sorts at his weird little dojo?
He keeps her on her toes. He makes her surprise herself, doing things she didnt necessarily expect. I think that theres a magnetic sort of, like, fire between them. What that reads as, I think time will tell.
TVLINE | It sounds like in Episode 19 (airing this Thursday at 9/8c), when they meet up with The Quadrant (a coalition of crime families), Laurel is going to start having some second thoughts about Diazs grand plan, or his means of going about it.
Ultimately, as shes learning more and more and watching Diaz and how he works, shes horrified because hes brutally murdering people. Theres no rhyme or reason, which is disturbing. And although she has had that in her before when need be, shes been able to take down some people its hard for her to watch and stand by this person. Plus, she does have this interesting relationship with Lance, with Quentin. Both of these characters [Quentin and Diaz] are making her question herself in different ways almost, almost like the angel and the devil. Shes caught between a rock and a hard place.
TVLINE | Has it been difficult to be so mean to Paul [Blackthorne]?
Yes, but its also been so much fun. And I think that he quite enjoys watching the difference in my character. [Laughs] The scene where she comes in and is like [in dainty voice] Hiiii, Im Laurel Lance!? So much fun.
You know what it is? Looking back, from when we started the pilot to the end of Season 4, I took it so seriously as you should, obviously, in continuing to be a professional. But I think also just life I took so seriously, and I was just
. I mean, Im very dedicated, and I gave everything I had, but its fun when Black Siren makes jokes about that Laurel. Its kind of like making fun of myself, and thats been a blast.
