5 Questions With: Rhona Mitra

Rhona Mitra has tamed Scott Wolf on 'Party of Five,' sparred with James Spader on 'Boston Legal' and embodied the character of sexy adventurer Lara Croft long before Angelina Jolie -- and now she's hitting the big screen to kick some werewolf butt in 'Underworld: The Rise of the Lycans.'

Sure, Mitra bears an uncanny resemblance to Kate Beckinsale, who preceded her in the first two 'Underworld' films -- but it's her ability to tap into her inner "warrior," a memorable encounter with Judi Dench at the age of 7 and a knack for getting into trouble that make the British-bred actress the badass action heroine she is today. -- By Tom DiChiara

1. What attracted you to 'Underworld,' and how'd you prep to play a badass vampire?

When I spoke to Patrick Tatopoulos, who is the director, and also Len Wiseman, they explained to me the character of Sonja, who is the daughter of Viktor, played by Bill Nighy, and the love interest of Michael Sheen. And all the elements seemed pretty compelling to me. I'd never done a period piece really and I've never worked with two such fine British actors in the same environment. ... Playing somebody's daughter, I thought it was important to try to adhere to at least some of the mannerisms Bill Nighy has honed in on, just as a bit of a salute to him and also to display a little bit of the apple not falling so far from the tree aspect of the relationship. And also, I researched the first [film] to a point. But for the most part, I really had to tap into a warrior aspect of myself, which I hadn't done before, because there's something quite ferocious about the character of Sonja. Other than that, Bill gave me some pretty decent pointers about what it is and how it is vampires behave.

2. In the film, you play a vampire who fights werewolves AND falls in love with one. Which did you enjoy more?

Oh, I'll take both. I love a good fight and I love a good lovin'. So I think all the boxes were checked, and as long as I get to do both I'm a happy camper.



3. How did you get into acting?

I met Judi Dench when I was a really young girl. Her daughter was at school with me when I was about 7 years old. She made an incredible impact on me as a person really. But at 7 do you really know what an actress is? I didn't know, but she stuck in my memory as an incredibly strong female figure. And I think because, for one reason or another, I didn't have that in my life -- I think the meeting of her and the impact she made on me stuck with me for some time. And, you know how you log stuff away? I think I logged it away for many years and when the time came about when I was about 17 and trying to figure out what I wanted to do and where to direct my energy ... the only thing I could think of that resonated in me was this acting thing. And when I really looked into it, it involved lots of things that I really loved: history, psychology and travel. I think the ability to not always be in one place appealed to me for some reason. And I think the fact that it involved so much variety, internally and externally -- it's something I need in my life. I need stimulation on all levels in order to keep me feeling fulfilled.





4. The original video game version of Lara Croft was created using your likeness. Did you go out for the role when they decided to make the 'Tomb Raider' films?

No, I didn't because when I was involved Lara and the whole 'Tomb Raider' franchise was just at its beginning. The movie didn't come about until I think it was about five years after I was involved. It was very much a studio name situation, and I'm nowhere near Angelina Jolie, even at that stage. Angelina's always been a household name, so I don't think it was even a question. ... But I was interested to see what they did. I was just curious because I felt that there was so much potential for that film. I really did sort of feel the potential for 'La Femme Nikita' mixed with 'Blade Runner' and a little bit of 'Indiana Jones' thrown in. ... I thought the environment let down the potential of what it could have been really.

5. You were kind of a wild teenager, getting kicked out of two schools and what not. What were some of the antics you pulled?

Oh God! [Laughs.] I was in an all-girls boarding school and so there were so many rules to break that it didn't take much. But I think nothing that the average person wouldn't try and pull. I think that my actions have just gone on record. But you know it's a convent. Who do you know in this day and age -- if you have your own mind and your own personality -- who can survive an all-girls boarding school that's run by nuns? I mean, honestly -- even the straightest, sanest person would probably find a way to get in trouble. And if I hadn't gotten into trouble in some way, I'd probably be four babies in, living in the countryside in England with a couple of Labradors, complaining that my husband was working too many hours in the city. I'm riding around on horses in New Zealand pretending that I'm slaying wolves. I think I made the right choice. ... From convent to werewolf slayer.