General Season 2 Spoilers (in reverse order)
25-Jul-09
There's a new character - a woman of Indian descent who's a freelance op, a "Han Solo type" --and Magnus doesn't trust her in the beginning. The new, very blunt character "shines a light on the Sanctuary" and what they do and whether how they're going about it is right.
Shippers - Magnus held Will Zimmerman on her knee when he was 8! Magnus + Druitt is that character's big love affair ("she likes the bad boys"). There's also Count Olaff who owns a soccer team.
Source : Pop Wenches
Shippers - Magnus held Will Zimmerman on her knee when he was 8! Magnus + Druitt is that character's big love affair ("she likes the bad boys"). There's also Count Olaff who owns a soccer team.
Source : Pop Wenches
23-Jul-09
"Joining the team is snarky Kate Freelander (the L Word's Agam Darshi), a petty criminal who's been working on the fringes of the abnormal world. Notes tapping: "At first Helen thinks Kate is a punk, but, in time, she'll have to trust and rely on her." Guest stars include Eureka's Chris Gauthier as an average Joe who thinks he's a superhero, and Stargate vet Michael Shanks as an abnormal with ties to the Chicago mob."
Source : TV Guide (USA)
Source : TV Guide (USA)
22-May-09
SFP : Has your role as producer/director/wonder woman evolved over Season 1 and coming into Season 2? Are you doing less? More? And how does this affect your acting?
Amanda : I think last year I had a hard time figuring out how to time manage it all. So I felt like I had balls up in the air and I was constantly dropping them. The beauty of the partnership with Damian, Martin and I is that we each know what our strengths and weaknesses are so we can lift each other up or help each other out in various capacities. This year I just became a lot calmer about it so therefore it’s a little smoother. We just did a really emotional episode, for example, and I had to turn to Martin and Damian and say, “I just need to be Helen Magnus today. I can’t be Amanda Tapping going to a meeting and I can’t sit in on the budget meeting today because I have to be Helen.” It doesn’t happen often but every once in a while I have to be really protective of the character. But for the most part I think I’m handling it a lot better this year – all the various roles. And I’ll be directing this second series.
SFP : Is that terrifying?
Amanda : Am I crazy?! (Laughter) It is a bit terrifying. I actually said, “Guys, I don’t wanna direct. Seriously. I’ve got way too much on my plate. I don’t wanna direct.” They said, “No! Come on. It’s good. You’re ready. Let’s do it.” So now the episode is fast approaching and I’m starting to lose hair and sleep. I will be bald with dark, dark circles under my eyes by the time we get to it BUT I will get it done!
Amanda : I think last year I had a hard time figuring out how to time manage it all. So I felt like I had balls up in the air and I was constantly dropping them. The beauty of the partnership with Damian, Martin and I is that we each know what our strengths and weaknesses are so we can lift each other up or help each other out in various capacities. This year I just became a lot calmer about it so therefore it’s a little smoother. We just did a really emotional episode, for example, and I had to turn to Martin and Damian and say, “I just need to be Helen Magnus today. I can’t be Amanda Tapping going to a meeting and I can’t sit in on the budget meeting today because I have to be Helen.” It doesn’t happen often but every once in a while I have to be really protective of the character. But for the most part I think I’m handling it a lot better this year – all the various roles. And I’ll be directing this second series.
SFP : Is that terrifying?
Amanda : Am I crazy?! (Laughter) It is a bit terrifying. I actually said, “Guys, I don’t wanna direct. Seriously. I’ve got way too much on my plate. I don’t wanna direct.” They said, “No! Come on. It’s good. You’re ready. Let’s do it.” So now the episode is fast approaching and I’m starting to lose hair and sleep. I will be bald with dark, dark circles under my eyes by the time we get to it BUT I will get it done!
~~~~~
SFP : What direction can you see the show going? You can travel wherever you want in time, all over the world. What’s coming up for Sanctuary?
Amanda : We’re playing with interpersonal dynamics in Season 2, now that everyone’s been introduced and established. There are definitely new characters coming in but we’re utilising Tesla again, played by Jonathon Young – such a great character and a really amazing actor too. There’s a lot more interpersonal. We’re going a bit “dark side” with the show this year. We’re going back to activate the feel the webisodes had, which was a little darker and a little edgier. Definitely going out a lot in terms of travelling the world. But there’s not a lot I can really tell you without having to shoot you so…
Amanda : We’re playing with interpersonal dynamics in Season 2, now that everyone’s been introduced and established. There are definitely new characters coming in but we’re utilising Tesla again, played by Jonathon Young – such a great character and a really amazing actor too. There’s a lot more interpersonal. We’re going a bit “dark side” with the show this year. We’re going back to activate the feel the webisodes had, which was a little darker and a little edgier. Definitely going out a lot in terms of travelling the world. But there’s not a lot I can really tell you without having to shoot you so…
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SFP : The reason why I asked that question is the mother-daughter relationship on the show is frankly bizarre. What kind of mother puts her daughter in that situation?
Amanda : It’s a great question and it’s something I struggled with because, first of all, why would a woman who knows in all likelihood that she will outlive her child choose to bring a child into this world? A bizarre choice for a mother to make. And furthermore, why bring this child into a place that is fraught with danger and to make her a part of work that is, albeit very exciting, incredibly dangerous? How does she reconcile that? And that’s something we deal with in Series 2. But it’s a really bizarre choice. I have still not wrapped my head around it. What’s interesting is that I talked to Emilie and asked her how does Ashley feel about it? She said, “This is Ashley’s life. She LOVES it. She’s great at it. This is what she does – it’s totally cool.” For me, especially as a mother, I could not even imagine putting my daughter in that kind of situation. And knowing that I rely on her – like “Hey, weapons expert girl, go kill this abnormal.” It’s just a bizarre choice. It’s a great question and I’m not sure I’ve given you an intelligent answer because I’m not sure that I’ve figured it out.
Amanda : It’s a great question and it’s something I struggled with because, first of all, why would a woman who knows in all likelihood that she will outlive her child choose to bring a child into this world? A bizarre choice for a mother to make. And furthermore, why bring this child into a place that is fraught with danger and to make her a part of work that is, albeit very exciting, incredibly dangerous? How does she reconcile that? And that’s something we deal with in Series 2. But it’s a really bizarre choice. I have still not wrapped my head around it. What’s interesting is that I talked to Emilie and asked her how does Ashley feel about it? She said, “This is Ashley’s life. She LOVES it. She’s great at it. This is what she does – it’s totally cool.” For me, especially as a mother, I could not even imagine putting my daughter in that kind of situation. And knowing that I rely on her – like “Hey, weapons expert girl, go kill this abnormal.” It’s just a bizarre choice. It’s a great question and I’m not sure I’ve given you an intelligent answer because I’m not sure that I’ve figured it out.
~~~~~
Source : Sci Fi Pi - Amanda tapping Interview - Sanctuary
08-May-09
SFW : The Cabal has Ashley under their spell and now possesses the keys. Where do things pick up in season two?
Dunne: We are entering into an Empire Strikes Back-ian zone where everything is unsure. We don't know what's happening with Ashley; the Cabal is out there; things are in disarray; and the characters are just trying to figure out "How do we move on from here and keep things together?" There's definitely a darkness to this season. If there ever was security, particularly for Will in the sanctuary, now things are much more of a mess. In a lot of ways, Will and everyone in the sanctuary are holding on for dear life. If you thought last season was a roller-coaster ride, this year is even nuttier.
Dunne: We are entering into an Empire Strikes Back-ian zone where everything is unsure. We don't know what's happening with Ashley; the Cabal is out there; things are in disarray; and the characters are just trying to figure out "How do we move on from here and keep things together?" There's definitely a darkness to this season. If there ever was security, particularly for Will in the sanctuary, now things are much more of a mess. In a lot of ways, Will and everyone in the sanctuary are holding on for dear life. If you thought last season was a roller-coaster ride, this year is even nuttier.
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SFW : Now that you've established these characters, are we going to learn more about Will and his history?
Dunne: Absolutely. We are shooting episode three right now, and already we've taken Will to another level. Last season he spent time getting used to the sanctuary and having his foot in both worlds, but not sure which way he was going to go. By the end of season one, he jumped right into the sanctuary and resigned himself to that life. Now there's a lot going on for Will. Already he's had to deal with some pretty major things. These things that happen in the first few episodes dredge up some old memories of his past. There's definitely more of a darkness to Will, and he's kind of wrestling with some demons. That's going to be further explored, so what's happening in the present is going to clash with some of the things he's buried. You are going to see a different Will this season. For me, playing such a great character and taking him to another level is challenging and exciting.
Dunne: Absolutely. We are shooting episode three right now, and already we've taken Will to another level. Last season he spent time getting used to the sanctuary and having his foot in both worlds, but not sure which way he was going to go. By the end of season one, he jumped right into the sanctuary and resigned himself to that life. Now there's a lot going on for Will. Already he's had to deal with some pretty major things. These things that happen in the first few episodes dredge up some old memories of his past. There's definitely more of a darkness to Will, and he's kind of wrestling with some demons. That's going to be further explored, so what's happening in the present is going to clash with some of the things he's buried. You are going to see a different Will this season. For me, playing such a great character and taking him to another level is challenging and exciting.
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SFW : There seemed to be some flirting between Will and Clara. Is there a romance brewing?
Dunne: Yeah, I think there is. We've explored that a little, and there's definitely something between those characters. There's a lot of curveballs that are thrown into the mix. Nothing can ever really be that simple in the sanctuary.
Dunne: Yeah, I think there is. We've explored that a little, and there's definitely something between those characters. There's a lot of curveballs that are thrown into the mix. Nothing can ever really be that simple in the sanctuary.
~~~~~
SFW : There's some new blood in Sanctuary this year. How is Kate Freelander introduced, and is she friend or foe?
Dunne: When Kate is introduced, we don't really know. It's questionable whose side she's on. Anybody who will pay Kate higher will get her services, and we're not sure who she is or whether to trust her or not. The jury is still out, but she definitely comes into our realm in the sanctuary to make things more interesting for us. She's a rogue...
Dunne: When Kate is introduced, we don't really know. It's questionable whose side she's on. Anybody who will pay Kate higher will get her services, and we're not sure who she is or whether to trust her or not. The jury is still out, but she definitely comes into our realm in the sanctuary to make things more interesting for us. She's a rogue...
~~~~~
SFW : Can you preview what else viewers can expect?
Dunne : It's going to be a lot of putting the sanctuary back together. There's going to be some major global problems with some of the other sanctuaries. Magnus and Will are really going to have to step up to keep the entire network together. At the same time, there is going to be some tension within the sanctuary. There are going to be clashes amongst ourselves, because the stress level for the characters has been raised. For Will, he's going to have to deal with the fact he's really second in command in here. With Magnus dealing with everything, there's a lot of time where Will is keeping things together. It's difficult for him.
Dunne : It's going to be a lot of putting the sanctuary back together. There's going to be some major global problems with some of the other sanctuaries. Magnus and Will are really going to have to step up to keep the entire network together. At the same time, there is going to be some tension within the sanctuary. There are going to be clashes amongst ourselves, because the stress level for the characters has been raised. For Will, he's going to have to deal with the fact he's really second in command in here. With Magnus dealing with everything, there's a lot of time where Will is keeping things together. It's difficult for him.
~~~~~
Source : Sci Fi Wire - Sanctuary's Robin Dunne teases season two
06-Apr-09
Frequent Season One guest star Ryan Robbins — who played Genii leader Ladon Radim on Atlantis – joins the full-time cast as Henry Foss.
“There’s a level of confidence this year,” Robbins told GateWorld, “because the show has done so well. I think there’s a willingness to take some risks. Man, it’s action-packed this year. I love the scripts.”
“There’s a level of confidence this year,” Robbins told GateWorld, “because the show has done so well. I think there’s a willingness to take some risks. Man, it’s action-packed this year. I love the scripts.”
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The show also adds to its staff of writers this year, including Alan McCullough, who has moved over from Stargate Atlantis.
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Source : Gateworld - Tapping's Sanctuary Enters Second Season
06-Apr-09
Agam Darshi Joins Cast as Kate Freelander. Witty and sarcastic with a gift for persuasion, Kate Freelander is a swindler, con artist and thief who finds herself in an uneasy alliance with Dr. Magnus after her business relationship with the Cabal goes sour.
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Source : Sci Fi Press Release
30-Mar-09
Question : What are the chances you can get either RDA or Michael Shanks or Chris Judge to guest star in an upcoming Sanctuary episode?”
Amanda : I would welcome any and all of them. I do think it’s important that Sanctuary be seen as an entirely separate entity in its own right. But having said that I’d would work with any of the boys again in a heartbeat.
Amanda : I would welcome any and all of them. I do think it’s important that Sanctuary be seen as an entirely separate entity in its own right. But having said that I’d would work with any of the boys again in a heartbeat.
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DasNdanger writes: “I admire Chris Heyerdahl’s work very much, especially as Todd, and now as ‘Foot and Druitt. He has a magnificent presence on the screen, and there is great chemistry between Druitt, and Helen. Will Druitt’s role become more prominent in the show, especially in relation to his family, and if you care to share, what is it like acting a scene with Chris?”
Amanda : Druitt will remain an important element on the show. He’s so important to Helen. Acting with Chris is wondfierously astoundazing. In other words, there are no words. He’s a dream. Instant connection, instant chemistry. He’s not afraid to try anything and as a result pushes his acting partners to do better work. I adore him.
Amanda : Druitt will remain an important element on the show. He’s so important to Helen. Acting with Chris is wondfierously astoundazing. In other words, there are no words. He’s a dream. Instant connection, instant chemistry. He’s not afraid to try anything and as a result pushes his acting partners to do better work. I adore him.
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LibKat writes: “I remember that you directed an episode of SG1 back in season 7. Is that something you would like to pursue further? Do you think it would be more difficult to direct Sanctuary since so much is virtual?”
Amanda : I am slated to direct this season. It is more difficult with the green screen. Panning the camera takes on a whole new meaning. I directed a day for Martin last year and it was tough. There are so many variables to consider, like how to shoot virtual reflections for example. It’s going to be an interesting challenge.
Amanda : I am slated to direct this season. It is more difficult with the green screen. Panning the camera takes on a whole new meaning. I directed a day for Martin last year and it was tough. There are so many variables to consider, like how to shoot virtual reflections for example. It’s going to be an interesting challenge.
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Kraut writes: “Dear Ms. Tapping, what are your plans for future projects, a) in terms of genre (Sci-Fi or something else?) and b) in terms of new challenges – specifically, will you be directing and producing more? And if so, what do you like best about working behind the camera, as opposed to in front of it?”
Amanda : Immediate plans are all about Sanctuary. We are just starting season two. Damian and Martin and I are developing other projects, but Sanctuary is our priority. I will be directing this year and continuing to executive produce. I like having a hand in the other creative aspects of the show. Everything from breaking stories to casting to post production. I’m loving this journey!
Amanda : Immediate plans are all about Sanctuary. We are just starting season two. Damian and Martin and I are developing other projects, but Sanctuary is our priority. I will be directing this year and continuing to executive produce. I like having a hand in the other creative aspects of the show. Everything from breaking stories to casting to post production. I’m loving this journey!
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Question : How was it to work with Peter Wingfield and Jim Byrnes? I really enjoyed watching their scenes together on Highlander. Assuming that “no one really dies in Sci-fi”, I wondered if these two could be brought back together on the show somehow?
Amanda : They are both amazing actors and people. And yes they will be back. The beauty of playing a character that is 157 years old is that we can go back into her history and show the people that were important in her life. We are working on a story to bring Peter back along those lines. Jim is too wonderful not to have back. We found a way to bring him back into Helen’s life and we ain’t letting him go! Will we be able to have them back together? We’ll see. I agree it would be wonderful.
Amanda : They are both amazing actors and people. And yes they will be back. The beauty of playing a character that is 157 years old is that we can go back into her history and show the people that were important in her life. We are working on a story to bring Peter back along those lines. Jim is too wonderful not to have back. We found a way to bring him back into Helen’s life and we ain’t letting him go! Will we be able to have them back together? We’ll see. I agree it would be wonderful.
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Source : Joseph Mallozzi's Blog - Amanda Tapping Q&A
26-Jan-09
PCZ: I hope so. As a Peter Wingfield fan of many years, I’m upset with you for killing him off.
AT: That doesn’t mean to say that we won’t be going back in time. I said the same thing, “You can’t kill him, you can’t kill him!” And they said. “Amanda, you’re 157 years old, we’re going to go back and look at some things.” and I said, “Sweet! Let’s do it.” You’ll definitely be seeing Peter again. He’s wonderful, just wonderful.
AT: That doesn’t mean to say that we won’t be going back in time. I said the same thing, “You can’t kill him, you can’t kill him!” And they said. “Amanda, you’re 157 years old, we’re going to go back and look at some things.” and I said, “Sweet! Let’s do it.” You’ll definitely be seeing Peter again. He’s wonderful, just wonderful.
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PCZ: It may be a bit early to talk about this, but is everybody locked in for coming back?
AT: Yeah, it is a bit early to talk about that. We’re still working on it. What we’d like to see more of is Ryan Robbins, who plays Henry Foss. I think you’ll see a bit more of him this season. He just turned out to be such a lovely character and such great comic relief.
AT: Yeah, it is a bit early to talk about that. We’re still working on it. What we’d like to see more of is Ryan Robbins, who plays Henry Foss. I think you’ll see a bit more of him this season. He just turned out to be such a lovely character and such great comic relief.
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PCZ: Is that something we can expect to continue into the second season?
AT: Oh, absolutely! Like I said, we’d also like to go back to Victorian times. We’re breaking a story right now with Watson back in the early days. I like the idea of that because there’s so much to draw from. There’s 157 years of recent history to pull from that we can look at and see what shaped these people and see what they do.
AT: Oh, absolutely! Like I said, we’d also like to go back to Victorian times. We’re breaking a story right now with Watson back in the early days. I like the idea of that because there’s so much to draw from. There’s 157 years of recent history to pull from that we can look at and see what shaped these people and see what they do.
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Source : Pop Culture Zoo - Catching Up with Amanda Tapping
16-Jan-09
Amanda : in Requiem we referenced politicians and the fact that they weren't necessarily normal. I love that, I love that we're taking history and turning it on it's ear. And we plan to do a lot more of that in the second season and perhaps even do episodes where you see we go back more in time and take a look at how we've gotten to where we are
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Amanda: We've actually started looking at merchandising and it's really funny because when we started Stargate we were kind of gob smacked at how long it took to get action figures and things like that. Because it just seemed like a natural thing and so now we're actually trying to be a bit more proactive. We've only done 13 episodes in one season thus far but yeah we're starting to look at marketing. And as for a movie - Absolutely, we want to do it. But I think we need to establish ourselves a bit more, I think a couple more seasons and then hopefully, hopefully we'll have some modicum of success that Stargate had
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Amanda: What I love about directing, and I'll be directing an episode in the second season of Sanctuary, is the vastness of the vision is that you get to be involved with all departments. And I think now I'm perhaps a little better prepared having been on the production side of things to understand how it all comes together. I loved my directing.
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Barry: You mentioned obviously when we talked about it earlier Sanctuary Season 2 I'm sure that there is not much that you can say but what can people expect from Season 2?
Amanda: Well what we're, we're just breaking our stories now. The season opener is huge! When I finally looked at the breakdown that Damian sent I said this is like a ridiculously large episode so I don't know how we could possibly shoot this. So it's huge. I can tell you that. I think we'd like to bring more of Henry into the show next year
Dave: Yay
Amanda: He started out as a part time character and he's so fantastic and Ryan's doing such a wonderful job with him that we'd like to see more of Henry. Like I said we'd like to explore more of the history, go back in time a little bit and take a look. You know we're breaking down a story right now exploring Watson and Magnus' relationship and that friendship which is a really cool friendship and sort of go way back with them. Um more of Druitt obviously there's got to be some sort of closing or continuing or I don't know but the relationship between Magnus and Druitt is so powerful so yeah there's a lot.
Amanda: Well what we're, we're just breaking our stories now. The season opener is huge! When I finally looked at the breakdown that Damian sent I said this is like a ridiculously large episode so I don't know how we could possibly shoot this. So it's huge. I can tell you that. I think we'd like to bring more of Henry into the show next year
Dave: Yay
Amanda: He started out as a part time character and he's so fantastic and Ryan's doing such a wonderful job with him that we'd like to see more of Henry. Like I said we'd like to explore more of the history, go back in time a little bit and take a look. You know we're breaking down a story right now exploring Watson and Magnus' relationship and that friendship which is a really cool friendship and sort of go way back with them. Um more of Druitt obviously there's got to be some sort of closing or continuing or I don't know but the relationship between Magnus and Druitt is so powerful so yeah there's a lot.
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Source : Geek Syndicate podcast - Episode 104