Katie Cassidy and Lauren Cohan Interview

[IllusionsOfMe]

Supernatural has been an exciting and fun show since it began, but one thing it hasn't been is very female-centric. The only two regular cast members are men and while there have been some recurring female characters on the series, most of the main demon hunting and fighting has been left to brothers Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles).

Things are about to change a bit in Season 3 of the series however, with the introduction of two new recurring female characters, Ruby and Bela, who are both as tough and ready for battle as Sam and Dean are, albeit with agendas of their own. Just a few days before they began work on Supernatural, I spoke to the actresses playing these two new roles, Katie Cassidy (Ruby) and Lauren Kohan (Bela), to find out more about their characters and what their dynamic will be on the series.

- The CW/Warner Bros Television
Katie Cassidy as Ruby in Supernatural
Cassidy described Ruby as "a total bad ass, kick ass character." And while she said there would indeed be some "teaming up with the boys," Cassidy also said Ruby is "a little bit manipulative. She likes to stir up a little bit of trouble and always wants to be in control of the situation. She knows what she wants and wants to go out and get it. She's always five, ten steps ahead of everybody else and she's ready to just go out there and show them what she's got."

Cohan explained that Bela "is basically a mercenary. It's a really fun character." She remarked that "[Supernatural executive producer] Eric Kripke and I decided that she was a female Humphrey Bogart, because she's very much out for herself. It's about the money, it's about the goods, it's about serving higher powers who need certain results and other characters having to do with demons."

While Ruby is a demon hunter, Cohan said Bela "doesn't kill demons unless she absolutely has to. Bela's not interested in killing anybody. Bela is interested in getting goods from one place to another. She doesn't want to shed blood or break any bones If she doesn't have to, but she most definitely can if need be, so that's where she's coming from." Cohan added that "I don't get the impression that Bela's violent from the start, but I hope they're going to write in some butt kicking." She then noted that given what occurs on the show, when it comes to fighting "I think it's unavoidable."


Cassidy said that Ruby's encounters with Sam and Dean will likely be a combination of running into them and sometimes traveling with them, but notes that there is also a bit of a rivalry there. "She knows she's the best," said Cassidy, adding her character's attitude towards Sam and Dean is "I'll take you down if I have to." Staying secretive, Cohan couldn't reveal much about what brings Bela into contact with Sam and Dean, but that "she comes from a very different place, so their meeting is unpredictable."

When it comes to fight scenes on the show, Cassidy revealed, "I just had sword training and that was awesome. It was really fun, so I'm really looking forward to it." I asked Cassidy if that would be the weapon of choice for her character, and she replied, "As of right now, I know I use a sword, but that might change. Who knows?"

Cassidy said she definitely loves the type of genre material she'll be getting to play in Supernatural, including the action scenes. "I've done thrillers and I've done a horror movie and definitely want to do an action movie, more than anything. And I used to be a gymnast, so it all kind of leads into one another. It's really fun and I enjoy it and it's cool." And might that gymnast training come into play for the role of Ruby? "I hope so! I really hope so," said Cassidy.
Cohan also has previous experience to call on if need be, noting, "I had [fight] training when I was in theater school, and then I had to learn to do a lot of fencing for the last film that I just did, so I'm well equipped with swords and a lot of instruments; sharp instruments." She said that doing that kind of work is "so fun. It just reminds me of being about nine years old and having your favorite hobby and running off to school to play basketball or do kickboxing or something like that and it's just really exciting. You just feel like a kid when you get go to fencing classes and stuff like that." However, she added, "It's hard work! You tear your muscles, and you remember when you do!"

Commenting on some of the impressive special effects and makeup used so often on Supernatural, Cassidy said, "I was in the production office last week and I saw pictures of some of the characters, when they're scary. I was horrified and at the same time shocked, because I was like 'That is so awesome! But at the same time, that's disgusting!' But it was really cool to see and watch how they do it. It's really fun." As for the outfits she'll be wearing, Cassidy remarked, "They're very Angelina Jolie-inspired. So I am stoked about that, because she is so hot and so sexy, and she is one woman I look up to."

Cohan also has previous experience to call on if need be, noting, "I had [fight] training when I was in theater school, and then I had to learn to do a lot of fencing for the last film that I just did, so I'm well equipped with swords and a lot of instruments; sharp instruments." She said that doing that kind of work is "so fun. It just reminds me of being about nine years old and having your favorite hobby and running off to school to play basketball or do kickboxing or something like that and it's just really exciting. You just feel like a kid when you get go to fencing classes and stuff like that." However, she added, "It's hard work! You tear your muscles, and you remember when you do!"

Commenting on some of the impressive special effects and makeup used so often on Supernatural, Cassidy said, "I was in the production office last week and I saw pictures of some of the characters, when they're scary. I was horrified and at the same time shocked, because I was like 'That is so awesome! But at the same time, that's disgusting!' But it was really cool to see and watch how they do it. It's really fun." As for the outfits she'll be wearing, Cassidy remarked, "They're very Angelina Jolie-inspired. So I am stoked about that, because she is so hot and so sexy, and she is one woman I look up to."

- The CW/Warner Bros Television
Katie Cassidy as Ruby in Supernatural
Cohan also felt that the makeup and effects were a fun aspect of the show, but admitted that for her "It's a little scary. I mean I have a weak stomach for that stuff. Not too weak; I'm fine. But I watched some Supernatural when I was home alone the other night and I had to wait until one of my girlfriends comes in because I need to watch it with someone! I almost cried in Sin City! But the special effects are great [on Supernatural]. I was just watching the first episode with the woman in white. I thought that was really cool."

I remarked that Supernatural had been a pretty masculine show until now, and Cohan replied, "It's interesting that you say that it's a masculine show, because I think that something that both Bela and Ruby have is a certain, maybe not masculinity, but self-sufficiency and independence, and I think that's an exciting kind of woman to bring into this."

Cohan noted that the movie she learned how to fence for was an unlikely one: Van Wilder 2: The Rise of Taj, and laughed as she said, "It was a comedy, but it was very serious fencing training!" She then added "Actually, for my first movie, I learned archery and for Van Wilder I learned fencing. It's kind of fun being an actor in that way. You feel like someone could drop you in the Amazon and you might just be able to make it."


Katie Cassidy debuts as Ruby in the Supernatural season premiere, on October 4th at 9:00 pm ET/PT on The CW.

Lauren Cohan debuts as Bela on the October 18th episode of Supernatural.
Cohan also felt that the makeup and effects were a fun aspect of the show, but admitted that for her "It's a little scary. I mean I have a weak stomach for that stuff. Not too weak; I'm fine. But I watched some Supernatural when I was home alone the other night and I had to wait until one of my girlfriends comes in because I need to watch it with someone! I almost cried in Sin City! But the special effects are great [on Supernatural]. I was just watching the first episode with the woman in white. I thought that was really cool."

I remarked that Supernatural had been a pretty masculine show until now, and Cohan replied, "It's interesting that you say that it's a masculine show, because I think that something that both Bela and Ruby have is a certain, maybe not masculinity, but self-sufficiency and independence, and I think that's an exciting kind of woman to bring into this."

Cohan noted that the movie she learned how to fence for was an unlikely one: Van Wilder 2: The Rise of Taj, and laughed as she said, "It was a comedy, but it was very serious fencing training!" She then added "Actually, for my first movie, I learned archery and for Van Wilder I learned fencing. It's kind of fun being an actor in that way. You feel like someone could drop you in the Amazon and you might just be able to make it."


Katie Cassidy debuts as Ruby in the Supernatural season premiere, on October 4th at 9:00 pm ET/PT on The CW.

Lauren Cohan debuts as Bela on the October 18th episode of Supernatural.

source-http://uk.tv.ign.com/articles/819/819281p1.html

[bobbinrob]

thanks drama!

huh so Ruby comes before Bela? interestesting

[IllusionsOfMe]

I think i am going to like Bela more than Ruby already.

[bobbinrob]

Rubys the blonde right? she looks annoying...sigh...
the brunette looks more badass and cooler

[meimei42]

^^ I agree with that. The blonde looks kind of funky.

[bobbinrob]

typical, us blonde are screwed

[meimei42]

Sorry Rob, but Alona was cute. I just don't like this blonde chick.

[bobbinrob]

yes I know its ok, at least heroes has lots of badass blondes!
I should thanks tim for that

[meimei42]

LOL you should!

[bobbinrob]

its very rare that a blonde can kick ass and is cool and isnt a total bitch....can I say that word here? lol