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Stargate-Project: Here in Germany we don't know so
much about you. Please tell us something about your person, what did you
do before you got involved in Stargate?
I'm actually the opposite to Ronon Dex . We're the same height and have
the same hair, but other than that, we have nothing in common! So where
Ronon's intimidating and gruff, I'm kind of a softie and a goof ball! He's
more comfortable with a gun or a sword in his hand and I'm happiest doing
my art or writing. We both like action though...I just prefer to be out in
nature rock climbing or something, and Ronon prefers to be fighting
someone!
I went to high school in Iowa before moving to Hawaii where I worked on
the shows Baywatch Hawaii and North Shore. And it was on Baywatch Hawaii
that I met my fiancee Simmone. She's Australian so we spent a lot of time
there and that's actually where I was living just before I got the role on
Stargate Atlantis.
My art is really important to me and I've done a couple shows and I'm
proud of that. It's so important to have balance and make sure your life
isn't all about work.
SG-P:A few months ago it was reported you'll play the role of Ronon Dex
on Stargate Atlantis. How did you get the role?
I auditioned for the role of Ronon, but I had met the casting director,
Paul Weber, about a year before on something completely unrelated. So he
thought of me for the part of Ronon Dex when it came up and I was
immediately attracted to the whole package. I had never done any action
based roles before and Ronon is my complete opposite - I've never shot a
gun in my life! So this has been a totally different mindset for me.
SG-P: How did you feel when you received word that you got the role?
Getting the news that you have been chosen for any role is a big deal. I
felt like I had won the lottery.
SG-P: Talking about a television-role. You have been a model first and
then got yourself into acting. How did that happen? How did you get into
acting?
I got into acting really by luck. I was living in Hawaii when I auditioned
for the role on Baywatch Hawaii and then after that, I started taking
classes. And then it was more luck!
SG-P: What is Ronon Dex like? Could you describe your character for the
fans?
Ronon is kind of like a Native American Mad Max. He's a real rebel and
he's very primal. He was captured by the Wraith and tortured and they
planted this tracking device in his back then released him so they could
hunt him down. It's part of the Wraith's ritual to find out how humans
work. So Ronon has to be smart and keep moving so he can avoid being
caught. He was a weapons specialist so he has an affinity to guns and
weapons of course - and he definitely knows how to use them! He also is an
expert at martial arts so I had to train a lot to take on that part of his
character.
Because he was always on the move, he's a real loner and he certainly
doesn't trust anyone... he goes on his instinct. The Atlantis crew is
always trying to tone him down, to stop him from just pulling out his gun
and shooting someone because he doesn't trust them or he doesn't think
they have time to find out! He's had to live very defensively for the past
seven years, so he can't just turn that off.
SG-P: Have you been aware of Stargate SG-1 or Atlantis before you got
your role?
Not really actually. I had watched the Stargate movie with Kurt Russell,
but to be honest, I never really watch TV at all. I still don't even own a
television!
SG-P: I guess you've been watching at least all the season one episodes
of Atlantis, to catch up with the story and the characters. How will the
second season of Atlantis differ from the first one?
When I got the role, they gave me all the tapes of season one so I could
watch them and get caught up on what had been happening. I went over to a
friend's house to watch them - because of that not owning a TV thing! The
season opener for season two is really exciting, but you don't meet Ronon
until the third episode. Then it REALLY gets exciting!
SG-P: The Wraith are the main enemy of the Atlantis expedition and your
character Ronon Dex ' What do you think about these 'vampire-like-beings'?
Oh man, the Wraith are so ugly looking! When you see them with those eyes
and the pointy teeth and that hair... you don't have to act! They're very
imposing! Ronon is definitely ready to do battle against them though for
what they've done to him and all the people he cared about on his planet.
SG-P: How are your cast colleagues? Could you describe every one of
them (Joe Flanigan, Torri Higginson, Rachell Luttrell, David Hewlett and
Paul McGillion) with just one word for us?
Joe Flanigan: a big brother
Torri Higginson: Ronon's next love interest
Rachel Luttrell: sister
David Hewlett: "the man"!
Paul McGillion: Also Ronon's next love interest!
SG-P: Have you already met the cast of Stargate SG-1 as they are
filming right next to you?
We do share the same lot as SG-1 but I really haven't had time to hang out
with all of them yet because both shows are so busy. But Chris Judge who
plays Teal'c, and Beau Bridges who is new to SG-1 and plays General
Landry, did come over to my place earlier in the season. We all talked
about acting and art. It was a real honour to talk to them and share ideas
and opinions.
SG-P: What is your opinion about Stargate Atlantis? How is this series
different, compared to other series you've worked on?
Well for one thing, I wear a lot more clothes on Atlantis! In Baywatch
Hawaii and North Shore, I was always saying, 'Let me wear a shirt every
now and then!' Now I have to wear 25 pounds of armour and cumbersome
weaponry and I'm always sweating and hot! Now I'm saying, 'Can't Ronon
wear shorts in this episode?'
SG-P: Now that you are working on a science-fiction show, would you
like to attend any conventions?
Honestly, I'm not great in big crowds - I'm much better one on one. I did
do ComicCon in San Diego this year and it was a huge shock! I was so
nervous and I have a big phobia about being on stage in front of tons of
people. I prefer to meet fans in smaller numbers!
SG-P: Stargate SG-1 and also Atlantis have a huge fan base. How do you
think about the fans and the effect they have on the show(s)?
Sci-fi fans are unlike any other fans I've ever encountered. They're so
dedicated and it's awesome. I think they have a huge effect on the show.
It certainly makes us, as actors, and the writers as well, pay a lot of
attention to detail because they notice everything! But that makes us all
more accountable too, and I think the product is better for it as a result.
We have to be on our toes!
SG-P: Our last question: What are your hopes and expectations for your
role's future and for the future of Stargate Atlantis?
I'm having so much fun working on Stargate Atlantis so I hope it goes on
for many years. I have some ideas of where I hope Ronon Dex will go, but
my character has been mapped out already for this season. He has to be
introduced and integrated into the Atlantis team properly first. So I'm
happy being the new guy for now and developing the character as the
writers see fit.
Source :
Stargate-Project |
