With Arrow season 3 ready to premiere, we spoke with three crucial supporting characters about their experiences.
Arrowsent quite a few actors to Dragon Con in Atlanta this year.
And can you tell us more about Lance as captain in Season 3?
Paul:Well you know I cant really tell you much or Id get shot otherwise.
(That was a good analogy, wasnt it?)
Caity, can you tell us about your audition process?
Did you know she was going to be the Black Canary?
Caity:I did not know!
And I remember I really liked it because the character was so strong.
She was there to give the Arrow shit; it wasnt like she was this weak whatever.
She was a very strong character even just from the audition sides.
They said, Youre not the CW throw in, sorry.
Caity:Well, I had a meeting where they told me everything they spilled the beans!
But it was still fun.
Paul:Can I ask a question?
[to Katrina] How was your audition process?
What were you offered?
Caity:We did chemistry reads, I remember.
And they said, Youre going to be doing a chemistry read.
And I was like, Okay, cool.
And I was like, W-what?
Okay, so where are my new sides?
And they were like, No, no, we want you to use the same sides.
And I was like…
Paul: Whats going on?
Do you want me to change it so that now shes more like my sister?
Its like, No, just do it exactly the same.
Okay, is my character going to be a lesbian?
We cant tell you that.
And theyre like, We cant tell you that.
Just read it exactly the same.
It was kind of like, Okay, lets do this.
Caity:It was like, Okay, were lesbian lovers now, perfect.
Katrina:And also because shes shorter than I am, and Im not used to that.
But that was my audition process.
How do you think Lance feels about Sarahs relationship with Nyssa?
Caity:Do you approve of me?
Paul:You mean my daughters choice of partner in life?
And if thats how youre happy then fine.
And isnt that just the way it should be?
Whats it like being able to go to the comic books for inspiration for your characters?
Caity:I think it can be a little bit of pressure if you let it.
But at the same time you have to do something original and do your own thing.
So for me, I love it.
[to Paul] How about you?
How do you feel about your paunch?
Paul:The paunch, yes, the Lance paunch.
Apparently he has a paunch in the comic books, and I wasnt interested in that too much.
Im really not a very authentic actor at all.
And I can just roll around in this ignorance beautifully because of course thats what Lance does!
Lance hasnt got a clue!
Hes just wondering why everyone is dressed like this.
Its like, Why cant you just wear normal clothes?
Whats it like playing characters with such massive story arcs, not necessarily being all good or all bad?
In life, nobodys just good or evil.
Theres an Oscar Wilde quote, what is it?
Its not about being good or bad; its about being charming or tedious.
Paul:The medium of television gives you a chance to explore that.
That is whats kind of interesting about the television thing, dont you think?
Katrina:I love what the writers do on this show.
No, shes bad.
But I dont know maybe shes okay.
And you know its fascinating; its great writing, you know?
Were very fortunate because were obviously in a realm of great writing and producing and just this mythology.
They do such a great job with her character, just giving her all these nuances.
How have the strong female characters youve played in this series differed from those youve played in other series?
Shes constantly fighting for it.
And one of the great things about myArrowcharacter is that she is!
Whats your experience with the stunt work on the show?
Paul:Well, I do all my own stunts!
Oh yes, I ran across the room once!
It was awesome, and I do it all myself!
Caity:The stunt team is ridiculous!
Theres so much of it that Im like, Oh, I want to do it!
And then Im like, Okay wait, no, maybe not.
Atlin, you go ahead.
They constantly do that!
Theyre just always surprising you.
Katrina:Yeah, James Bamford hes a legend!
Its like hes running a military when he runs his crew.
And then Atlin, the girl who doubles us, she used to do Cirque de Soleil shes amazing!
Shes the one who does all of the silk falls and all that other stuff.
And then she wears that tank top, and her muscles are just like BAM!
It makes me look good!
Paul:Maybe Ill use her as a stunt double.
Is there anything you guys geek out about in your personal lives?
Katrina:Pictures of baby animals.
I can watch that thing on repeat for hours!
Paul:I like trees; Im obsessed with trees.
Literally, trees are amazing.
I just stare at trees, and I am a tree-hugger.
You walk around Stanley Park [in Vancouver] and you suddenly go, Have you seen that tree?
And there were like trees the width of this room just in Stanley Park!
Im sorry, but I do secretly hug them in the dark.
Caity:I had that whole time to think of something I dont know.
I really dont know.
You know the photos where they write on the top and the bottom?
Baking, I really like baking.
[Im reading] The Way of the Superior Man.
I geek out on books; yeah, thats a good one.
Every man should read that book, by the way.
Arrowbegins on the CW this week!
Tune in on Wednesdays at 8pm EST.
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