CynbytheSea Interview with Juliet Landau
(Sarah Gerrard / Jan Baylin)


Q1.) What was it like coming from the set "Buffy" and "Angel" and playing Drusilla, then coming to La Femme Nikita set, and playing Jan Baylin?

JULIET: I loved working on “La Femme Nikita.” It was an actor’s dream role. Working with Joel Surnow was amazing! I was excited by the range and diversity of playing Drusilla and then playing Jan / Sarah.


Q2.) Was it difficult to switch between the characters of Jan Baylin and Sarah Gerard in the same episode on La Femme Nikita?

JULIET: It was incredible getting a chance to play such different characters in one episode. It was a bit like summer stock theater. It took a lot of concentration switching back and forth all day.
Kristen Smith ~ Melbourne, Australia.
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Q3.) Which character did you like best Jan or Sarah? why?

JULIET: Both. Each character was very rich. The transformation of Sarah becoming more like Jan was an interesting arc to explore.


Q4.) Why did you change a ballerina career for acting?

JULIET: I loved dancing. I still use my dance background in the different physicality's of each character I work on. Once I started studying acting, I was energized and excited by the verbal exchange, having a conceptual communication of what was being expressed. As a dancer I was technically very proficient, but for me dancing was always about expressing something more. With acting you add the component of language to the above.


Q5.) When you were little did you spend much time on sets? What was it like?

JULIET: I visited but not that much. Now we all visit each other on set.

Claudia Conde ~ Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Q6.) As Jan Baylin in "La Femme Nikita" you have shown great sensitivity and subtlety and you have created a complex character even if just for one episode. If you were in a similar situation, would you have taken the same kind of risks?

JULIET: That is hard to say. Jan was ill and dying and really had not explored who she was, adventured, or spread her wings. These circumstances gave her an opportunity to blossom.


Q7.) Do you think that Drusilla will ever disappear from "Buffy/Angel", no matter how many times she's gone?

JULIET: Now both “Buffy” and “Angel” are over. We’ll see if there are any movies or movies of the week and if Drusilla will be a part of them.


Q8.) What was it like to be directed by Chris Carter for the filming of the episode of "Millennium" you were in?

JULIET: Thomas H. Wright directed the episode of Millennium I was in. Chris Carter produced it. It was a very dark experience: The character being nine months pregnant, blindfolded, bound and kidnapped; labor being induced; my baby being stolen…Working on the show was very emotional. I really liked how Thomas, Lance Henrikson, Clea Duvall and myself all worked together. I remember we had shot one sequence and were about to shoot another. I usually have a strong, clear idea about the character arc. But I wasn’t sure how to play this second scene. It seemed on paper to be exactly the same scene we had just shot. Then in rehearsal with Lance and Clea I found my answers and the differences and the progression became very clear.


Q9.) After all the roles you have played in dark, gloomy shows, is there any comedy type of project that you plan to do in the future?

JULIET: I have worked on comedies as well. I would love to do more. Maybe a romantic comedy!

Dana Vrajitoru ~ Indiana, USA
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Q10.) Of all the roles you have played, what is the most memorable for you?

JULIET: It is hard to say. I loved working with Tim Burton on “Ed Wood.” It was an incredibly creative experience. Her creates a wonderful environment to work in – to play in really – I had so much fun! I loved it!!


Q11.) I love your character in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer", What was it like working with all the people on the show? And who did you bond most with?

JULIET: It was really a terrific group of actors working on “Buffy.” James, David and I immediately had a great connection and freedom working together. Julie Benz and I teamed up together on “Angel” Season 2 and we too had this mercurial creative rapport. We are still good friends.


Q12.) Will we be seeing you in any projects in the future?

JULIET: Yes. I have two movies coming out. I am starring in Tobe Hooper’s new film “Toolbox Murders” as Julia Cummingham and I am co-starring in Henry Jaglom’s film “Going Shopping.”


Q13.) Who inspired you to get into the acting career? And how long have you been acting?

JULIET: To some extent growing up in a creative house was probably the conduit for me becoming an actress. I was a dancer and when I started acting classes – I loved it! I have been supporting myself as an actress for ten years.


Q14.) If you ever had the chance to be in more episodes of "La Femme Nikita" would you have done it?

JULIET: Yes. I loved working on “La Femme Nikita.” They were great people to work with and the writing was so strong. I felt very free as an actress working there.

Kelly Shaw ~ Oklahoma,USA
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Q15.) The English accent you did for "Buffy" was really well done, I actually thought you were from the UK. What kind of training do you need to do to achieve that accent?

JULIET: Thank you!! I worked off of someone who was from there, who had the specific sound I thought was right for Dru. I love working with accents! I just did the voice of a Polish character on the animated series “Justice League.”


Q16.) Who do you prefer, Angelus or Angel?

JULIET: As Drusilla, I definitely prefer my bad boy Angelus!


Q17.) Had your character in LFN Sarah, survived, What do you think would have happened to her?

JULIET: Maybe Sarah would have gone on to be an operative. She seemed to develop a knack for it


Q18.) Drusilla reminds me of "Tolkin's Gollum", Who does she remind you of?

JULIET: Hmm…It’s hard to answer that. Drusilla is so specifically Drusilla to me especially coming from the inside of having played her.


Q19.) Did you ever play "Juliet" in Romeo & Juliet?

JULIET: I have never played Juliet. It is such a beautiful role.

Thanks Juliet, I hope you get a chance to come to Australia to do a film or something, if you haven't already.
Leah Day~ Australia
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Hello Juliet, thank you for giving us this opportunity.

Q20.) What was it like to play opposite Spike in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer"?

JULIET: James and I immediately worked well together. I was cast and James came in to audition as one of the final choices for Spike. Right in his audition, our acting chemistry was evident as stuff started to happen. We created and built Spike and Dru together. Our first season on the show we rehearsed each episode as we got the script. Through the years, it was continually inventive and surprising working with James.


Q21.) Have to ever work with your father on a project..I can see where you get your talent from he is very special in my home where I grew up.

JULIET: I have worked with my father twice. Once in Tim Burton’s “Ed Wood” with Johnny Depp, Sarah Jessica Parker, Patricia Arquette and Bill Murray. And in an independent film called “Carlo’s Wake” with Rita Moreno, Michael Chiklis and Christopher Meloni. Although in “Carlo’s Wake” my Dad and I didn’t actually have any scenes together. He had a cameo in which he acted with kids playing the family back in time. And I worked with a life cast of my Dad dead in a coffin. TALK ABOUT DARK! It was pretty grim.

Deb Schwartz~ Michigan, USA
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Q22.)"I must say, in 'Before I Sleep', you played the shrinking violet and the venus fly trap with equal aplomb. What is it like to not only play two different characters in one episode but to play two such opposite personas, switching back and forth? What inner feelings did you draw from to make them both believable?"

JULIET: Thank you! I loved playing the two characters and switching back and forth. It was challenging but as I said before truly an actor’s dream in terms of getting such a range. I draw on all kinds of stuff when I work. I also do a lot of research. It this case in terms of Sarah’s illness, etc…

Thank you,
David Gillespie ~ Florida, USA
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Q23.) Did you have to audition for the part as Jan Baylin/Sarah Gerrard? and if so, can you tell us about the audition?

JULIET: Yes I auditioned two times. The first time I read two scenes and when I was called back a third scene was added. I was glad about the addition because there were so many colors in these two characters and it gave me an opportunity to explore more of them . I was excited and knew I had to play these parts – luckily they agreed!


Q24.) Which do you prefer, working in movies or in a tv show?

JULIET: I like working in both movies and television. Television is faster – not very much rehearsal and a lot of material is shot in a day. Big budget movies are luxurious in terms of the schedule. Independent films often shoot fast as well.


Q25.) What makes you choose a part? And is there a certain character you would not play?

JULIET: I enjoy working on new, different types of characters. Playing a range is what excites me. The character in Tobe Hooper’s “Toolbox Murders” couldn’t be more different than Drusilla or Jan / Sarah in “La Femme Nikita” or Loretta King in “Ed Wood.” I’ve never played an attorney and I’d like to do so on a show like “The Practice” or “Law and Order.” I’d love to do a large-scale period movie… there are so many thing I’d love to do.

Chrissy Langeveld ~ Netherlands
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Q26.) Juliet...... your episode of "La Femme Nikita"...."Before I Sleep" is one of my personal favs. Sara & Jan were such completely opposite and distinct characters, but you made both "live and breathe" for me. Had you done that kind of a "dual role" before?

JULIET: Thank you for saying that! Well, I haven’t played two characters in one piece before but I have played duplicitous characters who seem to be one thing and turn out to be another. In “Direct Hit” my character Shelly seems to be the victim but she’s really there to execute William Forsythe’s character. In “Ed Wood,” even though I played it with ambiguity, my character promises Johnny Depp’s character money that she doesn’t have. She sweetly out-cons the sweet con man. I just realized that I did do a musical about two years ago at The Actor’s Gang Theater where I played seven different roles. Becoming these characters was a riot!


Q27.) What would you consider your best feature? I think you have incredible eyes!! (Sorry to kind of put you on the spot with that kind of question.....hope it doesn't make you feel uncomfortable!)

JULIET: I don’t know… But thank you about my eyes!


Q28.) If you could be granted one wish......what would it be and why?

JULIET: Wow! I’ll have to get back to you on that!!!


Q29.) In "Before I Sleep".....you had a pretty intense scene with Roy Dupuis where you two are sitting in chairs opposite one another and he is attempting to make you more comfortable with men. You really seem to hold your own with him and maintain eye contact. Was this a difficult scene to film?

JULIET: We shot that scene in one take. There was something effortless about working on “La Femme Nikita,” even thought it was an intense shoot. Joel Surnow, the director, let me know that he trusted me and my choices and we worked in random in a great way together.

Thank you!!
Brenda Allison ~ Missouri - USA
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Q30.) Juliet, your mother and father were both actors. Was there any pressure when younger to follow them in that career, or was it your own choice?

JULIET: It was definitely my choice. I was an imaginative kid and became a performer young – as a dancer. And then later, obviously continued performing as an actor and this one from my niece (Niki Stewart) by proxy.


Q31.) Is Spike a good kisser?

JULIET: Yes.

Warren Stewart ~ Perth, Australia
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Q32.) You have a very famous Father Juliet, I have watched many reruns of Mission Impossible. Was becoming an actress predestined?

JULIET: I’m not sure I can answer that. Who knows?


Q33.) Your characters have such depth and layers, yet each is separate and unique. Did you have any say in how your characters were played?

JULIET: Thank you! Yes. I always have ideas about the character. It is definitely a wonderfully collaborative process.


Q34.) I loved your character Drusilla in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, you made a very cool vampire. How do you pull so many personalities that are so different out to play characters?

JULIET: I am fascinated by people – their complexities, their behavior. It is really fun to inhabit a character who behaves differently than I would. It’s like a puzzle putting all the components of a character together – find the right ingredients that will fit into the material. I often do research. For instance with “Ed Wood,” my character was a wanna-be starlet, so I rented movies with the stars of the day. I watched Audrey Hepburn and Ava Gardner because that is who Loretta wanted to be. I looked at 50’s magazines. I practiced with the clothes so that the way that I handled them would look natural (I wasn’t used to wearing long gloves, fur stoles, etc) With Millennium, I rented Birthing videos and asked wardrobe if I could take the pregnancy pad home with me so that I could wear it and get used to it. With “Strong Medicine” I rented videos and checked out books on schizophrenia. I met with a doctor at Cedars Sinai Hospital who works with schizophrenic patients and I spoke to someone who lives with and battles the disease. I did what I could considering I only had one week to prepare for this show.

Angelique ~ Norfolk, Virginia
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Juliet, it's such a pleasure to ask this,

Q35.) I was a great fan of Mission Impossible, with Martin Landau and Barbara Bain, coming from a talented family as yours, may I ask, in your opinion, which type of part do you prefer, the role that you played in "La Femme Nikita" or the type of role in "Buffy" and why?

JULIET: I’m happy to have played both! “La Femme Nikita” was fun because I got to play the tough chick and the shy girl all at once!

Thank You,
Sandy Meridith ~ Kansas USA
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Q36.) Outside of filming, what are your interests/hobbies?

JULIET: I like to read. I go to movies quite a bit. I often go to see friends in theater productions. I hike, stretch and workout. I like to sing. I love going back to acting class and working on new material.


Q37.) If you were not an actress, what career would you have chosen?

JULIET: Archeologist or therapist.


Q38.)We've seen you in many personalities thru filming, Who is the real Juliet Landau?

JULIET: Me!!!!!

Cynthia Wilkerson ~ Texas, USA
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