CynbytheSea Interview with Julian Richings
(Errol Sparks )



Q1.) Did you have an audition for your part in "La Femme Nikita"? What is the exact process?

JULIAN: No I didn’t audition for my part. Jerry Ciccoriti (director) knew my work, as did producer Jamie Paul Rock, so I suppose they figured out between them I was appropriately slimey.

Q2.) Had you seen the series before or after you acted on it? If so, which one is your favorite episode?
JULIAN: No, I’d seen the original movie, not the series, before I did the show. Since then I’ve seen many episodes. I like them all, but I can’t say I have a favourite

 Q3.) Do you like more playing the bad guy or a good guy?

JULIAN: I enjoy being a bad guy. I do seem to keep doing it. As an actor, I’m given licence to be a little larger than life, and hopefully I’m able to inject ‘bad’ characters with a little wit and humanity. Perhaps the most all out maniacal baddie was ‘Three-Finger’ in ‘Wrong Turn’. I had four and a half hours worth of make-up to assist in the repulsive look as I performed utterly despicable deeds. Even then, I tried to instil a child-like glee into the character. The pay-off is, if the actor’s having fun, it’s all the more compelling-and horrifying-to watch.
Claudia Conde ~ Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Q4.) Did your acting career benfit from your part as Errol Sparks in "La Femme Nikita"?

JULIAN: I can’t say my acting career benefited from that specific role. It doesn’t matter, I enjoyed myself, and was flattered to be asked back a season later, despite suffering apparent certain death in the ‘Simone’ episode.
Q5.) Can you describe your dream role?

JULIAN: My dream role … I don’t really have one. I guess like most actors I look for the challenge of something rich and surprising. So much happens on set in collaboration with others, you can find great things in a role that at first may seem fairly mundane.

Kristen Smith ~ Melbourne, Australia
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Q6.) What one thing in your life would you say contributed to your acting career?

JULIAN: No one particular thing, but one formative influence was a youth theatre I attended as a teen. It covered everything-acting, set and lighting design, construction-and was a lot of fun. It was a hands-on introduction to the process of theatre. My brothers also attended and ended up in the business as designers

Deb Schwartz ~ Michigan, USA
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Q7.) What are your hobbies when your not acting?

JULIAN: I’m interested in many things but don’t have hobbies per se. My family is the focus of my attention.

Q8.) When you read the part of "Errol Sparks", what was your first thought on it?

JULIAN: This looks like fun.

Chrissy Langeveld~~Netherlands
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 Q9.) How was it to play next to Eliza Dushku in "Wrong Turn"?

JULIAN: I enjoyed working with her, although I spent so much time in that murderous make up she probably has no idea what I actually look like. My daughter thought it extremely cool I was working with her.

Q10.) I really liked your performance in "Hard Core Logo" which I only got to see recently. Were you ever interested in music yourself?

JULIAN: Yes. Always have been. I tried to draw on certain icons in creating Bucky -- Shane MacGowan, Iggy Pop and Joe Strummer to name three.

Q11.) What do you enjoy the most about being an actor?

JULIAN: It’s what I do. I love it. I thrive doing it.

Dana Vrajitoru - Indiana, USA
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Q12.) Errol Sparks was one of the creepiest SOTW (slime of the week) characters on "La Femme Nikita". What did you draw on to create that persona?

JULIAN: What did I draw on? My own creepy instincts I suppose. No, I played with the idea of a guy who was very, very smart but off-balance. Threatening in a surprising way, prone to weird digressions and caustic comments.

Q13.) Do you remember any bloopers or out-takes you would care to share with us?

JULIAN: I don’t remember any specific incidents. But I bet I flubbed a line, or giggled as Ingrid choked on a peppermint patty.

Q14.)Just how DID Sparks survive the blast that killed Simone and allowed him to return in season 3?

JULIAN: Good question! It was a close call, but somehow I survived.

Diane ~ Indiana, USA
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Q15.) The classical music that was played in the episodes. Was it really played that loud on the set, or was it added later on?/?

JULIAN: Yes, it was played during the rehearsal so I had a good idea of the tone and rhythm of the scene. During the actual take the music was turned off, but I still had it resonating in my mind. It was mixed in later in post-production.

Warren Stewart ~ Perth, Australia
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Hello Julian, this is such a pleasure to be able to ask these questions:

Q16.) On "La Femme Nikita" you portrayed such an evil person, do you enjoy this type of role and if not, what is your favorite type of role?

JULIAN: Yes, I do enjoy this type of role. In defence, television “good-guy” archetypes can be equally creepy.

Q17.) I've watched you on the mini series "Kingdom Hospital", Stephen King is one of my favorite writers, has he been on the set, or did you ever have the opportunity to meet him?

JULIAN: I met Stephen King when he came to set on ‘Kingdom Hospital’. He also threw a party for the cast and crew, as well as being featured in a cameo appearance. He was friendly and very down to earth. A very likeable guy.

Q18.) Along with "La Femme Nikita" you've been on two other of my favorite series, "Forever Knight" and "Highlander", which series did you enjoy the most and why?

JULIAN: They’re hard to compare, although they’ve enjoyed similar followings

Q19.) I see that Sherry Miller (Helen Wicke, Lona) is with you on "Kingdom Hospital", do you ever talk about past performances and has she been on any other films with you?

JULIAN: No, ‘Kingdom Hospital’ was the first time Sherry and I worked together. We had similar schedules and commitments so we were always updating each other with flight information between Vancouver and Toronto.

Thanks so much for having us. Again, I enjoy your character on "Hospital"
Sandy Meridith ~ Kansas, USA
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Hi Julian, thank you for spending some time with us here at Cynbythesea.com:

Q20.) How did you enjoy working with Kevin Costner on "Open Range"?

JULIAN: Kevin was passionate about every aspect of the film, and there wasn’t a detail he overlooked. Everything mattered; we all felt part of something he truly believed in, and he treated everyone with tremendous care and respect.

Q21.) You really brought the character of "Sparks" to life in LFN's "Simone" and the relationship between you and your partner in crime, "Siobhan" (Ingrid Veninger) seemed to just "flow"...was it that easy? Tell us your secrets!

JULIAN: Ingrid and I have a good rapport, and it came across on screen.

Q22.) Did you have an idol growing up and if so, who? JULIAN: Hard to narrow it down. My influences have been wide-ranging; family members, musicians, athletes, politicians and of course actors. I can’t honestly single out one or two people

Q23.) What would you be doing if you hadn't become an actor?

 JULIAN: Teaching, probably. I’ve done a fair bit over the years and enjoy it.

Brenda Allison ~ Missouri, USA
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Q24.) Where did you receive your training for acting?

JULIAN: University of Exeter Drama Department, U. K.

Q25.) There is very little biographical information on you, fill us in please. Yours is one I am totally interested in.

JULIAN: I trained in the UK where I was born and raised. I worked for a few years there in various theatre companies before touring North America with a show in 1980. I moved permanently to Toronto in 1984 and have been based there doing theatre, film and tv.

26.) You've been in several films, do you have a favorite of your own that you particularly enjoyed and why?

JULIAN: I’m fond of many films for different reasons. ‘Hard Core Logo’ is way up there because it’s so well directed and acted. A substantial part of its financing was pulled at the last minute, but director Bruce McDonald was so on top of things he simply made it leaner and meaner; truer to guerrilla documentary filmmaking and down n’ dirty rock n’ roll. ‘The Claim’ by Michael Winterbottom was a challenge; we shot in the Rockies from January to March and it was extremely cold! I liked the films’ superb use of natural light in a breathtaking landscape, and the sprawling, improvisational sense of storytelling. As a simple, powerful independent film, ‘My Life Without Me’ is hard to beat, with Sarah Polley’s performance leading an extraordinary ensemble of actors.

27.) I studied your facial characteristics during a particular scene in "Simone", where you listened to the music,as you enveloped it, you savored at the time the "thrill of the kill", if you make that face in real life, what are you savoring?

JULIAN: In that scene I was revelling in the beauty of the music, indulging in it completely, letting it overwhelm me. So I guess I’m savouring utter beauty............

Cynthia Wilkerson ~ Texas, USA
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