And when it comes to Samantha Mortons silence on playing the character, that ends here as well.
She also has starred in big budget hits such asMinority ReportandFantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
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Gene Page/AMC
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY:How did you end up landing this part onThe Walking Dead?
So I think it was a dialogue that they were having without me knowing.
And then there was this discussion with me, because Im very particular as an actress.
AMC
They didnt know how Id feel about this genre.
The initial conversation was like, How do you feel about this genre, before even discussing the role.
Theyre very, very respectful and amazing.
Gene Page/AMC
It was a dream role.
A part of a lifetime.
So it worked out, and Im playing the part of a lifetime.
You cant put up posters there, but Id seen them on the freeway and stuff like that.
So I knew about it, but on the farm, I didnt have television or anything like that.
I have a film projector, so I sit almost outside of society a little bit.
So I hadnt seen it, but I knew of it.
My head was blown up.
I was like, This is just incredible.
Its not like youre going off to do an independent movie where collectively youre creating something together.
This show already exists.
Im just coming on board.
And even me joining the show, Ive fallen in love with it.
So I feel a huge amount of responsibility and passion.
I cant smell it, or taste it, or visualize the person that Im going to be playing.
And with this, I very, very quickly upon reading stuff, I felt her.
I felt her instincts, and obviously, a lot of those things are bound up.
So, yeah, I hope my instincts are okay.
Ive done adaptations of novels, likeJane Eyreor all sorts of things.
That was for the filmLongfordI did years ago with Tom Hooper, and I was playing a real person.
I have to do the research, and I have to be as respectful as I can be.
It can actually hinder you.
It doesnt free you up when youre on the set.
The source material is there, and that is like the DNA of her.
Was there any hesitation about shaving your head?[Laughs]Yes.
I felt like this spritely thing, you know?
So that was a bit of a challenge initially, but then once it was done, its fine.
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What was it like once you got on set?
I know it was your first time really doing American television.
This was so different.
Everybody couldnt have been more friendly and welcoming and kind, and it just felt like a family.
Theyve thought of that, theyve thought of that, and it was seamless.
Its like you feel like youre in really safe hands.
Yeah, Im a huge Chris Cunningham fan, and Ive worked with Chris Cunningham.
So excited at Alpha being this kind of bald, zen monk vibe.
I was just thrilled.
And I tell you this, I did not realize how hot Georgia was!
I did not know.
Ive spent time in the Philippines, Ive spent time in Morocco.
I never knew that kind of heat.
Are you able to breathe properly Theyre just so kind.
So its all right.
Did you get any ticks or chigger bites down there in Georgia?
Because thats another problem youve got to deal with.Touch wood, Im really good.
Can I look at you?
The hours that are spent on these people, making them individual zombies and theyre never the same!
I just think, wow.
What is it you want to convey about this character through your performance?
And I think her opinions and her beliefs about how society should be to her, theyre no-brainer.
It doesnt make any sense to go back to the way things were.
It doesnt make any sense, you know?
But its how she shows that love is not as we would expect anyone to.
But Im not playing in my mind that shes a villain.
She doesnt think shes a villain.
Just dont mess with her.
She is leading an army, and shes clever, and if somebody crosses her, then its different.
How many women get to do these parts?
They just dont exist.
That they get that responsibility.
For more Walking Dead intel, follow Dalton on Twitter@DaltonRoss.
