Introduction
When the re-imagined Battlestar Galactica took off with the 2003 release of the miniseries, Cally seemed like an unlikely candidate to become a major supporting character of the show. She only had like three lines during the entire miniseries, and none of them were of any particular significance. Still, the role of Cally gained ever more importance during the course of the show, featuring in several key moments. Consequently, it didn’t take long for Cally to become something of a fan favourite.
What probably helped in the popularisation of Cally is the the actress who portrayed her. Battlestar Galactica is filled to the brim with talented actors, from Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell, and Katee Sackhoff to James Callis – they’re all top-notch actors, and Nicki fits in just fine. Even though my acting experience doesn’t extend beyond my primary school final year play, I can imagine that portraying a character like Cally can’t be easy; she starts out as this cute and innocent young girl, in the army only to “pay for dental school”, but ends up an emotional wreck, torn to bits by drug abuse and sleep deprivation, on the verge of committing suicide and taking her young son with her – only to be blasted out of an airlock during one of the most memorable moments of the entire series, now known as “Cally’s swan song”.
Intrigued by Nicki Clyne’s performance, I decided to try and interview her. She was very interested in doing so, and we agreed upon a format by which I simply sent in the questions via email. I’ve chopped the long interview up in several bite-size chunks. So, read on, and enjoy.
Battlestar Galactica
I’ve heard BSG described as more of a political/military drama (in space) than a science fiction show. Do you agree with that characterisation? Does it matter what you call it?
BSG definitely challenges several stereotypes in its approach, which can make it difficult to classify, but I would agree that a “political drama in space” is a fairly accurate description. At the end of the day, no matter what you call it, it’s still “The Best Show On Television.” 🙂 That’s what really counts.
Are many of the cast members fans of science fiction in general? Are you?
I didn’t used to be, but my experience on Battlestar inspired a whole new appreciation for the genre and its ability to explore such deep questions about humanity, technology and ethics. I think it allows us to explore certain beliefs normally outside our comfort zones, and then hopefully relate it to our daily lives. I can’t really speak for anyone on the show, but I will admit to witnessing some fan moments between our cast and the cast of other sci-fi shows at conventions, so I have my suspicions.
Nicki and Edward James Olmos
Is it a blessing or a curse to be on a show that inspires devout fandom? Would it be better to be on a successful, mainstream show?
It’s hard to say because I haven’t had the other experience, but I certainly appreciate the depth at which sci-fi fans seem consider and discuss the concepts presented on their favorite shows. I always feel like I learn a lot during interviews or Q & A sessions, fans are most often very thoughtful. I also really like the community element that seems to exist amongst fans, you don’t see that many other places.
In an interview you said that you were sometimes really surprised by the kind of things fans are curious about – this question is probably one of them, and I really have no idea why I want to know this. The wall with all the photos of the deceased which regularly acts as the decor for the more emotional and personal scenes – despite it being a prop to a fictional television show in space, does it still carry an emotional value? I can see how the cast would be so into playing their roles that that wall has gained a specific emotional value, even though it’s all fictional.
Yeah, I think it absolutely does. And despite the fictional nature, most of the photos were of the cast or of people we knew, so it was hard not to connect in some way. We were very lucky to have a really creative and thorough art department; it makes an actor’s job so much easier when the environment is what it’s supposed to be – except for the being in space part of course.
What type of BSG episode do you like more, the action-packed type, which were more prevalent in the earlier seasons, or the more personal episodes dealing with individuals, faith, and religion?
I’m a much bigger fan of episodes that explore the inner dynamics of people’s struggles, personal relationships, and questions of ethics. Both as an actor and a viewer, they appeal more to my values, but sometimes it’s a welcome change of pace to get outside and run through the forest for a few episodes.
The Kobol team.
You probably get this question a lot, but here it goes anyway: if you could choose to portray another character on the show, who would it be?
I’d have to go with Kara Thrace, definitely. The character has a massive range as well as incredible depth, and she’s just such a bad ass! How could you not want to try that on? Katee does such a terrific job though; it’s hard to imagine what the role would be like in someone else’s hands.
How do you feel about the announced BSG television movie “The Plan”, and the upcoming “Caprica” pilot, with the former including many current cast members? Are you sad you’re not going to be part of it (at least, as far as we know)?
Of course, it would be amazing to reunite with everyone, but I’m so pleased to have had the opportunity I had, it’s not really a concern of mine. It’s hard to believe it’s actually over though. We had so many close calls thinking it was coming to an end, it didn’t seem real when it finally did. I guess the fact they auctioned off the entire wardrobe and set is a pretty telling gesture though.
And on a broader note, do you see a future for the space-faring type of science fiction? Battlestar Galactica only has ten episodes to go, the Star Trek universe is in a coma (at least, on the TV end), and there doesn’t really appear to be a major show ‘in space’. And to be totally honest, BSG isn’t really a traditional space sci-fi show like Star Trek or Babylon 5 either. Have people had enough of the clichés? The casino planet, aliens that all look like humans with different foreheads, adjusting bogus equipment to solve problems – has the audience had enough?
I’m sure that’s a question hundreds of TV executives would love to have the answer to. 🙂
That’s… interesting…
I’m definately curious as to how OS News secured this interview, but it kind of makes sense. I’m a BSG fan and so is my Writing professor strangely enough. It is kind of surreal that the big three Sci Fi shows are all gone, but maybe the TV movie format makes more sense.
I wanted to tell you a story about private jets, expensive cars, and Cuban cigars on a tropical island, but I figured the truth would get out one way or the other.
I… Emailed her.
Nicki Clyne, beauty and talent. A good interview too, looking forward to hearing more about the social networking site for students. Keep up the great work Nicki
Honestly, the interview is a little underwhelming. That said…
SPOILERS
My take: 😉 Cally’s story is the only aspect of BSG that has made ANY. SENSE. AT. ALL. in the fourth season: the choice of the “hidden four” demonstrated conclusively that the show’s creators had completely lost their way and would chase any plot twist, no matter how ridiculous. Never mind Baltar’s anti-success in everything he does. (Does he even remember that he started the series as a scientist?!?)
Nicky’s acting has made Cally’s part all the more compelling, and even though it was depressing to see the character’s untimely end, holy cow at least it made sense. I wonder if Tyrol will ever have his questions regarding the mysterious circumstances of her death answered.
Sad, but so true. The so called creative ‘geniuses’ behind this show really turned out to be unimaginative, uncreative, and just plain boring. There is so much missed potential they could have done with this show, instead it turned out to be a very un-imaginative West Wing in space. They spent about 100x more showing lame scenes of worthless political fighting, elections, cabinet meetings, etc.. than actually exploring anything beyond some idiot debates.
This will be the first TV series I have watched in some time where I will be glad it ended. What is truly sad is some idiots have given the green light for Ronald Moore to “re-image” the classic movie The Thing. Anyone want to take bets now on badly this will fail at the box office?
p.s. Any article that breaks away from this childish, idiotic flame infested fanboy OS wars is a blessing!
Edited 2009-02-11 20:19 UTC
“p.s. Any article that breaks away from this childish, idiotic flame infested fanboy OS wars is a blessing!”
…so what your saying is, Windows 7 is better or worse than BSG?
More importantly, is the Cylon source code publicly-available? And if so, under which license?
The number of unnecessary remakes is getting to be absurd. I can’t imagine Moore being able to improve on John Carpenter’s version. That’s almost as bad as the prospect of a remake of The Evil Dead, or the rumoured Darren Aaronofsky remake of Lone Wolf and Cub (as a western, of all things).
I’m dreading the day when someone comes with the brilliant idea of “re-imaging” A-team or Sledge Hammer.
Agh! You mustn’t say such things!
The only real consolation is that it guarantees that the Rifftrax guys will never run out of bad films to mock.
Russell Crowe IS Sledge Hammer
The A-Team is already slated for a remake. I will sandpaper my eyes in January, just enough that they may heal by Dcember, and hopefully avoid the whole sorry mess. Sheesh, I even heard BRUCE WILLIS is associated with it :-\
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/01/29/a_team_movie/
Oh god no. The end of days is truly upon us.
At least the people involved are a competent bunch and not Roland Emmerich or Uwe Boll.
in the re-imaged A-Team, people actually get killed and curse a lot.
I strongly disagree! Quality of episodes vary in season 4, that is true, but I wouldn’t blame writers for that. As far as story telling is concerned, I consider it being brilliant. Other thing is that directing sometimes sucks. Two last episodes were great – but the one that aired just before them – was poorly directed, and I didn’t enjoy it at all – even though it included some really dramatical elements of story.
“p.s. Any article that breaks away from this childish, idiotic flame infested fanboy OS wars is a blessing! ”
what? oh dear are you are in for a surprise. Now everyone will talk about how much BSG sucks and doesn’t make any sense.
great interview, great show — puts all the fluff on TV to shame.
Nicki was also a bit player in the first (or was it second?) episode of the second season of Dark Angel (“Bag ’em” – http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0554561/ gives more info.) She played a transgenic (X6) who Max (Jessica Alba) named “Fix-it”. Oddly, there’s another link to Cally – Aaron Douglas (Chief Tyrol) was also in an episode of Dark Angel.. later in that season (“Exposure – http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0554570/ for more info.)
I also loved her in Tiki Bar TV. I remember when it was released and I almost fell off my seat 🙂 Almost as odd as when Alex Albrecht was in it. Lala is still “da bomb” though :-))
Is she writing her own OS? That would make it OS News.
No, it’s not OS News. It’s sort of like charity. You got to allow the geeks that come here the chance to pretend that they talk to women once in a while. Otherwise the only contact they will have with women is their obligatory softporn desktop wallpaper.
I think it was good for a change!! I haven’t seen interesting stuff in a while!.. go go Thom!
They never should have used Windows 95 on the frakin cylons. Then again, anyone who uses octagonal paper deserves what’s coming.
This is the last place I’d expect an interview with a Galactica actress! Very well done, and she’s such a down to earth girl (and looks a bit like a girl I once dated).
I liked the way she yearned, quietly, for Chief during the early episodes – she played that whole arc so well. Galactica is one of the few shows that has gotten stronger the further it’s gone. The finale should be great.
“Define “projects.” Does enlightenment count?
I felt quite geeky when my first thought after that answer had to to do with window managers…”
That was hilarious!
This was a nice diversion from the ordinary, but I can’t believe Thom forgot to ask Clyne the ultimate question – Mac or Windows?
Other than that one glaring omission, it was a fairly good interview. Many thanks to Clyne for taking the time for the interview.
It is now official. Netcraft has confirmed: BSG is dying.
It is now official. Netcraft has confirmed: BSG is dying
You don’t need to be the Amazing Kreskin to predict BSG’s future. The hand writing is on the wall: BSG faces a bleak future. In fact there won’t be any future at all for BSG because BSG is dying. Things are looking very bad for BSG. As many of us are already aware, BSG continues to lose market share. Red ink flows like a river of blood.