"There were lots of letters from people who wanted me to be 'Xena.' If people choose to make the character you played into a hero of theirs, they can do that. They'll say, 'you gave me courage to help me get out of an abusive relationship,' or 'it helped me come out to my parents,' or 'it helped me get off drugs and become a teacher.' I say, 'well, you did that. I can't take any credit for it. Congratulations to you.'" 

    About This Interview

    In her three-hour-plus interview, Lucy Lawless discusses her experience in drama school and her early roles as a guest star on New Zealand television. She talks of hosting the series Air New Zealand Holiday, recounts being cast in an early role on Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, and shares how she was later cast as "Xena" on the same show. She recalls her transition from Hercules: The Legendary Journeys to her own series, Xena: Warrior Princess, and details the ways in which the character changed for the spin-off. Lawless speaks at length about "Xena," her effect on popular culture, and her status as a feminist icon. She speaks of her stint as the Cylon "D'Anna Biers" on Battlestar Galactica, and touches on her guest roles on Curb Your Enthusiasm, The L Word, and Saturday Night Live. She recalls being cast as "Lucretia" on Spartacus, and describes the difficulties the series encountered due to the untimely death of lead actor Andy Whitfield. Finally, she outlines her role on Parks and Recreation, speaks of career highs, and offers her philosophy of acting. Nancy Harrington conducted the interview on August 21, 2013 in North Hollywood, CA.

    All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.
    People Talking About ...
    Thumbnail of Lucy Lawless

    Lucy Lawless on the special effects and stunts on Xena: Warrior Princess

    03:29
    Thumbnail of Lucy Lawless

    Lucy Lawless on working with Kevin Sorbo as "Hercules" on Hercules: The Legendary Journeys

    00:33
    Thumbnail of Lucy Lawless

    Lucy Lawless on her character of "Lucretia" on Spartacus

    03:23
    Thumbnail of Lucy Lawless

    Lucy Lawless on playing the Cylon "D'Anna Biers" on Battlestar Galactica

    02:20
    Thumbnail of Lucy Lawless

    Lucy Lawless on hosting Saturday Night Live

    03:05
    Play Full Interview

    Chapter 1

    On her early life and influences; on television she watched as a child

    12:56

    On appearing on the sketch comedy show Funny Business; on going to drama school; on various guest-starring roles on New Zealand television

    13:30

    On appearing in the Hercules: The Legendary Journeys  made-for-television movie; on playing "Xena" on Hercules: The Legendary Journeys; on the popularity of Hercules: The Legendary Journeys

    13:41

    On the spin-off of "Xena" into her own series, Xena: Warrior Princess; on the character of "Xena" on Xena: Warrior Princess; on the costumes and stunts on the show

    17:36

    Chapter 2

    On the world of Xena: Warrior Princess; on "Xena's" relationship with "Gabrielle" on Xena: Warrior Princess; on her co-stars on the show

    09:58

    On the atmosphere on the set of Xena: Warrior Princess; on the production process of Xena: Warrior Princess; on censorship of the show

    10:02

    On fan reaction to Xena: Warrior Princess; on dealing with her fame and being a feminist icon; on the different genres included in Xena: Warrior Princess and her favorite episodes of the show; on the end and legacy of Xena: Warrior Princess

    20:58

    On hosting Saturday Night Live; on various guest starring roles; on playing the Cylon "D'Anna Biers" on Battlestar Galactica 

    16:29

    Chapter 3

    On the end of her character on Battlestar Galactia; on appearing on Curb Your Enthusiasm, Celebrity Duets  and The L Word; on guest-starring on Flight of the Concords

    13:05

    On being cast on Spartacus; on her Spartacus  character "Lucretia"; on Andy Whitfield as "Spartacus" and his illness

    12:25

    On Liam McIntyre taking over the role of "Spartacus" on Spartacus; on her Spartacus co-stars; on her character "Lucretia's" backstory on Spartacus  

    15:13

    On the costumes and wigs of Spartacus; on her favorite moments of Spartacus; on the end of her character "Lucretia"

    02:59

    On her fans; on appearing on No Ordinary Family and Parks and Recreation; on then-current projects

    10:28

    Chapter 4

    On how celebrity has affected her; on her involvement with Green Peace; on what she likes about acting and her approach to acting

    05:50

    On how television has changed for actors since she started; on advice to an aspiring actor; on her achievements and regrets and where she sees herself in the future

    06:02

    Battlestar Galactica (2004-09)

    Lucy Lawless on leaving Battlestar Galactica and the legacy of the show

    03:31

    Lucy Lawless on joining the cast of Battlestar Galactica

    01:13

    Lucy Lawless on playing the Cylon "D'Anna Biers" on Battlestar Galactica

    02:20

    Lucy Lawless on the character of "D'Anna Biers" on Battlestar Galactica

    01:14

    Lucy Lawless on her Battlestar Galactica co-workers

    05:34

    Curb Your Enthusiasm

    Lucy Lawless on guest-starring on Curb Your Enthusiasm 

    03:25

    Hercules: The Legendary Journeys

    Lucy Lawless on co-starring in the Hercules: The Legendary Journeys  made-for-television movie

    03:56

    Lucy Lawless on appearing in the Hercules: The Legendary Journeys  series in an earlier role

    02:41

    Lucy Lawless on playing "Xena" on Hercules: The Legendary Journeys 

    05:50

    Lucy Lawless on working with Kevin Sorbo as "Hercules" on Hercules: The Legendary Journeys

    00:33

    Parks and Recreation

    Lucy Lawless on playing "Diane" on Parks and Recreation

    04:23

    Saturday Night Live

    Lucy Lawless on hosting Saturday Night Live

    03:05

    Spartacus

    Lucy Lawless on being cast on Spartacus

    01:33

    Lucy Lawless on her character of "Lucretia" on Spartacus

    03:23

    Lucy Lawless on the action scenes and censorship of Spartacus

    05:13

    Lucy Lawless on Andy Whitfield as "Spartacus" on Spartacus  and his illness

    02:13

    Lucy Lawless on Liam McIntyre taking over the role of Spartacus

    01:01

    Lucy Lawless on her Spartacus  co-stars

    05:53

    Lucy Lawless on the atmosphere on the set of Spartacus

    01:58

    Lucy Lawless on her character "Lucretia's" backstory on Spartacus

    05:29

    Lucy Lawless on the wigs and costumes of Spartacus

    01:16

    Lucy Lawless on the end of her character "Lucretia" on Spartacus

    01:40

    Tarzan

    Lucy Lawless on guest-starring on Tarzan

    00:50

    Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The

    Lucy Lawless on being injured on the set of The Tonight Show

    01:43

    X-Files, The

    Lucy Lawless on guest-starring on The X-Files

    00:45

    Xena: Warrior Princess

    Lucy Lawless on playing "Xena" on Hercules: The Legendary Journeys 

    05:50

    Lucy Lawless on the popularity of Hercules: The Legendary Journeys

    00:34

    Lucy Lawless on Xena: Warrior Princess spinning off from Hercules: The Legendary Journeys

    04:21

    Lucy Lawless on her first day on the set of Xena: Warrior Princess

    01:19

    Lucy Lawless on the character of "Xena" on Xena: Warrior Princess

    02:57

    Lucy Lawless on "Xena's" wardrobe on Xena: Warrior Princess

    01:54

    Lucy Lawless on "Xena's" accent on Xena: Warrior Princess

    00:50

    Lucy Lawless on the special effects and stunts on Xena: Warrior Princess

    03:29

    Lucy Lawless on "Xena's" world on Xena: Warrior Princess  and the lesbian overtones of the show

    02:41

    Lucy Lawless on "Xena's" relationship with "Gabrielle" on Xena: Warrior Princess 

    03:41

    Lucy Lawless on her Xena: Warrior Princess co-stars

    03:36

    Lucy Lawless on the atmosphere on the set of Xena: Warrior Princess

    02:55

    Lucy Lawless on the production process for Xena: Warrior Princess

    03:04

    Lucy Lawless on censorship of Xena: Warrior Princess

    02:07

    Lucy Lawless on the merchandising of Xena: Warrior Princess

    01:54

    Lucy Lawless on fan reaction to Xena: Warrior Princess

    02:32

    Lucy Lawless on dealing with her fame from Xena: Warrior Princess and being a feminist icon

    02:00

    Lucy Lawless on the slapstick comedy in Xena: Warrior Princess

    01:07

    Lucy Lawless on working with Bruce Campbell on Xena: Warrior Princess

    01:09

    Lucy Lawless on Xena: Warrior Princess switching back and forth between genres

    01:04

    Lucy Lawless on her favorite episodes of Xena: Warrior Princess

    01:05

    Lucy Lawless on classic episodes of Xena: Warrior Princess 

    01:42

    Lucy Lawless on her least favorite episode of Xena: Warrior Princess

    03:36

    Lucy Lawless on playing "Xena" on animated shows

    00:40

    Lucy Lawless on the end of Xena: Warrior Princess

    02:37

    Lucy Lawless on the possibility of a re-imagining of Xena: Warrior Princess

    01:15

    Lucy Lawless on the legacy of Xena: Warrior Princess

    02:03

    Lucy Lawless on being typecast as "Xena"

    01:24

    Advice

    Lucy Lawless on her advice to an aspiring actor

    00:57

    Censorship / Standards & Practices

    Lucy Lawless on the action scenes and censorship of Spartacus

    05:13

    Lucy Lawless on censorship of Xena: Warrior Princess

    02:07

    Characters & Catchphrases

    Lucy Lawless on the character of "Xena" on Xena: Warrior Princess

    02:57

    Fame and Celebrity

    Lucy Lawless on dealing with her fame from Xena: Warrior Princess  and being a feminist icon

    02:00

    Lucy Lawless on how celebrity has affected her

    02:05

    First Big Break

    Lucy Lawless on playing "Xena" on Hercules: The Legendary Journeys 

    05:49

    Historic Events and Social Change

    Lucy Lawless on Xena's world on Xena: Warrior Princess  and the lesbian overtones of the show

    02:41

    Lucy Lawless on dealing with her fame from Xena: Warrior Princess  and being a feminist icon

    02:00

    Lucy Lawless on how television has changed for women and in general since she started acting

    02:25

    LGBTQIA+

    Lucy Lawless on Xena's world on Xena: Warrior Princess  and the lesbian overtones of the show

    02:41

    Lucy Lawless on dealing with her fame from Xena: Warrior Princess  and being a feminist icon

    02:00

    Pivotal Career Moments

    Lucy Lawless on playing "Xena" on Hercules: The Legendary Journeys 

    05:49

    Pop Culture

    Lucy Lawless on the character of "Xena" on Xena: Warrior Princess

    02:57

    Representation on Television

    Lucy Lawless on Xena's world on Xena: Warrior Princess  and the lesbian overtones of the show

    02:41

    Lucy Lawless on dealing with her fame from Xena: Warrior Princess  and being a feminist icon

    02:00

    Lucy Lawless on how television has changed for women and in general since she started acting

    02:25

    Television Industry

    Lucy Lawless on the action scenes and censorship of Spartacus

    05:13

    Lucy Lawless on censorship of Xena: Warrior Princess

    02:07

    Lucy Lawless on dealing with her fame from Xena: Warrior Princess  and being a feminist icon

    01:59

    Lucy Lawless on her advice to an aspiring actor

    00:57

    Lucy Lawless on how celebrity has affected her

    02:05

    Women

    Lucy Lawless on how television has changed for women and in general since she started acting

    02:25

    Actress

    Lucy Lawless on what she likes about acting and her approach to acting

    02:23

    Lucy Lawless on her advice to an aspiring actor

    00:57

    Performers

    Lucy Lawless on what she likes about acting and her approach to acting

    02:23

    Lucy Lawless on her advice to an aspiring actor

    00:58

    Adventure/Espionage Series

    Lucy Lawless on playing "Xena" on Hercules: The Legendary Journeys

    13:41

    Lucy Lawless on playing "Xena" on Xena Warrior Princess  (Part 1)

    17:34

    Lucy Lawless on playing "Lucretia" on Spartacus

    30:38

    Lucy Lawless on playing "Xena" on Xena: Warrior Princess  (Part 2)

    40:59

    Sci-Fi/Supernatural Series

    Lucy Lawless on playing "D'Anna Biers" on Battlestar Galactica  (Part 2) 

    03:31

    Lucy Lawless on playing the Cylon "D'Anna Biers" on Battlestar Galactica  (Part 1)

    10:24

    Ted Danson

    Lucy Lawless on guest-starring on Curb Your Enthusiasm 

    03:25

    Larry David

    Lucy Lawless on guest-starring on Curb Your Enthusiasm 

    03:25

    Jean Stapleton

    Lucy Lawless on appearing on Ray Bradbury Theater with Jean Stapleton 

    01:19

    All Interviews

    Loading Interviews...