TV Fanatic: Though I’m not happy that Moira is gone, I have to say the way it was done was very fitting for the show and where the storylines have been heading all season.
Susanna Thompson: Yes. And also just the investment that you as an audience member have, it’s a similar vibration to the emotional journey particularly that Thea and Oliver have been on with their mother. And so I think that’s what’s interesting to me, too, is how it lands for them, it could be a very similar way as how it’s landing to the audience. It catapults Oliver’s story, then Thea’s story in many ways.
TVF: Talk to me about that conversation when you found out this was what was going to happen.
ST: Those conversations are mixed. In the back of your mind one never knows in a show like this who’s next. So there’s that. And then when you hear that it’s going to be your character, there’s a sense of shock. There’s a sense of sadness and there’s a sense of acceptance as well. I think particularly for Moira. If you looked at the current journey, the comic book journey for her, I think Oliver was five when she died in the African safari. I used to joke with people like David Ramsey that once we hear that Moira’s got a ticket to Africa, then we know what’s going to happen.
But even with the joking, you’re never ready for that moment. And I have to tell you, the biggest impact is saying goodbye to people. I mean, because I’ve been around the industry for a while and you say goodbye to shows. And this is the first time I’ve been involved in a show where my character actually died. So that was different.
TVF: What was the final scene that you shot? Was it that last scene with Slade, Oliver and Thea or maybe one of the flashbacks?
ST: The very very last scene was one of the first scenes of the episode. It was when Thea comes in and interrupts my interview. That was the last scene that I filmed.
Susanna Thompson: Yes. And also just the investment that you as an audience member have, it’s a similar vibration to the emotional journey particularly that Thea and Oliver have been on with their mother. And so I think that’s what’s interesting to me, too, is how it lands for them, it could be a very similar way as how it’s landing to the audience. It catapults Oliver’s story, then Thea’s story in many ways.
TVF: Talk to me about that conversation when you found out this was what was going to happen.
ST: Those conversations are mixed. In the back of your mind one never knows in a show like this who’s next. So there’s that. And then when you hear that it’s going to be your character, there’s a sense of shock. There’s a sense of sadness and there’s a sense of acceptance as well. I think particularly for Moira. If you looked at the current journey, the comic book journey for her, I think Oliver was five when she died in the African safari. I used to joke with people like David Ramsey that once we hear that Moira’s got a ticket to Africa, then we know what’s going to happen.
But even with the joking, you’re never ready for that moment. And I have to tell you, the biggest impact is saying goodbye to people. I mean, because I’ve been around the industry for a while and you say goodbye to shows. And this is the first time I’ve been involved in a show where my character actually died. So that was different.
TVF: What was the final scene that you shot? Was it that last scene with Slade, Oliver and Thea or maybe one of the flashbacks?
ST: The very very last scene was one of the first scenes of the episode. It was when Thea comes in and interrupts my interview. That was the last scene that I filmed.
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Susanna Thompson was phenomenal as Moira Queen and last night's episode was a prime example of that. Such an ingenious actress. She'll be missed.
ReplyDeleteShe is one of my favorite actresses. I hope she goes back to NCIS. She and Mark Harmon have great chemistry together and would make a great team. Her character there is so well liked, you can almost see the respect the other actors give her in the scenes.
ReplyDeleteShe was great as Moira everytime she was on camera this season you knew something good was gonna happen.
ReplyDeleteI love ST as an actress and I loved her on Arrow, but not so much on NCIS. Gibbs and Mann respected each other on a professional level, but to me she came off a bit insecure with him on a personal level. Didn't Mann marry when she was in Hawaii, so I don't see anything happening between her and Gibbs. Anyway, I hope Susanna gets another great acting job to showcase her talents.
ReplyDeleteLike most people I was expecting her death last season. I'm happy that they rehabilitated the character before killing her.
ReplyDelete