Ally Walker – Colony

By starrymag | March 4, 2016

Q) I was wondering what did you find the most fun about playing this role?

 

A) Well, yes, I like playing strong characters. And it’s another it’s sort of another strong female character. And that always speaks to me. Because I think there’s a lot of great roles out there for women now in TV I think. But this kind of woman just really intrigues me. I think it’s really hard to play ball in a man’s world. And she’s a real power ball, power hitter. And she just kind of calls the shots. I like the fact that she’s very – it was just funny. I was talking to Maria Menounos about this. I like the fact that she’s very detached and unemotional. And she’s like a corporate girl. She knows how to solve problems. And I like that. I like showing that kind of cold decision person. It’ll be interesting to see where they go with her.

 

Q) And is there anything that you find difficult or that you have found difficult about playing the role that you had to work out?

 

A) For me it’s really just about doing what the writer prescribes. I just try to do what’s on the page. And if I don’t understand something then I go to the writer or the director or — and we usually figure it out. I think with this particular show – and with others you’ve got to meld a lot of information when I started. And I kind of had to ask them where is this? What’s happening? So it’s such a – excuse me – it’s such a fresh idea. But it really is amazing watching people survive and what comes out of people. And I like Helena. She kind of keeps a tight lid on everything. So I found that very interesting.

 

Q) Your character’s very intriguing in a lot of other ways. Because she’s sort of like a liaison between the invaders. Do you know about her? And how much do you know about her role that she’d deal with them directly – that kind of thing?

 

A) Unfortunately, I’m working with Carlton and Ryan they don’t give you as much. I don’t know if I interface directly with the aliens. I think that I do but I’m not sure. I haven’t really been giving them all the details of my kind of interfacing with them. I think I do. I mean I’ve been lead to believe that I kind of do. And whether they speak some kind translator or something, I’m not really sure. That’s the only question I really have. I think it’s just interesting because, again, being put in that position as a human being. If you think about it it’s really a tough – tough position to be put in, you know. To make things work with this outside entity and that interface is something like that is kind of freaky. Terrifying actually.

 

Q) How do you think she views Proxy Snyder?

 

A) I think for Helena, everything’s a game of chess. Everything is – she doesn’t commit. And she doesn’t let go of too much. And in that way, she maintains the game. So Proxy Snyder has committed a little too much in sort of an (eastical) way I think for Helena. I think she admired his sort of wanting to do the right thing. But she’s not going to allow anyone to really see her cards. So she keeps her cards very close to her vest. And I really like that. And that’s about survival.

 

Q) Your character in the Profiler was so good and saintly. And your character in Sons of Anarchy was just so bad. where are you kind of hoping she falls on the spectrum between good and bad? And what kind of roles do you favor playing personally?

 

A) Helena is different. I’m not really sure where to go with Helena. I think what’s interesting about each of these characters in this – and I’ve said it before is that this is about I think the writers talk to me about how people dealt with Nazi Germany. And how they had to survive. And what they had to do. And who they had to befriend in order to just stay alive. And I think that’s a similar situation here. I think that Helena is more corporate. I would like to see her human side come into play a little bit more. I mean that’s like the peeling back the layers of an onion and seeing exactly what happens. But I think you know that when the characters on this do that they get killed. So it’s a little scary. But I think it’ll be interesting to see people’s course. And I don’t know that you’ll see hers for a very long time. I think she is used to doing this in the corporate world. And she’s going to continue covering herself and kind of, covering her bums – for lack of a better phrase. So that she doesn’t die

 

Q) And can we expect to see a little bit more of you in Season 2?

 

A) I have no idea. I don’t – I don’t arrange these things. I don’t write. So I mean I’m hoping so. I really love the show. I hope we bring her back in a more, you know, kind of quantity way. I’m just waiting to see. It’s a great job. I’m just really enjoying playing the part right now.

 

Q) What was it about Tony that you were informed about that sold you the show? Because it doesn’t sound like you were given much but yet you did it.

 

A) I saw the pilot. I knew Carlton Cuse from – I did one – I think my first pilot or maybe my second pilot with Carlton about 25-years ago. And it was a remake of the Witches of Eastwick. And it was hilariously silly and — but he and I became friends. And I’ve seen him on and off over the years=. He’s a great writer. And so he had called me. And he said they called and said do you want to look at the pilot? And I thought, yes, sure, okay. Not thinking much. And just hoping for the best. But I was floored. I really thought it’s just – I like doing different and everybody does. But Profiler was so original. June Stahl was so original for me. And this show – when I saw it I was, like, oh, this is very original. You haven’t really seen this before. You know, it’s a very fresh idea and a very human experience. And I just was kind of floored by the pilot. And I thought – and I said – and they said, don’t worry. I’m going to write something good for you. And I said, great. And so I just jumped in. Because I trust those writers. I thought what they did with the pilot was extraordinary. And I love Carlton. And I thought this will be good. So sometimes you just have to take a leap of faith, right, just like in dating.

 

Q) There’s a lot of action on the show including shoot outs. Is Helena going to get involved with that or will she be hanging out behind the scenes?

 

A) Well, I certainly hope she doesn’t get her hair messed. We don’t know. We actually don’t know what the plans for Helena are. I have not texted the writers. I have not talked — I think by the end you will see her reacting in a more forceful way shall I say? And get a little bit more involved, yes, she does. But whether that involves shooting and being violent – I’m not really sure, no.

 

Q) If you were living in an occupied city like the one on the show, would you join the resistance? Or try to get in with the transitional authority?

 

A) I think I would probably in the resistance. I’m always kind of difficult. I think probably I would feel like it’s time to, you know, to change this. I really try to be a little bit more proactive, you know, politically and things. So I would probably be in the resistance any day.

 

Q) We’ve established that you don’t much about where your character’s going. So where would you like to see the character go? Or based on what you do know, where do you think they’re going to take her?

 

A) I think they need to find her humanity a little bit. I don’t know how long that will take. I like the idea of her being able to outmaneuver people and then may be in the resistance and working for the side of man. I think that would a really interesting way to go with it. But then I don’t mind playing evil as from June Stahl. So I really, it depends on the story. We’re all players in a story. And it really depends on what they want to do with the story. Then you have to service that story no matter what. So I think it will be really interesting. I’m interested to see what they do with this character. I’d like to see her fleshed out a little bit more. I think that would be a lot of fun. I mean that’s every actor wants that for their character.

 

Q) Without giving any spoilers at all, what was your reaction when you read the scripts for the final three?

 

A) Well, I like them very much. First of all, I think the writing on this show is extraordinary. I think it’s really difficult to have people on the edge of their seats every episode. And they’ve managed to do that. A lot like Lost was. I didn’t really watch Lost a lot but I was told that. That it was always like you didn’t know – didn’t know which way it was going turn. And I think that’s a real art form. And it’s hard to pull off. And I think these guys are doing it. And I think they’re keeping the show really riveting and fresh because of it. So my reaction was this is good, because if you really can. I think there’s very smart people running this show – it’s a very smart show. It really is. I love Josh and I love Sarah. I think they are excellent as their parts. And so – and the kids – you really have a lot of compelling things going on, so. I think they’re doing the right thing. Their complimentary chemistry. I love those last three shots. I’m excited about it.

 

Q) Are you a sci-fi fan?

 

A) Do you know what? I’m not a sci-fi in the terms of, like, Star Trek maybe or something like that. But I’ll tell you one of my – oh, my god, I forgot the name of my favorite – the Ridley Scott – the Harrison Ford. Yes, Blade Runner is, like, really one of my favorite films of all time. And that is just brilliant sci-fi because it blends the human experience with sort of this futuristic – I love that movie. I thought that was genius. I really did. Actually I love the old Soylent Green too. Yes, I guess you could say I’m a sci-fi fan.

 

Q) Colony is extensively a science fiction show but it’s got sort of element for low key. And it hasn’t really been marketed as sci-fi. Do you think is something that’s helped it capture an audience and been nearly successful as it has been?

 

A) Yes, I do actually. I think that, you know, when you tell a story, you know, I think for people to get really involved they have to have a sort of a deck to feel it. And in order to feel it they have to a human experience. And I think (Lorette) has been very smart to kind of set this, you know, futuristic, sci-fi show with human term and tell a human story. And I think that’s kind of brilliant actually. I think that’s its greatest appeal.

 

Q) And this as an actress has really been your first introduction into science fiction and science fiction fandom. How has that experience been for you so far?

 

A) It’s been fantastic. I just try to play my card. That’s my job is to show up and do my work. And I do that. But it’s been — science fiction fans have been very – very lovely to me. Very welcoming and very supportive and I’ve really been very touched by it and very appreciative of all the support. So it’s been great. It’s been really great.

 

Q) I wanted to ask you what is it like working with the rest of the cast on Colony. And do you have any behind the scenes funny moments that you can share?

 

A) Well, Peter is a funny moment happening all the time. Sometimes when we’re working and you see that wave of cedar pass over his face. It’s hard for me not to laugh. He’s a really good actor. But it just cracks me up – his character. Proxy Snyder really cracks me up. Josh is one of the most down-to-earth people I’ve ever met. He’s just a sweetheart. And he’s just – I mean you just kind start – I mean I hate to this but he’s just so easy on the eyes. You just kind of drool whatever. I’m, like, hi, Josh. My voice goes up an octave. It’s like you’re never too old for a little Josh. And I roughed him up. Sarah taught me how to use Instagram. I didn’t know how to do it. And she was, like, listen, we’ve got to get you some followers. This is what you do. And she’s a mom. She’s really cool. And she’s a real good actress. I just really had nothing but a great time with people on the set. It’s just a great – very real, very cool people. And at the end of the day you want to work with nice people – you really do.

 

Q) What kind of person do you think Helena was before the arrival happened?

 

A) She is using what she learned from corporate America. Like I said earlier, it’s like playing 3-dimensional chess all the time. She’s learning how to protect – she learned how to protect herself. Manipulate people into doing what she wants, seeing what happens, and buffering herself against blame. And I think that has served her very well. And she’s now putting those skills to use with the aliens where she’s protecting herself and making sure that things get done. And there’s all of the convenience if she needs it. And I think that’s what she’s doing. So I think she was a corporate girl. She was pretty good

 

Q) Do you think that fans are going to be surprised just how far up the chain of command is going to go with the authority?

 

A) Well, I know I will be. Yes, yes, I think – I think they’re building this intricately woven kind of community of what’s what and who’s who and who deals with what. And that’s really truly great because it’s not all explained at once which is why people are on the edge of their seats which I think is a very smart move on the writer’s part. So who’s to say it’s not a manufactured kind of conspiracy. It’s really fascinating what they’re doing. And they’re just telling a story, parsing it out a tiny bit at a time. And I think there’s a – then you leave yourself open for so much. Don’t trap yourself in a corner. And think you guys have been really brilliant about that.

 

Q) What do you think of the historical aspects and the social commentary as it compares to other occupation stories and shows such as the original Z with its World War II allegory?

 

A) I didn’t watch the series Z. I think this has a World War II allegory as well. the Third Reich and the occupation in Nazi Germany really plays into this. So I would put it to the writers. And what was interesting to us was how people survived. So it’s really a character study. The study of human nature. What people both will do to survive something. Especially something as horrible as I just read. What’s his name? The meaning of life – who is Frank, oh, god, I can’t remember anybody’s name anymore. I was reading it while I was filming Colony. And the things that people went through. And what they had to do. What the new normal became inside Auschwitz. And it’s stunning the power of the human spirit. And I look at this and I see it. And you begin to wonder hopefully it makes you think more of other people living on the planet. And I remember being in school. I had a very outspoken boyfriend in college. And he said because of the Cold War and everything was going. And the only way that human beings would ever be united was an interplanetary war. I think it’s kind of ironic. Sure enough – they’re uniting. But anyway, so I think it’s a tale as old as time. There’s always the conquer. There’s always the people who are subjected and enslaved. And how do you – how do you deal, how does the human spirit deal? So it’s interesting.

 

Q) Considering use of what the environmental defense fund, hopefully that is one thing that humanity can come together for.

 

A) Thank you for saying that. I’m really, you know, yes, I’m sort of horrified by, you know, what’s going on. And that there hasn’t been more done especially in the United States to combat climate change. And the fact that it was up to the Supreme Court, let’s you know just how far big business is willing to go to stop any form of healthy energy creation. I was watching Mitch McConnell about how Obama should not be allowed to, you know, pick a – the next – appoint the next justice. And I’m thinking to myself, well, we’ve never seen this before have we? Doing Colony, timing of Colony is pretty good, don’t you think?

 

Q) Perhaps, maybe you should host your own show where you talk about that stuff.

 

A) You know what I actually wouldn’t mind. I’m really worried, I’m parent. And I’m, you know, I have court battles. And I could afford to do it. Look, so I’m lucky. I know it. But we need leaders who are, you know, with minds that are far reaching and who can see this stuff. And I think Obama has been by in large. But I’ve to say, you know, it’s funny the difference between when we were in the 70s – I was in Santa Fe, New Mexico. I grew up there. There was gas lines and gas shortages, right. And so everybody got smaller cars. There was drought in Santa Fe so you didn’t was your car. You didn’t have yards. And we’re in one of the worst droughts in Southern California than ever. And I’m telling you. I don’t have grass in my front or backyard. But it’s me and three others in my neighborhood. Everybody else has fields of grass as if it’s not going to happen. And I just feel like we all, you know, what’s happening? What is happening? We don’t care. And it really bothers me because, you know, we all have kids, right.

 

Q) Do you have to prepare any differently for a sci-fi role than you would for any other genre? And what’s it like working in sci-fi?

 

A) I think Sci-Fi’s fun. I think it’s more about – it’s just a – it’s a larger canvas paint on. It’s sort of, like, stretch your mind a little bit. And, like, this is a different language. That’s a different language. The unimaginable becomes imaginable, we’ve been taken over. I think human beings are pretty good at that. I was just talking about the meaning of life – but I cannot – Frank, what is it? Oh, my god, I’ve got to look it up. It’s driving me crazy. Anyway, he survived Auschwitz. And it’s, like, what they became accustomed to just to survive. So I think that that’s, you know, science fiction is sort of like that. You just take a new realm, a new set of rules, a new, you know, language perhaps, dress differently – and there you go. So I think it’s a broadening of the horizon which I find really fun.

 

Q) Will we be seeing you in the next season of Longmire again?

 

A) Well, I certainly hope so. I think you will. I hope I’m not dead. I can’t answer these questions. I really love that show. It’s really different, isn’t it. I really think it’s a great show. It’s very, very, quiet. And I love the actors on that show. I love Lou Diamond Phillips and A. Martinez and everybody, everybody. But it’s like those guys I just love watching. They’re fun.

 

Q) When you were doing the Profiler you were in a new marriage and you were having a baby and all that. How did you manage to do something like that? To kind of weave all of those different parts of your life together.

 

A) I don’t know. I didn’t do it very well. I kind of left Profiler because I had a – I was expecting another baby. And was tired of dealing with the hours. And I just couldn’t keep up. I was talking on home and family on a Hallmark show yesterday. And I think it’s airing today. And I said you can – somebody told me once you can do everything just not at the same time. And I really learned that at that point in my life. I had so many blessings. And it was wonderful. But I was truly, truly, exhausted. And I really wanted to be with my son. And I really was anxious to start that part of my life. So that’s the reason I left. I don’t think I could do it very well after a while. It was too much for me. I could do smaller roles. I could write and do other films. There was a documentary – I did my own film this year – Sex, Death, and Bullying which is on iTunes. It’s going to be on Netflix next month. But I couldn’t do those 16-hour days anymore. I couldn’t do it. I was just – it really – it knocked me out.

 

Q) Not to get too deep but who are you to you? Who do you see yourself as, as far as you do environmental work, you’re a parent – who are you to you?

 

A) I mean first and foremost I’m my boys mom. I think that’s been the biggest and the most rewarding role of my life. I really love my kids. And I had at an age – where I was in my mid-thirties – and I was really ready to have kids. I’m their mom. And that’s who I am. We don’t – I don’t talk about my career with my kids. There’s a long period of time when I didn’t work as an actor. Where I really took a lot of time off to be with them when they were really little. And I shot a documentary about foster care. And I did other things in my life. But first and foremost, to this day I really haven’t wanted to sign on to a show where I’d be gone all the time. I tried a little bit of that a couple of years ago. It didn’t really work out. And I really put that first because that’s the real deal. That’s my real life, so, I’m their mom.

 

Q) This might be a little bit of a stretch. But does the Charley storyline in Colony – does that resonate for you at all? A child away from his parents trying to deal with things on his own perhaps?

 

A) Absolutely. I mean there’s so many homeless kids in the city of Los Angeles it’s absolutely frightening. There’s so many homeless people. And I look around and I think about it. And I look like, you know, the foster care is a very tough situation. And it’s a huge business as well. And I really think it is something that we can’t put it aside. And we have to do the right thing by it. And I think this day and age that’s something that’s very hard to do. I’ll tell you a performance that – speaking of looking at characters that move me. Michael B. Jordan in Creed he plays a young African-American who’s a product of Apollo Creed’s relationship with a mistress. And he’s in a group home. And this guy is such good actor. I mean when he started talking about the group home. I went to several group homes. And it broke my heart because I started thinking about those kids again. I tried to effect change. And really there was very little I could do. I did the best I could with myself. But that’s heart breaking to be so abused and to be alone in the world like that. So that’s a performance in particular. Yes, Charley, I think it’s very effective. It’s very in to see this kind of innocence lost. And there’s so many children around the world who deserve so much better. I don’t know. It’s just a – the world’s a different place. It really is. It’s really different now. Very different and it’s scary.

 

Q) So can you talk about some of the challenges in playing a character like that as opposed to playing with one who can perhaps more freely express themselves?

 

A) Well, I mean it works out well in – thinking I just have to. It’s depression. It’s shows detachment. It’s aloofness. And doing that is kind of tiring actually because you retain a large portion of yourself. You can feel like you’re not being real – if that makes sense. Because if you’re not really connected to how you feel. So you’re playing two things. You’re playing the subtext of it. You can’t let them know what you’re thinking. I have to be very careful to never let anybody know. So it can come off, you know, you can feel like you’re being a little bit one dimensional as an actress. But then you think about and you don’t really show people that you’re scared if you’re not – if you don’t want them to think you’re scared in real life. Yes, either so you just to have – there’s this constant battle. But it has to kind be – your fear and your manipulations have to be kind of underneath everything.

 

Q) The one main criticism that I’ve seen is that a lot of critics call your show an unoriginal. And what would you have to say about that?

 

A) I think critics always have to say something. I don’t know. I think – I think the show speaks for itself. And I think, you know, having been involved in other original programming I really don’t agree with that. I think it’s very original. I like it very much. Maybe it’s just that I don’t watch as much TV. I don’t know as much perhaps. But I really like the cake. And I really like what they’ve done with it. And I don’t agree with that. I really don’t agree with that. So that’s a part of being a critic. It’s opinion and you get people’s opinion. So that’s okay. That’s their opinion.

 

Q) Colony is fiction. But what do you think is the greatest truth or the greatest lesson that we can learn from the show right now. When we have some kind of frightening parallels going on in society minus the aliens.

 

A) Yes, I think fascism is never a good idea. I think that’s what we can take from it. Look, I think people need to treat each other better. You know, that’s basically the bottom line of everything. I think that everybody deserves a seat at the table. And everybody should drink more. Let love rule. I look at Bernie Sanders and people like that – people scoffing at, you know, he’s unrealistic in his mission. But why we can’t we have, you know, universal healthcare? Why? We can. I think that humanity needs to always look to its better side. And I don’t think we always do that. And history repeats itself constantly – unfortunately.

 

Q) Who do you think is the best moral compass on the show at this point?

 

A) Well, I think that everybody has their own moral compass. And I think Sarah is great. I think that Will is great. I think he’s kind of in a position of wanting to make sure that his family is safe. And that is always a very, very appealing position. And to do the right thing even if he’s put in the wrong setting. You know, what I mean. And that’s always, like, that’s a cure too that you get you feel very – a lot of compassion for. I love Sarah. I love her portrayal, Katy, I think it’s genius. I think she’s really idealistic and wonderful and trying to put it into working form as a parent and as hope for the future. Especially because she has kids. So I find both those characters – perhaps as a whole, like, it should give more comfort. I’m not really sure. It’s a really great look at how horrible situation brings out – what it brings out is new.

 

Q) Helena’s personality, it’s impressive how she exudes so much confidence. Can you think of or describe a scenario that might rattle her?

 

A) Well, I don’t think Helena can have too many failures. But I think she’s got a convenient scapegoat her with Proxy Snyder. So I think if there are two it’s like being in the corporate world to the tenth power or whatever. As long as you’ve got someone to lay it off on you’re okay. But I think that should things really go amiss Helena could be in some trouble.

 

 

 

 

*CONFERENCE CALL*