Carrie Preston – True Blood

Q) How was your last day on the set of “True Blood?”

A) I can’t say what we were filming, but there were a number of us in the scene. So, there were a lot of series wraps happening that night. When you’re doing a film or TV show, when ever your character is over they always announce, “That’s a series wrap on …” We all knew that was coming, but it just didn’t even come close to preparing you for the emotional feeling that washed over all of us. I was in tears, for sure!

Q) Did you take any mementos home from set that were meaningful to you?

A) I have a Merlotte’s t-shirt that I had everybody and it is hanging up in my office now. Unfortunately, we were led to believe we were going to be able to take a few things from the set. Screen Gems, an auction house with Warner Brothers, made off with every single stitch of the set. So, the actors got nothing. It was pretty tragic, actually. We filled out request forms and everything. We were led to believe that if we went through the proper channels we would get something, but I guess we should have stolen it!

Q) Arlene was a fast favorite among the fans and sort of become a motherly figure to the fandom. Is that a sense you have gotten as well?

A) That’s nice! I hadn’t heard it said that way, but it’s such a lovely sentiment. It’s been wonderful to be with her as there has been this evolution and she has opened up her mind and accepted the differences around her more. She has dealt with death and she has dealt with joy. I’m happy to see fans are equally excited about her journey and wanting to go on it with her and ended up rooting for her.

Q) One scene that has really stood out this season was when Arlene is in the Saw Room and she is begging for her life. Talk about filming that.

A) Well, we were in those scenes for four episodes. Getting in those chains and being down on that hard cement floor covered in blood was a journey. It was challenging logistically shooting those scenes. I was thrilled with the writing in the scene, especially for Arlene to be the one to rally the troops and take initiative. It was not difficult to get into the correct frame of mind to plead for their lives. It was very easy to connect with that.

Q) As you mentioned, we have seen Arlene evolve throughout the series. What was your journey like playing her?

A) It was seven years ago that we started and none of us really knew how the show was going to be received and very quickly I saw how different it was going to be from the books. We couldn’t even use that as the full blueprint for the show. So, we were able to grow as writers, crew and cast. I think Alan [Ball] grew. We were all able to grow together and that was what was really wonderful and rewarding about being on a show that long. As an actor, to see your character which at the beginning was designed to serve up the humor and be representative of more narrow minded people in society to a woman ending up being much more completed. She’s a woman who has dealt with a great deal of tragedy and still has funny things to say, but is much more grounded and more real. As an actor, that was really fun to grow within that and to see her really expand.

Q) What can you tease is in store for Arlene these last few episodes and with the theme of the show?

A) There are five more episodes. The writers have really taken great pains to touch down into all the characters and give them some kind of resolution. And that’s no small feet given how large the cast is and how many characters the audience has come to know and presumably love throughout these seven seasons. Everyone will get their resolution.

Q) What do you hope the legacy of the show will be for fans? What do you hope they take away from watching the series finale?

A) I hope they will continue to revisit the show. I’ve had so many people tell me that the show has gotten them through tough times and the show has given them a great amount of escape from their own lives. The show has been a real delight to go and watch whenever you are feeling down or something like that. So, I’m hoping that people will continue to go back to it and find new things. The show is very rich and it’s something you can savor. I’m hoping that’s what people will do.

Q) From the deaths we have seen so far this season, when you were reading the script who was the most shocking loss for you?

A) To me, it was Tara dying in the cold open of the series premiere. She dies before the opening credits. That, to me, was truly shocking. It also really set up the season for the audience – like get ready because no one is safe. I think it’s good to have drama and danger because if you know what is coming then you don’t want to really keep watching.

Q) What will the culmination of the show be for you? Will it be the airing of the final episode or your last visit with the cast to Comic Con?

A) I think it was when we actually wrapped. Now the show is out in the world and people are watching it and enjoying it. It’s the creating of it all together as a big family that is what I was most attached to and fond of. When we all said goodbye to each other (and we were saying goodbye to each other throughout the season) it was really very emotional and also really beautiful. I am going to take away the memories of working with these wonderful people.

Q) Have you said goodbye to Arlene officially or is she always with you?

A) No, she is not with me. She only exists in that world with those writers and those circumstances. I had to say goodbye to her and that was really unprecedented for me because I’ve never really had to say goodbye to a character that I have lived with for that long. I am going to definitely miss playing her and it was a really upsetting thing to consider that this person no longer exists except in my memory.

Q) What is the last thing you would like to say fans about the upcoming episodes and their fan interaction?

A) I love to tweet while I’m watching the episodes. I have been doing that recently and just giving the fans a little insight as to what we were doing when we shot the scenes. I think they really enjoy that. I would say that if you are not following me on Twitter, I would invite you to do so and participate in the conversation. I like to retweet, engage with the fans and answer questions as much as I can. I’m at @Carrie_Preston on Twitter. And I’m appreciative of the fans engaging with me that way and I hope they will continue to find new characters to be excited about that I have yet to play.