Kelly Overton – Van Helsing

By: Jamie Steinberg

Q) What are the recent projects that you are working on?

A) I just finished Season One of “Van Helsing” at the beginning of July and that was shot for five or six months in Vancouver. So, I’m home now and I’m relaxing. I’m enjoying being with my daughter and taking some time off.

Q) What made you want to be a part of the show?

A) It was the show and the character. I think it was definitely the character. I loved who she was and the journey and transformation she went on. I loved that there was so much athleticism to the role. I love when I can combine my two passions acting and the athleticism. It just becomes something that is really fun for me. That and I was really interested in the people involved.

Q) What kind of research did you do on the Van Helsing lore and the history of films based on the individual?

A) Not so much going into the history of films. I knew what we were trying to do was something new, but I did some research. I focused more on what Bram Stoker had to say about it and the qualities of the type of person her was. S, I really wanted to try to bring that into the character.

Q) Was there anything you added to Vanessa that wasn’t originally scripted for you?

A) I think so by the nature of creating something new and being a new person playing this role. It’s a woman this time so that’s a pretty big change and she is a single mom. That was pretty different. I really feel that we are doing something new with the character that has never been done before. It doesn’t mirror the traditional folklore.

Q) What did you find challenging about the role?

A) The role is very physically demanding. So, that for sure was challenging. But I think the biggest challenge for me was creating a really well rounded character that had specific strengths and specific weaknesses and at what time do those play. I didn’t want to come right out of the gate being unstoppable vampire killer. I wanted her to go on a journey. I think the audience deserves that too. Going on a journey with an ordinary woman who discovers she is not so ordinary after all since she has supernatural abilities. Then, I wanted to really do honor to her as a full person where she had vulnerabilities and where she was just very stoic. It was finding the balance in when to play those colors.

Q) What was it like for you working with the cast?

A) The cast is so lovely! Most of us have theater backgrounds and I think that gave us all a nice common language. Everybody was just so grounded and so authentic and really lovely. I’m not sure how much you can just thank Canada for that…[laughs] But we all got along so well. We spent time off set together as much as we could. I couldn’t have asked for a better cast really.

Q) As the lead in the series, what does it mean to you to have Vanessa Van Helsing be a new role model for young girls?

A) It’s hard for me to kind of believe that is true. But you do make a point. I am playing the female lead of the show and she is the “hero.” I take that responsibility. If there is any influence that I can have, I take that very seriously and with a lot of honor.

Q) You are a part of social media. Are you looking forward to the instant fan feedback you’ll be receiving to episodes?

A) Absolutely! The sci-fi fans are the best fans in the world. They are just so loyal and passionate. They are awesome! You couldn’t ask for a better genre. You couldn’t ask for better fans.

Q) Do you worry at all about how fans will react to a woman taking on this iconic male role?

A) No, I just try not to concern myself with that. I think there is inevitably going to be people out there who have opinions that they don’t like what you are doing. You can’t let that mess with your head too much. You can’t pay too much attention to that. There is nothing you can do about it. I’m sure there is going to be, but I’m really proud of that and I’d just like to focus on that.

Q) What were some of your most memorable moments from filming “Van Helsing?”

A) So many! All of them are just very bloody…[laughs] Definitely, the memorable moments were the bloodiest moments. I can’t give too much away, but it is a bloody, bloody show.

Q) What do you think it is about the series that will make it a fast fan favorite?

A) I think that it is shot in a way that is so beautiful and dark and edgy and a lot of shows out there aren’t shot like that. We use a lot of shadow and the lighting tells a story. So, it looks really cool out of the gate. I think you just go on this journey with this women, but also the other characters. I think it is a really compelling journey that a lot of people can get behind. The character are just fantastic characters. So, it is just really going to keep people on the edge of their seat. Neil LaBute is the showrunner and creator and he was just like in a candy store with this genre and the darkness of the vampire world and psychologically the dynamics of the characters. I think those things are going to make it a fast fan favorite. Plus, you have this kickass. It’s high energy, has amazing fight scenes and it is really bloody!

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) Thank you! Thank you so much for tuning in and for the kind words. I’m trying really hard to do this one justice and I hope they are pleased.