Natasha Negovanlis – Carmilla

By: Lisa Steinberg

Q) You had a new director in “Carmilla Zero.” How did Mars and Spencer Maybee’s approaches differ? What did you take away from your experiences working with Mars?

A) It’s always exciting to have a female director in such a male dominated industry, but Spencer is also one of the most feminist men I know. So, I can’t say that I preferred one over the other. Spencer usually comes in with very specific ideas and Mars [Horodyski] was great at respecting our choices and honoring the world and characters we have all created.

Q) Deep down, what do you think it is that Carmilla actually fears the most?

A) Deep down, I think Carmilla fears not being loved for who she is.

Q) Since “Carmilla Zero” takes place before seasons one and two, will we learn any more about the Dean/Carmilla backstory and what led them to season one and two’s events?

A) Not too much of their backstory is told in this prequel, but the love and respect Carmilla has for her mother (before Laura arrives in the picture) is very apparent.

Q) In season zero you work closer with Annie and Nicole. What was it like getting to develop more of a history and backstory with their characters?

A) It was a pleasure! Nicole [Stamp] and Annie [Briggs] are much more seasoned than I am so I learned a lot from them both. Annie has also become a dear friend of mine so we always have a ball when we’re together. If we are blessed with a third season, I hope I’ll get to interact with her as Mama Dean and that we’ll get to see more of Mel too.

Q) What’s the best part of playing Carmilla in these flashbacks for season zero? 

A) In this season, Carmilla behaves more like the useless vampire that we were first introduced to and I always have great fun playing a villainess type. There is something deliciously cathartic about embracing your darkness for a character and acting in a way you never would in real life.

Q) The palpable tension and dynamic between Hollstein in season two really shifted. Can you talk about playing that progression from the beginning of season two with a heroic pedestal to almost enemies towards the end?

A)  I wouldn’t say that Carmilla and Laura are ever truly enemies. They can be stubborn in their own ways and occasionally miscommunicate, but if anything I see them as star-crossed lovers. Playing their highs and lows was certainly draining at times, but Elise [Bauman] and I have a unique chemistry and working relationship that makes it easy and safe to explore a range of emotions.

Q) We’ve seen that, despite what she tries to project, Carmilla is a very emotional person. When you approach her emotionally, is it from a 334 year old perspective, or do you think a lot about Carmilla still wrapped up in her 18 year old self? 

A) I approach Carmilla differently depending on the scene and who she is interacting with because just as people are multi-faceted, she is multi-faceted. For the most part, I play her as an ancient being, but there are definitely times when her teenage self comes out. For example, when she is around her big sister Mattie (or when Laura cracks open her icy heart).

Q) If Danny (Sharon Belle) comes back as Ell, how do you think Carmilla would react and would she be torn between her and Laura? 

A) First love runs deep so perhaps there would be a fleeting moment of confusion, but I think Laura is too special to her to choose one over the other. Although, for the sake of getting messy, I would love to see what would happen if Carmilla chose blood over lust. 

Q) What can you tease about where we leave off with season zero and what do you think fans should take away from it?

A) Fans will learn a lot about why the characters are the way they are and something about how Carmilla came to know Laura that even surprised me. So keep watching!

Q) In what ways did you feel that season two level’d up from season one?

A) Well, the stakes (pun fully intended) were certainly much higher. I know less Hollstein may have disappointed some fans, but overall I thought everything was much tighter and more exciting – the action, the writing, the set and the acting. I simply adore all of the new characters (and the actors that play them) that were introduced. And on a personal note, I was glad to have more preparation time and to be able to come in with a better understanding of my character. I felt more grounded in her and I am already dreading the day I have to say goodbye.

Q) Will small quarters shared in “Carmilla Zero” finally allow Laura and Carmilla to actually communicate?

A) I think it’s more than just small quarters that will allow them to finally communicate. I think after everything they have been through, it’s their mutual willingness to communicate and their love for each other that brings them together… whether they are still romantic or not. (Fingers crossed for more kisses!)