Sam Littlefield – Batwoman

By: Lisa Steinberg

Q) What drew you to want to portray this character or be a part of “Batwoman?”

A) There wasn’t a breakdown or a description in the beginning. I actually didn’t totally know what I was getting myself into. It turned out to be a much more involved process than I ever could imagine. One thing that the writers did was create such a rich backstory for the character. That kind of gave me a platform which I could really bounce off of that and create what I wanted to bring Mouse to life.

Q) The writers are great at pulling Easter eggs from Batwoman What is it about the writing on this series that gives it a spark?

A) I think that Caroline Dries, our showrunner, has such a clear idea of what she wants and the writing team all seem to be on the same page. So, we just try to take the cues from them. Even after doing the scenes, when I realize where the references are coming from. I think it stems from a very, very clear vision coming from the creators themselves. And I’m really lucky to be able to relay that the best that I can.

Q) Talk about your portrayal of Mouse and how you balance the dark and light aspects.

A) The dynamic between Alice (Rachel Skarsten) and Mouse is so specific. It stems from early childhood when they were playing pretend down in the basement. But in a lot of ways I feel like…A lot of the scenes between Rachel and I is almost a contact sport. [laughs] It makes scenes fun for each other and who ever views it when it comes out. All I try to do is have as much fun as I possibly can and create as fun a character as I possibly can so hopefully audiences can relate to Mouse, even though he’s got such a dynamic personality that can be read many ways.

Q) No villain sees themselves as the bad guy. They see it as doing something for the greater purpose. How do we explore that through Mouse and the “Alice in Wonderland” dynamics and themes that we see?

A) I think trauma is such a driving force for people. No one knows their own bull. [laughs] I think that Mouse feels totally justified and vindicated in his actions. I also think there is a little bit of that sense of pretend, even when he’s doing the most vicious thing. I think there is even maybe a level of detachment that makes what he’s doing a little bit more palatable for himself. That’s been really interesting exploring.

Q) As a producer and writer in your own right, how does the cinematography help play into the themes as well?

A) I also think that identity is a really big theme in this show that every character seems to be exploring in one way or another and that lends itself to that idea of good and bad and dark and light. Who am I? Am I good or bad? Where am I within the in between? I think that is probably what is most relatable to Mouse and really everyone in the series.

Q) This is such a female led series and they are really the heroines of their own stories. What makes that so powerful for the audience as well?

A) I definitely think that female is the future when it comes to television and cinema. I think it’s only appropriate that a story like this come out at this time. I fully support that and I’m excited to be a part of something that does explore that. Popular shows like this having the first lesbian superhero I think is very important because when you think about kids growing up and being able to tune in to something where a woman is trying to explore and understand her own identity, I think it’s a really important thing to be putting into peoples’ living rooms. I didn’t have that growing up and I think we’d all be the better for it. I think that the world right now is really struggling with “otherisms.” Anything that is not like us we potentially see as maybe against us. Being able to witness other kinds of people and being able to see them as a relatable protagonist realm I think is only helpful for everyone.

Q) You co-wrote, produced and starred in the film Mother’s Little Helpers, which will be released in December. The film is centered around a struggling addict on house arrest and the messy interpersonal relationships with have with our family members. What drew you to put a microscope on these aspects that don’t often get put into focus?

A) It’s a little gem of a film. We all signed on to it a week before filming commenced. Filming took a little over one week to get done where no one was paid, even down to the PA’s. Yet, it was one of the most positive experiences on set that I’ve ever had. It is a predominantly female cast and crew. So, it was kind of interesting being the male influence in the producing, writing and acting aspect of it. But I’m really proud of this movie. I think that when people understand the way that it was made it will give them a lens into what is so special about this film. And it was a great joy of mine to be a part of it.

Q) How does the film balance emotional angst with vulnerability?

A) In one of the last scenes where Jude is saying goodbye to his mother he says, “I don’t know who I’ll be without you here because I won’t have someone to blame everything for.” [laughs] I think that’s kind of the crux that he was really struggling with. Jude is really struggling with, especially trying to figure out who he is outside of these dynamics that are almost thrust upon you in a family. They’ve had to assume a certain position. Find freedom and truth in actually what you want to do and who you are within that was just so interesting to explore. I can connect with it and I think it’s a universal thing that anyone can connect to.

Q) What are the other recent projects you have been busy working on?

A) I have the movie Moyamoya that I’ve been developing for eight years now. It’s starting to come together. It’s a pseudo musical about a stroke victim who lost his identity and is depending on this stripper who is lying to him about who he is in order to get money out of him. It’s a very, very strange film. It’s almost a mix between Little Shop of Horrors and Momento, but it’s very close to my heart and I’m really excited to get started on preliminary filming and eventually to get it out there.