Sharon Belle – Carmilla

By starrymag | November 3, 2015

By: Lisa Steinberg

 

 

Q) How did preparing for your role as Danny in season two differ from season one? 

 

A) Season two Danny is thrown into insanely difficult trials that she has not been faced with before, which forces her to make impulsive and radical decisions. She feels like she must be the hero in this story and save everyone and that is her burden. That’s the burden that Danny has always carried with her. Preparing for the role of Danny in Season Two did not differ because deep down she is still the same person. This season did; however, push her physical and emotional limits to the max and therefore making the preparation a lengthier process. Danny has always been capable of anything she sets her mind to, but it wasn’t until the end of season one and the entirety of season two that she was really tested.

 

Q) What were your thoughts on Danny getting killed and then resurrected?  

 

A) Honestly, when I first read in the script that Danny died, I dropped my script and walked out of the room. Fortunately, I did my first read-through with Kaitlyn Alexander [who plays LaFontaine] and they (somehow) convinced me to read the rest of the episodes. So, it’s safe to say that I was so relieved and incredibly happy when Danny came back to life. My initial thought when she came back to life was “She’s evil now? Poor Danny,” but then I quickly got to “She’s evil now. Yay, me!” New resurrected Danny just created about a million more possibilities, so I am very excited to explore what those might be.

 

Q) How do you think Carmilla and Danny’s relationship/dynamic is going to change or shift if there’s a season 3?

 

A) That is actually the relationship that I am the most excited to explore. Carmilla and Danny have always had a hard time seeing eye to eye (pun intended). So, I’m hoping that if there’s a Season 3 that they might have a little more common ground, a little more to talk about. Then again, things could go the complete opposite way in which case I’m very excited to have another fight scene with Natasha [Negovanlis, who plays Carmilla].

 

Q) Can you talk about the evolution of Kirsch and Danny’s relationship this season, from Kirsch’s puppy love to a BroTP understanding? What have you enjoyed most about it?

 

A) The evolution of this relationship has, honestly, been my all time favourite. First of all, it is an absolute joy working with Matt [O’Connor]. I feel very lucky to have had so many scenes with such a talented actor. I think the end of Season One really left the Zeta Society in limbo so it was great reading all the theories of where their relationship might go. What was even better though, was the story we were actually given. The story of two friends; one falls for the other, the other doesn’t really dig them that way, but they have enough love and respect for each other to stay even closer than ever. Now that’s a wicked good story! I’m tired of TV and movies portraying this very same relationship and demonising the person who’s not interested or victimising the person who gets shut down. Whereas with Danny and Kirsch, you see two independent people handling a tough situation in a very grown up way. It’s very admirable and I’m so happy there is this kind of representation in the show. As for what I enjoyed most about it all? I’d be crazy if I didn’t say getting to kiss that gorgeous face of his.

 

Q) If Perry is The Dean, could Danny possibly have been resurrected as Ell?

 

A) I had never really thought about that before. I suppose anything is possible in the world of Carmilla. I; however, personally don’t think that’s the case. I think Danny is just all kinds of possessed evil, resurrected to do the Dean’s bidding. I still have high hopes for her though. Maybe she’ll get some cool Hunger Games plot and Danny will be turned from evil to good again. Hang in there, Danny!

 

Q) Do you have a favourite line from season two?

 

A) My favourite line from Season two was Danny’s response to Laura saying, “But you do it all the time,” (referring to the fact that Danny throws herself at super strong vampires all the time) and her response is “Yeah, well, I work out.” I just think this line is so hilarious—besides the fact that it’s true. For some reason Danny thinks that because she is tall and strong that she has a fighting chance against vampires. It’s just a perfect example of her character: strong willed, stubborn, brave, impulsive, confident and selfless.

 

Q) Jordan Hall told us that pretty much from the time she started writing Danny in Season One that Danny was a combination of being too reckless and wanting to be noble too much. How did you see Danny: hero, betrayer, or an area in between?

 

A) Danny is not a betrayer at all. She is extremely loyal and cares for people very much – so much so that she considers it her job to keep people safe. She is; however, very reckless. I agree with that, but in a noble way. She would, without thinking, give her own life to keep people safe, which she did. So, yes, Danny is a hero in my books.

 

Q) What was the most technically difficult scene to film from season two?

 

A) Technically the most difficult scene to film from Season Two was the whole Danny/Mattie encounter with the locket. With little to no special effects or a stunt choreographer, it is very difficult to film a believable fight scene from one angle. Luckily I was working with Sophia [Walker, who plays Mattie], a talented and highly trained theatre actress, and me with my martial arts background. It took us no time at all to come up with something that looked really good.

 

Q) What was something about your character’s development in season two that really surprised you?

 

A) For starters, the evil undead thing at the end was a real shocker. I can honestly say I didn’t see that coming. As for character development, what really came as a surprise to me was her turning against the Summer Society. Being a Summer was such a huge part of Danny’s identity in Season One so standing up to Mel [Nicole Stamp] and turning her back on them came as a bit of a shock. Danny will always follow her heart and do what she feels is right, but, the Summer Society was the one line I thought she would never cross. Go, Danny!

 

Q) What do you hope or want fans to take away from your character’s arc from season two?

 

A) Love yourself and stay true to yourself and what you believe in. Hold your head up, stay strong and don’t be afraid to fight for what’s right.