The Hottest Werewolf on the Block
Laura Vandervoort is Back…with a Bang!
Canadian actress Laura Vandervoort is truly an example of a strong–and beautiful–woman. In the industry since the young age of 13, she started working as a background on a Canadian series as well as on several commercials. Slowly, she moved to working on Canadian children’s shows, playing the lead character. Vandervoort studied acting independently with several different coaches while in school and throughout university. After a few series', she transitioned into the scifi world with the action packed role of Supergirl in "Smallville" and Lisa in the hit ABC series "V." And that’s not all!
The beautiful star landed the lead role in an incredible new series called “Bitten,” based on the novels by Kelly Armstrong.
By Hend Seif El Din
You’ve been acting since the age of 13, and honestly I’m more familiar with your recent work, especially your television roles, which seem to fall under the “supernatural” category…is this a coincidence or do you particularly enjoy playing these roles?
It really is a coincidence. Once I had played ''Supergirl,'' the incredible fan base that is sci-fi has allowed me to pursue other genres. But I always seem to come back to sci-fi. The women on sci-fi series' are just so incredible. They are independent, intelligent and fierce. I am always drawn to that...but on the flip side, love when they have vulnerabilities.
Out of the numerous characters you played, two stuck with me most, Kara on Smalville and Arla on Haven, both very different roles…tell me more about them.
'Supergirl' was a dream for me. Not only was she an iconic super hero but it allowed me to learn, take in this industry and all its working parts. Discovery of the importance of every single crewmember and how the machine truly can't function without them. No matter what their job may be. Supergirl put me in front of the American audience and market. I am grateful for that. On "Haven", I had the opportunity to play a rather dark character. 'Arla' was so in love and desperate to be with her husband. When she lost him, she swore to seek revenge and also stay young and beautiful for his return (In sci-fi no one really truly dies.) To do so, she killed numerous innocent people merely to save their skin, stitch them together and wear them to maintain the "perfect" young woman for her husbands. Never to age a day. It is a dark concept, she was a skin walker. But you couldn't help but feel for her and her need to be loved. Her need to be validated, young and flawless at any cost is almost a metaphor for our society and even this industry.
Which of your roles is your favorite? Which character is closest to you?Elena Michaels on 'Bitten' has to be just that. She is everything I have ever wanted to portray, both as an actress and for women to take pride in.
Tell me about you newest, and highly anticipated, show, Bitten.
I play Elena Michaels, whom is the only female werewolf to survive in existence in the world. As one can expect this brings many burdens to a woman's life. The pressures and the challenges of surviving in the male dominated world...in an all male pack. It's my first lead on a series and I am very proud of the cast. We dedicated so much emotion to the first season. It was agrueling schedule with amazing action sequences and a layered character. I have honestly never had a role that has challenged me to my core like Elena. Physically, emotionally, psychologically.... every day I found myself overcoming things I didn't think I could. I love playing strong woman and our writers definitely gave both myself and the cast incredible material to work and sculpt with.
I know that Bitten is based on the novels by Kelly Armstrong; did you read them?
I read them after being cast. I had read the first two scripts and spoke with our Executive Producer JB Sugar about the role and series previous to the casting. Once it was all set, I sat down to read "Bitten" as well as Kelly's novel "Men Of The Otherworld", which gave me all the background info on the male characters and pack members in the show. She is incredibly talented and I think we all agree, we feel blessed to be playing out these characters and bringing them to life.
Tell me about your character, Elena Michaels, how would you describe her?
Elena is a strong headed and a driven woman. But on the other hand, she is a severely broken soul who ultimately at the end of the day wants to merely belong. Belong to a family, to have a place in the world. Finding her place amongst not only humans but suddenly amongst the world of Werewolves.
Elena is an orphan who has been through more emotional and physical damage (thanks to her foster parents and sibling) then she would ever care to admit. She has trouble trusting people. She is in therapy sorting through the past she can't deal with alone. She is trying to blend in with the world and find normalcy. When she finally does trust Clayton Danvers (Played by Greyston Holt) she falls in love. But like everything in her life, it isn't that simple. Elena feels unspeakable betrayal when Clay bites her into the pack of wolves he calls his family.
Do you enjoy playing a werewolf? Personally, I think it would be a lot of fun! Definitely challenging, but fun, nonetheless.
I do. It brings its challenges but those are the best roles. With Elena I always try to find the animalistic side of her in every scene. Whether it's how she interacts with someone, her physical presence or her sense. Smell, sight, sounds....touch. She's always trying to "push the wolf" within her down. The fact that we are playing wolves, always throws a new dimension into our scenes. The fight sequences are always epic. We are incredibly strong and capable of things humans are not. The sexuality of the character being dominant and the only female, along with her senses as an animal, bring a dark sensuality to the show.
So what’s your favorite Bitten moment so far? Any favorite episodes?
Definitely loved when we went back in time to see Elena's 'First Change." In the books no female has ever survived a bite. Elena is so stubborn and strong, she fights through it. The scenes were intense and exhausting for both myself and the incredible Greg Bryk, who played Jeremy, our pack alpha and father. He and I spent hours shooting the scenes. Both of us brought to tears while shooting. It's graphic and horrible to watch. I had lost my voice and my eyes became blurry by the end of the day. I hope the episodes make an impact on the audience and help them better understand what she had been through with no say in the matter.
Did you start working on Season 2 yet?
No, season one will air in the new year and we can't wait to head back to work!!! I miss my pack. Such talented actors. It was an honor and honestly a complete joy going to work everyday. We all put our hearts on the line for the show and were completely open with our character's true feelings.
Up-close and Personal:
Star sign?
VIRGO (It is where my OCD needs to clean and organize comes from but also where my drive to focus and work ethic derives from.)
Hobbies?
Photography, writing, spinning, and moksha. I recently wrote a children book. I am very proud of it. We sold it to Shaftesbury films to create a live action kids show. "Super Duper Deelia" will be making it's way to TV hopefully within the next year. It is my first time being an Executive Producer and creator.
Hidden talents?
I have my second degree black belt. I started martial arts at the age of 7. I'm also a little obsessive about organization but that's not really a talent. More of a problem…hahaha.
Couldn’t live without…?
I couldn't live without my family.
Favorite quote?
Right now my favorite quote has to be one a tattoo artist randomly blurted out while I was in the chair. "I'm in the fire but it burns so good." That phrase just says so much, and I held onto it.
Laura Vandervoort goes from blond to beast in new Bitten promo
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