HEROES: On Set with Brea Grant

[Loveriot]

HEROES: On Set with Brea Grant

Thu, August 28th, 2008 at 1:30PM PST
Updated: Thu, August 28th, 2008 at 8:33PM PST



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"Heroes: Villains" begins September 22 on NBC


SPOILER WARNING: The following contains spoilers for the forthcoming season of "Heroes."


There can be no hero without a formidable villain for he or she to fight. There would be no Spider-Man without the Green Goblin and no Superman without Lex Luthor. So with that in mind, NBC's (http://www.nbc.com/Heroes/) hit show "Heroes" has decided to come out swinging this season with its appropriately named "Volume Three: Villains."



Over the course of the first two seasons, the heroes have faced off against several questionable characters including Sylar, Linderman and Adam Monroe. However, when the prisoners of Level 5, The Company's top-secret prison for super-powered criminals, escape during the season three opener on September 22, there will be a whole host of new baddies for our heroes to deal with.



CBR News recently stopped by the set of "Heroes" in Los Angeles and spoke to actress Brea Grant ("Friday Night Lights") about her character, the villain and super-speedster Daphne Millbrook, as well as what it's like to join the hit show.



"I think I like laid down and cried. I was in shock. It was very, very exciting," recalled Grant of her reaction to being cast on "Heroes." "I was a huge fan, so it was very exciting. I had watched most of [the first season] from the beginning and then I went back and re-watched everything before I started filming," said the actress.




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Brea Grant plays Hiro's nemesis in the new season







"They've been really cool," Grant said about joining the show. "It's amazing. They're so nice and so willing to work with you. Not just the cast but the crew too. Everyone has been very, very cool and willing to listen to ideas and help me out."


Producers have described Grant's character, Daphne, as The Joker to Hiro's Batman. Grant talked about the dynamic between her character and the time-traveling hero. "He can stop time but because I'm so fast I can move within his time-stopped world," Grant explained. "We sort of cancel each other's powers out. I can run around in his stopped world but I can't run at super-speeds. He can't do anything about it, so it's a good dynamic between the two of us. He's constantly the good guy, where as I'm more of the bad guy."



Grant defends her character's villainous behavior. "I wouldn't say that deep down she's a terrible person or anything," said Grant. "She's no Sylar but she's a thief. I think in the end she's sort of an innocent. She's been a thief for a long time, she's been on her own and had to take care of herself. Now all of the sudden she is faced with these people who have these much bigger issues at stake and that's going to change the way she reacts to things. But my character has many turns throughout the season. There is much to look forward to."


Of Daphne's arc in "Volume Three: Villains," Grant said, "She's getting rung through the ringer, seeing a lot of things that she hasn't seen before. Where up until now she was a thief, this is the point where she begins her journey to maybe become something else."




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Brea Grant







Grant revealed that before she was cast, the writers had very specific plans for Daphne and even she wasn't let in on all of them. "I think they had a much stronger idea of the character when I came in than even I did. And now I'm gradually getting the hang of it."



More information about the background of Daphne Millbrook is available in the form of a two-part online comic now appearing on NBC.com. Written by Zach Craley with art by Micah Gunnell of Aspen Comics, "Our Lady Of Blessed Acceleration" is the story of Daphne's days as a thief and her attempt to steal the Mona Lisa.



With the large cast of "Heroes" and its spread-out storylines, many of the actors don't always have the chance to work with each other. However, Grant has had a different experience. "I've talked to a lot of the other people on 'Heroes' and they all say it took them like two seasons to meet everybody," she revealed. "I've been really fortunate. I get to have scenes with a lot of different people for various reasons. My character gets around a lot, she's fast."



While discussing her experience working with a particular actor on the show, Grant revealed some interesting information about the upcoming season. "I got to work with Malcolm McDowell and it was amazing," she said. "He's so cool and has about a million stories. He's also the ultimate bad guy. He's so evil that it's cool."




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Brea Grant







When asked if what she shot with McDowell was a flashback, Grant confirmed the scene does take place in the present. McDowell's character, Daniel Linderman, an evil mob boss with the ability to heal with his touch, was last seen having his brain yanked from his head by in the finale of "Heroes" season one. How his character will return this season and for how long has yet to be announced.



Much attention has been given to making Daphne's super-speed power look authentic. "The writers and producers and have really helped and been very hands on," Grant said. "We've talked about the physicality of it, as well as there are just practical elements to it. I have to run a certain way, stop really quickly or stop on a dime. Taking the sharp corners in heels is the hardest part. I'm not much of a heels girl. Normally I'm a much better runner, I would say, but the heels through me a bit."



And as to whether Brea Grant is at all disappointed she's not playing a hero on the show, the actress remarked, "It's always more fun being a villain."



"Heroes Volume Three: Villains" speeds into televisions September 22 on NBC.

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=17884

[Loveriot]

Marshall native excited over upcoming 'heroic' debut


http://alt.coxnewsweb.com/cnishared/newsworthy/images/click-to-listen.gifClick-2-Listen (http://www.marshallnewsmessenger.com/news/content/news/stories/2008/08/090708_web_brea.html#)
By Robin Y. Richardson, News Messenger

Saturday, September 06, 2008

Summer was all but slow for Marshall native Brea Grant as she spent the bulk of her time preparing for her debut as Daphne, a new speedy character on NBC's hit TV show "Heroes."

"I've been filming since May," Ms. Grant disclosed to The Marshall News Messenger Wednesday while taking a break from filming to visit family and friends in Marshall.
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Courtney Case/News Messenger
(ENLARGE) (http://www.marshallnewsmessenger.com/news/content/news/stories/2008/08/6432298_090708-brea-grant-2-copy.html)
Brea Grant discusses her career and new role on NBC's 'Heroes.'

The first episode of the show, now in its third season, will air on NBC, Sept. 22. Ms. Grant and the cast has filmed nine episodes so far. She will film episode 10 when she returns from her break.

"It's a show that's hard to film, but it's really fun," the 26-year-old shared. "Every episode takes a lot longer than a normal show. It takes about 11 to 14 days to film one episode."

Although she was tagged for the role in May, the opportunity of portraying main character Hiro Nakamura's arch nemesis still seems surreal for the 2000 Marshall High School graduate.

"I mean to walk onset for the first time and be introduced to everyone, introduced to the creators of the show, to the writers and all of my favorite characters...it was really nerve-wracking, but it was fun," she said. "It's a surreal kind of fun, but I guess that's what every actor wants to do is to be on a show that you love."

The "Heroes" rookie has already caught the attention of fans, who have stayed abreast of the news in anticipation of the new character. Many of them approached her for photo-ops while at the Comic-Con comic book festival in San Diego, Calif., where a screening of the first half of the first episode of this season's "Heroes" was shown.

"That was the first place where people started recognizing me and wanted their picture taken with me and stuff like that, which was really exciting for me," Ms. Grant said. "Then, people wanted to know all about my character and I was sort of just there to buy comic books and to hang out with some friends of mine, but it was fun."

The "Heroes'" character, who has appeared in other productions including "Friday Night Lights," considers it an honor to be a part of a show that has claimed many successes ranging from Golden Globe awards to Emmy nominations.

"When I found out I had the audition, I literally laid down on the floor and started crying," the actress recalled. "Then, after that, I think things sort of became very real to me. I just worked really hard to get the role."

Growing up in Marshall, performing in plays written by her father, Ben Z. Grant, the actress never imagined she would be cast on a major TV show.

"It was a very distant goal," she said. "I did a lot of theatre here in Marshall and it definitely prepared me to do everything else.

"As soon as I went to college and decided that's kind of what I was looking to do, I guess it became more of a real goal," she said.

And if she had her choice, "Heroes" would still be the ideal show for her to be cast in.

"I've always liked the show," Ms. Grant said, describing herself as a Sci-fi comic reader. "I kind of like that kind of stuff anyway so it fit right in. If you would've said, 'What show would you wanna be on?' it would have definitely been 'Heroes.'"
The actress thoroughly reviewed every episode from season one through season two to familiarize herself with each detail before she started filming.

"I didn't want to be caught off guard," she admits.

Although a fun role, executing extraordinary abilities, it is one Ms. Grant takes very seriously.

"I'm excited, but it's a job and I've sort of been treating it like a job up until this point," she said when asked how she felt about the debut date of her character approaching soon. "Coming back to Marshall has made it more exciting because everybody else is really excited because they're sort of removed from the daily work of it."

Ms. Grant hopes "Heroes" fans will enjoy her character, whom she describes as a super fast villain.

"In the first episode, you can just see her meet some of the heroes that we all know and love. Then, things sort of progress from there. You get to see her sort of play with all the heroes and meet all of them eventually in some way, shape or form.

"I can't really tell you how. You've just gotta watch and see," she insists.

The character, Daphne, contrasts with any other roles the actress has ever portrayed.

"I haven't always played the nicest characters, but she's different," Ms. Grant said. "She's very independent. She's been on her own for a while and doing the whole villain thing....stealing things, kind of living on her own doing what she wants to do.

"She's a lot different than a lot of characters I've played, but she's still playful and fun, which has been sort of a cool side of a character that's been fun to explore."

The character's extraordinary abilities seems to coincide well with Hiro's.

"She can run through as fast as sound, if you can imagine," Ms. Grant said. "It's a great sort of pairing they do with Hiro, who can stop time and time travel."

Not only is Daphne full of surprises, but the entire show will have viewers eyes' glued to the screen this season, Ms. Grant assures.

"I can tell you that the season is going to shock everyone," she revealed. "There's a lot of really cool special effects with my character especially, but everyone is doing cool stunts and cool special effects.

Even the costumes and makeup will amaze viewers, she believes.

"The show, it's like a new movie every week. It's going to be a shock for fans," she reiterated.

"For people who haven't watched the show, I think they're really going to enjoy it this season. It's really coming back with a bang. It's going to be a fun season."

http://www.marshallnewsmessenger.com/news/content/news/stories/2008/08/090708_web_brea.html

[Loveriot]

New "Heroes" Star Drops Some Spoilers!

Posted by Jarett Wieselman at 02:07 PM on September 22, 2008
Wrapped under: http://blogs.nypost.com/popwrap/img/categories/ctv.gifTV (http://blogs.nypost.com/popwrap/archives/tv/index.html)

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It's no secret that last season, "Heroes" was:
A) Boring
B) Disappointing
C) Only noteworthy because of Kristen Bell
D) All of the above

If you chose D, then I have good news - things are looking up in a big way for season three. Gone are the meandering plots that took focus off the core heroes - sorry Monica (http://blogs.nypost.com/popwrap/archives/2008/08/dana_davis_prom.html) - while a new world-ending event once again unites our team.
The person who unwittingly sparks this threat is Daphne, a new superfriend with the power of sonic speed. Daphne spars with Hiro right off the bat and looks poised to be a thorn in his side all season long. I got the chance to chat with Brea Grant - a kindred spirit to any self-professed geek - and aside from instantly endearing herself to me (a shared love of "Veronica Mars" will do that) she spilled that while Daphne might come off like a villain at first, appearances can be deceiving!
Pop Wrap: As a fan of "Heroes," what did you think of season two?
Brea Grant: I had to go back and rewatch it, not because it lost my interest, I just didn't have the time. Most of my close friends were saying that season three needs to be better but I liked season two - I'm a huge Kristen Bell fan, which was a big, big draw for me in signing on. And I loved her character.

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PW: Kristen, and Elle, are pretty fantastic - were you a "Veronica Mars" fan, too?
Brea: It's so funny, I was waiting tables when "Veronica" was still on and I served her! Now, I never say things to stars but I couldn't resist telling her that she was my favorite actress on TV. I haven't mentioned it to her on set and I don't think she recognizes me, but it's so embarrassing now.
PW: Well, you know they're making a "Veronica Mars," you should get in on that!
Brea: I know! I could have Jean [her "Friday Night Lights" character] go to Neptune High!

PW: Speaking of your role on "Friday Night Lights," is it true that it's what landed you this job on "Heroes?"
Brea: Yeah, the producers and writers saw me on "FNL" and, from what I've been told, they were having a meeting and talking Daphne and thought, "why don't we get someone like the girl who played Jean on 'FNL?'"

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PW: When did you become involved?
Brea: Well, someone was like, "what if we just got that girl!" So I got the call about three months before I ever auditioned and was told that "Heroes" was interested in me for this role. Technically I wasn't free, but I made myself available to audition.
PW: Having a character created for, and inspired by, you is pretty amazing.
Brea: I know, it's really the dream - but to have it be a cool character and not a lame one is even better! (laughs)
PW: And Daphne's introduction on tonight's two-hour premiere is equally awesome - what did you think of her "vapor trail?"
Brea: It's like there's a weight behind me and I leave this path of destruction everywhere I go. I think it's amazing, the special effects people aren't aiming for TV-quality effects, it's film-quality for sure. I love my intro, I love that first scene with Hiro - my lines are fantastic.

PW: So does Daphne spend most of her on-screen time battling it out with Hiro?
Brea: That's what's been out in the press, but around episode 5 she starts running into lots of people - the characters she's working for and a lot of other ones too. She really changes the direction by joining a couple of other storylines and teaming up with people that I think fans are really going to like.
PW: Can you elaborate on that?
Brea: (laughs) Everybody's trying to get the secrets out of me because I'm the new person! I'm always scared to be the leak on "Heroes!"

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PW: I've heard Daphne teams up with Linderman, what was it like working with Malcolm McDowell? Brea: Oh my god, I freaked! He's so cool and actually recognized me from "FNL." PW: Does that happen a lot?
Brea: "Friday Night Lights" has a loyal fan following - it's much smaller than "Heroes," but yeah, I got a lot of attention from that show. A lot of the important people in Hollywood are fans, so all of a sudden I was going in and getting parts I never got before because of my stint on that show.
PW: Why all of a sudden, because you don't have the typical "actress" look?
Brea: Some people thought my hair would pigeonhole me, but to me, it's gotten me through a lot of doors that I wouldn't have otherwise. It's sort of become my signature - when I put it back people don't recognize me.
PW: What was the genesis of the style?
Brea: The genesis of the hair? Well, I was in grad school and I just kinda quit brushing it - I don't know if I should tell people that! I had been bleaching it for a really long time so it got really damaged that it just started dreading on its own. I don't do it on purpose, I just let it do what it wants.
PW: Much like Daphne! (Worst segue of the week award)
Brea: Yeah, she's doing her own thing and not working for the best people when you meet her, but she's doing what she needs to for survival. She's not a Sylar - but like every character this season she goes back and forth between the dark and the light and has to deal with whether she's a hero or a villain - and what each means.
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PW: As a fan of the show, you know that adding characters isn't "Heroes" strong suit. How involved were they in shaping Daphne?
Brea: The producers were pretty hands-on with creating my character - they were being very careful with how they treated her because they got so much slack for last season.
PW: So how did they fix that, in their eyes?
Brea: They've given Daphne this amazing storyline and added her to previous ones as well. At first she's getting paired with characters fans already like so you don't need to learn everything about her the first time you see her. I think that helps because then people will be more likely to like her if it doesn't involve figuring out this whole new world - she plays a part in everyone's storylines.
PW: So will we learn about Daphne's history eventually?
Brea: Yeah, you'll see her start as a carefree girl who has to make some tough decisions - then we'll go back and you'll find out a lot about her past and why she made some choices that she did.
PW: Do you know if she was born with her powers or got them late in life like Sylar did?
Brea: I do! It's an interesting thing - but kinda of a big plotpoint you're going to figure out over the course of the show. That's a big thing right there and I don't think I can talk about it. I'm so afraid of getting a late-night phonecall from [creator] Tim Kring asking me why I ruined the show!

http://blogs.nypost.com/popwrap/archives/2008/09/try_and_resist.html

[RicoSlim]

So she also proved that Hiro doesn't freeze time because she can still move around....