Care to share anything about your "kissing and sparring" technique on Witchblade as you always seemed to be required to plant one on a moving Yancy Butler, since Irons and Pez were engaged in combat during the 2(?) scenes I can recall? Hitting a moving target has got to be far more difficult than a stationary one. (Stephanie)
"I have to thank Louis Paquette, one of the stunt coordinators who spent hours beyond what he was paid to train me. The combat scene in the second season was prepped to shoot in one long piece so there was a lot to learn. The stunt people were also gracious enough to allow me to do the scene myself." (Added 1/27/04)

When you went to the Gauntlet and saw all the fans there, did it surprise you, overwhelm you, or what? (Mary)
"We were definitely surprised and overwhelmed by the dedication of everyone who traveled out of the country to see us after only one season of production. It was one of the most special moments I remember from the entire "Witchblade" experience." (Added 2/2/04)

Do you know if Ralph Hemecker has ever commented on fan reaction through the 2 seasons of Witchblade? Anything specific he said you could share with us?(Susan)
"Ralph greatly appreciated all comments -- and I know he appreciated the dedication of those who tried to save the show. He felt a great obligation to the fans, and knew that were it not for the viewers, we would not be on the air -- so he took very seriously what the viewers said online and in letters. I think everybody in general was looking forward to taking what we all learned from Season 2 -- especially fan reaction -- and making Season 3 the season where everything got back on track." (Added 7/4/03)

When Witchblade was filming in Toronto, it was mentioned that on occasion you and Eric would rehearse over dinner. Who did the cooking and what is the strangest thing you have ever eaten? (travelingdog)
"Eric did a lot of the cooking, and he's quite the chef. The strangest thing I've eaten . . . a caterpillar, on a picnic sandwich, at age five." (Added 4/10/03)

Can you give us a blooper of you and Eric together, as Ian and Irons? Any episode, either season. (travelingdog)
“In the episode where Irons possesses Ian, there is a moment towards the end where Ian swings himself around a signpost and Pezzini pulls up on her Buell. Since we shot all Ian scenes in the episode with Eric doing a pass as Ian and me doing a pass as Ian, I had to copy Eric/Ian's moves. Eric was insistent that I do the swing around the signpost -- I didn't necessarily feel that Irons/Ian would do that, but I agreed to go along with his "nonsense" assuming I'd be protected by the editors. We did about four takes with Eric laughing and making fun of me from across the street because I didn't "swing right"(it's amazing which details fixate Eric during the shooting of a scene . . .) -- and of course, they ultimately used my swing around the signpost, and I looked foolish…” (Added 12/19/02)

Can you explain what Ian understands? Is it that he is not to interfere or is it more? (Lovuian)
"The Second Season left more questions than answers -- I'm hoping that we'll be able to get back to these characters so that I can show you the answer . . . " (Added 10/10/02)

We are all sorely disappointed that TNT cancelled Witchblade. Were you, Eric and the others officially informed before the news went public and can you share any thoughts on the matter? (Travelingdog)
"I had suspected that the cancellation might happen, and I was"officially" told just prior to reading about it in the trades. " (Added 10/18/02)

Any hints on season 2? (Jessie)
"As usual, the writers are very fluid with the story- any hints I may offer could be written/edited out by the time the show airs." (Added 7/24/02)

Is Witchblade your first acting job using blu screens/greenscreens? What adjustments do you make in preparing to act/react to "nothing" while filming?(Tamara)
"I've used greenscreens before. The acting process is the same once I know the particulars of how my image is being used. I may have to use my imagination a bit more to fill in the blanks. I need to know where I am. I need to know what I am looking at and where my sightline is. I need to know how far away the person is I'm speaking to and if I have to raise my voice because I'm speaking over noise, for instance. And then, as always, I pretend I am there as that character in that specific situation." (Added 7/22/02)

What did you /the cast do in Toronto when you weren't filming? Any fun things?(IansGrl)
"Toronto is a very liveable city with theater, music, art, great parks and fun places to visit. As far as recreation goes, I swim, Eric plays basketball, David runs, John writes music, Will works out and Yancy catches up on her sleep. We all read and share what we're working on with each other." (Added 7/19/02)

What bloopers can you share with us? (Jessie)Any big bloopers that happened on the set?(IansGrl)
"Nestor Serrano (Bruno Dante) had a laughing fit during the scene where Pezzini jumps on top of a sleeping Dante in the middle of the night. He infected Yancy with the giggles and they barely finished the coverage. At one point in the scene, I think I can see Nestor just before he breaks."

Did you know of the Witchblade comics before this project?(Karma101)
"Yes. Brian Haberlin, my college roommate, was one of the original creators. (Added 7/17/02)"

What's the most difficult scene you've had to do for Witchblade and why?(Nimnix)
"Scenes tend to be difficult to do if I don't adequately prepare them, or if the director's interpretation doesn't make any sense to me. Fortunately, neither have ever been an issue on WITCHBLADE." (Added 7/16/02)

Has input from fans made a difference? Most of us were disappointed with how little screen time Irons got in Season 1 and are hoping our emails to TNT, the WB message board, etc. has had some impact. You have such great chemistry with Yancy and Eric. I hope there will be lots more such scenes in Season 2. Thanks! (wildswans)
"So many people are involved in the decisions that go into a show-- I would hope they listen to the fans -- you're the reason this show has a second season. We'll just have to see."

My question is really more of a request. Please share a story or anecdote from Witchblade that you think we might find interesting. (DragonLady)
"The excellent actor Keir Dullea who played "Dr. Immo" in Episodes 10 and 11, also played, of course, "Dave" in 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY. The producers had him in mind from the very beginning -- so much so that earlier drafts referred to his character as "Dr. Keir Dullea." This bit of casting highlights something about Ralph Hemecker and his creative team: they love filmmaking, and they enjoy referencing existing work that may amplify a certain theme or aspect of WITCHBLADE. Since the first season was all about time and evolution, Keir was a great choice, because one of his most memorable roles was related to these aspects. His character in 2001 went through an age progression much in the same fashion that Irons did. Keir was interested in comparing the time spent in the chair to apply the aging make-up. At his character's oldest stage, Keir spent 18 hours in the make-up chair (and fortunately Kubrick got the shot in a few takes that same day). The techniques available to the special-effects people today have improved to the point that it took me only 4-1/2 hours to apply Iron's age progression."

Casting Process for Witchblade:(Jessie)
Can you share your experience of being hired for Witchblade? How did you hear about the casting call? How many call backs did you get? How long was the process before you were hired for the job?(IansGrl) How did you celebrate being hired?
"Originally I was asked to look at the material for Nottingham as well as Irons (although I was obviously partial to the role of Irons). I met Ralph Hemecker (the pilot's director and now the series' showrunner). Ralph had the same take on Irons as I did from reading the original "Witchblade" books. I went back to meet a few more of the producers, who then brought me to the network to meet everyone. The process took about five weeks. My celebration was "an exhalation of relief" -- I felt strongly about the role and it would have been difficult for me to watch someone else playing it."

Did anyone in the cast play the trickster to the others?
"There is a rumor that the crew places an apple somewhere in one shot in every show. Now that Lazar has been spotted, good luck finding the apples."

Would you attend a Witchblade convention/ conference for fans?
"Schedule permitting, I'll attend."

Please describe a typical day on the set.
"There isn't inasmuch as we have a combination of studio, location, and special effects shots. There is always something different."

Did you have to go to a speech therapist {Voice Coach} to learn Irons' accent?(IansGrl)
"Bonnie Raphael was my voice/dialect coach when I was at the American Repertory Theater. I owe a lot to her in general, but the Irons accent isn't a standard RP. It's a bit of a mix -- some British, a little German, etc. Ralph Hemecker and I talked about an accent that sounds conventional, but when really listened to, isn't from any place specific -- that seems appropriate for Irons."

Who did your hair? Is it natural or colored? Are you wearing blue contacts?(Thira)
"Cliona Feury, the Key Hairdresser, is responsible for the hair color, Along with a very talented colorist named Carol at Salon Donato in Mississauga. The green eyes are mine."

What was your favorite episode in Season 1?
"I liked the "Periculum" episode. It dealt most directly with the "Witchblade" myth. It showed Pezzini completely broken. The main characters alone carried the show. There was no investigation of a crime. It was a very unusual episode."

What storyline in Season 1 have you enjoyed most?
"Probably all the nonverbal interplay Eric and I worked on to flesh out Irons and Nottingham. We wanted each episode to gradually build the menace/dependence between the two, and we included that development wherever we could."

Who was/were your favorite director(s) during Season 1?
"Each brought his own strength to the show -- I wouldn't be able to choose."

Will you return for the second Witchblade season? (Jessie)Do you think it will be more an ensemble show this time around? {Please. We love Yancy, but surely even she needs downtime.} Do you think we will ever get a full, 22-episode season? When will you start filming?
"All things are possible. Networks make shows for viewers -- if they feel viewers will respond positively to a change, they will make that change."

What was it like working with the Witchblade cast?(Darkheart_77/ Amane)
Yancy Butler
Eric Etebari
David Chokachi
Will Yun Lee
et al. (Nestor Serrano, John Hensley, Jr, any others you'd like to mention?
"We are very blessed to have the cast that we have. People have remarked on how close we all are while being so different from one another. We have no prima donnas, everyone has a strong work ethic, everyone treats the material seriously and tries to avoid the caricature/cliche, and we're all thankful to be working. We have a very talented crew, most of whom usually work features for better pay. A number of them turned down features to return to work on "Witchblade," simply because they like the show, and because everyone gets along so well."

What did you do to during the 4.5 hours while the aging makeup was being applied?(Laura {aka Dragonlady})
"I slept."

Assuming Witchblade continued - for another season or movie: (Miao-meng)
~what direction would you like to see Kenneth Irons character go in?
~would you like to do more scenes outside of "your home and office"?
~what would you like to remain the same?
"I would have thought Irons and Pezzini could have fleshed out their "historic" relationship a bit more, and the Irons/Nottingham relationship didn't have much of a chance to grow the second season. Irons out among the people is always a nice contrast to the gothic darkness at home and in the office. And I'd most wish to continue working with the actors I worked with - they were all terrific and they inspired me to do my best." (Added 12/3/04)

Personal FAQ

Professional FAQ

Witchblade FAQ