DIY – Everyone’s favourite classic vampire Dracula has once again been given the remake treatment, this time under the gloriously suave and sinister hands of King Henry himself, Jonathan Rhys Meyers. Featuring a number of recognisable faces such as Nonso Anozie from Game of Thrones, and Katie McGrath from Merlin, Dracula manages to bring exactly what you would hope for – part sexy, part scary, but always entertaining.
We had the chance to catch up with Dracula’s leading lady Jessica De Gouw and learn about her origins as an actress in Australia, the differences in now working in America, and just how exciting it is working with a talent like Jonathan Rhys Meyers.
After being so successful in the beginning of your career in Australia, what influenced the move to LA?
It seemed like the right decision for my career. Australia is a lot smaller than the US and UK industries, so I had to leave and create my own opportunities. It was more about being someone that people recognise and getting more work from there. In fact I’ve just wrapped a film in Melbourne with a director I’ve always wanted to work with, so it’s definitely working so far.
What was it like getting a role in a hit TV show almost immediately?
Well I did the traditional pilot season in the US which is pretty intense. You do a load of auditions and then maybe something will come from one of them. I then went home and did a film, then eventually did call backs and jetted off to Vancouver and got very very lucky. It’s not always that easy!
Were you a fan of comic books before getting your role in Arrow? Did u feel any pressure taking on The Huntress?
Oh well there’s obviously that awareness of comics and DC Comics but no, I had to do a lot of learning. The audition was actually a simple script for a role, and I had no idea of the importance of the character. They were quite secretive about it really, not giving it away. As soon as the part was mine, I got a package of DC comics and started learning quickly!
Has there been any news on if you will return?
Actually I think the news may have broken today so yes I will be back! I’m very excited. Arrow fans are very vocal but very happy and encouraging. They are certainly supportive for the most part. The show is dark but relevant and it’s doing so well right now. I think people appreciate where it’s coming from.
Now you have a main role in Dracula. Were you wary about taking on another remake of the tale?
Well I was really excited about the show. I heard Johnny was attached. I wasn’t wary about it to be honest as it hasn’t been done anything like this. We had ten episodes to explore the story and while it has a lot of original characters, it does stray from the text and we do take it down a different path. I definitely had faith that it would be interesting.
What is Jonathan Rhys Meyers like to work with?
He is the perfect Dracula. After working on the show, I couldn’t imagine anyone else doing it. He is just so lovely and really supportive of me. He’s got a lot of advice and helps me when I’m nervous, as does everyone really. It’s just an astonishing combination of people. We all speak to each other every day and we know we lucked out. It really has been a lot of fun.
Has there been any news on a second season?
I think NBC are still discussing it. I know all the crew would love to do it again but even as a single season show, we wrapped it up well enough for it to exist like that. I know it’s difficult for fans and talent alike to deal with the way TV works in the US, but hopefully even if we only get the one season, everyone enjoyed it.
Do you have any particular ambitions going forward?
The industry is always job to job but it’s not something I worry about. There are always auditions to go for and I’m always lucky to do that. I just want to keep on keeping on. I’m doing a combination of TV and film, both in the US and back home, but in the end it’s all about opportunity, There are a lot of people I’d love to work with and I’ve been very lucky so far and I’m just hoping that will continue!
