You may remember that a month ago I participated in a conference call and was able to interview two stars, Greg Grunberg and Masi Oka, of the new NBC show called Heroes. Ali Larter was supposed to be on that call as well, but couldn’t make it because of her travel schedule. However, there was a second conference call scheduled a few weeks ago and this time Ali was able to make it. She was joined by the creator/executive producer of Heroes, Tim Kring.
If you don’t know or haven’t seen the show, Heroes is basically a show about ordinary people, like you or me, learning that they have extraordinary abilities. You might even call these people “superheroes”. As we will learn, though, some of these people may not be “heroes” after all. They may use their new-found abilities for evil.
Ali Larter (Niki Sanders)
Ali plays Niki Sanders, a Las Vegas showgirl who has to raise her son on her own. Her power is a great mystery to many, but it has something to do with the person she sees in the mirror. You may know her best from the movie, Varsity Blues, where she wore that whipped cream bikini. She has also been in the Final Destination series of movies along with The House on Haunted Hill and Drive Me Crazy.
Ali is wickedly hot and some suggest that may be her power. Here are some of the highlights of what Ali Larter and Tim Kring said in this second conference call for Heroes…
Ali, Your story is playing out most like a horror film so far. With you being in the Final Destination series, was it easy for you to fall back into that role for this show?
Ali Larter: I’m in a bit of fear and distress right now, but in the next few episodes you will get a little romance and a little cheekiness in my story. The writing for this show continues to push me with all of the different tones in it.
What was your take on your character and what her power was?
Ali: When I read the pilot, I didn’t know what was going on with her, other than the fact that you have a really complicated woman, who’s just trying to get by. I didn’t know if she was crazy or what. But I saw that you had a complicated woman trying to raise her son. So it was more about what was going on in her life to start. What we lead to is a duality in her personality. One side is conformed and follows the laws, while the “shadow side” lives out the dark fantasies that are repressed in all of us.
We’ve seen you take your clothes off on the show so far. How do you keep in such great shape?
Ali: (laughing) I was in the gym before this call. It’s just a way of life. I think I’m really lucky to play this sort of sexy, racy, provocative, fun character. It’s just part of the job to stay in shape for it. I’m a runner and I like to run because it gives me an emotional release and keeps me sane as well as keeping me in shape.
How comfortable were you with the scenes where you had to take your clothes off?
Ali: It’s always very embarrassing. Any actor will tell you that. But you have to sort of go with it and try to make jokes on the set about it. It’s a fun character and she does have these sexy scenes, but you also see her deal with her son. What’s amazing about this writing is how there is this balance to show how multi-dimensional the character is.
What power would you like to have in real life?
Ali: I would want to fly. Soaring through the air seems like a great way to experience freedom.
What made you want to make the transition from movies to TV?
Ali: I just look for great writing. When I read the pilot by Tim, it was incredible. There is not always great roles for women. This character is interesting and she challenges me and pushes me. I’m thrilled that I found a character that I can really grow with.
What’s been your response to the success of the show?
Ali: I think it’s great, since the writing is so good on this show. Having the audience respond to the show as well is like the icing on the cake. They love the show as much as we love working on it.
A lot of us joke that your superpower is being hott! Do you think beauty can be a weapon?
Ali: I think that my alter-ego uses what she’s got to get what she wants for sure.
Tim Kring: I’m going to jump in on this one. We have gotten feedback about the first few episodes and one of things that is popular with people is that Ali’s character is a strong female character. Women can really relate to her, especially mothers. They can own their sexuality and that’s a powerful thing.
Do you think her power is more of a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde thing or does her alter-ego have a body of its own?
Tim: It’s safe to assume that it’s the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde thing, but we have an open door to maybe surprise some people.
Ali: One way I think about it is you hear stories about mothers getting super-strength to save their child under a car in one instance. For me, everything Niki does generates from the desire and need to protect her son.
What is it like playing a mother and working with Noah, your son on the show?
Ali: Noah is incredible. He makes my job easy. Watching his relationship with his mother is a huge inspiration to me. We kinda hang out and discuss the scenes when we can. As women, we have a desire and need to protect our kids. I have nephews and have been around kids all my life, so it wasn’t that hard for me to fall into the “mother” role for this show.
Did you read comic books growing up or is it that world new to you?
Ali: It’s new to me. I’m love learning about all of it and all of the references, though. It’s really fun to learn all about it now.
How does it feel working on a “comic book” type of show?
Ali: To me, it’s more of a human drama show. There are different elements in the show. But I always work from reality, so it doesn’t change how I work on this show.
Tim: I’m uncomfortable with the idea that people think it’s just a “comic book” show. It’s based in reality. I wanted to ground it in reality as much I could so that people could think that it could actually happen to them. It’s character drama first. The comic book elements are just the icing on the cake.
Tim, Niki’s power is very confusing. Can you clarify for us what it actually is?
Tim: It’s supposed to be confusing at first. We see it from her point-of-view. Her character is the one character that is finding out her power in the most confusing way. It gets clearer as we go along, though. We trust the audience stays patient with us.
Tim, How many seasons does your story arc go?
Tim There is a general idea of where it can go for seasons. There are no set conclusions for the show. There is not an island we have to get off of or a timeframe where we have to stop. I have a general idea of where it could go for next season. But no specifics besides this season. We have a framework for what next season could be about, though. There will be a resolution at the end of this season, but not all of the storylines will be wrapped up, so that we can focus on something else next season besides the prophecy which is the focus of this season.
– Heroes airs on NBC on Monday nights at 9 p.m. PT/ET.
– Heroes airs on the Global network on Monday nights at 9 p.m. PT/ET.
