Meet the New 'Sarah Connor,' Lena Headey

The 'Terminator' TV Star Talks About Kicking Butts (and PMS), Fame and ... 'Rock of Love'?!

January 8 -- British actress Lena Headey's best known to American fans from her queenly role in last year's humongous hit '300.' Now she's set to make an impression on TV audiences in a big way with Fox's new action-packed drama 'Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles,' the long-in-development series spun off from the 'Terminator' flicks.

Headey takes on the Linda Hamilton role of fiercely protective mother to John Connor (played by 'Heroes' Thomas Dekker in the series), the teen who may be the key to saving the world. The actress talks to AOL TV's Kimberly Potts about beating out hundreds of actresses for the role, her big motivation (cash!) and her addiction to ... reality TV.

Were you a fan of the 'Terminator' movies before you signed on for the show?
No, I wouldn't describe myself as a fan, I guess. I mean, I saw the first movie when I was a teenager, and then was haunted by the memories.

What attracted you to the series then?
A lot of cash.

That will do it.
Really, I read the script and I loved it, and I just felt so ready for something like this. I love the character. I think if you're going to put in all this time playing someone, it should be someone with a lot of layers. And the scripts are amazing. I think we're all so exhausted because it's like we're making a film in seven days. We don't scrimp and save on the action. There's always a big action sequence in every episode. And the scripts ... well, usually, when I'm doing movies, I get the script and, like every actor, you flip through and look for all your own lines. And with these scripts, I read the whole thing.

What was your audition process like? I remember reading that they tested hundreds of actresses for the Sarah Connor role.
I did a tape in London and sent it out to L.A., and then I did a kind of weird futuristic reading [via teleconference] where everyone could see me in L.A., and I was in London. And then I flew out to meet them, and it was down to three at that point.

And did you feel pretty confident that you were going to be the one?
Oh no. No, I never do. You know, it's all a kind of ... it's such a weird, heinous process, auditioning. I just do my best and remember that I have no control over it, so I just, uh, try to step back from it as much as I can.

You've done so many action-oriented movie roles, and roles that were very intense ('The Cave,' 'Ripley's Game'). Did you hesitate at all to take on a series where you would have to do that in every episode?
No, not really, because I enjoy that, all of that. I think that sort of physical exertion, that action, and exploring the story in that form, I think it adds emotionally to everything.

So do you get to do any of your own stunts?
I can't overdo stunts. I do all the fight sequences, unless they require, you know, falling off a building. It is really good fun. Especially if you're [PMS-ing], it's helpful.

Did you do any special training for the show?
You know, I sort of thought about that before we started, but then I realized that the television schedule doesn't allow for you to do anything like that. I mean it's a long, long day and at the end of the day, the last thing I wanna do is go to a gym. I want to go and see, you know, my husband and have some time with him. And all the physical stuff we do is a good workout anyway.

The show, and your character, are very tech-savvy. Are you a gadget girl?
No! I'm dreadful with all that stuff. I still use pen and paper. Even if there's a computer, I'm like, 'Noooo!' There's something so romantic and nostalgic about pen and paper that I still love.



Did you think a lot about the movie version of Sarah Connor when you were creating your character, or did you purposefully try to make her different in any way?
Somewhat, but I also tried to approach it instinctively. She's a single mom, and her son happens to be the savior of mankind if she can keep him alive. And she's trying to kind of exist in real time and give her son a real life. I think the thing that TV Sarah has in common with the film Sarah is just a real strength and a morality.

I love the way you balance Sarah in her interactions with John. She has to be so concerned with his basic survival that she doesn't always have the luxury of thinking about the emotional ups and downs of being a teen. The scene where she asks him if he met any girls at school is sweet and funny, and a nice balance to the intense drama.
Thanks, and yes, that's what I love about the show. The fact that Sarah has more pressure than any other parent, and she adores her son and her days are spent thinking of how to survive and how to keep him safe. There's a lot of humor that comes from them, in those circumstances, trying to exist in a normal way, have a normal life, while everything else is so heightened.

Are you concerned about winning over 'Terminator' movie fans?
I think the people who aren't familiar with the movies hopefully will find it and really enjoy it as a stand-alone drama, and really get into the characters. And I hope to convert some of the emotional ['Sarah'] haters who are like, you know, 'This is not Linda Hamilton, it's not Arnie!' You know, come on, guys! Give it a chance.

You've said that you enjoy working as much as you do and still being able to walk down the street without being recognized. But after the success of '300,' and now with 'Terminator' and the fact that people will see you every week, are you concerned about that no longer being the case?
Um, yes, I am worried a little, because I love my job, but I love my anonymity, my real life, too. But it's lovely when people come up and say they enjoy your work, that's a great feeling too, so it would be great if it all balances out.

How are you enjoying living in L.A. full time?
I am enjoying it very much. But it's the story of my life... I thought, 'Right, this is it, I'm gonna move, I've got consistent work, you know, gonna do a TV show, very excited.' And now, there's the strike.

How many episodes of the show did you complete before the strike?
We're supposed to do 13 and we made 8.

What kinds of things have you been doing since the strike?
A lot of waiting. And I watch some very bad television.

What's your favorite?
I love 'Project Runway' more than anything. I can't get enough of that show. Also, 'Top Chef' is just genius. Oh, and can I tell you how excited I was to discover that there's a second season of 'Rock of Love' starting in January. I watch that show and I just can't believe there is a man like that. I kind of love how they take the piss out of him when they advertise it.

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