From supporting roles in Little Women and How to Make an American Quilt to the female lead in John Woo‘s Broken Arrow, actress Samantha Mathis has already made her mark in Hollywood at the ripe old age of 31. But this summer, in TNT’s original film The Mists of Avalon (premiering Sunday, July 15 and Monday, July 16 at 8 p.m. EST), she’s also taking the small screen by storm.
In The Mists of Avalon, a female take on the Arthurian legend, Mathis plays Gwenhwyfar (the equivalent of Lady Guinevere of lore), a somewhat innocent woman torn between two men. Mathis, who also had roles in the short-lived TV series Harsh Realm and The First Years, recently spoke from her Los Angeles home about the making of the film, her passion for the story and advantages of “gettin’ nasty.”
I see you’ve been heavily promoting The Mists of Avalon lately. Actually, you’ve been pushing for this film to made for years, yes?
Mathis: Well, I didn’t produce the movie, but yes, I’ve been following its production for about 10 years now, ever since I first read the novel. I’m really pleased with it. It tells the [Arthurian] legend from a different perspective, but stays very close to the period.
So, it’s close to the vision you had for it?
Mathis: It is. Yes, definitely. The director [Uli Edel] did an amazing job. The film has that tribal, primitive look to it. I mean, it’s a real challenge to turn a 900-page book into a film, ya know?
Does this movie border on the classification of “chick flick”?
Mathis: Well, I can understand how some people might think that, with the cast and everything, but the movie has some very powerful men in it, like Merlin. There are also some pretty incredible battle scenes. And the love triangle with Arthur and Lancelot–in love with the same woman–can appeal to anyone. But even the scenes with the women may surprise you. These women kick butt.
Were there any other female characters you wanted to play more than Gwenhwyfar?
Mathis: Yes! Morgaine [Julianna Margulies‘ character], for sure. Such a badass. A badass priestess. So powerful and strong. I mean, Gwenhwyfar is not that innocent a character, I loved playing her. She bats her eyes and speaks softly, but evolves into something darker, which I like about her.
So playing darker characters is what’s most appealing to you?
Mathis: It’s just more exciting. Gettin’ nasty. You wanna get nasty now and then.
Being such a fan of Arthurian legends, do you have a particular favorite film about the story?
Mathis: Oh, God. I don’t know! Lemme see…. Probably Camelot. That’s a wonderful film. The cast is stellar.
Most audiences know you from major feature films, like Little Women, or maybe The American President. How different was it to work on a TV movie?
Mathis: Ya know, it wasn’t that different. I mean, this was quite a production. Just like a feature film–such stellar quality in the direction and the cast. And you don’t get as long to shoot doing a TV movie. The pacing is faster than with a film.
And what sort of reaction have you gotten from others about the film?
Mathis: We just had the premiere, on the big screen. So far, there’s been very positive feedback. Really, it’s almost a shame the movie’s gonna be on TV. It’s so rich and lush. And one good sign is that–at the premiere–the movie ran without an intermission. It’s well over two and a half hours long, but there was no break at all, and the people sat there comfortably watching.
That is a good sign.
Mathis: Yeah. And my dad, who’s had two broken hips, sat there in his chair the whole time, no complaints.
Has the passion you’ve expressed in getting The Mists of Avalon made spread to any other books you think are worthy of a big-screen adaptation?
Mathis: There are so many. God. There’s one called The Secret History by Donna Tartt that’s amazing. It’s really dark and intriguing. It’s about a group of elite college students–I’m surprised it hasn’t been made yet. It came out about seven or eight years ago. There’s also one called The Sixteen Pleasures that’s very erotic.
Very good. So, Samantha, where can audiences see you next?
Mathis: In my house. [Laughs] I’m remodeling it all this summer. That’s where I’ll be for months.
