Post by bobdoc on May 22, 2007 17:53:56 GMT -4
from www.lsj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070522/THINGS0206/705230302/1001/news
Mitchell gets 'Lost' in role, show's overall plot
Actress will find out mystery of her character...maybe
For Elizabeth Mitchell, this was a case of mixed feelings.
She had landed a good role (Juliet) in a good series ("Lost"). She just didn't know who the character was or why she was there or ... well, much else.
"She was an unknown commodity as an antagonist," Mitchell said.
Tonight the show has its season finale, promising to answer some questions. Then comes a long wait.
"Lost" will be back next season, but no one is sure when. ABC wants a "24" approach, letting the entire season unfold in one consecutive burst.
For now, there's the two-hour finale: Invaders are coming to the beach; Jack set up an ambush plan, with explosives, then is leading people to safety, hoping to contact the rescue ship. Previews indicate that good plans can go bad.
Beyond that, we sort of need faith that "Lost" will be good.
"It's like my role in 'Gia,' " Mitchell said. "You just know."
"Gia" was a remarkable, 1998 cable film starring a semi-known actress, Angelina Jolie. It co-starred Mitchell and marked her for stardom.
That's a hit-and-miss thing. Hollywood has inconsistent duty for its talented women.
Mitchell has spent some of her time playing the wives of successful people - Dale Earnhart ("3"), Paul McCartney ("The Linda McCartney Story") and Santa Claus ("Santa Clause 3").
She spent a season in "ER" and was a regular in several shows that few people saw.
But she liked "The Beast," a drama set in a cable-news station that included future "Lost" star Naveen Andrews. And on "Lyon's Den," she worked with Jack Bender, now a key "Lost" director and producer.
That may have helped lead to her "Lost" role, about which she knew only the basics. "I could tell that Juliet was a strong woman," Mitchell said.
Then again, Mitchell often plays women with strong minds and soft manners. That fits.
She grew up in Dallas, the daughter of two lawyers, and knew what she wanted. At 10, she saw theater. "I loved it so much that I stayed there."
Mitchell became a busy actress at the Dallas Theatre Center. She got a bachelor of fine arts at Stephens College in Missouri and went on to the British American Drama Academy.
Then came the busy roles, leading to "Lost." Juliet is a fertility expert, at various points working with and against Ben (Michael Emerson), the leader of The Others.
"Elizabeth and Michael have been such incredible additions to the show," said Evangeline Lilly, who stars as Kate.
Still, Mitchell can't help feeling guilty about it.
"I do feel like it's a little bit ... of a cheat," she said. "They did all the hard work and then I get to just kind of come in and be part of something that is so huge and is so good."
She could settle into Hawaiian comfort with her husband and their 18-month-old son. Juliet had the big, dramatic roles; back in Los Angeles, people wrestled with other questions.
A year ago, producer Carlton Cuse said, ABC pondered how to schedule this season's 22 hours.
"The question was, 'Should we run 22 in the spring?' And I think our feeling was, 'Well, that's a long time to wait from the cliffhanger in May 'til the following January.'"
So "Lost" aired six hours last fall and is wrapping up 16 this spring. Fans complained; ratings dropped.
Now comes the long-wait approach. Tonight, forces collide; answers (and new questions) arrive. Afterward, fans will have a long time to fret.
Actress will find out mystery of her character...maybe
For Elizabeth Mitchell, this was a case of mixed feelings.
She had landed a good role (Juliet) in a good series ("Lost"). She just didn't know who the character was or why she was there or ... well, much else.
"She was an unknown commodity as an antagonist," Mitchell said.
Tonight the show has its season finale, promising to answer some questions. Then comes a long wait.
"Lost" will be back next season, but no one is sure when. ABC wants a "24" approach, letting the entire season unfold in one consecutive burst.
For now, there's the two-hour finale: Invaders are coming to the beach; Jack set up an ambush plan, with explosives, then is leading people to safety, hoping to contact the rescue ship. Previews indicate that good plans can go bad.
Beyond that, we sort of need faith that "Lost" will be good.
"It's like my role in 'Gia,' " Mitchell said. "You just know."
"Gia" was a remarkable, 1998 cable film starring a semi-known actress, Angelina Jolie. It co-starred Mitchell and marked her for stardom.
That's a hit-and-miss thing. Hollywood has inconsistent duty for its talented women.
Mitchell has spent some of her time playing the wives of successful people - Dale Earnhart ("3"), Paul McCartney ("The Linda McCartney Story") and Santa Claus ("Santa Clause 3").
She spent a season in "ER" and was a regular in several shows that few people saw.
But she liked "The Beast," a drama set in a cable-news station that included future "Lost" star Naveen Andrews. And on "Lyon's Den," she worked with Jack Bender, now a key "Lost" director and producer.
That may have helped lead to her "Lost" role, about which she knew only the basics. "I could tell that Juliet was a strong woman," Mitchell said.
Then again, Mitchell often plays women with strong minds and soft manners. That fits.
She grew up in Dallas, the daughter of two lawyers, and knew what she wanted. At 10, she saw theater. "I loved it so much that I stayed there."
Mitchell became a busy actress at the Dallas Theatre Center. She got a bachelor of fine arts at Stephens College in Missouri and went on to the British American Drama Academy.
Then came the busy roles, leading to "Lost." Juliet is a fertility expert, at various points working with and against Ben (Michael Emerson), the leader of The Others.
"Elizabeth and Michael have been such incredible additions to the show," said Evangeline Lilly, who stars as Kate.
Still, Mitchell can't help feeling guilty about it.
"I do feel like it's a little bit ... of a cheat," she said. "They did all the hard work and then I get to just kind of come in and be part of something that is so huge and is so good."
She could settle into Hawaiian comfort with her husband and their 18-month-old son. Juliet had the big, dramatic roles; back in Los Angeles, people wrestled with other questions.
A year ago, producer Carlton Cuse said, ABC pondered how to schedule this season's 22 hours.
"The question was, 'Should we run 22 in the spring?' And I think our feeling was, 'Well, that's a long time to wait from the cliffhanger in May 'til the following January.'"
So "Lost" aired six hours last fall and is wrapping up 16 this spring. Fans complained; ratings dropped.
Now comes the long-wait approach. Tonight, forces collide; answers (and new questions) arrive. Afterward, fans will have a long time to fret.