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Amanda Tapping teases Sanctuary season two—and a bit of Stargate!
Amanda Tapping, star and executive producer of the SCI FI Channel original series Sanctuary, told SCI FI Wire that viewers may get a glimpse into the events that helped shape her character, Dr. Helen Magnus—the 158-year-old scientist who leads the effort to protect/contain creatures of all kinds—when season two commences.
Tapping also talked briefly about her involvement in upcoming Stargate Atlantis and Stargate SG-1 DVD movies that are in the works.
SCI FI Wire spoke with Tapping, dressed head to toe in black and sporting raven hair, at SCI FI Channel's upfront presentation for advertisers and the media last night in New York. Following are edited excerpts from our exclusive interview.
Some people weren't entirely convinced that Sanctuary would work as well as a weekly series as it did as an online series. How confident were you that it would work?
Tapping: I was absolutely convinced, actually, when we were shooting the webisodes that it would make a great TV show. I think, in terms of the way we shot the webisodes, we shot it as if we were shooting for television anyway. So I think the transition was seamless.
How pleased were you with season one of Sanctuary?
Tapping: Very. I'm really proud of it. The thing with Sanctuary is that it's the little show that could. We don't have a major studio backing us. We don't have a huge support network. We sort of struggled to get our feet, and the fact that we were able to produce 13 really good episodes and have the kind of atmosphere we had with the show and the buzz that we're getting, I'm totally stoked.
As you head into season two, what would you like to see for Helen and for the show in general?
Tapping: For Helen, I'd love to see a bit more into her backstory, maybe go back in time a little bit with her and see what shaped her. We're definitely going to be doing more interaction between the characters. We bringing some characters forward a bit more. There's a lot of stuff happening in season two.
You wear several hats on Sanctuary, most important as star and producer. How complicated is it to juggle those responsibilities while doing each one justice?
Tapping: That's the one thing about last year that was the biggest learning curve for me, was how to learn when to take off what hat. As an actor I really needed to focus sometimes, but I was in the middle of conference calls or meetings and then running down to set. I found my balance toward the end. And this year I'm going to be directing as well. It's not like I need to do all these things; it's just sort of falling into place like that.
A Stargate Atlantis DVD movie is in the works. Have you shot that yet?
Tapping: We haven't, actually. And apparently there's an SG-1 movie as well that will be happening.
Really, how much further can you spread yourself?
Tapping: You know what? It's a fine line. I'm hanging by a little tiny thread, but it's all good. And the most is important thing is I'm a mom.
Going back to the Stargate movies, how eager are you to play Carter again?
Tapping: Oh, I love it. It's such a comfortable place to go. We say this all the time with Stargate, but it's such a family, and it's just nice when the family gets back together. It's very easy and it's fun. You fall into that same crazy vibe, and it's great.
By Wings at 3:45 PM ON 03/17/09
Loved the first season of Sanctuary. I hope season two is just as good!
By Tesslin at 3:53 PM ON 03/17/09
Wish there were more true scifi stuff on SciFi. Its been getting thinner and thinner - no more Farscape, Startgates, BG (sob). So I hope Sanctuary continue to do well and keep my attention, otherwise I'm leaving this disappointing network.
By Jimmy at 3:54 PM ON 03/17/09
Sanctuary was kind or hit or miss for me in this first season. It really started to pick up in the final few and showed a lot of promise for where the series could go. I'd also like to see them build up the history of the immortal characters. My only request: find someone else to play Helen's father. Jim Byrnes is a great actor, but his horrific British accent made the episode he appeared in nearly unwatchable.
By BackStJoe at 3:57 PM ON 03/17/09
I never watched SG1, but have just wrapped up Atlantis: S1and really enjoyed it. But back to Ms. Tapping; having not know her work I loved most of Sanctuary (there were a few clunkers) and when she and Robin are on-screen it's pure magic. I'm really looking forward to S2
By avalon224 at 4:16 PM ON 03/17/09
I throughly enjoyed Season 1 of Sanctuary and look forward to its return. More Christopher Heyerdahl........
By filova at 4:17 PM ON 03/17/09
i liked sanctuary well enough to see it again.
aren't they also making a new Stargate series?
By Minus at 4:19 PM ON 03/17/09
Sanctuary was ok, not great. Miss Startgate, both of them. I would like to know about the "Stargate - Universe (or Galaxies?)" that was hinted at during the end of SG: Atlantis.
By Bina at 5:02 PM ON 03/17/09
I really LOVE the Magnus character and so am very much looking forward to season 2. Ditto for the ensemble cast relationships as well as the Sanctuary residents in the background. Quite a rich tapestry has been begun ... Let the story continue with as much support, enthusiasm and love as possible! Rock on Amanda and Team Sanctuary!
By sniperjim at 5:49 PM ON 03/17/09
can hardly wait. bring it on amanda
By ladyblue at 6:13 PM ON 03/17/09
Sanctuary just doesn't do it for me. I watch it because of loyalty to Ms. Tapping though her Brit accent still needs work. I really hope there will be real science ficition in seasons to come now that we've lost so much. No more horror, awful Sat night "original" movies please. I want real futuristic "science" fiction.
By mangababe at 6:28 PM ON 03/17/09
I loved Season One! Helen Magnus is such a great character I'm looking forward to seeing what makes her tick...eagerly awaiting Season Two.
By akn_pjs10 at 7:57 PM ON 03/17/09
Sanctuary reminds me of all the story telling and reading in my youth. I did the story line and its characters. I am also a great follower of Ms. Tapping's career.
By Gill Avila at 8:38 PM ON 03/17/09
I'm unhappy to say that I stopped watching Sanctuary because it was literally too dark for me. The CGI sets gave me eyestrain.
By MrBender at 11:39 PM ON 03/17/09
Love this show, and glad it got a full season. I hope they don't stretch it to 20 eps and then have those long filler episodes that don't really serve a purpose. Keeping it tight with an overall story arc is the best road, which is what I felt like how season 1 was going. Keep up the good work Mrs. Tapping.
By Andreas at 8:34 AM ON 03/18/09
"I watch it because of loyalty to Ms. Tapping though her Brit accent still needs work. "
The accent is much misunderstood. It isn't supposed to be contemporary. She did research on Victorian English and then worked on how the accent would evolve if her character had lived in the US for over a century. So while it may sound off from a contemporary standpoint, there is a method behind the madness.
One of the Sanctuary cast interview has her imitating her mother (who is a born and bred Brit) and she nails that accent. So she does know how to speak in a modern British accent.
By innerspacegirl at 9:56 AM ON 03/18/09
Can't wait to see/hear more about Helen's past. It's character development that keeps me glued to any series! REQUIEM was the most satisfying episode for me -- intimate and truly horrifying. More please!
By jb at 11:05 AM ON 03/18/09
I dont watch Stargate, but I love Sanctuary. Excellent, excellent show. Cant wait for season 2.
By a different tim at 11:06 AM ON 03/18/09
Am I right in saying she looks much better as a brunette? There are to many blondes.
By GATEFANSG1 at 3:23 PM ON 03/18/09
sanctuary was an ok show but i don't think that it will ever live up to the Stargate Series but don't get me wrong it is a pretty good show but it will never be as good as the Stargate Series and it will never last for ten seasons, 214 episodes and three movies now,. plus 2 spin offs and a cartoon series.
By EH-T at 6:21 PM ON 03/18/09
Really enjoyed season one and the plans for season two sound great. Much continued success for Ms. Tapping and Sanctuary. Also nice to hear we will see the return of Sam Carter.
By lperkiss at 5:27 AM ON 03/19/09
I think Sanctuary is a great show. Ms. Tapping is great in the part. I miss Stargate, but I love Sanctuary. How about getting together with the general in the movie? The fans would love that.
By Ian at 6:39 PM ON 03/19/09
Ya know. Amanda could do a show reading the phonebook and I'd watch it.
Enjoyed the first season of Sanctuary. It was a bit uneven, but like SG1 and SG:A the cast is what made it.
By Slander at 7:30 PM ON 03/19/09
Sanctuary is pretty much the best show that's still in production on Sci-Fi. After tomorrow, I'll have very little reason to watch this network anymore, but Sanctuary will draw me back.
Keep up the great work, Amanda.
By Westyguy at 5:30 AM ON 04/01/09
This has to be one show that i was hooked on from the first episode, and i do agree, not many new shows on sci-fi, that seem worth watching. I just hope this show has much success as SG-1 did, and has a similar number of seasons.
By gatefan at 5:58 PM ON 04/02/09
ladyblue needs to pay attention - Amanda Tapping IS a Brit!
By Nightowl at 5:10 PM ON 04/11/09
Am hooked, line & sinker, on Sanctuary. Absolutely love this show. Amanda is brilliant as Dr. Helen Magnus. Love the voice also, as well as the long dark hair. Really brings out her lovely facial features, especially her different expressions.
By Daywalker at 4:18 AM ON 04/12/09
Bravo...let's keep this one going. The first seasons often starts it rolling, then the momentum drives it onward and upward. Let's get some more stars into the mix and humour. Leprechans anyone?
By SmokinLawyer at 6:45 PM ON 04/16/09
I've enjoyed Sanctuary but believe the plots need some small leavening of humor (not comedy) to provide some respite from the unrelenting drama. Doesn't have to be as lighthearted as Stargate, but a little humor would go a long way toward ensuring this show's longevity. Just a thought.
By laurisflo at 2:31 PM ON 05/08/09
i'd love to see sanctuary in latin america,
can''t wait for it.
By SciFi Sadling at 4:04 PM ON 05/08/09
Some of the episodes, especially early on were just stupid. Take the episode whith the shapeshifters for example. Somehow they live in a city full of these guys and everyone but them seem to know about them, yet they are familiar with abnormals no one anywhere know about. Seems like a weak plot that should never have made it to screen. They need to watch the stories more carefully. When these things get through it is disappointing and damages the show.
By camomom at 3:44 PM ON 05/12/09
We absolutly LOVE !!!!!!! Sanctuary and are really excited about it's return although we are still burned about the canceling of SG1 not a lot else to do in Michigan in the winter!!!!
By sandibird at 2:41 PM ON 05/14/09
I really enjoyed Season 1...I don't have cable, so what i've seen was online. How do I find the continuation of Revelations (Part 3) and when does Season 2 start?
By Bogey at 5:28 PM ON 05/25/09
Great Sci Fi series is Sanctuary. Season 2 starts in October according to sources. Cannot wait for the new SG-1 Movie. Wonder if Jack O'Neil will return.
By george sifi fanatic at 12:28 PM ON 05/29/09
looking forward to the new season of sanctuary, amanda and team you were great
By sandra at 5:06 AM ON 06/25/09
good work amanda ... october? you are kidding i am anxious to see season 2 of sanctuary.... and revelations not have part 3 continue on season 2 ...xd
By bobby824 at 8:30 PM ON 07/09/09
Re: Robin Dunne....somewhat of a reincarnation of Daniel
Jackson
By kahuna914 at 1:43 AM ON 07/16/09
Having greatly enjoyed the entire evolution from McGyver thru StarGate, the fabulously entertaining and always challenging world or Rick Anderson kept me both engrossed and challenged. As Anderson's talent served as a venue for new and equally enchanting characters, for me, the most enticing was the squeaky clean Samantha Carter, and the genius behind her: Amanda Tapping. To watch a talent be born, to see her master amazingly complex (and often theoretically feasible) dialogue, yet convincingly depict a REAL WOMAN who was sexy, alluring, amazingly funny and quintessentially adorable, has been one of my favorite experiences of the past sixty years. REAL TALENT in today's media is rare, but Amanda Tapping is a true diamond. Sanctuary was a huge leap, as was the 19th Century accent and delivery for Helen Magnus, who has allowed the engenu Air Force Officer to become a metaphysician, mature beauty as 157 y/o Dr.Helen Magnus.
By Brightjess at 10:52 AM ON 07/26/09
I love Sanctuary. There was one or 2 episodes that I didn't like overall but that was just me. Not that it matters what I think but I wouldn't change a thing. I think the accents are great and I love all the characters, they really draw you into the story.
By Brightjess at 10:55 AM ON 07/26/09
Sorry I made a typo above. It should have said, 'There WERE one or 2 episodes....'
By cfckev at 5:25 PM ON 07/29/09
Anyone know when season 2 will reach England, been waiting ages!
By patriciaruth at 11:28 PM ON 09/20/09
Sancturary's second season begins October 9, Friday, at 10 pm (?EST) following, I think, the second episode of Stargate Universe.
By agunn at 1:30 PM ON 10/25/09
I WANT ASHLEY BACK!!!! The death of her in season two is not the same without her.
By gfh42556 at 10:34 PM ON 10/25/09
I just watched an episode of Sanctuary last Fri. (the one where they assume Ashley is deceased and have a funeral for her.) Ok at the end there is a brief comment that says dedicated to Nora. Who is Nora?
By Tom Foolery at 4:40 PM ON 10/26/09
How could they be so STUPID as to kill Ashley?
By rafibaby at 10:51 AM ON 12/20/09
Having watched Tapping for so many years, on SG, made Helen Magnus a hard sell. It's taken me a while to accept Helen, with her black hair, and British accent. Tapping's talent as an actress has really helped.
By Aelfwynn at 11:11 PM ON 01/15/10
So when do we get Ashley back? Kates OK but she's no Ashley, plus I don't trust Kate. I think she's just biding her time for a better offer.
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Aelfwynn:
So when do we get Ashley back? Kates OK but she's no Ashley, plus I don't trust Kate. I think she's just biding h...More »