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Sanctuary's Robin Dunne teases season two
Robin Dunne, who plays Will Zimmerman on SCI FI Channel's original series Sanctuary, told SCI FI Wire that things are about to get much worse in season two.
Dunne, speaking in an exclusive interview, also offered up a few spoilers for the upcoming new season, which premieres in the fall with 13 new episodes and the addition of new cast member Agam Darshi as Kate Freelander.
Following is an edited version of our interview with Dunne.
Considering that Sanctuary ended its first season on a major cliffhanger before it received a season-two pickup, were you a little concerned it would never be paid off?
Dunne: Yeah, I guess that was in there. If the unthinkable happened and we didn't get renewed, at least we went out with a bang and in a way that left people thinking about it and wondering. [Executive producers] Martin Gero Wood, Amanda Tapping and Damian Kindler were very smart in crafting the show that way. But now that we've had those high stakes, it's interesting to see where we go from there. How do we continue the story with the barometer raised?
The Cabal has Ashley under their spell and now possesses the keys. Where do things pick up in season two?
Dunne: We are entering into an Empire Strikes Back-ian zone where everything is unsure. We don't know what's happening with Ashley; the Cabal is out there; things are in disarray; and the characters are just trying to figure out "How do we move on from here and keep things together?" There's definitely a darkness to this season. If there ever was security, particularly for Will in the sanctuary, now things are much more of a mess. In a lot of ways, Will and everyone in the sanctuary are holding on for dear life. If you thought last season was a roller-coaster ride, this year is even nuttier.
Now that you've established these characters, are we going to learn more about Will and his history?
Dunne: Absolutely. We are shooting episode three right now, and already we've taken Will to another level. Last season he spent time getting used to the sanctuary and having his foot in both worlds, but not sure which way he was going to go. By the end of season one, he jumped right into the sanctuary and resigned himself to that life. Now there's a lot going on for Will. Already he's had to deal with some pretty major things. These things that happen in the first few episodes dredge up some old memories of his past. There's definitely more of a darkness to Will, and he's kind of wrestling with some demons. That's going to be further explored, so what's happening in the present is going to clash with some of the things he's buried. You are going to see a different Will this season. For me, playing such a great character and taking him to another level is challenging and exciting.
There seemed to be some flirting between Will and Clara. Is there a romance brewing?
Dunne: Yeah, I think there is. We've explored that a little, and there's definitely something between those characters. There's a lot of curveballs that are thrown into the mix. Nothing can ever really be that simple in the sanctuary.
There's some new blood in Sanctuary this year. How is Kate Freelander introduced, and is she friend or foe?
Dunne: When Kate is introduced, we don't really know. It's questionable whose side she's on. Anybody who will pay Kate higher will get her services, and we're not sure who she is or whether to trust her or not. The jury is still out, but she definitely comes into our realm in the sanctuary to make things more interesting for us. She's a rogue. ...
Can you preview what else viewers can expect?
Dunne: It's going to be a lot of putting the sanctuary back together. There's going to be some major global problems with some of the other sanctuaries. Magnus and Will are really going to have to step up to keep the entire network together. At the same time, there is going to be some tension within the sanctuary. There are going to be clashes amongst ourselves, because the stress level for the characters has been raised. For Will, he's going to have to deal with the fact he's really second in command in here. With Magnus dealing with everything, there's a lot of time where Will is keeping things together. It's difficult for him.
By Krystal at 7:36 AM ON 05/08/09
More Jim Byrnes! :)
By RealmOfX at 8:54 AM ON 05/08/09
That should read Martin Wood as Executive Producer not Martin Gero but otherwise roll on Season 2!!
By SCI FI Wire at 11:17 AM ON 05/08/09
RealmOfX: Right you are. We'll fix.
By Truth at 4:42 PM ON 05/08/09
Who cares about Sanctuary? It is cheesy and boring. I haven't watch the channel since they took off Stargate SG1, Atlantis, and BSG. Everything else the channel does is second rate. Does anyone remember how good Friday night was with those three shows back to back? I miss it.
By mariec22 at 5:06 PM ON 05/08/09
I love this show and can't wait to see what happens next. Sounds like Magnus and company have some new challenges. It will be great to see the actors sink their teeth into those situations.
By ThisIdeaSucks at 7:18 PM ON 05/08/09
This series is just awful. The premise is taken from Torchwood, and the effects are worse than the old Xena series. I'm shocked that someone is dumping money into this. Digital effects and poorly written backstories are no substitute for real narrative and original ideas. AmandaTapping needs to accept that we as an audience are tired of her. We need fresh talent, not a show hung on her tired performance.
By jdmimic at 7:31 PM ON 05/08/09
Speak for yourself, thisideasucks. I happen to like both the show and Amanda Tapping. When you say, "we as an audience" you are really only talking about yourself, not for anyone else.
By getreal at 7:48 PM ON 05/08/09
If you hate Sanctuary so much, go back to watching home improvement show reruns! Geez.
This show is awesome, Amanda Tapping is to die for and Christopher Heyerdahl is a blast. I can't wait for season two!
By majorsal at 8:02 PM ON 05/08/09
i'm *very* excited and can't wait for season 2 of sanctuary to start!!
amanda tapping rocks!!! :D
By theKRELL at 12:19 AM ON 05/09/09
@ Sci-Fi Wire
Will the channel be reairing the First Season again? Hopefully before Season 2 starts. I missed a few Eps plus would like to revisit 1.
Bring back Christine Chatelain and Bring On Season 2!!!
By stealthgear at 12:47 PM ON 05/09/09
Amanda Tapping looks amazing!
By carolinehughes1 at 8:53 AM ON 05/10/09
I enjoyed Sanctuary Series 1, and am
waiting and longing with anticipation for
Series 2, hopefully it will come back to ITV4
again, Amanda Tapping was just as good
on this as she was on StarGate SGC-1 and
StarGate Atlantis.
By pueblohandbook at 4:30 PM ON 05/12/09
Personally, I would watch Amanda Tapping talk about stamp collecting, its just fab that Sanctuary is a lot better than that!
By jill at 12:56 AM ON 05/14/09
Sanctuary is AWESOME! Even though I too would watch Amanda Tapping in anything! She is a great actress, and no one is tired of her! Season one was excellent, and I expect season 2 to be even better. I too hope they play all of last season before they start the new one. Yes, I too sympathize and miss "Sci Fi Fridays" where we had SG-1, then Atlantis, and Battlestar Gallactica. But things change. Think of Stargate Universe which starts this summer and look forward to the new stuff!
By #1Grandmama at 6:55 PM ON 05/20/09
I have been looking for Sanctuary . Nothing on my TV. I was concerned that it had been cancelled. Yeh to hear it will be back. I watch re-runs of Stargate, and Atlantis and then Sanctuary as a current show. I can go for re-runs of this until the new Season starts.
By temmy at 3:12 PM ON 05/24/09
I'm watching the SG-1 reruns daily, and realizing anew what a good actress Amanda Tapping is. So glad Sanctuary got renewed!
By Advent at 2:15 AM ON 05/27/09
men i really do hope that they re-run the whole season 1 i've been going back to hulu to watch sanctuary but they only have like 5 full episodes so it sucks but i still keep on watching those 5 when i have the time ( i just finished watching them again lol) i was hoping that they add it back on friday nights with re-runs of moonlight(which is a shame by the way because it was cancelled) and primeval(not so into it but i watch it in bbc america so im up to date USwise but i still watch it because its fun) i hope that it re-runs around summer time b4 2nd season comes out.
By Warlordskeep at 11:00 AM ON 06/09/09
It's great to hear there is going to be a second season. I really enjoy the show. Who can resist that Tapping smile. Plus I love the whole steampunk / victorian feel of the show.
Is there a release date yet?
By coheedkilgannon at 5:03 AM ON 06/15/09
love the show! love the fact 3/4's of it is visfx!
its alot deeper than stargate ever was, just take the time to think about whats really going on in the writers/producers heads. amanda tapping is still a brilliant actor and its great to see another side to her skills aside from stargate. and dunne is damn good for someone i've never seen in tv before!
By ashke at 1:03 PM ON 06/23/09
I'm very excited for the Fall lineup of SGU and Sanctuary and I'm looking forward to what season two will show us about the fabulous cast. I'm a fan of Xena, Torchwood, BSG and the Stargate incarnations. I'm happy to see any of my shows still getting airtime and I certainly don't begrudge newcomers a spot in my viewing slate.
I too am hoping to see season one of Sanctuary air here in Canada before season two.
By Beebuck at 7:14 PM ON 08/21/09
Sanctuary is an excellent show. I'm glad it's back. Amanda will you marry me! She is HOT, blonde or black hair doesn't matter!
By bobby1961 at 3:58 PM ON 01/29/10
just want to say that i love sanctuary and would like to know when it will start again when the last one was on for 2 hours it did not say when the next on is comeing back please let this sanctuary fan know when it is and were can i get a poster of the sanctuary crew with it singed if i can thank you nye bobby
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bobby1961:
just want to say that i love sanctuary and would like to know when it will start again when the last one was on for...More »