When we first met Tara Thornton, she’s reading “The Shock Doctrine” by Naomi Klein while working at the Super-Sav-A-Bunch. The book describes the parallels between the birth of a manipulated free market created via violent destruction and shock therapy. It’s the theory that this free market can be created after a disaster simply because the citizens are too busy with recovery to notice.

What we did not know when we met her, was that Tara Thornton was about to experience her own sort of shock doctrine, for while she was busy trying to figure out what special demon inhabited her soul, something more sinister was about to take control of her entire being.

Charlaine Harris may have created the character of Tara, but Alan Ball molded her into an entirely different creature. She’s strong, smart and witty, but also highly strung and opinionated. Rutina Wesley has brought this character to life on True Blood with vigor and multifaceted grace. We had a chance to ask Rutina a few questions about herself,  her views on Tara and her career.

TB-N: Growing up in Las Vegas with a professional tap dancing father (Ivery Wheeler), and a showgirl mother (Cassandra Wesley), did you always know that you were destined for a career in showbiz?

RW: I came out of the womb dancing. My parents said I’ve always had stars in my eyes. I was in a local production of “Finian’s Rainbow” at 7 years old and being on stage just felt right. I knew that’s where I wanted to be.

TB-N: Your experience has already included stage (“The Vertical Hour,” “In Darfur”), screen (“How She Move”) & television (“True Blood”); what changes did you make (if any) in your acting style to mold your character for each genre?

RW: I basically think film and TV are similar as far as acting goes…you act “less” because the camera is right there you don’t have to reach the person in the last row of the balcony.  On camera, you do the scene as if the audience is sitting right next to you.  Also, on stage, it’s live, so if you make a mistake you have to figure out how to fix it right there. Whereas on camera you get more chances to fix something. There’s good and bad things about that. Being on stage keeps you on your toes.

TB-N: The role of Tara was cast using the scene where Tara loses her job at the Super Sav-A-Bunch. Alan Ball mentioned that you got the role of Tara because you were the only actress who auditioned that revealed a vulnerable side. Can you tell us how you prepared for the test?

RW: When I first got the sides for the role I immediately saw through to her heart.  I saw this person who was like a little girl or a wounded animal. There’s something beautiful about that vulnerability that we show when we’re wounded.  You can see it in someone’s eyes. Every human being is complex and has layers and when I was preparing for this role, I wanted to show as many layers as possible and make sure that the audience saw the little girl inside – scared, insecure, and needing love.

TB-N: You beautifully described Tara as being someone with a little flower inside that needed to be taken care and nurtured. In the second season, it seems that Maryann took advantage of that. Quite frankly, we are worried that Tara will never trust anyone again. What do you think Tara’s natural reactions would be moving forward after all this mayhem?

RW: In my opinion, Tara’s natural reaction will be complete shock. I think that she’s going to need her time to grieve. How much time that is, we don’t know… Maryanne was a mother figure to her and Eggs was the love of her life as far as she could see…To have those two people ripped away from her so suddenly and simultaneously is going to be hard for her, but she’s strong.  I think she’ll be able to get through it.

TB-N: We love how Tara seems to have the perfect insult for every occasion. Are you as mouthy and profane in real life or are you more of a lady?

RW: I am more of a lady in real life – not as mouthy, but I have my days.

TB-N: Do you enjoy being given the freedom to swear at and mock everybody in Bon Temps? Anyone in the real world that you think deserves a good dressing down?

RW: Yes, I do enjoy that freedom. It’s fun playing the little spitfire that Tara is. You know, I’m sure that there are a lot of people that could use a good talking to but I can’t think of any off the top of my head. My grandmother taught me to kill them with kindness – I’m supposed to be a lady and not do those kind of things.

TB-N: Tara and Sam had great chemistry and we loved them together in Season 1. What was it like working with Sam Trammell in those sexy scenes and is there any hope they’ll get back together someday?

RW: Sam is great. He’s the ultimate professional. I felt very safe. Of course there’s a hope they’ll get back together. I think they were starting to get somewhere but Tara was too scared to admit it and it was moving too fast for her.

TB-N: Do you see Tara getting effectively closer to Jason in season 3? Jason having killed Eggs seems the perfect setup for another romantic drama.

RW: Anything can happen. It’s True Blood, it “hurts so good.”  So, yes, it does seem like it would be a perfect set up but who knows?  Ever since Jason got into the V, I feel like she got turned off by him a bit. As far as Rutina goes, I have no idea what they’re going to do but it will be interesting to see what happens.

TB-N: What was your favorite scene from season two?

RW: It was in episode 10 – the scene where Bill glamours me and I come back from being catatonic. Being able to work with Stephen, Anna, Adina and Nelsan – all in one room…these powerhouses… It was amazing.

TB-N: We think Tara has been the worst best friend in history during Season 2 and Sookie shouldn’t have forgiven her so easily. How do you feel about the behavior of Tara lately and what do you think she can do to make it up to Sookie?

RW: I feel that Tara’s behavior was not her own. She was under Maryanne’s spell, so it wasn’t all her.  Also, you can’t blame a girl for falling in love.  Tara is probably afraid that Sookie’s going to die at any moment because she’s hanging out with the wrong crowd.  I think Sookie forgave her so easily because she knew it wasn’t fully Tara’s fault. The whole town was under Maryanne’s spell.

TB-N: Tara’s relationship with her mother is one of the most painful conflicts we’ve seen on the show. Where would you like their relationship to go in Season 3?

RW: I’d like to see it go nowhere but up from here.  It’d be nice to see them come together as a mother and daughter should be and patch up their relationship.  Maybe work on their connection again, because there’s a lot of joy they have together and it would be nice to see more of it.  I think seeing Lettie Mae sober might help us understand Tara a bit more.

TB-N: Seriously, you’ve had such a hard time over the course of the show; we think Tara needs some happiness and maybe a vacation. Any wishes for the direction of your character in the next season or do you love all the conflict?

RW: No wishes or direction. I trust Alan and the writers completely. Everything they’ve given me so far has been amazing. I’m a really a lucky actor to be working with them, and everyone at HBO and the cast. The writers always give us all something great. I just trust that we’ll have another kick ass season.

TB-N: Like all the lucky actresses in True Blood, you get to work with a lot of very good looking men. Do you have any favorites? You can tell us!

RW: No favorites, because all the guys are great to work with.
TB-N: We are all envious of your incredible physique. Can you tell us what your weekly workout schedule looks like?

RW: I try and do it as needed but it’s about three times a week – 20 minutes of cardio, then 20-30 minutes of crunches/abs and then push-ups or light lifting.

TB-N: Have you got any acting projects going on during the off season or are you just relaxing until filming starts up again?

RW: I have a guest star on “The Cleveland Show” (airing on November 15th on Fox).  Other than that I made a decision to spend my hiatus with my husband on a much needed and deserved vacation.

TB-N: You’ve mentioned that you’d love to work with Angela Basset sometime in the future. Is there any particular director that you would like to work with in future projects?

RW: I would love to work with Tarantino or Spike Lee because I think their movies are edgy, raw, and take the audience on a journey that always seems to feel real. Also, I would really like to work with Mira Nair, Kathryn Bigelow, and/or Catherine Hardwicke-strong female directors with a voice of their own that you can watch unfold on the screen.

TB-N: We’ve heard that you would be interested in putting on a cat suit and some ass-kicking boots and play alongside Angelina Jolie in Tomb Raider 12, if you could create your own superhero character, who would you create and what special skills would they have?

RW: Super Juliet – she would speak in prose and be a fair maiden by day and an ass-kicking crime fighter saving the fair city of Verona by night.

The following are general interest questions we like to ask everyone:

TB-N: Who (or what) do you look to for inspiration in everyday life?

RW: My Ganesh that I wear around my neck and my husband.

TB-N: When Rutina Wesley isn’t busy acting, where would we most likely find her? What would she be doing for fun?

RW: Either at batting cages or home with my hubby and the cat.

TB-N: What’s your favorite movie of all time?

RW: Notting Hill and The Color Purple.

TB-N: What is your favorite TV show of all time?

RW: In Living Color.

TB-N: If you weren’t an actress, what would be your profession of choice?

RW: Dancer.

TB-N: And if we may be so bold, what was the last thing that pissed you off?

RW: Nothing really – I just got back from a lovely, relaxing vacation.

TB-N: And the last thing that made you laugh?

RW: My husband.

A very warm thank you goes out to Rutina Wesley!

Posted in Exclusive Interviews, Rutina Wesley