True Blood’s Mariana Klaveno Talks Lorena, Bill & Season 3
By Aemac on Apr 10 2010 | 27 Comments »
Christina Radish of IESB had the pleasure of talking to Mariana Klaveno, who we all know as Lorena, the beautiful, chic and hopelessly in love maker of Bill Compton. Mariana shares what it’s like to act on True Blood, to work with Stephen Moyer and gives us glimpes into Lorena’s character. Mariana also gives us hints of season 3. There’s nothing too spoilerish, so no worries about reading ahead. The following excerpts have to do with True Blood, but I suggest you read the entire article at IESB, it’s well worth it.
IESB: How did you originally become a part of True Blood?
Mariana: It was just a regular audition. At the time, it was just that one scene in Season 1, where you see how Bill gets made into a vampire. When I read for it, I think they said it was possibly recurring. After I auditioned, I found out about the books and read them and realized, “Oh, if I get this part, it will be cool because there’s a good chance that I’ll be coming back in Season 3.” So then, when it turned into an even bigger thing in Season 2, I was elated. It was incredible. But, yes, it was just a normal audition. I read for it twice, and that was it.
IESB: How much did they tell you about Lorena, or were they initially pretty secretive about what you’d be doing?
Mariana: They are very secretive. It’s great because I feel that they’ve really let us create our own characters. There’s a real sense of trust, and they want to see what we bring in and what our ideas are. If they need to be fine-tuned a little bit, then they’ll step in and help us out, but for the most part, it’s a really wonderful, collaborative feel on set. It was really a blank slate when I came around for Season 2. I was like, “Okay, you’re seeing her in modern day now, and we’re seeing more flashbacks. Do you have an idea of where you want me to take her, or can I just show up and have fun?” And, that’s what happened.
IESB: When you’re playing a vampire who has been around for so long, how do you find ways to identify with the character? Do you try to focus more on the human aspects that are there?
Mariana: I do try to focus on the human side. In my own thoughts about how Lorena is, even though she is far removed from humanity, in terms of compassion, I think she really likes style. She really does seem to fit into each period better than Bill does. There’s something a little bit more wooden and awkward about how he relates in the modern world, and Lorena is better at that. She’s much more fluid, in that way. She moves through each decade and adopts the styles, the body language, the etiquette and all of it, which is wildly fun to play. But, I think she’s also much more of a survivor, in that way. She can adapt easily.
IESB: Are there any hints you can give about what viewers can expect from Season 3?
Mariana: It’s so hard because they don’t want us saying much, but I think viewers will get to see a whole different side to Bill and Lorena, especially with Bill. You get to see him in a much different light this season. There are a few scenes with Lorena where people will expect her to be far more sinister than she actually is, which will add some layers and dimensions to people’s view of her. Even though she is a monster in her own right, she’s not as monstrous as you think. She even has pity in some scenes that I’m hoping are very surprising to people. And, vampire Bill is in a whole new light in Season 3.
IESB: Are you going to be working with more of the actors in Season 3, or are your scenes still mostly with Bill?
Mariana: I’ve worked with some new characters, but obviously a lot of this season, Lorena is with Bill. As far as working with the Bon Temps community, alas I do not. It’s always been a fantasy of mine that Lorena shows up at Merlotte’s and picks up a shift, or goes shopping with Lafayette (Nelsan Ellis), or something fun like that, but no. So far, it’s mostly in the vampire world.
IESB: What’s it been like to work with Stephen Moyer? How is he as an actor?
Mariana: He is absolutely wonderful. He’s so funny and so smart. He is the most technically superior actor I’ve ever worked with. He knows more about camera angles, lighting and lenses, and he knows how to block a scene better than anyone. I just try to get out of his way and let him do his thing, and then learn as much as I can, whenever I work with him. He’s also so generous and considerate, and he’s always worried about the other person, in terms of our scenes, which involve a lot of stunts and crazy stuff. His first concern is always if I’m okay and if there’s anything he can do to make it easier for me. He’s just a wonderful, giving, funny guy and he’s great.
IESB: How has it been to work with Anna Paquin, since you’ve had some scenes with her?
Mariana: Anna is very similar, in that she’s wickedly funny and adorable. They’re great people and a great couple.
Thank you aem! What a delightful interview!! I really want to know what they all imply re we will see Vampire Bill in a different light! I really hope it is not a BAD light, but I guess there may be things we will not want to see or know about our boy.
I love that she confirms what we all know about Steve and Anna! They are great people and a great couple!!
Go Team True Blood!
Go Team Bill and Sookie!
Go Team Steve and Anna!
Good interview, thanks for posting. I dunno, I’m starting to think that relaxing and just waiting to see what AB has in store for S3 is the best policy. The photos yield just enough clues to drive everyone nuts, so I’m just gonna sit back and try to enjoy the ride.
Nice to read what we heard in the S1 DVD commentary about Steve being such a technically inclined actor. Maybe we’ll see him direct one day?
Great interview AEM – thank you. She was candid and told us a lot without revealing anything we really should wait for. I’m becoming quite curious and excited about the “new light” for Bill’s character this season.
New light, why is that I don’t like that.
I agree ZZ, a “new light” scares me too.
Steve mentioned in the past he would like to direct one day. I hope that doesn’t mean he won’t be on the screen one day and only behind the scenes.
Yeah… they say “new light” and all I can think about is those disturbing scene in Hard Hearted Hanna episode in season 2… the singing and playing the piano was uber sexy but the bloodshed in the bedroom was way too f*cked up… even for me!
im hoping it has something 2 do with what he does to make a living? lol I mean eric is a business owner, but what does bill do 4 money 2 maintain his house? how did he pay 4 sookies ring? and the flight tickets? there is sooo much iv always been curious about. Im hoping ‘in a new light’ just means he’s not so mysterious now, and we begin 2 learn more about him…Hopefully what we learn is not bad!
also just what he is like away from sookie? because we always see him with her!
Want more of just bill this season !!!
add 2 that, i remember AB saying season 3 is a big eric season. But by the sounds of this interview, bills arc this season sounds far more interestn, and Bills arc is the 1 im lookn 4ward 2 seeing the most!!! GO BILL!!
Here’s a thought on that Jay… maybe the Queen pays him? Ohhhh no I don’t wanna even think about the implications of that… I think I prefer him to be a manwhore rather than doing the Queen’s dirty job!!!!
There has been no evidence of Bill being a techie like in the books. I am also intrigued as to where he gets his money. He’d have money he’s stolen from glamoured humans over the years invested in stuff and he will get income from that. If he’s working for the Queen, its no more than a Sookie babysitting capacity. ‘Move to this town, keep an eye on this human as her powers might be useful.’ I’m not going to get into a fight with book nerds, but there is a lot of confusion due to crap writing and ducking and diving from the author as to whether he was in Bon Temps to protect and observe, or seduce. Either way they play it, Sookie is going to go mental, but the first option is less icky.
I don’t know why it has to be a either a “protect and observe” or “seduce” scenario CitizenErased? Bill was “sent” to Sookie. I’m sure he didn’t expect her to save his (stupid) “life” or the trouble THAT got her into. Doesn’t matter how he ended up with Sookie…no time was wasted developing that intense sexual chemistry…and blood bond. I’m looking forward to an “edgier” Bill this season…now that Eric has deviously managed to put himself in the running.
Lorena being “compassionate” does not follow the books at all! Which is good…because in the books if Sookie wasn’t there to see it…it either didn’t happen or it was a plot moving foot-note. Which would not make a good show…with it’s talented cast of characters.
dont really wana think about bill working 4 the queen. Im tryn 2 ignore that lol
i know theres some speculation there, im just hoping the show isnt going in the direction of the books.
Lorena & Lafayette go shopping? Heh. Love it! I sort of wish they’ll keep Lorena around. Really. I do.
Bill is going to get much darker. We saw hints in season 2, with the scenes with Lorena. He’s certainly hiding something. It’s evident, when he makes such a big fuss about Sookie being attracted to Eric after having his blood, but makes no mention of the blood she’s had of his. In my opinion, the proposal was a last ditch effort, because he was concerned about her figuring it out. I think the show will mimic the book in the respect that he’s working for Sophie Anne.
If he’s “working for” the queen, then why did she issue the ‘order’ to Eric to keep Bill from revealing that she and Eric are selling V? It looked a lot (to me) more like Eric is the one working for Sophie Anne than Bill. I didn’t see any indication when Bill was at the palace that the queen had any interest in Sookie at all, and I would think that she would have sent Bill back to protect Sookie from the trouble that was taking place in BT instead of ordering him to stay with her.
I for one am waiting for some of Eric’s “big secrets” to come out as well. Bill is definitely not the only one who is keeping secrets or hiding something IMO!
yeah eric works 4 the queen because he is the sheriff and if she orders him 2 do something, well he has 2 abide. I think eric is the only vamp in lousiana in a position 2 do dirty work 4 sophie ann, and he doesnt have any morals where as bill does. The Queen uses that. The fact that bill has some kind of relationship with the queen, whatever that may be. And the fact that bill knows hadley because of this relationship, these are things bill has not told sookie about. As an audience i was a bit surprised and very worried 2 see this, because we have never seen bill and his connection with the queen before. It makes sense that eric knows sophie they both have high status in vampire society. The queen and the sheriffs of a state have relations.
I think the trouble maker here is queen sophie ann herself. She is gonna get bill in trouble with sookie, and she may well get eric in trouble with higher vampire authorities just 4 doing as he is told. Then she can deny the whole dang thing, because she’s the Queen. She’s such a TROUBLE MAKER!!
“I can’t wait to meet her”.
Sounds to me like Sophie Anne is *very* interested in the telepath.
Not to mention Bill’s conversation with Hadley, in which he not only failed to mention that her grandmother was dead, but also made a point of telling her not to bother contacting her family.
And then he went back to Bon Temps and never mentioned a word to Sookie about seeing her missing cousin.
It doesn’t take an Einstein to work out that Bill is hiding something. And since it is Alan Ball who is running this show, I’m willing to be that whatever he is hiding is going to blow the southern gentlemen persona apart.
Look, it’s not about hating on Bill. The evidence is there, in the show. It’s glaring.
absolutely the signs are there!!
When Bill leaves the Queens place she does say “i look forward to meeting Sookie” and also when he first gets there and says he has to leave the Queen says “sookie is in no danger” he never said her name, the Queen knows all about her. Also, don’t forget that Sookie’s cousin is the Queen’s lover and Bill also never told Sookie about seeing her. Then when Eric is there and he says that Bill loves Sookie and Hadley looks surprised, the queen gives her a look telling her to be quiet.
There are a few differences from the books to show but all the big plotlines are the same. She met Bill the same way with the whole Rattrays thing, the same women get murdered inc Gran and they suspect Jason. Sookie investigates and thats how Eric finds out she is a telepath and asks her to come to see who is stealing money. Murderer was Renee. Same with season 2, they go to Dallas to find Godric, they changed that a bit though but same story in a lot of ways, the maenad they took to a different extreme and changed a lot. Now with all the casting news seems like they’re following the plot of book 3. Alcide helps sookie plus we see Debbie Pelt, Crystal and Calvin Norris, King Russell Edgington, Franklin Mott, the biker were’s, Janice Herveaux, and so on and by the description in casting call there are some differences. TB sometimes gets to same destination but takes an alternative route. They also add things and change up things quite a bit so keeps it interesting and surprising for all.
Mariana is a wonderful actress.
She obviously adores Stephen.
Looking forward to her scenes with Bill, and shedding some new light on his character, and hers.
“She even has pity in some scenes that I’m hoping are very surprising to people.”
Sounds very interesting!
I have a felling that the “dark side” of bill that we will see this season is mostly in the form of flashbacks and we will see him as the vampire that he was before he whent mainstream, in terms of killing and hunting. We all know that he did do some evil things in his past tlife before he and lorana left eachother, and also befor he mainstreamed. I also think we will see him defend himseld during his “kidnapping” we do not know much of what whent on whilee bill was being held hostage, so I am thinking that alen ball will eleaborate on that part.
Also I think the “big” secret will be let out, along with sookies blood line.
I for one am excited about Bill being more “vampire” this season!! Of course he has a past!! He’s a vampire!! So is Eric and he has been around for over 800 more years than Bill so I imagine his past is even worse than Bill’s, especially since he was a viking. He didn’t get where he is now by sitting on a throne and letting everyone else do his dirty work for him!!
I think we will see more “dark” stuff coming out about both vampires, but Bill is the only one that interests me.
I’m looking forward to his scenes with Lorena.
I like what MK had to say about Stephen….but it’s what we already knew!! I’ve never heard of anyone who knows him having anything bad to say about him….he is so lovely both physically and personality-wise. I love him!!
yeah lets see more vampire bill kicking some ass :)
I hope the ‘new light’ is Bill returning to the way we were first introduced to him – they made him too weak in season 2. I hope we see more power and true conflict between his vampire nature and what the life he wants to lead. I agree with the person above – we wouldn’t want the vampires on TB forget they are vampires!
Anyways, I hope Bill kicks some ass in a really sexy way and make those Eric fans pay attention!
Anybody who loves Bill so much can’t be all bad. Looking forward to seeing her redeam her lovely evil self (Lorena, that is). I hope they keep the flashbacks coming next year (if necessary).
Mariana seems great, and what she says about Stephen makes me smile a big smile.
i agree.. theres always a reason 2 y some1 is the way they are. There is a story behind every1 and I wouldnt mind seeing a little of her story.
Missed this earlier – good interview and looking forward to seeing what develops in season 3 although still haven’t seen all of season 2 yet . We’re up to episode 8 this week in the UK .