Lenora Crichlow broke into the United Kingdom film scene with a part in the horror film "Wilderness," followed by appearances in "Sugar Rush," "Collision" and "Doctor Who."
Crichlow is currently best known for her starring role on the BBC supernatural drama "Being Human," as Annie Sawyer, a ghost who shares a house with a vampire named John Mitchell (Aidan Turner) and a reluctant werewolf named George Sands (Russell Tovey) as they try to overcome their supernatural afflictions in favor of living relatively normal lives.
The first season of "Being Human" was recently released on DVD and Blu-Ray and the second season is currently airing on BBC America. The cast is also reportedly shooting the third season of "Being Human." Earlier this week, Crave Online caught up with Crichlow for a quick preview of the second season of "Being Human" and some early hints about the third season as well.
Crave Online: I guess we're a little behind on "Being Human," but is it true that you've just started filming the third season?
Lenora Crichlow: That is actually very true. We just finished shooting the first three episodes and we are now on a week break before the start of the next block. Season three is well on the way.
Crave Online: For fans who aren't too familiar with "Being Human," please describe your character Annie.
Lenora Crichlow: First of all, she's a ghost. And she is very much the emotional heart of the three of them in the house. When we find her, she's very co-dependent and quite insecure. She's trying to invest in other people and she's quite in denial about the magnitude of her past. But then slowly as she grows, with her friendships and she grows within herself and comes to terms with the reality of her death. We start seeing her becoming much stronger, more self-assured and confident. It's a bit of a journey [for her].
Crave Online: Can you set up where Annie is at the beginning of season 2?
Lenora Crichlow: At the end of the first season, you've got Annie, Mitchell and George with their friendship now pretty secure. George's character has a girlfriend [named] Nina and she finds out about him at the end of season one. The three of them unite against a bad vampire who's been threatening Mitchell, so they go on huge journey to kill him, but in the midst of that there's a bit of a scratch on George's girlfriend Nina, that might get in the way of their relationship. Annie, Mitchell and George have a very strong relationship. Annie's character is actually visible. She goes from being invisible to visible by the end of the season 1, all to do with being able to confront her death and facing up to her fiancee. So that's at least where she ends up at the end of season 1.
For season 2, we kick off with them all very much united and invested in each other in their space and their home. They feel like a lot of their problems are behind them and they want to move forward. Annie actually wants to get a job, so they're all feeling quite positive at the beginning of season 2. But I can let you know that it gets dark very quickly in season 2. Much darker than season 1. There is something that threatens everything about them individually, what they want and where they are.
There are choices to be made. It's a very dramatic season.
Crave Online: Does Annie pursue any romantic relationships in the new season?
Lenora Crichlow: I wish! I did have a word... No, Annie's not there yet. But there are things bubbling under the surface all the way along. There's a hell of a lot of things going on and love is just not on the agenda. Not in the second season, anyway.
Crave Online: How would you like to see Annie develop in future seasons of "Being Human"?
Lenora Crichlow: I think... Honestly — and this sounds like a cop out — but I feel that "Being Human" as a series and our characters... I really do trust our writer and creator Toby Whithouse. I couldn't possibly dream up the twists and turns that he writes into the series. And writing for someone who can't change, who can't interact, who can't be seen and will be that way for eternity is very difficult. I just like watching my role grow and develop because Toby takes all of the characters on such humane journeys that it's such a joy to "get the next script, get the next script!"
I don't have any kind of preset ideas (for Annie). I would love her to find love and be able to experience that. But the logistics of that are obviously very complicated. We're shooting season three at the moment, so all I will say is that it gets intense for Annie.
Crave Online: Do you have any favorite moments from the series to date?
Lenora Crichlow: Oh, so many. It's a hell of a lot of fun. I love doing all of the stunts stuff. In season 1, there's a scene where Annie's flinging vampires across the room when she gets a bit more powerful. Shooting all of that we work with a brilliant stunt coordinator, Tom Lucy. And I love shooting all of that stuff. It something that you'd never be able to do [otherwise] and seeing how all the stunt professionals work... all the very high action stuff is great fun.
Crave Online: Besides Annie, which other characters on the show do you enjoy?
Lenora Crichlow: I loved Gilbert, my ghost friend from season 1. Herrick is a dream. And of course, my two backup singers, Mitchell and George, played by Aidan [Turner] and Russell [Tovey]. And Nina, the character of Nina is played by Sinead Keenan and she is incredible. She's Irish and her accent is flawless. They are such fantastic people to work with.
There's just such a chemistry between us. I love watching them and I love seeing what they come up with. They always add so much warmth to the characters and I love watching them.
Crave Online: For the second season, are there any episodes that fans should especially look out for?
Lenora Crichlow: The last one, which is really awful. But it is the best ending ever. So yeah, I'd say keep going until episode 8. That will keep them watching, right?
Crave Online: Can you give us any hints about season 3?
Lenora Crichlow: Well in season 1, the threat is vampires. Season 2, the threat is humans. And in season 3, the threat comes from within. So, it's quite... we haven't shot it all yet so there are a lot of things I really don't know. But all I can say is that the stakes are even higher and the threat is even more scary because it's from within.
Crave Online: Have you heard that they're going to be remaking "Being Human" in the U.S.?
Lenora Crichlow: I've heard, yes. I can't wait to see it. I'm very intrigued. It seems a testament to the British version of the show and I'm just very excited to see it really. It has nothing to do with me on a personal level. I don't have any input or anything like that. It will just be like watching a brand new show, which I think will be very interesting.
Crave Online: Do you have any thoughts on who you would cast as Annie in the American remake?
Lenora Crichlow: Oh... that's a good one. That is a brilliant question. I think it's got be someone who's able to be quite funny accidentally. I think Ellen Page from "Juno" has a lovely way. I think she's very interesting to watch and I think she brings a real naturalism to her roles. I think she'd be brilliant.
Crave Online: Do you have any closing thoughts for "Being Human" fans in the U.S.?
Lenora Crichlow: Thank you, I love you all. We're going to get season 3 to you as quickly as we can and I hope you really enjoy it.
