Tricia Helfer on the end of Battlestar Galactica

Tricia Helfer was so cool to wait at the end of a crowded press line to talk to us. At April’s Paleyfest presentation of Caprica, a red carpet backup would have given a lesser celebrity an excuse to ditch. While an audience of Battlestar Galactica fans got their first look at the prequel series, we de-briefed Helfer about the end of BSG and looked ahead.

Crave Online: Now that we can talk about what happened, what was your reaction to the ending of Battlestar Galactica?

Tricia Helfer: I love the ending. From the first moment I read the script, it kind of just hit me. The ending has finally hit me now because once you film it, you film it so far in advance but you’re still doing press, you’re talking about it, all this kind of thing and it’s all kind of secretive and you can’t say anything. So it feels a little weird actually now that it’s done and be able to talk about anything.

Crave Online: Are you looking at the whole story or how it relates to Six?

Tricia Helfer: I don't think you can separate the two. Obviously, you look at the whole story but also you’ve been playing this character, or these characters, for five years so you can’t just separate your own feelings about your own character or anything from the story.

Crave Online: Will you miss the wig?

Tricia Helfer: No. Not one iota of the wig will I miss, no.

Crave Online: What’s your de-brief now?

Tricia Helfer: I love it. I loved how the finale went. I think it was a very dark show about human emotions and life and everything, and what people go through under duress and under these kind of insane circumstances. For the finale to end with a lot of action and a lot of love and a lot of open ended [threads], in a way it ends very innocent, these people just setting out and getting rid of technology and just setting out and starting anew. That’s sort of innocent and I think it was heartwarming.

Crave Online: How much would you like to appear on Caprica in any form?

Tricia Helfer: You know, I know nothing about the storyline of Caprica really. I’ve heard little snippets here and there from Ron and so forth but I’m super excited to see it today. This is going to be the first time I’ve seen anything from it, so I’d certainly show up if my character was called upon.

Crave Online: Are you looking for any answers in the backstory?

Tricia Helfer: Nothing specific that I’ll point out but I’m sure when I’m watching it, there’s going to be, “Oh, that’s how it happened. That’s how it happened.” It’ll be really interesting to see.

Crave Online: Is it good for your ego to go to a sci-fi convention and know you’re the most beautiful one there?

Tricia Helfer: [Laughs] I don't know, because I don’t think that, so no. [Laughs]

Crave Online: What is life post-Battlestar like for you?

Tricia Helfer: Well, luckily I’ve been really busy so we hope that continues. I’ve shot a couple of pilots and things. I’ve basically been gone. When we finished on Battlestar, I had a few episodes left to finish on Burn Notice and then I went and shot an independent film and then this pilot season I’ve been off shooting a couple of pilots. So it’s been busy but it’s been great. Battlestar is so respected within the business that I can’t say enough good things about it, how it’s affected me personally.