Fifty Shades Updates: rachel skarsten

Thursday, December 4, 2014

PHOTOS & INTERVIEW: Rachel Skarsten for DA MAN Magazine

Rachel Skarsten is featured in the December 2014/January 2015 issue of DA MAN magazine where she discusses Fifty Shades of Grey and her show Lost Girl.

Studious, adventurous, irrepressible, radiant. These are just some of the adjectives one might employ when describing Rachel Skarsten. After cutting her teeth in a number of energetic roles, the Canadian beauty has now arrived on the big screen with one of the most highly anticipated films of the decade, “Fifty Shades of Grey.” Her character Andrea is a suitably feisty individual. If you’re thinking of taking on Rachel Skarsten, you had better bring your A-game.

DA MAN: Rachel, we’re excited to see you in “Fifty Shades of Grey.” Tell us a bit about your character Andrea.

Rachel Skarsten: Andrea is Christian Grey’s assistant. She’s smart and capable. She’s also blonde and, therefore, not his physical type, which frees her to have a strictly professional and platonic relationship with him unlike most of the other female characters. This means she has an interesting female role in the novel and movie.

DA: Why do you think “Fifty Shades of Grey” has become such a worldwide phenomenon?

RS: Knowing your audience is very important, so starting as “Twilight” fan fiction gave it a base before it was even published. To be honest, while I was aware of the story, I hadn’t read any of the books prior to being cast in the role.

DA: Just how heavy has the weight of expectation been?

RS: We shot the movie over a year ago and I had to keep my casting a total secret. I couldn’t even tell my friends, so it hasn’t seemed real up until now. When the trailer came out, I think that’s when the magnitude of it hit me because my face was seen by over 200 million people in one day! Having said that, you can’t get too caught up in the hype or you run the risk of being swept away. I’ve learned that the entertainment business is a moving target, and I just try to keep focused on the moment I’m in.

DA: Jamie Dornan plays the irresistible Christian Grey. What makes him the right man for the job?

RS: Aside from his considerable skill as an actor—watch TV drama “The Fall” and tell me you aren’t impressed—have you seen him? Yup. Next question! [Laughs]

DA: You previously starred on supernatural TV show “Lost Girl.” What is the premise of the show?

RS: “Lost Girl” is about a succubus (a female demon) named Bo, who feeds on people’s sexual energy. However, raised as a human, she refuses to embrace the supernatural underworld and its ruthless clan system. The show follows Bo and her friends on their journey to help other underdogs and discover their mysterious origins.—

DA: Where did your character fit into all of this?

RS: I played Tamsin. She was introduced in the third season strictly to shake things up. She was a take-no-prisoners, bad ass with a past. Playing her in seasons four and five gave me the opportunity to delve into her vulnerable past and really flesh out a complete character, while keeping the quick wit and humor the audience loved her for. I had a real soft spot for Tamsin. I was lucky to live in her skin for three years.

More after the jump.