SPOILER ALERT!!!
Rutina Wesley, the actor behind Tara Thornton, dishes on her set souvenirs, her personal favorite ‘bad thing,’ and the craziest thing a fan has ever done.
What’s been your favorite part of playing Tara on ‘True Blood’?
My favorite part was being turned vampire. It was fun to do something different, and a little challenging. I got be sexy, too — it was great. And, of course, I got to play alongside the beautiful Kristin Bauer van Straten.
Apart from being turned vampire, do you have another favorite storyline?
I really enjoyed working with Sam Trammell. I thought the whole Tara/Sam storyline was sweet and that it could have worked out, but you know that happiness doesn’t make for good TV. [Laughs.] I liked being a vampire, but I also really enjoyed being a human in those early seasons.
Do you have any favorite memories from those early seasons?
I love the first season. Season 1 was awesome — it was just like sparks flying off the screen. It was amazing. I also loved working with James Frain [who played Franklin Mott] and Michelle Forbes [who played the Maenad Maryann Forrester]. Working with the talent that has come through the show has just been insane. That’s been one of favorite experiences on the show — working with so many talented actors.
What initially attracted you to the role?
I audition for everything that comes my way because you never know what’s going to come out of something. When I got the script, I thought, “This is great. She’s funny, she’s feisty” — something I thought I could pull off. I got the role three days after the audition process finished, but it felt like three years later. [Laughs.] I was in shock when I found out. I’d just graduated from school, and all I could think was, “Wow! I’m going to be on an HBO show — this doesn’t happen that fast!”
Have you taken any souvenirs from the set, or is there anything you’ve got your eye on?
I really want my fangs, and I don’t know if I can fit into them anymore, but those jean cutoff shorts that I wore all the time in the first few seasons? I kind of want them for my womancave. Put ’em in a frame or something.
Do you think that Tara made her peace with being a vampire?
She wasn’t happy about it, but she learned to deal with it. Ultimately, she was happy to still be around. And she really got to bond with Pam — it was nice to see the two of them together. Pam finally met her match.
Tara also makes peace with her mother right before her death. Why do you think she was finally able to forgive her?
Tara just realizes that it’s time. She can look her mother in the eye and see that she’s being genuine, that she really means it this time.
It’s a nice moment for the two of them.
It’s one of my favorite scenes that I’ve ever done. I love working with Adina Porter. She brings out the best in me! She’s just so good!
Is the True Death really the end of Tara?
I’ll just say this — she’s dead — but that doesn’t always mean gone on ‘True Blood.’
Read the complete article at the source.
