On-Line Chat ~TVGEN January 1998
Mira Furlan

I've enjoyed your work immensely. I have two questions:
Do you miss working in film? In the U.S., going from film to television is almost always viewed as taking a career step backwards. I for one am glad that you are here, and hope to see you in any form in the future.
Do you think that the show moving to TNT will garner you some movie roles? I for one think that TNT will give the show a much larger audience and hopefully more exposure for the actors, who are always overlooked by the media and awards. - Jeff Bauer

I miss films, yes. I miss the diversity of it. I miss the variety. I'm so used to going in and out of roles and trying to be different every time. And this has been a totally different experience. Which is interesting in its own way, because you go through phases with a character, and you also create changes for yourself because otherwise you would be bored to death, and I am grateful in this particular role. Joe [Straczysnki] writes different stuff. It's still the same role, but it's different situations and different moods and different ways of expressions, so that keeps it interesting for me. Also, my character went through so many changes that I can't really complain. As for my expectations based on this new publicity, it's very strange - like everything with this show, somehow the publicity comes at the end of our road and somehow that doesn't seem right, you know? We needed this thing at the beginning. And not only the show, but we as actors. We went through such insecurity. But to answer the question of whether this exposure will lead to something else - I have no idea if the world of television, especially the world of science fiction, touches the world of the movies, you know? I come from Eastern Europe. My expectations are always bad. [Laughs.]

Science fiction is such a special genre which doesn't really catch the mainstream in many ways. And that's been disappointing, definitely for me. It's frustrating that you do something that somehow nobody in the so-called industry knows about and cares about. So in that way, I still feel as if I were at the beginning in many ways, in this country. I'm frustrated on many levels. Not only with Babylon but also with all my work in Yugoslavia which was lost, which is lost. But on the other hand, I can't really complain. It's been great. I mean Babylon 5 has been a stabilizing force in my unstable life, so to say, and so I'm very grateful for that.

How much do the actors know about the storylines before the scripts are sent out? - James

You can always ask Joe and then he tells you what he wants to tell you. He's a sphinx. He answers you in riddles, and then you're always surprised. And that's been interesting. That's so unusual for me. I know a little bit. I mean I know the basics of the storyline for this year, but it's still a very, very small percentage of what I will learn.

I watched the Making of Babylon 5 last night on TNT. They had a lot of shots with Claudia in them and she seemed to be a good amount of the lighthearted happy/funny spirit on the set. (OK, she's a total cut up!) Now that she's no longer on the show, has the crew found itself to be a little more serious and not having as much fun? Has Tracy been fitting in well? - Mike Kopack

Tracey Scoggins is a professional. I mean you could see that on the first day that she came in. She knows what she's doing. She's real, real strong. It's fun working with her. But that's one side. The other side is, of course, we miss Claudia. I miss Claudia, I mean definitely. She was such an incredibly important part of the show. It's too bad that it happened. You know at the end, again. Somehow, it shouldn't have happened. Yes. It's a shame, it's a shame. But you know it's all politics. And finances and contracts and lawyers and agents and producers and all those things that are so outside of the actual show. And you know, and in many ways, I can understand why she chose to do what she did and why they chose to do what they did. I mean you know there are all these sides to the problem that I can see, you know. What was the solution? I don't know. You have to make compromises all the time and sometimes it gets really frustrating and painful. You think that you deserve something which you don't get and then you want to get it but you can't, and then you just have to kind of withdraw, which is really painful and really humiliating. And from time to time, you just don't want to do that. But then, most of the time you lose and you have to be prepared for that. But I miss Claudia and I think it's a sad thing that she's not there.

Will you be appearing in any theater productions in the coming year? (And if so, where?) Your portrayal of Delenn is terrific and ever since "Comes the Inquisitor" (it was like watching a play), I've wanted to see you in a live performance! - Karen

I don't know. I have no plans. But we did - when was it? A year-and-a-half ago or something like that, we did this production of Antigone, in Los Angeles. It was as successful as theater can be here. You don't do theater to make money here. This adaptation of Antigone was set vaguely in the Balkan War. Gordon, my husband, directed it and adapted it, and there was a lot of our emotions and our own personal, very, very passionate and very intimate reasons for doing it. And I think it showed. Some people saw it, I guess. But you always come out of a production with a feeling of, again, that word: frustration. The most used word in this interview - frustration. [Laughs.] Because somehow you don't really get rewards. You don't do it for any external rewards. You do it for your own reasons. But I mean that also kind of wears out after a while. It's so hard to do theater. But some people from Babylon 5 came. Peter Jurassic and Bill Mumy, and a lot of people from the crew came. And Johnny Akevelly, who is our set designer, designed our sets. They were beautiful, incredible. He really saw the essence of the play. But we reached only a very small audience. And in a strange way, it kind of is the same thing that happened to Babylon, you know? It didn't get the publicity in the beginning, and people didn't watch it because of that. And you can - many people thought it was a brilliantly written and well-acted show, and so on. But it didn't matter, because nobody saw it in the papers.

Do you have any idea of whether or not Sheridan and Delenn stay together and have a son? What's it like working with Bruce? - Melian Daily

I love working with Bruce. He's a wonderful actor. We had so many of these moments that happen so rarely, where your heart opens up and something wonderful happens. And you do it with some actors. With some, you can never reach that point because they never, they just don't have the capacity to open up emotionally. Then you somehow have to invent that stuff for yourself. You kind of play with yourself which is no fun. And you know, playing with other actors - really playing, really reaching that level of contact, you know, is what is the most exciting part of acting for me. Definitely. So I really, I respect him and love playing with him. And I think we are very happy. We are really happy and we are grateful to have him on the show. But as to the other part of that question - I have no idea, you know? I mean that's a question for Joe. [Laughs.] I know that the son is there somewhere, because we are talking about him in those episodes set in the future. But what will happen with that whole issue in the season I have no idea. I don't know how Joe will handle it.

What was it about Babylon 5 (and/or JMS) that prompted you to accept a science fiction role, especially one where your appearance was hidden under Minbari makeup? Has B5 lived up to your initial expectations? - Jim

Well, I thought it was a really, really interesting role. And I like the writing. I mean I remembered thinking about that, how deep and how wonderful the writing was. How much it reminded me of really classical literature. I mean it tangled all these big issues of humanity and human nature and life and morality and so on. So it seemed interesting. In the world of sitcoms, that I'm so far from, it seemed like a good, like a right choice for me. In many ways, though, again, the word frustration comes to mind. The makeup in the pilot was so heavy and so - I could say - ugly. But I shouldn't say those things. I mean you know it was an alien character, and you just have to be able to get rid of your vanity from time to time to be able to do stuff like that. But it was hard. It was hard in many ways because I thought that I would be losing myself, you know? I am so glad that they abandoned the idea of this strange - what is the word? - androgynous character. And at one point they had wanted to change my voice, and I thought, "What's left of me?" But it was worth it because it all changed, and somehow the role got to be completely different.

What are your favorite alien race and alien person? What are your least favorite? - Edo Steinberg

I don't know. Narns are so incredibly interesting, and the way Andreas [Katsulas] plays G'Kar. But I mean how can you say? The Centauri are fascinating. I will always love what Peter [Jurasik] is doing. These two are just wonderful. Just wonderful actors who give so much to those worlds, alien worlds. I can't really answer that question. I'm too much... I look at it too much as an actress, you know, who is you know impressed by the work of Andreas and Peter. So I can't really talk about races. I mean it's just interesting worlds that Joe created, and he plays with them in so many different ways.

How have your experiences in Yugoslavia helped you in your role on B5? Did you work for peace in your home country? - Manuel Gonzalez

I think the whole science fiction genre has such a beautiful message, if I may use that horrible word, message. We can address things like racism in this genre. Especially Babylon, which is all about trying to live together, although we are so different. And that is basically what I was trying to express, publicly, in Yugoslavia, and was heavily punished for that view when the war started. Not only during the war, but the pre-war, the war with words, the war in the media. Propaganda was everywhere, brainwashing people. Convincing them that they have to split, although everybody knew that it meant war. But they said that these two people cannot live together, that it's impossible. That they are enemies. That they are genetically coded enemies. It's fascist. It's pure fascist thought. And it terrified me to see how easily people can be manipulated. That to me was the most devastating experience of the whole war. But, you know, my answer, I'm glad that I'm part of a show that has a message like ours does. I wouldn't do any other kind of show which had a different kind of thinking. There are so many things that Joe writes that correspond to what I think about the world, and that's incredibly important to me. He observes us and then uses it, which I think is great.

What are your favorite B5 episodes? - Peter Nguyen

These old ones, like "Come the Inquisitor." That was a good episode for me. And "Lamentations" is very powerful, where Lennier and I spend time with a dying race. The metaphor for AIDS and so on. That was a nice one. But there were so many, you know? We have done over 100. So it's hard to - actually, I have scenes that I remember, that have stuck in my head. But sometimes I don't know which episode they're from. It blends together. The fans know much more and I always tell them at conventions. I should probably take a course from them.

Do you like daisies? (Hope I spelled that correctly.) - Woodstock

Daisies are the white ones? Oh, sure, I like them, yeah. They're beautiful.

How is being famous different in the U.S. from the former Yugoslavia? - David Watson

For me, I can answer that from a personal point of view. First of all, fame - what is it? I'm still not sure I know. But anyway, whatever it is, I don't really think I have it here because it's just - I kind of do this show. I mean in many ways, this is a visual country, I mean totally, totally visual. It's your face that counts. And I don't have my face in this show. So that is a hindrance, that so-called fame, definitely. Sometimes people recognize me and so far it has been nice. Nobody has been rude or nasty to me, which I can't say about Yugoslavia. In Yugoslavia, I was famous. I mean my face was everywhere, on so many magazine covers. I was on TV. I did a very popular show when I was very young. I did a lot of films. Also a lot of TV, and that's where you get your fame. And what bothered me in Yugoslavia that I didn't have any kind of - there was no wall, somehow. There was no protection between me and the audience. Fame in Eastern Europe doesn't mean that you make any money, really. You had a comfortable life, but I mean you couldn't have a limo driver take you around or a bodyguard and those shaded windows where they couldn't see you. So you were there. In supermarkets, with plastic bags, just like anybody else. And it would turn into something incredibly unpleasant from time to time, especially if you were a woman. The familiarity of the audience towards you was just something that made me uncomfortable, always. And I had really, really bad experiences. I had a fan who wrote to me for nine years on a regular basis and then started coming to my apartment, and then I had to call the police, who were completely uncooperative and totally sexist. These policemen said, "Oh, well, please. You're a beautiful woman. You have to be prepared for that." It's awful. You feel completely helpless.

It was very tough to be a famous actress in that part of the world, with nothing protecting you. And then when the war started and I expressed my views, it was just against the new rules, you know? My whole life was against the new rules. And then the people who loved me, I mean the audience who loved me before, joined against me in a second. And that experience changed my confidence, I guess, in people and in this love that the audience has for you. I mean this love can turn into something else in seconds. They also want to identify with what they see in you. Not with you. They don't really want to be bothered with the complexities of your own life and character and so on. They want you conformed and labeled and nicely put in place. And if they don't get that, then they get very angry with you, you know? And you're just helpless, basically. And to fight that battle, to answer those papers, to get into those polemics - I never had the desire to do that. It just was not worth it for me.

Thanks for all the wonderful work we have enjoyed so much on B5. As you get closer to the end of season 5 shooting, I wonder if you would ever consider taking the character of Delenn to the stage? I do not mean "B5: the Broadway musical" - quite the reverse. A very simple off-off-Broadway style, perhaps a monologue, very little props, lighting or direction required. Perhaps occasionally at conventions? I have no doubt you could do it, given your classical training. Andreas could also do it - I believe I've seen him on stage in the Mahabharat. If Joe would write it, would you be potentially interested? We would love it! - Mike Ross

[She laughs.] I don't know. I mean Joe should write...Actually there was an idea about that, that was kind of floating around. I think we talked about that. How interesting it would be to do a little play with those characters. That would be nice. I can see them on a stage in a little salon, you know? G'Kar and Londo and Delenn. A little family drama on stage. It's a possibility. But not a probability at the moment.

Dear Mira, First please accept my thanks and admiration for the wonderful job you do in portraying Delenn; you bring a beautiful grace and dignity to the character and I suspect that those qualities are ones you possess yourself. Now to the question: I have read comments on several B5 fan boards that you used to be a frequent lurker, but that you stopped because the posts were unkind or critical. Is this an accurate estimate of what happened? Has the situation changed for you and do you ever go to the fan boards now? - Betsy Freeth

No, I never really saw anything that was unkind or critical. I have to say the fans were really, really nice to me. And that's very sweet. I didn't go crazy about computers, so far. You know I think it just takes too much of my time. But that's also not true. Because you lose so much time on different stupid things that you're doing in your day. I mean I could probably do much better to spend them on the Internet. I just haven't really taken to it. It happened to Goran, my husband. He is on the Internet. A lot. But me, my mind doesn't operate in that way. I use a computer for some things. I use it for writing. For e-mail. But you could spend all day just worrying over the Internet. And I have to think, I'm still an actor in the show. It's my job. I don't want it to overtake my life.

Hello, Ms. Furlan! I really enjoy your work (as well as your castmates') and the incredible storyline. If you could make any changes to that storyline - presuming you can tell us as you are still filming - what would they be? Additionally, I have always wondered what part of the former Yugoslavia you are from? I look forward to seeing more of your work. Thank you. — Michael Peddicord

I was born in Zagreb, which is now the capital of Croatia. And what else? Would I make some changes in the storyline? Well, at one point, I had problems with my eyes. They reacted to the makeup we use to cover my eyebrows, because Delenn has no eyebrows. It's better now, but I had a very bad allergic reaction at first. But I came up with an idea for Joe that he really didn't care for. [Laughs.] I suggested that Franklin does an operation on me, to give me eyebrows. Joe said no, he'd rather change the makeup.

Hello, Mira! Thank you so much for your work on B5. You've given us so much and done an incredible job!! My question is: Did you find it a difficult transition when you moved here and began work on B5 with respect to the language difference? Did you feel you had mastered the English language, or was it a learning experience along the way? I have to say, if you found it a learning experience, you sure fooled me. You sound like you're very well-versed in English. Again, thank you, and I wish you all the best for the future! - Todd Jennings

Yes, that was a challenge, because it's an especially talky show. It's not, you know, "Shall we go out for coffee?" I mean it's these huge monologues that I get. I don't have the level of comfort and freedom that I would have in my own language. Sometimes it's a struggle. But it has become my second language, and I feel comfortable with it. From time to time, there are these moments of fear and panic that I really have to battle with, where I feel an incredible insecurity. They are almost like anxiety attacks. But I'm pretty free and comfortable now. In a way, it's great to have another language in your pocket, so to say. And it's great to discover the secrets of this language. It's a delusion. But the delusion is comforting. The delusion is exciting and the delusion consists in thinking that you are making steps forward every day. The feelings that you're learning new words, you know? Ha! Two new words today! It makes you feel like - you feel like a child, making steps forward, everyday somehow, and that's just an exciting feeling. There's a bonus in speaking another language, which is not your native language. I'm learning Spanish now. I always want to learn new languages.

Hi, Mira. One of the most interesting relationships to watch develop has been the one between Delenn and Lennier. At first he was so quiet and submissive; now so strong. How has the growth of friendship between these characters been mirrored in your friendship with Bill? Do you have any favorite stories about him? It has been a pleasure watching you as Delenn, and I hope we have the opportunity to see you in many more roles in the future. - Kelly Joyce

I wouldn't say that. These things are completely separate. But I love playing that relationship because it's so ambiguous and there are so many aspects to it and so many layers, and it just gives me all kinds of possibilities as an actor. I enjoy that. But the things that Joe writes don't precisely mirror our personal relationships. I'm not married to Bruce. [Laughs.] It's a series. And I have eyebrows in my real life, and I don't have this bone on my head.

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