Gillian Anderson has been appearing on our TV screens rather a lot of late, turning up in NBC's Hannibal and another serial killer series, The Fall, here in the UK.
In the Empire Podcast studio to talk about both those shows - as well as a little phenomenon some like to call "The X-Files" - Anderson is frank, funny and slightly forgetful in our hour-long special as she talks about her pub quiz adventures with Simon Pegg, an upcoming project known as 'The Curse Of The Buxom Strumpet' and what X-memorabilia she stole back in the day...
'Hannibal' Renewed
Posted at 4:55 PM (PDT) on Thursday, May 30, 2013
NBC Renews �Hannibal� For Second Season By Patrick Munn TV Wise May 31st, 2013
It was the only series from the 2012-2013 season whose fate was unknown even after the upfronts, but NBC has now renewed Hannibal for a second season of 13 episodes.
Developed for NBC by Bryan Fuller, Hannibal is a contemporary take on the characters from Thomas Harris� "Red Dragon" novel and, as such, revolves around FBI Special Agent Will Graham and his mentor, Dr. Hannibal Lecter.
The drama series stars Hugh Dancy as William Graham, Mads Mikkelsen as Dr. Hannibal Lecter, Caroline Dhavernas as Dr. Alana Bloom, Lara Jean Chorostecki as Freddie Lounds, and Laurence Fishburne as Jack Crawford, head of the FBI's Behavioral Science Unit. [Gillian Anderson has a recurring role as Hannibal's psychiatrist, Dr. Bedelia Du Maurier.]
�We�re so proud of Bryan�s vision for a show that is richly textured, psychologically complex, and very compelling,� said NBC Entertainment President Jennifer Salke. �There are many great stories still to be told.�
Shadow Dancer
Posted at 12:24 PM (PDT) on Thursday, May 30, 2013
SHADOW DANCER opens in select theaters in New York and Los Angeles on Friday, May 31, before expanding in the coming weeks.
Directed by acclaimed filmmaker James Marsh (Man on Wire, Project Nim), Magnolia Pictures� SHADOW DANCER stars Andrea Riseborough, Clive Owen, and Gillian Anderson as MI5 commanding officer, Kate Fletcher.
A conspiracy thriller set around an act of betrayal within a tight knit family, the story centers around single mother Collette McVeigh (Riseborough) -- a Republican living in Belfast with her mother and hardliner IRA brothers.
When she is arrested for her part in an aborted IRA bomb plot in London, an MI5 officer (Owen) offers her a choice: lose everything and go to prison or return to Belfast to spy on her own family.
Collider Interview
Posted at 6:51 AM (PDT) on Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Gillian Anderson Talks THE FALL, Her Attraction to the Characters, HANNIBAL, CRISIS, Her Desire for Another X-FILES Movie, and More by Christina Radish Collider May 28th, 2013
Featuring a truly terrific performance from Emmy award-winner Gillian Anderson, THE FALL is a gripping, intelligent and highly addictive psychological thriller (I watched all five hours in one sitting because it�s so engrossing) that forensically examines the lives of two hunters, one of whom is a serial killer (played by ONCE UPON A TIME star Jamie Dornan) that stalks his victims at random, and the other is a high-powered detective superintendent brought in to catch him. It is a high-stakes cat-and-mouse game with twists and turns that unfold until the very end.
During this recent exclusive phone interview with Collider, actress Gillian Anderson talked about what led her to sign on to THE FALL, her attraction to complex and complicated characters, how she views Stella Gibson, what she most enjoyed about playing the role, how refreshing and freeing it is to inhabit a woman who�s so blunt, keeping the cat-and-mouse game interesting throughout the season, and that they�re already discussing the direction for Season 2.
She also talked about her terrific work on HANNIBAL, her mid-season NBC drama series CRISIS, which role in her career she�s most proud of, and how she feels like there needs to be one more THE X-FILES movie, to wrap up the story. Check out what she had to say after the jump, and be aware that there are some spoilers.
Netflix rises and takes 'The Fall'
Posted at 9:26 AM (PDT) on Monday, May 27, 2013
By George Lang NewsOK May 27, 2013
This week, I became convinced that this is now the Wild West phase of streaming video, a crucial period when there are no actual rules and all the players are making big �land grabs� for content. On Tuesday, Netflix stakes a substantial claim with its full-season exclusive premiere of BBC2's �The Fall,� starring Gillian Anderson of �The X-Files.�
�The Fall� makes its U.S. debut on Netflix with no side trips into the cable spectrum.
Everything about this series suggests an uncompromising and thoroughly engrossing crime drama. Anderson plays Detective Superintendent Stella Gibson, who leads the investigation of Paul Spector (Jamie Dornan of �Once Upon a Time�), a serial killer whose grisly murders have brought Belfast, Ireland, to a standstill.
Like many of the best BBC series, this first season of �The Fall� keeps its arc to five episodes, a storytelling format that allows for greater focus than even domestic cable's abbreviated 13-episode standard.
BBC Two Renews �The Fall� For Season 2
Posted at 4:14 PM (PDT) on Sunday, May 26, 2013
It�s Official: BBC Two Renews �The Fall� For Season 2 By Peter Munn May 27, 2013 TVWise
Shortly after the series premiered as BBC Two�s highest rated drama series in 8 years TVWise broke the news that the core cast of THE FALL had signed on to do a second run and that BBC Two controller Janice Hadlow was on the verge of green-lighting the second season. Hadlow and the BBC�s Controller of Drama Ben Stephenson have now pulled the trigger on that and formally renewed the series for a second season.
The move to renew THE FALL comes shortly after the series outstripped LINE OF DUTY to become not only BBC Two�s highest rated drama series of 2013, but of the last eight years. The series also performed well in week 2, with the series retaining most of its initial audience and only seeing a drop off of 100K viewers or 3%. I�m told that the decision to renew the series was taken due to a �perfect storm� of top quality writing from series creator Allan Cubitt, outstanding ratings, heavy critical acclaim and the strong performances of Gillian Anderson and Jamie Dornan.
Writer and creator Allan Cubitt commented: �The BBC has been an incredibly supportive partner in this project and working with BBC NI and the Artists Studio has been the best experience of my career to date. I always envisioned The Fall as a returning series and wish to congratulate both Gillian Anderson and Jamie Dornan who have played their parts to perfection.�
The Movie Gillian Has 'Seen A Million Times'
Posted at 1:46 PM (PDT) on Sunday, May 26, 2013
The Movie Gillian Anderson Has 'Seen A Million Times' by Lily Percy May 26, 2013 NPR
The weekends on All Things Considered series features filmmakers, actors, writers and directors talking about the movies that they never get tired of watching.
Actor Gillian Anderson's credits include the TV shows The X-Files and The Fall � which premieres on Netflix on May 28. The movie she could watch a million times is the animated film Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa.
Gillian Anderson's Favorite Scene From Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa
On why she has seen Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa so many times
"As happens when you have youngsters, there are certain films that they watch and they can watch it, you know, a hundred million times. It was Cars for a while and then it was Kung Fu Panda, but I have to say that one of the ones that I always sit down for to watch with them is Madagascar 2."
On why she loves the movie
"To me it is one of the funniest movies ever made � funnier than Woody Allen, funnier than ... I can't believe I just said that. I cannot stop laughing when I see this film and I don't know how many times I've heard some of these jokes but they just bring a smile to my face."
Milling About with Gillian Anderson
Posted at 7:25 AM (PDT) on Friday, May 24, 2013
Entertainment Reporter Robin Milling engages in candid conversations with today's hottest stars in movies, theater, music and television.
Gillian Anderson joins host Robin Milling to discuss The Fall, her first lead investigative series since The X Files. Playing a detective superintendent investigating a serial killer in Belfast, she jokes she's had nine years of medical school as Scully.
The Blog Talk Radio show begins in 30 minutes -- today, May 24 @ 11AM ET, and will remain in the archives.
There is no panel at this ComicCon BUT Gillian is holding her own special panel event on Sunday at 11:30am in the Double Tree Hilton Hotel at the MK Stadium in Milton Keynes (right before her scheduled photo shoot at 12:40pm).
The reserved room can only seat 50 and 45 tickets have already been sold. If you want to attend this special one hour Q&A session, go to the Online Store and buy your ticket NOW before the event is sold out!
This is a CHARITY EVENT. Whether you attend or not, please consider making a donation through the Online Store. All proceeds will go to SA-YES. Thank you!
Huffington Post Interview
Posted at 8:52 AM (PDT) on Thursday, May 23, 2013
Gillian Anderson On 'The Fall' And Returning To American TV In 'Crisis'
By Chris Harnick Huffington Post May 23, 2013
Gillian Anderson is staging an impressive return to the TV.
Later this month, "The Fall," a five-episode successful BBC 2 series starring Anderson, makes its way to Netflix. The series, which co-stars "The Good Wife's" Archie Panjabi and "Once Upon a Time" veteran Jamie Dornan, is a provocative murder mystery that follows Stella Gibson (Anderson), a detective superintendent who is called in to investigate a serial killer in Belfast.
All five episodes will be on Netflix beginning May 28 and Anderson says it won't disappoint. "Finish 'The Fall,'" she told The Huffington Post in a phone interview. "It gets better and better, I promise."
Anderson, who spent nine seasons as Dana Scully on "The X-Files," is returning to viewers' lives in a big way. Later this year, the actress, who's been recurring on NBC's "Hannibal," will also be in the Peacock Network's "Crisis," a new drama from Rand Ravich. Below, Anderson opens up about her upcoming projects, how she felt about playing a detective again, what she has binge-watched and much more.
THE FALL on Netflix, May 28
Posted at 8:28 AM (PDT) on Wednesday, May 22, 2013
The Haunting New Serial-Killer Thriller Heading to Netflix
by Jace Lacob The Daily Beast May 22, 2013
BBC Two�s �The Fall,� starring Gillian Anderson and Jamie Dornan, debuts on Netflix on May 28.
It is virtually impossible to talk about The Fall-BBC Two�s addictive and provocative serial killer drama, which begins streaming stateside on Netflix on May 28-without mentioning the ghost in the room: Prime Suspect.
The allusion to Prime Suspect, a massive hit on both sides of the Atlantic, is well founded. For one, The Fall is the closest that television has come to capturing the taut alchemy of Prime Suspect: part police chase, part psychological portrait of the hunted and the hunter. At the time of its premiere in 1992, Prime Suspect captured the institutional misogyny of the Metropolitan Police and placed at its center Helen Mirren�s Jane Tennison, a knife-sharp detective who wasn�t content to hover at the edges of a �man�s world.� Over the seven seasons that Mirren portrayed Jane, viewers came to see her as a brilliant, if flawed, protagonist, who somehow remained tethered to the glass ceiling that she had shattered and who turned to drink and sex to dull the loneliness of her life.
In The Fall, we see both the hard road that Mirren�s Tennison had to walk but also the women-both fictional and real-who followed Tennison�s path in the 22 years since she first appeared on screen. Detective Superintendent Stella Gibson, played here with precision and grit by Gillian Anderson (The X-Files), joins this tradition as a confident and headstrong copper who flits between steely logic and rational detachment. To call her emotionless is to miss the point: Anderson�s Stella has real and vivid emotions, often deeply so, but she�s far more calm and rational than her male colleagues, a capricious and sensitive lot who can dodge bullets but can�t avoid wounded egos.
*******
Anderson�in her first television series regular role since Dana Scully on The X-Files-is mesmerizing as Stella Gibson, delivering a first-rate performance that does not elide Stella�s femininity, but instead uses it as part and parcel of her innate strength. Stella Gibson may be a flawed protagonist in the mold of Jane Tennison, prone to the same icy temperament, but, unlike Mirren�s sleuth, Stella doesn�t have to hide her femininity nor does she have to act like a man in order to advance her ambitions. She is instead a puzzle to be solved in her own right. Stella�s nonconformity and assiduity are perfect companions to her desires, and she doesn�t apologize or feel guilty for fulfilling those needs. For Anderson, this is a role that she was born to play: uncompromising and flinty, radiating a ferocity and tough conviction.
*******
When it debuted in the U.K. last week, The Fall became the highest-rated drama premiere in eight years for BBC Two, and a second season renewal is said to be close, though nailing down Anderson�s schedule now that she�s booked as the female lead in NBC�s Crisis may prove to be tricky. But putting aside the vagaries of scheduling, what is certain is that this spellbinding psychological thriller, which remains enticingly (or frustratingly) open-ended at the conclusion of its first season, is more than worthy of your rapt attention this summer.
Message from Gillian
Posted at 4:16 PM (PDT) on Monday, May 20, 2013
Here we go again. Sorry I just have to set something straight.
I have never in my life said �I turned down a role in Downton Abbey and Game Of Thrones.�
Whilst doing press for Great Expectations I was asked if I ever watched Downton and I said that ashamedly I did not watch anything. They were shocked as if to say �But you live in London!� and by way of apology almost I said sorry but all I know of it is what I read in what must have been the first script. She asked if I had been offered a role and I said yes. And then she named a particular character and I said I did not know and she said an American and I said possibly and she said Elizabeth McGovern�s character and inside I said Oh No! I know Elizabeth and did not wish in any way for it to be a comment about anything least of all a judgment. At the time it was not for me and that was that. Upon reading the subject in the article of which much was made as I had feared, I sent both Elizabeth and Mr Fellows a heart felt apology. I had met the latter on a couple of occasions including once more recently when he shook his finger at me and quite rightly implied-�see what you missed�. Same thing with GOT. A journalist asked me outright - perhaps had heard, no idea, and I had answered in the affirmative. Should I have lied?
And here again a round table discussion for The Fall at which somebody brought it up again and I said that I did not think it was fair to talk about and they persisted and I tried to contribute levity to a situation that never ends well. If I had said I would not discuss it, in the article it would still headline with the forged quote, and proceed to imply that I became snippy as they like to say in the UK or maybe that I tossed my glossy mane in contempt or what the fuck ever- the point being there was no way out except to attempt to imply �silly me, yes my daughter thinks I�m nuts� because as with every other teenager the world over she is obsessed with Games Of Thrones. They asked why I had said �no� and I said in an effort to end it once and for all that it was due to scheduling - all of this was back when the thought of anything serial was giving me heart palpitations. And then to add more lightness to what was now becoming uncomfortable as I realized I was indeed talking about the thing I said I didn�t want to discuss, I made a joke about well obviously if Scorsese offered me a part- fuck the schedule, Id move in with him kind of thing. I DO NOT WANT TO TALK ABOUT THIS ANYMORE!!!!! A whole lot of fabulous actors are working their asses off on great shows and do not need to hear about who said no to the f-ing parts.
If you are a journalist and ask me about this subject matter I will stare at you with a smile on my face until you change the subject and after the interview my publicist will call you and kindly mention that if you mention that I stared at you while you attempted to stir shit, I will never do an interview for your magazine or newspaper again. You may not give a shit but I do.
Tonight (May 16), HANNIBAL will start at a special time of 10:15pm/9:15c, following the series finale of THE OFFICE. As a bonus treat, HANNIBAL will be interrupted by just 3 minutes� worth of commercials.
Doodle 4 NF Auction Ends Soon!
Posted at 12:52 PM (PDT) on Wednesday, May 15, 2013
This year's Doodle4NF auction on eBay ENDS on Sunday (May 19) for Doodles #1 and on Monday (May 20) for Doodles #2.
Each May, as part of Neurofibromatosis (NF) Awareness month, the NF Network organization auctions celebrity Doodles to benefit families affected by NF.
Gillian is an honorary spokesperson for the NF Network and has, once again, contributed a lovely doodle along with her daughter, Piper.
We have doodles by many of Gillian's costars in CRISIS (Coming in 2014 on NBC): Dermot Mulroney, Max Martini (2), Lance Gross (2), and James Lafferty!
Also doodles by David Duchovny (2), Dean Haglund (2), Mark Snow (2), Mads Mikkelsen (HANNIBAL), and Gillian's I'LL FOLLOW YOU DOWN costars Victor Garber (ALIAS), Haley Joel Osment (The Sixth Sense), and Rufus Sewell.
We also have doodles by:
Candice Bergen (Murphy Brown), Mayim Bialik (Big Bang Theory), Anna Camp (The Mindy Project), Steve & Nancy Carell, Angela Cartwright (Sound of Music), Nancy Cartwright (voice of Bart Simpson), Chris Colfer (GLEE), Tom Colicchio (Top Chef), Tim Conway, David Copperfield, Carson Daly, Ellen DeGeneres, Portia de Rossi, Micky Dolenz (The Monkees), Minnie Driver, Harlan Ellison (A Boy and His Dog), Cassidy Freeman (Smallville), Neil Gaiman, Jorge Garcia (Lost), Brad Garrett (Everybody Loves Raymond), Robert Hays (Airplane!), Honey Boo Boo & Chubbs, Nicholas Hoult (Warm Bodies), Kevin James (King of Queens), Jimmy Kimmel, Robert Kirkman (creator of The Walking Dead), Dave Koz, Matt LeBlanc (Friends), Melissa McCarthy (Mike & Molly), Martin Mull (Roseanne), Bill Mumy (Lost in Space), Kathy Najimy (voice of Peggy in King of the Hill), Sarah Paulson (American Horror Story), Pauley Perrett (Abby Sciuto on NCIS), Doris Roberts (Everybody Loves Raymond), Alan Rosenberg (L.A. Law), Jeri Ryan (Star Trek: Voyager), Bob Saget (Full House), Jessy Schram (Once Upon a Time), Ben Schwartz, Martin Sheen (The West Wing), Craig Shoemaker (Lovemaster), Becca Tobin (GLEE), Lily Tomlin, Stephen Wallem (Nurse Jackie), Darren Waterston, and MANY MORE!
Follow Doodle4NF on FACEBOOK and TWITTER and help us spread the word (share the FB posts and RT the Tweets). Only a few days left! Please bid generously to help families affected by Neurofibromatosis.
NBC is firming up its programming lineup for the 2013-14 television season, picking up a number of comedies and dramas as it looks to continue its attempt to rebuild under entertainment chairman Bob Greenblatt.
Among the drama shows NBC has in store for next season:
CRISIS (previously untitled Rand Ravich)
Logline: When Washington's most powerful players are pulled into an international conspiracy, an unlikely puppeteer will bring everyone from CEOs to The President of the United States to their knees by threatening the things they hold most dear.
Cast: Dermot Mulroney*, Max Martini*, Gillian Anderson*, Rachael Taylor, Stevie Lynn Jones, Halston Sage (How to Rock), Lance Gross* (House of Payne), Joshua Erenberg, Max Schneider, Michael Beach, James Lafferty*
Written by Rand Ravich; also executive producer along with Far Shariat. Produced by 20th Century Fox Television
*We're NOW AUCTIONING DOODLES by Dermot Mulroney, Max Martini, Gillian Anderson, Lance Gross, and James Lafferty to benefit the Neurofibromatosis (NF) Network!
Also doodles by David Duchovny, Dean Haglund, Mark Snow, Mads Mikkelsen (HANNIBAL), and Gillian's I'LL FOLLOW YOU DOWN CO-STARS Victor Garber, Haley Joel Osment, and Rufus Sewell.
Gillian will make her first appearance on HANNIBAL tomorrow, May 9, the same day our Doodle 4 NF auction starts on eBay. Among MANY others, we'll be auctioning doodles by Gillian and Mads Mikkelsen!
Stylist Magazine Interview
Posted at 11:34 AM (PDT) on Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Gillian Anderson: intelligent life Stylist Magazine, UK May 7, 2013
Gillian Anderson is back playing detective but this time, she tells Julia Maile, her feet are firmly on the ground...
I�ve met 44-year-old Gillian at a London hotel to discuss her brilliant new five-part BBC2 thriller, THE FALL, from the writer of Prime Suspect. Twenty years (that�s right, 20 years) since she first appeared as FBI special agent Dana Scully in The X-Files, she returns to her investigative roots as Detective Superintendent Stella Gibson. On secondment from the Met, Stella is helicoptered in to catch a serial killer who stalks his female victims in Belfast.
Two preview episodes in and I�m completely hooked. Not content with dealing with just one psychopath, Gillian also appears on screen this week as Hannibal Lecter's therapist in Sky Living�s US drama HANNIBAL, alongside Hugh Dancy and Mads Mikkelsen.
Despite the US media heralding it as her career comeback, the Chicago-born, London-raised actor has worked constantly on this side of the Atlantic, with credits that include the BBC�s GREAT EXPECTATIONS and BLEAK HOUSE, plus roles in films such as JOHNNY ENGLISH REBORN and SHADOW DANCER. While her character choices mean she�s usually all-business on screen, in person twice-divorced Gillian is warm, relaxed and has a wry sense of humour. Here, she opens up to Stylist about sexuality on screen and turning down cult-hit GAME OF THRONES.
Adam West, best known as Batman and Family Guy�s Mayor Adam West, had to send his regrets due to a fractured back, but the thousands of attendees will have the chance to see Wil Wheaton, Julie Newmar, LeVar Burton and many other stars. Stop by on Saturday or Sunday to see Gillian Anderson, who discusses X-Files, Hannibal and giving back in this edited interview.
Q. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the X-Files. What stands out most to you in your memories of playing Special Agent Dana Scully?
A. That I was so blessed to play a character that I liked so much since I had to live with her for such a long time.
Q. Ottawa fans are looking forward to your appearance at ComicCon. What do you like about going to ComicCon?
A. It gives me an opportunity to meet some of the people who helped keep the show on the air for such a long time and to say thank you for their undying support. It feels like the anniversary year is a good time to do this and then to go back into hiding.
Scotsman Interview
Posted at 7:02 AM (PDT) on Monday, May 6, 2013
On playing a British detective in THE FALL By ALBERTINA LLOYD Scotsman.com May 4, 2013
In the first episode of THE FALL, Gillian Anderson's police investigator Stella Gibson is a woman on a mission.
After spotting a handsome police officer she likes the look of, she demands to be introduced � and then purposefully tells him which hotel room she is staying in.
It's a far cry from prim FBI agent Dana Scully, who spent years in The X-Files refusing to get too close to her partner Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) before she finally gave in to her feelings.
RT�'s "The Fall" Trailer
Posted at 8:27 AM (PDT) on Friday, May 3, 2013
THE FALL, is set to premiere in Ireland (*RT� 1) on Sunday, May 12. More about this program here. The psychological thriller will hit BBC Two on May 13 and all five episodes will be available in the U.S. and Latin America exclusively on Netflix starting May 28.
"THE FALL is, hands down, one of the best home-grown dramas I�ve seen in several years, with the final episode being one of tensest hours of television I can recall since 24 went off the air." Patrick Munn, TVWise
*RT� Television is a department of Irish national broadcaster Raidi� Teilif�s �ireann.
