Exclusive interview with Nicole Muñoz

May, 2013 | The Canadian actress Nicole Muñoz plays the role of Christie McCawley on the science fiction show "Defiance". She and Jesse Rath portrait two teenagers from rivaling families, who are in love against all odds. In our interview Nicole talks about how she got into acting and gives some insight into working on the show and her character.

Foto: Nicole Muñoz - Copyright: Kyla Hemmelgarn
Nicole Muñoz
© Kyla Hemmelgarn
Note: © myFanbase 2013 - The interview is exclusive to myFanbase and may not be published on other websites or the like. You may share the first two questions if you link back to this site. Translations other than English and German may be posted with full credit including the writer's name and link to this site.

1. How did you get into acting? Have you always wanted to be an actress?

I have been acting for 15 years. I started when I was four years old. I booked my first ever audition, which was for a laundry detergent commercial. I continued to do over fifty commercials and seeming as I was enjoying myself, I decided to try film and TV. I kept booking roles, and auditioning and I really fell in love with the whole process. I booked Defiance when I was 17. I was so excited to work on such a boundless project with so many inspiring people. I’ve always wanted to be an actor, of course I have many interests in different things such as languages, history and writing, but being an actor will always be my dream.

2. You play Christie on the new scifi show "Defiance". What was the audition process like?

I was very excited to audition for the role of Christie! I was enamored with the script and the character. Christie is so sweet yet strong. I had sent in an audition tape from Vancouver to the casting directors and crossed my fingers. A lot of girls were auditioning for this role, but I knew I really wanted this part. I waited some time and finally I got a call from my agent saying that I was on hold. That means that there are about three girls that are being considered for the part. I kept on waiting, it was so nerve racking being so close to getting the role! Finally, I got a phone call from my agent, I was at a family dinner, I screamed! I was so happy! I had booked the role of Christie McCawley.

3. On the show Christie learns the Castithan language. Is it a complete language and maybe even based on a real language?

David Peterson is the creator of the Castithan language. It is a complete language; I believe there is even a dictionary! A lot of time and hard work has gone into the creation of this language and also the other two: Indogene and Irathient. There is an alphabet and a numerical system. Childrens games, card games, traditions and hand gestures have all been invented to make the Castithan culture as real as possible.

4. What do you think about the relationship between Alak and Christie? Is it true love or more like a teen romance?

I believe it is true love. Christie would do just about anything for Alak. She really loves him. She adapts to his family’s customs, she wears white and she tries to learn Casti. She is putting a lot of effort into this relationship because she really wants everything to work out. She understands it is causing a lot of pain to her father, but she hopes he soon realizes how much Alak Tarr means to her. Family is the most important thing to Christie. Her relationship with Alak is true love, she just hopes she can soon get everyone else to understand.

5. What do you think are Stahma's intentions in helping Alak and Christie? Mostly the chance to control the mines?

Stahma definitely has ulterior motives when it comes to Alak and Christie. She is controlling this very large and tangled web of lies. Answers will come in future episodes. You will just have to tune in and find out!

6. What would you say is the strangest thing in the Castithan culture and behaviour for Christie?

The Castithan culture is very different to the human culture and Christie is extremely aware of that. Though because she is in love with Alak she is willing to set the differences aside. She tries to adjust to their customs, their language and their food but I think what she is least at ease with, is how open they are sexually. In the human culture, that is a very private and personal thing and that does not seem to be the case with the Tarrs. Christie has not yet been fully exposed to that part of their culture but it would be interesting to view her reaction.

7. In the show we don't see how Christie and Alak fall in love, do you know a little more about the background?

We have not seen that part of Alak and Christie’s relationship just yet, but maybe that is something we will find out in time.

8. How is working with the green screen for you. Especially in scenes like with the hellbugs in #1.03?

It was challenging, but in a very fun way! Green screen can seem scary at first but once you’ve worked with it, you begin to get the hang of things. It takes a lot of coordination and imagination, especially if you are in a scene with more than one actor because you all need to be looking in the same direction and reacting with the same emotions and the same timing.

9. Are there funny experiences you had on the set of "Defiance" that you can tell us about?

There were always a lot of dogs on set! Julie Benz would sometimes bring Bamboo and Sugar, Jaime Murray would sometimes bring Lulu and Mia would occasionally bring Rainbow! I absolutely loved it. I would visit the dogs, take them on little walks around the set and give them special VIP tours ;). We were filming in Toronto and so I had to leave my dog, a yellow lab, at home in Vancouver and so it was always so nice to see other dogs on set!

10. What was your most challenging scene in the show so far?

I think almost every scene is somewhat challenging in its own way. Whether it be because of a green screen, because it needs a lot of emotion or a variety of different reasons. That’s half the fun of being an actor, going face to face with a challenge!

11. Could you see yourself living in the world of "Defiance"?

I could see myself visiting it! I wouldn’t want to live there though, the hellbugs, the food and all the other scary animals crawling around Defiance would definitely scare me away. But I think it would be really fun to go for a few days and hangout with the teens of Defiance. They seem pretty cool.

12. If you could give Christie any storyline on the show, in what situation would we be seeing her?

She would get super powers and go on a crime-fighting spree. Kidding. That would be pretty cool though… Christie’s storyline has so many possibilities, I am very curious to see in which direction she is headed.

13. myFanbase is an online magazine about U.S. television shows. Do you have one or more favorite show(s)?

I love comedy shows like "Arrested Development", "Modern Family" and "Community"!

Thank you, Nicole, we wish you all the best for the show and your future projects!

Thank you! I had a pleasure being able to share my answers with you, I wish you and the readers all the best! Xx

Charleen Winter - myFanbase