--interviewed by Chicki

L-word.com is a site with over 55,000 members and steadily growing. I speak for all the members, when I say that we are thrilled to have this opportunity to chat with you. Thank you so much. We are interested in learning a little bit about the role of Dawn Denbo, which you will bring to life in Season 5, and would like to first ask, when you were offered the role of a lesbian character, did you have any apprehensions?

No, you know what? Not at all. I actually played a lesbian character a couple of times already. I played in Felicity, and…actually a couple, where I was involved as a character like that, and also a short film, “Getting to Know You.” You know what, good characters, and good work, is good work. It doesn’t matter.

Do you think those previous roles may have prepared you a little bit more?
I honestly find for me, there really is no difference. Whether opposite a man or a woman, it’s still a love interest. It doesn’t matter if she happens to be gay or straight, there really is no difference for me, really.

The L Word, as you know, is a show where the majority of the cast are all women. Did you find it difficult, or more challenging because of that?
No actually it was really great. They had this kind of family already. They were lovely. They were fantastic. They have every kind of um…characteristic, each one of them. They are very bright, and witty, and fun, and it really was a lot of fun. I think that there was a familiarity to everybody. Whether it was Jennifer Beals and Pam Grier, who play kind of the mama field to everybody, or Kate who is fun loving, or Leisha who is fun. I don’t know if it’s because they are all women or because it is who they are.

They certainly seem like a fun group of women, who really mix together well, even when they are participating in the conventions, the chemistry is present.
Yeah they are. It is incredible how much fun everyone has together.

Well, let’s learn a little bit about Dawn. What can we expect to see from her in Season 5?
Upheaval is what comes to mind. She just comes in like gang busters. Dawn is the type of character who feels like she deserves everything she gets, and everything that you have. So that’s the kind of character she is. She works hard and feels she is entitled to everything, if she can get it. Throughout the season, she does get that. She works hard to get everything she can possibly get, and along the lines she has a lot of enemies. In her mind, if you are an enemy, you did something to her first. That’s what she feels.

It sounds like we need to prepare ourselves for a little drama.
You know what? With Dawn, you are either going to love to hate her, or hate to love her, if you know what I mean. I prefer the latter…I think you are going to like her, but wish you don’t, you know? That’s how I played her anyway. I rarely use this word, the word “bitch,” but I don’t think she feels she is that way. I don’t feel I played her that way, but I think she might be labeled that way. I think she feels she is this aggressive business woman, that um…that feels that if she is wronged by someone, that she will one up them.

Spoilers indicate that she will be opening a rival venue to the Planet, which I imagine may be part of what fuels some of the drama between her and others. Can you elaborate a little further about this storyline?
Yes. She is going to be messing with some people. That is our intention, and that is what she does. (laughs)

Viewers have become accustomed to seeing relationships of all kinds develop. Some are expected, and some of them catch us by surprise. Can you tell us who Dawn might be having some fun with in an intimate way in Season 5?
I won’t give it away by telling you who, but in the first episode that she is in, she does have fun. She has a girlfriend, so…I don’t know if you interviewed Alicia Willis. Are you interviewing her?

Yes. On Wednesday.
Yes, she is fantastic. We had a great time. The big joke of it is, you know when you introduce one another it was like, ‘Hi I’m Dawn Denbo, this is my lover Cindy (chuckles). She was just fantastic. So let’s just say that Cindy and I pull a third person in. (laughs)

Ahh, of course.
I won’t say who, but that was Alicia and my very first scene, in working on The L Word.

Well that sure is one way to break the ice.
(laughs hard) It sure was. It was like, goodnight everybody.

Now that you have gotten to know some of the other actresses and the characters that they bring to life, is there any particular character that you would like to see Dawn romantic with in the future?
If Dawn Denbo could be in a romance with someone if she dropped her lover?
Yes.
Yes, you know what, I’ll tell you something. They are all great in their own way. What I would love is for Dawn to somehow mend her ways a little bit. Of course, who doesn’t want to be with Shane. (laughs). And then you know what? Can you imagine if Dawn Denbo was with Bette?

It’s funny you should say that, because when you were describing Dawn as being an aggressive business woman, Bette did come to mind.
(laughing) I don’t even know if The L Word viewers could even handle that.

I don’t think there are too many fans that are ready to give any character a chance playing opposite Bette or Tina.
I agree, I totally agree.

What was your favorite scene that you filmed?
You know there was one we shot where I came into a party scene and everyone is there, but I know no one. When I came in, the party basically stopped in its tracks. I think that was my favorite, it was me against like everyone in that party. It was fun.

Were you involved in the Turkish Oil Wrestling scene?
Oh gosh, that is in my club. I built a circus ring and was the ringmaster. I know you can probably see snippets in the Showtime trailers, that there are. I’m in a battle with three women in the ring.

I did interview Kate French last week, who shared that she had thoroughly enjoyed filming that scene.
You know what, that’s right. That was probably my favorite scene, when I think about it now. From morning until night…we had to do all the dry scenes because you only do the oil scene once because it was like this olive oil, and I don’t think we even shot it until like 11 o’clock at night. Let me tell you, the energy in that room…probably a hundred extra’s…and a few different battles. Jenny had one, and someone else. Then there were four of us, and Kate was in one with me. You know you’re right, that was the most fun, I don’t know why I didn’t think of that. I recommend that you do that one time. We had so much fun. We were so happy at the end, and couldn’t have laughed more. The director was phenomenal, and had every angle shot. I’ll tell you, Kate and I just could not stop laughing. We did little tricks in there. We didn’t really plan for it because the oil just wouldn’t let us. We had a couple of tricks we did, and it was fantastic. If everyone just had one chance to do that--and I don’t mean like a bar atmosphere, or that kind of thing-- if you have a chance to do it, it is just phenomenal.

It’s quite interesting. I’m not sure too many people have heard of it until Showtime presented the trailer.
I never heard of it. I’ve heard of mud wrestling, but apparently Ilene Chaiken said that in New York, there are groups who would do this Turkish Oil Wrestling like in someone’s back yard. I can’t remember exactly what she said, but I guess it’s fabulous.

Ironically enough, just this week I read about one that is going to occur locally this week.
No way…can you send that to me, email that to me? I would love to see that.
It’s all about time. And I’ll tell you…I think the audience is just really going to love that episode.

Speaking of the audience, I’m sure you know that Bette and Tina have had a very strong following of fans who are holding onto hope, that this season will bring them back into the arms of the other. I’m wondering if you could share something about Season 5, that might make them run to the store to get a bottle of champagne.
(Strong laugh) Well….wow….all I can say is this… um…you will fully enjoy what is going on this year, from beginning to end. The audience will love everything that is happening…they will be frustrated, then not frustrated, then frustrated, and not frustrated. Really, all of it is good, so I would say just buy some champagne for every episode.

We have learned some things about Dawn Denbo…tell us a little bit about Elizabeth Keener. Do you have any siblings?
Yes, I have a sister Catherine Keener. You know…Catherine Keener. Two time Academy Award nominee. She has done some lesbian roles. She was up for an Academy Award for one of the roles. There you go, those are the strong amazing characters we have around now.

In terms of television, it is amazing the progress that has been made. Though we would like to see more, we are headed in the right direction.
Yes, I think we are seeing more characters that are gay. In The L Word, it’s great. My character is gay, and I’m very fortunate that I was able to do this part.

Are you currently involved with someone, and if so, how did they react to you playing this role on The L Word?
No, I’m not. I’m single now.

Well then you didn’t have to have field any questions or concerns from a significant other, which might have been a relief.
(laughs) You know what, your right, it’s very true. It happened just before I went there, and it was so funny. You know we call it Gay Camp because it’s so much fun. You are in this beautiful city of Vancouver, you are on a show that is wonderful, the crew and case are just great, it feels amazing, and you are doing it during the summer.

Did you hang out with any of the actresses off the set?
Oh absolutely. I consider them ALL my friends. They are very good. I knew Leisha a little bit before. I met Kate before. But you know…I worked well with all of them. Mia is just fantastic. They are lots of fun, as are some of the new people like Alicia (Leigh Meyers) and Kate (French). I think Ilene said she loved the melding of the new actors with the old ones.

The viewers will definitely be able to pick up on the chemistry between the actors through their characters.
Absolutely, they are just all excellent actors. Really great.

How many episodes are you in?
I am in seven of twelve. I come in on episode four, and then by six it’s gang busters.

Do you know if a Season 6 happens, whether your character might return?
Let’s put it this way….I’m not going to say what my last sentence is in the script, but think of a sentence that would 100% mean that I’m going to be back, and that’s what I said. (laughing). I know that Showtime has never done more than five years and such, but you know, think about it…this show has everyone…not just gay women, but gay men, straight men, straight women, married couples.

I cannot agree with you more. We see that diversity on the L-word.com site as well. The show surpasses any sexuality boundaries when it comes to viewers who are drawn to this particular series.
You’re right. There aren’t many shows that have done that. This show has, and it’s a lot of money, we are in the middle of a writer’s strike, so everything is about money sadly, but with our chart and podcast’s and everyone watching, I hope that they, that they see that. That show should continue on.

Elizabeth, it has been a complete pleasure talking with you. We look forward to seeing Dawn joining The L Word cast.