“They wanted me in character as Jaime but it didn’t feel right.”

I’m sure many fans are disappointed with this outcome, but well done her for keeping her dignity, especially seeing as she’s serious about her acting career!

If I weren’t talking to you right now I’d be…

On my way to meet the director of my new job for a coffee. I’ve just finished working on Mr Eleven for ITV2. It’s a cross between Bridget Jones and Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind. My character is Saz, a school teacher obsessed with marrying her eleventh sexual partner.

A phrase I use far too often…

“Actually I’ve been thinking….”

I wish people would take more notice of…

Global warming. If we’re not careful in 50 years time we’ll be in a lot more trouble. It’s something we all really need to be aware of.

The most surprising thing that happened to me was…

I was in LA last year doing a conference for Bionic Woman and somebody shouted out “Zoe.” It doesn’t matter where I go or what I do, I’m always going to be associated with Eastenders!

A common misperception of me is….

That I’m really tall but I’m actually 5ft 7in. Having been on Eastenders I was always one of the tallest, and I guess playing a role like Jamie on Bionic Woman, who is also big and physical, makes people think that but I’m about average.

I am not a politician but…

I think there needs to be more things for young children to get involved in, like drama classes or singing groups. If workshops were rolled out they could really help young adults with problems.

I’m good at…

Leading. I’m a good team leader, I’m a team player and want everyone to feel comfortable and at the same time work hard and keep focused.

I’m very bad at…

Over-analysing – it’s something I’m learning to do less of and live more in the moment.

The ideal night out is …

A meal with the girls at Hakkasan in London. The duck spring rolls and the lychee martinis are delicious.

In moments of weakness I…

Eat cheesecake or chocolate.

For the entire interview, go here.

 As reported by Page 48 in the comments, Michelle Ryan has been keeping herself busy since the premature end of Bionic Woman, by starring in a new 2 part TV show called “Mr Eleven”.

Some reports suggest that she has “abandoned her hopes to conquer the US” – personally I think it’s a bit early to say that. She’s young and if she continues to remain hungry other ‘State-side’ opportunities with arise, I’m sure.

In her new role (being filmed in London), Ryan plays “schoolteacher Saz Paley, who is caught in a love triangle”. From the photos that have been leaked (see above), it looks a world away from Bionic Woman, but it will be interesting to see whether this kind of role (a romantic comedy) will suit Ryan better than the sci-fi action hero role that she played on BW.

For more on Ryan’s latest venture see here.

Meanwhile the Manchester Evening News has a good interview with Ryan, where she explains how her Bionic experience has given her toughness that she otherwise wouldn’t have had:

“I think it has also made me realise how tough the whole industry is. I’d always thought the further up you go the easier it will get. But in reality every job you do is hard.

“It has also made me respect actors working over there because it is so tough and they are so dedicated. It’s given me a greater appreciation for everyone who is successful over there.”

A lot of what she has to say in the interview she has said 1000 times in previous interviews, but it’s still interesting to hear her speak retrospectively.

Michelle Ryan will also appear on tonight’s Jonathan Ross show – a chat show in England which is hosted by one of the country’s most eccentric hosts. It should be a fun interview and hopefully we’ll be able to glean more from what Ryan knows about BW’s and her own future.

The Jonathan Ross show airs tonight 7th March @ 10.35PM (GMT) on BBC1 (repeated Saturday – check local listings)

It must be an odd situation for Ryan, who has to promote the show launch in the UK, whilst knowing that it probably wont see the light of day again in the States. Her “big break” left in tatters, some have argued that she’s now left relying on the country she left this time last year to see something positive in BW that America (and online viewers have missed). 
However, she is all too aware that despite having a good premise, the scripting and creative changes are at fault for it’s likely NBC-axing:

“It’s had creative changes; some things didn’t work, but in launching a TV show that’s all part of the process.”

You can bet your bottom dollar that the UK press just love the fact that she’s now back in the UK with her metaphorical tail between her legs. Last year, a few (very) bitter people believed that she was turning her back on the UK by aspiring to be America’s next top star!

Let’s hope BW’s failure wont deter Ryan from future aspirations – it looks like she’s still confident by taking the positives out of her US experience:

“To get six months on air – or even the three that we did – is an achievement. To have a hit show that runs for years… the likelihood is one in a million.”

Ryan also reveals that should a miracle happen and NBC perform a U-turn, she and the rest of the cast will be back on BW in a hot-minute.

Well Ryan, here’s hoping – although it looks like we’ll have to wait until May for a definitive answer.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Well, can they? You know it’s been said a million times by myself and many of you out there, but this show has SO much potential. What a shame that David Eick and NBC dropped the ball! Because ultimately that’s where the buck has to stop – not with Michelle Ryan, not with Isaiah Washington, not with the fans and perhaps not even so much with the writers – who’s scripts have to be sanctioned by, yup, NBC. Of course the writers are to blame for the sub-standard scripts, but ultimately it is the network who gives them the green light or not. Perhaps more time finding the right people to write the show would have been wise?

I’m not bashing NBC (least, that is not what is intended), but they haven’t exactly endeared themselves to their public of late - (apparently) shifting the blame for the shows lack of success onto lead actress Michelle Ryan, stalling over making an official announcement as to the future of the show etc.

Let’s just say that my confidence in NBC has waned somewhat. I hope that they surprise us all by announcing that the show will continue in some capacity (a completely re-tooled one, if possible), but it seems likely that we’ll have confirmation of the shows end any day now.

What a shame, this ‘re-imagined’ concept was so bold, so exciting. It seemed that nothing could get in it’s way – a grown up version of “Heroes”, a show which TV so badly needed. The fan-base was there, all we needed was a good show. Instead it’s now down to us fans to rally behind the premise which excited us roughly a year ago. It’s down to us to sign petitions and do what we can to keep this show alive. This may be a bit early, but if Jericho fans can go “Nuts” for their show, why the heck can’t we!?

..And if NBC don’t want to listen, perhaps another network will see what a brilliant and powerful concept this show has in it’s mechanics? Even if the name ‘Bionic Woman’ was replaced, I wouldn’t be totally opposed to a brand new show being ‘modelled’ on this re-imagining. I expect some stick for saying that, but all things being right (i.e. the script, cast, direction etc), there must be a way to keep the premise alive!?

Over to you NBC.

Vid by Wolfke1979

It’s almost as if there are two different worlds running parallel yet opposite to one another - one in which the UK Press (understandably) don’t even mention the fact that the show is seemingly about to be cancelled, and one in which the US press gleefully take aim at the Bionic Woman’s kneecaps. You could call it the ‘looking glass’ effect.

Take this recent Observer interview with Michelle Ryan for example.

Bionic Woman starts in the UK next month (it’s so strange saying that!)

The Telegraph aslo have an article dedicated to Ms Ryan and her ‘upcoming’ role in Bionic Woman.

Whilst the show is coming to an end in America, BW still has episodes to air in New Zealand, and one source there argues that teenaged girls are too smart to buy into this modern day remake. I think that this is more down to the scripting rather than the actual premise of bionics in today’s world.

Tv Squad report on the Daily Mail’s suggestion that Michelle Ryan is “defeated and depressed” over the shows failure. Well it’s hardly surprising – this was Michelle’s big break, it could have been oh so different, and it should have been. I feel that some quarters have let her and the rest of us down – this show should not have failed as it had so much going for it. The same report is also suggesting that NBC are pointing the finger of blame at Ryan – this is ridiculous, did they even watch the show? Do they even know the scripts that theysanctioned? Sorry, but Ryan held her own and importantly she was improving all the time. If they’re going to blame Ryan then they might as well blame Miguel Ferrer or Will Yun Lee. Again, ridiculous. I know they had high hopes for Ryan and she is the lead character, but I can’t see how anyone else could have saved the show on their performance alone..not with those scripts! Any good show needs good foundations and an actual long-term plan.

Digital Spy report him saying:

“It’s not as good as the one back then. It’s too dark, too sci-fi and too edgy for kids.

“Lindsay was warm and you felt more in tune with her. The new show has this little English actress and you couldn’t warm up to her as you did with Lindsay.”

Firstly, it’s not made for kids in the first place – this isn’t a bad thing. Whats more it’s not edgy enough if you ask me – David Eick promised the show would be gritty and edgy, so far it’s failed to deliver in that department..I want more edge, more depth, more drama.

Secondly, Michelle Ryan isn’t “little”..she’s in great shape, has a cracking body and could probably take him in a fight. Yet she is also sensual and does well to combine strength and beauty in her portrayal of Jaime Sommers. Yes, she’s English, but whats that got to do with anything? It’s not as if her accent comes through unintended.

Fair dues, some people find her portrayal of Jaime ‘cold’ and ‘disconnected’ – I personally don’t have a great problem with her Jaime portrayal, but it’s Lee’s right to hold that opinion. But come on, two out of his three critisms are weak arguments if you ask me.

Bionic Woman 2.0 hasn’t been bad because of Michelle Ryan or the shows ‘edgyness’..and I don’t really need to go into the real reasons for the shows under-performance so far..it’s littered throughout this blog!

Heaven help the person who remakes The Six Million Dollar Man – no doubt Lee Majors will have problems with that too ;-)

 

TVShowsonDVD.com recently reported the landing of Bionic Woman Volume 1 on DVD. Yes folks, that’s the Michelle Ryan version – which hits stores from March 18 2008.

Hold on, let’s think about this – ‘Volume 1′. Which would suggest that there will be a ‘Volume 2′at some point – more evidence that the show will return after the WGA strike? If there is to be a follow-up DVD, then it will mostly likely be the remaining 5 season 1 episodes which NBC have yet to shoot. Or perhaps it will be a completely re-tooled remake of the, erm, remake? I hope for the latter, although I would like to see much of the current cast keeping their (re-tooled) roles.

Anyway, back to the Volume 1 DVD: It will cost you $29.98 SRP for a 2-disc set,which will feature Pilot commentary from creator David Eick, ‘the making of the car crash’, Stunts, Profiles, and of course the 8 aired episodes, with a few other treats chucked in for good measure.

For what it’s worth, NBC, I LOVE the artwork on the DVD!

You can find more information on the Bionic Woman Volume 1 DVD here.

Thanks to David M for the heads-up!