Alexa Davalos Talks

Collider: Was that part of the appeal of this project, for you?

Alexa: I don’t know if it was part of the appeal, specifically. I fell in love with her, the second Frank came to me with her. I read eight pages that he had put together for me. The interrogation scene was the first material I saw of her, and I just said, “Yes, where do I sign!” I loved her, very much. But, it’s more about the time period. To be able to exist in that time period and be a dame in that time is just something I’ve always wanted to do.

Collider: What was it like to work with such a detailed atmosphere, with the sets, the props and the wardrobe?

Alexa: Jasmine is a photographer, and I’m also a photographer. That was a lot of fun. I was asked to bring in a lot of my black and white photographs. I shoot film. I’ve got a huge film in my garage, full of film. So, there was a lot of my work in Jasmine’s apartment, which felt very special for me.

Collider: What’s it been like to collaborate with Frank Darabont on this?

Alexa: In the beginning, we were talking about developing the character together. I was brought into the writers’ room, and we talked about my take on her, my idea of her backstory, who she is, and where she came from. That was a very collaborative process. Frank is somebody who just lets you go. He’s like, “Okay, she’s yours now,” so you’re alone with the character, which is a real freedom. There’s a real gift in that. And at the same time, he knows exactly what he wants, down to an eyebrow. So, you have this freedom, but you know that he’s there with a very keen eye and he’s seeing everything. It’s an interesting duality to work with. Frank lets you go, but he’s got you right in his clutches.

Collider: There’s a very interesting relationship between Jasmine and Joe Teague. Will viewers get to learn more and more about that?

Alexa: That is a work in progress, yes.

Collider: Were those questions about who she is, where she’s coming from, and what her motives are things you wanted the answers to ahead of time, or are you okay with not having those answers?

Alexa: I’m easygoing, that way. In certain situations, you want to know. In other situations, it’s okay not to know. We don’t know her future. In the moment that I’m filming, I don’t know her future, and that’s okay. But, where she’s come from is crucial. I really miss her! I keep saying, “When can I get back to filming?” Fingers crossed, that I can get back into my Jasmine shoes.

all interview = www.collider.com
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