Post by TVFan on Jun 15, 2004 11:13:02 GMT -5
I found this while searching online. It's from the June 11, 2004 edition of "Daily Variety."
EMMY'S NEW BREED: KATHRYN MORRIS
After bigscreen efforts, CBS star has 'Cold' shoulder
By Jill Feiwell
When Kathryn Morris snared the role of Special Agent Paige Willomina for Rod Lurie's "The Contender" (2000), the TV thesp was at last ready for the bigscreen.
"The Contender" made her a contender in Hollywood, and that initial swim with big fishes Gary Oldman, Joan Allen and Jeff Bridges paved the way for subsequent gigs in "Minority Report," "AI" and, most recently, "Paycheck" --- a long way from her recurring stint on "Xena: Warrior Princess."
Today, she has come full circle and is back on the tube. Only this time it's at the forefront, starring as Detective Lilly Rush on CBS' "Cold Case."
Ironically, "Case" creator Meredith Stiehm says it was Morris' performance in the bigscreen "Contender" that sealed the deal. "We knew she was the one before there was ever a meeting," recalls Stiehm. "Six executives, including myself, watched a tape of her in 'The Contender,' and she played that character exactly the way we envisioned Rush would be --- cunning and direct."
The casting of Morris proved to be a jackpot decision for Stiehm and crew. During its frosh season, the drama, in which a Philadelphia homicide squad re-examines unsolved murders, was the most-watched new drama, regularly winning its Sunday 8 o'clock slot with an average of 14.4 million viewers.
Acting has always been second nature to Morris, who comes from a family of performers. "We were always onstage. It was something I just always felt I could do," she says. "Let's face it, you don't need a law degree to portray a lawyer, and you don't have to become a prostitute to play one."
She worked steadily through the 1990s. "I was never too good for the 'Murder, She Wrote' guest star," Morris says. "You never know what might result from the small jobs." In fact, it was a small part in a BMW commercial that landed her "Paycheck."
While she attributes "The Contender" as her springboard to better roles, Morris says her fondest experience of all time was lensing Showtime's "Inherit the Wind," with Jack Lemmon and George C. Scott. "I learned from legends," she says.
As for her latest cohorts, a "Cold" cast comprising John Finn, Jeremy Ratchford, Thom Berry and Daniel Pino, Morris says, "It's like a great game of tennis. You're only as good as who you are playing ball with."
Best part about working in TV: "The luxury of it all is that you can continue to evolve with a character. They become a part of you. There was a moment while filming the season finale, where my body physically reacted to an incident the way Lilly Rush's would. It was very different than how Kathryn would respond, but it felt instinctual nonetheless."
Hardest part about working in TV: "It's the best and worst all in one. You have to trust your instincts every minute of every day. 'Cold Case' is not a cerebral show; it's visceral and emotionally demanding."
Favorite scene this season:
"Any and every scene in which Lilly's flaws creep through. It makes her more relatable. When something in a case strikes a personal chord in her, she is forced to investigate herself as well."
TiVo season passes: "The Sopranos," "Will & Grace" and "Crank Yankers." "I need a little levity after a day of work."
So, it looks like KM was the only actor they really considered for the part huh? Amazing how one small role can launch a career into first gear. Also, I thought the title of the article was interesting - EMMY's NEW BREED. I guess they see her as an EMMY contender. I hope they're right!
I wonder what scene in the season finale she's referring to when she says that she literally reacted the way the character would have and not as she would. I'm going to have to agree with her on the scenes where Lilly's flaws creep in. I like the fact that the show deals with vulnerbilities in the characters. Oh, and I think it's funny about the TiVo season passes! I love that feature! ;D
EMMY'S NEW BREED: KATHRYN MORRIS
After bigscreen efforts, CBS star has 'Cold' shoulder
By Jill Feiwell
When Kathryn Morris snared the role of Special Agent Paige Willomina for Rod Lurie's "The Contender" (2000), the TV thesp was at last ready for the bigscreen.
"The Contender" made her a contender in Hollywood, and that initial swim with big fishes Gary Oldman, Joan Allen and Jeff Bridges paved the way for subsequent gigs in "Minority Report," "AI" and, most recently, "Paycheck" --- a long way from her recurring stint on "Xena: Warrior Princess."
Today, she has come full circle and is back on the tube. Only this time it's at the forefront, starring as Detective Lilly Rush on CBS' "Cold Case."
Ironically, "Case" creator Meredith Stiehm says it was Morris' performance in the bigscreen "Contender" that sealed the deal. "We knew she was the one before there was ever a meeting," recalls Stiehm. "Six executives, including myself, watched a tape of her in 'The Contender,' and she played that character exactly the way we envisioned Rush would be --- cunning and direct."
The casting of Morris proved to be a jackpot decision for Stiehm and crew. During its frosh season, the drama, in which a Philadelphia homicide squad re-examines unsolved murders, was the most-watched new drama, regularly winning its Sunday 8 o'clock slot with an average of 14.4 million viewers.
Acting has always been second nature to Morris, who comes from a family of performers. "We were always onstage. It was something I just always felt I could do," she says. "Let's face it, you don't need a law degree to portray a lawyer, and you don't have to become a prostitute to play one."
She worked steadily through the 1990s. "I was never too good for the 'Murder, She Wrote' guest star," Morris says. "You never know what might result from the small jobs." In fact, it was a small part in a BMW commercial that landed her "Paycheck."
While she attributes "The Contender" as her springboard to better roles, Morris says her fondest experience of all time was lensing Showtime's "Inherit the Wind," with Jack Lemmon and George C. Scott. "I learned from legends," she says.
As for her latest cohorts, a "Cold" cast comprising John Finn, Jeremy Ratchford, Thom Berry and Daniel Pino, Morris says, "It's like a great game of tennis. You're only as good as who you are playing ball with."
Best part about working in TV: "The luxury of it all is that you can continue to evolve with a character. They become a part of you. There was a moment while filming the season finale, where my body physically reacted to an incident the way Lilly Rush's would. It was very different than how Kathryn would respond, but it felt instinctual nonetheless."
Hardest part about working in TV: "It's the best and worst all in one. You have to trust your instincts every minute of every day. 'Cold Case' is not a cerebral show; it's visceral and emotionally demanding."
Favorite scene this season:
"Any and every scene in which Lilly's flaws creep through. It makes her more relatable. When something in a case strikes a personal chord in her, she is forced to investigate herself as well."
TiVo season passes: "The Sopranos," "Will & Grace" and "Crank Yankers." "I need a little levity after a day of work."
So, it looks like KM was the only actor they really considered for the part huh? Amazing how one small role can launch a career into first gear. Also, I thought the title of the article was interesting - EMMY's NEW BREED. I guess they see her as an EMMY contender. I hope they're right!
I wonder what scene in the season finale she's referring to when she says that she literally reacted the way the character would have and not as she would. I'm going to have to agree with her on the scenes where Lilly's flaws creep in. I like the fact that the show deals with vulnerbilities in the characters. Oh, and I think it's funny about the TiVo season passes! I love that feature! ;D
