Yesterday, actress Ally Walker, who portrays Helena on Colony, talked with us by phone about Colony, her role in that show, and her role in the real world. My questions are designated by TIBS. This was a very interesting conversation! Ally is passionately interested in a number of causes, from the Environmental Defense Fund to the life of foster children.
I was wondering what did you find the most fun about playing this role?
Ally: Well, yes, I like playing strong characters. And it’s another, you know, it’s sort of another strong female character. And that always speaks to me.
There’s a lot of great roles out there for women now in TV, I think. But this kind of woman just really intrigues me. I think it’s really hard to play ball in a man’s world. And she’s a real power ball, power hitter. And she just kind of calls the shots.
I was talking to Maria Menounos about this. I like the fact that she’s very detached and unemotional. And she’s, you know, she’s like a corporate girl. She knows how to solve problems. And I like that. I like showing that kind of, you know, cold decision person. It’ll be interesting to see where they go with her.
Is there anything that you find difficult or that you’ve been able — that you have found difficult about playing the role that you had to work out?
Ally: You know, for me it’s really just about doing what the writer prescribes. I just try to do what’s on the page. And if I don’t understand something then I go to the writer or the director or — and we usually figure it out. I think with this particular show – and with others, you know, you’ve got to meld a lot of information when I started. And I kind of had to ask them where is this? What’s happening? So it’s such a fresh idea. But it really is amazing watching people survive and what comes out of people.
I like Helena. She kind of keeps a tight lid on everything, you know. So I found that very interesting. Your character’s very intriguing in a lot of other ways. Because she’s sort of like a liaison between the invaders – for lack of a better word – and people that she kind of rose over. How much do you know about her? And how much do you know about her role that she’d deal with them directly – that kind of thing?
Ally: I don’t know, unfortunately working with Carlton and Ryan they don’t give you as much. I don’t know if I interface directly with the aliens. I think that they’re – I think that I do but I’m not sure. I haven’t really been giving them all the details of my, you know, kind of interfacing with them. I think I do. I mean I’ve been lead to believe that I kind of do. And whether they speak some kind translator or something, I’m not really sure. That’s the only question I really have. But I think it’s just interesting because, again, being put in that position as a human being. If you think about it it’s really a tough position to be put in. To make things work with this outside entity and that interface is something like that is kind of freaky. Terrifying actually.
How do you think she views Proxy Snyder?
Ally: For Helena, everything’s a game of chess. Everything is – she doesn’t commit. And she doesn’t let go of too much. And in that way, she maintains the game. So Proxy Snyder has committed a little too . So I think she wastes — I think she admired his wanting to do the right thing. But she’s not going to allow anyone to really see her cards. So she keeps her cards very close to her vest. And I really like that. And that’s about survival.
COLONY — “In From the Cold” Episode 108 — Pictured: (l-r) Ally Walker as Helena, Peter Jacobson as Proxy Alan Snyder — (Photo by: Isabella Vosmikova/USA Network)
You know your character in the Profiler was so good and saintly. And your character in Sons of Anarchy was just so bad. Were are you kind of hoping she falls on the spectrum between good and bad? And what kind of roles do you favor playing personally?
Ally: Helena is different, you know. I’m not really sure where to go with Helena. I think what’s interesting about each of these characters in this – and I’ve said it before is that, I think the writers talk to me about how people dealt with Nazi Germany. And how they had to survive. And what they had to do. And who they had to befriend in order to just stay alive.
And I think that’s a similar situation here. I think that Helena is more corporate. I would like to see her human side come into play a little bit more. I mean that’s like the peeling back the layers of an onion and seeing exactly what happens. But I think you know that when the characters on this do that they get killed. So it’s a little scary.
But I think it’ll be interesting to see people’s course. And I don’t know that you’ll see hers for a very long time. I think she is used to doing this in the corporate world. And she’s going to continue covering herself covering her bum – for lack of a better phrase. So that she doesn’t die.
And can we expect to see a little bit more of you in Season 2? We’ve only got a little glimpse so far.
Ally: You know what, I have no idea. I don’t arrange these things. I don’t write. So I mean I’m hoping so. I really love the show. I hope we bring her back in a more, you know, kind of quantity way. But, you know, I’m just waiting to see. It’s a great job. I’m just really enjoying playing the part right now.
Taking this role sounds a lot like dating. Where you don’t know what you’re getting in the long term. But you have that first date and then you go from there. And you don’t know what you’re going to find out about that person. What was it about Helena that you were informed about that sold you on it? Because it doesn’t sound like you were given much but yet you did it.
Ally: I saw the pilot. I knew Carlton Cuse from I think my first pilot or maybe my second pilot with Carlton about 25 years ago. And it was a remake of the Witches of Eastwick. And it was hilariously silly and — but he and I became friends.
And I’ve seen him on and off over the years, you know. He’s a great writer. And so he had called me. They called and said do you want to look at the pilot? And I thought, yes, sure, okay. You know, not thinking much. And just hoping for the best. But I was floored. I like doing different and, you know, everybody does. Profiler was so original. June Stahl was so original for me. And this show – when I saw it I was, like, oh, this is very original. You haven’t really seen this before. You know, it’s a very fresh idea and a very human experience. And I just was kind of floored by the pilot. And I thought – and I said – and they said, don’t worry. You know, I’m going to write something good for you. And I said, great. And so I just jumped in.
Because I trust those writers. I thought what they did with the pilot was extraordinary. And I love Carlton. And I thought, you know, this will be good. So sometimes you just have to take a leap of faith, right, just like in dating.
There’s a lot of action on the show including shoot outs. Is Helena going to get involved with that or will she be hanging out behind the scenes?
Ally: Well, I certainly hope she doesn’t get her hair messed. We don’t know. We actually don’t know what the plans for Helena are. I have not texted the writers. I have not talked – I think by the end you will see her reacting in a more forceful way, shall I say? And get a little bit more involved, yes, she does. But whether that involves shooting and being violent – I’m not really sure, no.
If you were living in an occupied city like the one on the show, would you join the resistance? Or try to get in with the transitional authority?
Ally: You know; I think I would probably be in the resistance. I’m always kind of difficult. I think probably I would feel like it’s time to to change this. I really try to be a little bit more proactive, you know, politically and things. So I would probably be in the resistance any day. What am I saying? I don’t want to be an alien.
So we’ve established that you don’t much about where your character’s going. So where would you like to see the character go? Or based on what you do know, where do you think they’re going to take her?
Ally: You know, I really think they need to find her humanity a little bit. I don’t know how long that will take. I like the idea of her being able to outmaneuver people and then may be in the resistance and working for the side of man. I think that would a really interesting way to go with it. But then I don’t mind playing evil as you know from June Stahl. So it depends on the story. You know, we’re all players in a story. And it really depends on what they want to do with the story. Then you have to service that story no matter what, you know. So I think it will be really interesting. I’m interested to see what they do with this character. I’d like to see her fleshed out a little bit more. I think that would be a lot of fun. I mean that’s, you know, every actor wants that for their character.
TIBS: Episode 8 leads into the final three. And it really takes a distinctly different and exciting turn. Without giving any spoilers at all – which I know you wouldn’t do anyway – what was your reaction when you read the scripts for the final three?
Ally: Well, I like them very much. First of all, I think the writing on this show is extraordinary. I think it’s really difficult to have people on the edge of their seats every episode. And they’ve managed to do that. It’s a lot like Lost was. It was always like you didn’t know which way it was going to turn. And I think that’s a real art form. And it’s hard to pull off. And I think these guys are doing it. And I think they’re keeping the show really riveting and fresh because of it.
So my reaction was this is good, because there’s very smart people running this show – it’s a very smart show. It really is. And you have, you know, I love Josh and I love Sarah. I think they are excellent as their parts. And so – and the kids – you really have a lot of compelling things going on, so I think they’re doing the right thing. I love those last three shows. I’m excited about it.
TIBS: Great. All three of them I sat there watching with my mouth hanging open. So that was very exciting. Are you a sci-fi fan?
Ally: Do you know what? I’m not a sci-fi in the terms of, like, Star Trek maybe or something like that. But I’ll tell you one of my – oh, my god, I forgot the name of my favorite – the Ridley Scott – the Harrison Ford. Blade Runner? Blade Runner is, like, really one of my favorite films of all time. And that is just brilliant sci-fi because it blends the human experience with sort of this futuristic – I love that movie. I thought that was genius. I really did. Actually I love the old Soylent Green too. Yes, I guess you could say I’m a sci-fi fan.
Colony is essentially a science fiction show but it’s sort of low key. And it hasn’t really been marketed as sci-fi. Do you think is something that’s helped it capture an audience and been nearly successful as it has been?
Ally: Yes, I do actually. I think that when you tell a story, I think for people to get really involved they have to have a sort of a deck to feel it. And in order to feel it they have to a human experience. And I think Carlton has been very smart to kind of set this futuristic sci-fi show with human terms and tell a human story. And I think that’s kind of brilliant actually. I think that’s its greatest appeal.
As an actress this has really been your first introduction into science fiction and science fiction fandom. How has that experience been for you so far?
Ally: It’s been fantastic. I just try to play my card. That’s my job is to show up and do my work. And I do that. But it’s been – science fiction fans have been very – very lovely to me. Very welcoming and very supportive, you know, and I’ve really been very touched by it and very appreciative of all the support. So it’s been great. It’s been really great.
What is it like working with the rest of the cast on Colony?
Ally: Well, Peter (Jacobson, Proxy Snyder) is a funny moment happening all the time. You know, sometimes when we’re working and you see that wave of Peter pass over his face. It’s hard for me not to laugh. He’s a really good actor. But it just cracks me up – his character. Proxy Snyder really cracks me up. Josh (Holloway) is one of the most down-to-earth people I’ve ever met. He’s just a sweetheart. And he’s just – I mean you just kind start – I mean I hate to say this but he’s just so easy on the eyes. You just kind of drool whatever. I’m, like, hi, Josh. You know, my voice goes up an octave. It’s like you’re never too old for a little Josh, you know. Sarah (Wayne Callies) taught me how to use Instagram. I didn’t know how to do it. And she was, like, listen, we’ve got to get you some followers. This is what you do. And she’s a mom. She’s really cool. And she’s a real good actress. I just really had nothing but a great time with people on the set. It’s just a great – very real, very cool people. At the end of the day you want to work with nice people – you really do. Yes, no ego. Yes, competition of egos that just can get old crazy.
This question’s a little bit different but I know you’ve mentioned that you don’t know too much where your character’s storyline is going but what kind of person do you think Helena was before the arrival happened?
Ally: You know she is using what she learned from corporate America. She’s – like I said to another caller, playing 3-dimensional chess all the time. She’s learning how to protect – she learned how to protect herself. Manipulate people into doing what she wants, seeing what happens, and buffering herself against blame.
And I think that has served her very well. And she’s now putting those skills to use with the aliens where she’s protecting herself and making sure that things get done. And there’s all of the convenience if she needs it. And I think that’s what she’s doing. So I think she was a corporate girl. She was pretty good.
For the episode 8 exclusive clip we hear Helena mention a performance review with the chief minister of the Pacific Coast. And that tells us another layer of the transitional authority. Do you think that fans are going to be surprised just how far up the chain of command is going to go with the authority?
Ally: Well, I know I will be. I think they’re building this intricately woven kind of community of what’s what and who’s who and who deals with what. And that’s really, you know, truly great because it’s not all explained at once which is why people are on the edge of their seats which I think is a very smart move on the writer’s part, you know. Who’s to say this isn’t all some manufactured kind of conspiracy. You know, it’s really fascinating what they’re doing. And they’re just telling a story, parsing it out a tiny bit at a time. Then you leave yourself open for so much. Don’t trap yourself in a corner.
What do you think of the historical aspects and the social commentary as it compares to other occupation stories and shows such as the original Z with its World War II allegory?
Ally: You know I didn’t watch the series Z. I think this has a World War II allegory as well. The Third Reich and the occupation in Nazi Germany really plays into this. What was interesting to us was how people survived. So it’s really a character study. The study of human nature. What people, you know, both will do to survive something. Especially something as horrible as, you know, I just read. What’s his name? The meaning of life – Anne Frank. I was reading it while I was filming Colony. And the things that people went through. And what they had to do. What the new normal became inside, you know, Auschwitz.
And it’s stunning the power of the human spirit. And I look at this and I see it. And you begin to wonder, hopefully it makes you think more of other people living on the planet. And I remember being in school. I had a very outspoken boyfriend in college. And he said the only way that human beings would ever be united was an interplanetary war. I think it’s kind of ironic though. Sure enough – they’re uniting.
But anyway, so I think it’s a tale as old as time. There’s always the conqueror. There’s always the people who are subjected and enslaved. And how do you – how do you deal, how does the human spirit deal? So it’s interesting.
Considering you support the environmental defense fund – hopefully that is one thing that humanity can come together for.
Ally: Thank you for saying that. I’m really sort of horrified by what’s going on. And that there hasn’t been more done especially in the United States to combat climate change. And the fact that it was up to the Supreme Court, just how far big business is willing to go to stop any form of healthy energy creation.
I’m a farmer myself so I know how it is.
Ally: Oh, wow, it’s terrifying isn’t it? We have the Constitution is beautiful with these far reaching minds crafting it. And look at how it’s being used by these short sighted, greed driven, group of people. I mean it is unconscionable to me. You know, I was watching Mitch McConnell about how Obama should not be allowed to appoint the next justice. And I’m thinking to myself, well, we’ve never seen this before have we? I don’t know. Doing Colony, timing of Colony is pretty good, don’t you think?
Perhaps, maybe you should host your own show where you talk about that stuff.
Ally: You know what I actually wouldn’t mind. I’m really worried, I’m a parent. And I have court battles. And I could afford to do it. Look, so I’m lucky. I know it. But we need leaders with minds that are far reaching and who can see this stuff. And I think Obama has been, by and large.
But I’ve got to say, it’s funny the difference between where we were in the ‘70s – I was in Santa Fe, New Mexico. I grew up there. There were gas lines and gas shortages, right. And so everybody got smaller cars. There was drought in Santa Fe so you didn’t wash your car. You know, you didn’t have yards. And we’re in one of the worst droughts in Southern California ever. And I’m telling you. I don’t have grass in my front or backyard. You learn about all that. But it’s me and three others in my neighborhood. Everybody else has fields of grass as if, you know, it’s not going to happen. And I just feel like, what’s happening? What is happening? We don’t care. And it really bothers me because, we all have kids, right. We are working the lands from our children.
Look for Part 2 tomorrow!
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