Marg Helgenberger, Seduced By Clooney And Admired By Tarantino

The original transcription of this interview was written in Italian. You can find it on Movieplayer.it. This English version was translated by Frá and is owned by Margamania. Please credit us when you use the content of the translation.

The sexiest lady in CSI: Crime Scene Investigation arrives from Los Angeles to Rome, to meet the press, confirm her presence in the eleventh season of the CBS series and reveal details of her career which involves actor George Clooney and director Quentin Tarantino.

By Angela Cinicolo | Translated by Frá
Movieplayer.it – July 8, 2010

After Stana Katic arrived at RomaFictionFest, another expected woman in crime procedural’s world: Marg Helgenberger , the female face that TV viewers learnt to recognize in 10 seasons! The actress has revealed to us, just hours after giving official news that the rumors about her absence in the 11th season of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, after not renewing her contract, can be withdrawn, at last: she will play the role of agent Catherine Willows at least for another year.

Ms. Helgenberger, lead actress of the series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, one of the luckiest TV shows in recent years with a ten year longevity and two spin-off, is of German origin; she plays the role of a scrupulous forensic agent, a role that has earned her two Emmy nominations and a Golden Globe and who has carved out for her an increasingly important niche in the series, in which she has gradually taken the place of actor William Petersen (currently involved in the production of the show) and in the hearts of the series’ loyal viewers. Kind and cheerful, she told us about her contribution to the series and in particular the developing of her character, for which she cooperates with the writers. We could not get any rumors about the new season from her in which, as we anticipated, there will be several guest stars that will be loved by the general public. We retraced the actress’ career from the first experience in show business as a weather announcer, something that she remembered with overwhelming joy.

The star of CSI then told us about her relationship with George Clooney on the set of ER, in which she participated in the second season in the role of Karen Hines, one of the many girlfriends of Dr. Ross. She recalled the experiences she had with some of the most famous film directors that directed several memorable CSI episodes, including Quentin Tarantino (who directed the final episode of season five, Grave Danger) saying that between her and the Inglourious Basterds director, who has repeatedly called himself a passionate fan of the series, there is a strong and mutual respect. Finally, we learned that, waiting for her, there is a movie script that was designed especially for her.

Ms. Helgenberger, according to rumors on the upcoming season of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, production has not yet contacted you to renew the contract. Can you give us an official denial?
Marg Helgenberger: Yes, I was contacted last night! Actually I did not think there would be problems and I was not worried, but every time there is a negotiation in progress, there is always some drama for an actor.

Can you give us some clues on season 11?
Marg Helgenberger: I still can not tell you anything, but I can say that next season there will be guest stars that the viewers will find very interesting. There is also a comeback in the production team: Anthony E. Zuiker, the creator of the original show is back as a writer. I was very happy with the news because I think he has a very particular mind, so I think the season will start with a big bang!

And William Petersen? Is a comeback possible at all?
Marg Helgenberger: At the moment, Petersen is working on the series as executive producer, often visits the set, talks to the producers… Grissom, his character, has changed… Sure, I’d like him to come back. The door is always open for everyone, especially for him, but I do not see him coming back…he may guest star in some episodes.

Will your character, Catherine Willows, change in the new season?
Marg Helgenberger: There will be no drastic changes, but there will be a positive evolution of the character. Catherine, in addition to being an expert in science, is the daughter of the owner of a casino, and her father, who died, will return in flashbacks. I would say that there is a return to the roots, the origins of my character.

Do you somehow contribute to the construction of the character you play?
Marg Helgenberger: Yes, I worked several times with the writers for my role. For example, in the pilot Catherine was described by the writers as a single mother with a past as a stripper, but two producers wanted to eliminate this aspect of her past. I fought to keep it instead because I thought those shades were important to understand the path she has taken. I often encourage the writers under other aspects, such as exploring the world of Las Vegas casinos. I like to see how my ideas are brought to life on screen.

Is it true that to start working in the entertainment world you even had to change your name?
Marg Helgenberger: Yes, yes! I was about 19 years old and had been on the weather news for the summer, on television. The other journalists had strange names and it would have been unthinkable to even add mine to theirs. So they asked me to change it and I took my grandmother’s name, and that sounded better.

Among your other roles, you were also one of the women seduced by George Clooney in ER. Was he a playboy, already, at the time?
Marg Helgenberger: George Clooney is a lively man, intelligent, funny. Recently I heard one of the producers of the series say that he said I was the only woman for whom he had taken off his shirt!

Tells us about your experience with Quentin Tarantino on the set of Grave Danger?
Marg Helgenberger: I love Quentin Tarantino! I really enjoyed working with him, who is not only a director but a creator of images, a dreamer. It was incredibly easy to work with him because Quentin is a director who really supports the cast, he interacts with everyone and is always very enthusiastic on the set. He has a childlike wonder, contagious. We met a month ago at a barbecue and he told me he’s still a fan of the series and still watches us. I complimented him on Inglourious Basterds, because I found it a fantastic film, a very interesting story, and I loved his musical choices.

It is possible that other film makers will sign to direct new episodes?
Marg Helgenberger: In the past, besides Tarantino, we also had William Friedkin, the director of The Exorcist and French Connection, who directed two episodes in 2007 and 2009. Unfortunately, TV rhythms are very fast while movie directors like to take their time, although I think it always brings an air of freshness and originality to a series.

Ms. Helgenberger, would you like to get away from the type of character that we’ve grown accustomed to, or to be part of a different kind of production?
Marg Helgenberger: Sure, but I think that the trends are also linked to the moment we’re living: criminal, medical and legal shows are successful now. Maybe, when CSI reaches the finish line, it’ll be the right time to change!

Are there any series you’re a fan of, as of now?
Marg Helgenberger: There are many very beautiful ones, but there are very few that I can watch regularly because it is difficult to find time to do so. But there are some that I like to watch when I can, like Nurse Jackie, Damages and Hung on HBO.

You’ve been missing from the movie scene since 2007 (since the movie Mr. Brooks with Kevin Costner). Have you got any projects you’re working on? Are there movies in store?
Marg Helgenberger: Not currently, but I’m in talks. Some time ago I was contacted by a director, a rookie, who told me that he had written something for me. The movie’s name, for the time being, is Confidence Game, but the actual production is still uncertain due to the usual financial reasons.     ♦