Exclusive Interview: Laura Vandervoort talks ‘Bitten’, ‘Supergirl’ and ‘Goosebumps’

Laura Vandervoort interview: The Canadian actress talks Bitten, Goosebumps and her role as Supergirl.

The Hollywood News’ Ben Read sits down with Laura Vandervoort. The actress has also appeared in the likes of Ted, HBO series Ballers, V and Smallville. Check out Ben’s Laura Vandervoort interview below.

The second decade of the 21st Century has been hailed as the ‘Golden Age’ of television, with every genre from fantasy epic to political thriller receiving intelligent, popular and compelling material on a regular basis.

This has been no different for small screen productions involving Martians, mutants, creatures and of course, caped crusaders. As a result, various comic and book adaptations have hit the small screen over the past few years.

Tremendously talented Candian actress Laura Vandervoort, is certainly no stranger to any of these genres. Having already worked on Smallville, Bitten and Supergirl, the former girl of steel is more than familiar with characters that are out of this world. Earlier this year THN was fortunate enough to have spoken with the wonderful Vandervoort, in order to promote the final season of Bitten. Check out our Laura Vandervoort interview below, where we discuss everything from superheroes to gender equality in Hollywood:

THN: Can you tell me what initially attracted you to the role of Elena Michaels in the Canadian television series Bitten?

Vandervoort: At the time I had worked on a lot of science fiction and was maybe looking to escape that genre a little bit. So when they came to me with Bitten I was a little bit hesitant, because I thought that it was just another werewolf show. But then I read the book and I spoke to J.B. Sugar, our executive producer, where he explained the idea to me a little bit more. He reassured me that it was more of a drama based series like Sopranos or True Blood, where the characters came first and the fact that they are werewolves came second.

Then once I understood Elena’s past experiences and her history of growing up in foster care, I really thought that there was something great there. It was just a really interesting character and a really interesting story. Plus it was my first leading role on a series and I was also really excited about filming in my home town. The stars just seemed to align perfectly and three years later it’s been the best experience of my life.

THN: With the ever expanding market of supernatural television dramas, what do you think differentiates Bitten from other shows currently on the air?

Vandervoort: Well first of all, a lot of popular Science Fiction shows are based on superheroes and the comic book genre. Whereas our show is about a young girl who has overcome a lot of obstacles in her life as she constantly tries to fit in. The fact that it is a werewolf show also makes it very different to a series about super powers. This is more of a Romeo and Juliet story, with a large part of our show revolving around death, betrayal and lust. So I think that it’s definitely darker than a lot of the Science Fiction and superhero shows currently on the air. I also feel that a lot of the characters are better thought out and more layered than most.

The fact that there is already a series of existing novels means that we had some really mature stuff to start off with. So, the challenge of redirecting these characters and plots in order to fit an hour long television drama also separates us quite a bit. Not to mention the fact that we have a female lead on a Science Fiction show. Although, it is great to see more and more strong women leading the genre now. That’s part of the reason I love Sci-Fi so much! It’s able to create and show these strong women in such a fantastic way.

THN: You have played quite a few strong female characters over the years. How do you feel about the representation of women in Hollywood? And do you think that we are finally beginning to see gender equality portrayed on screen effectively?

Vandervoort: I think that we are in a way. I mean, it’s long past the time that we should have seen a variety of strong women on television and film. So I’m very happy to see that it is now happening finally. There are still some ways that I feel there is an inequality, but rather than get down on that subject I’m just enjoying seeing leading women kicking ass and taking control. It’s been fantastic to be part of that group within the Sci-Fi world and I just hope that continues for me and other actresses out there. I really hope that I can personally keep on playing strong women who have intelligence, strength and flaws. Because it’s also important not to portray women as perfect people who have everything together, because in reality everyone is dealing with issues. I think that we need to be honest in the characters we are playing, for the benefit of both the audience and ourselves. No one wants to watch a character that has it all together because that’s not realistic and that’s not relatable.

THN: Bitten’s third and final season is coming up very soon. What can you tell me about the upcoming series and will there be any more characters from the books making their live action debut?

Vandervoort: Erm, I can’t tell you much. But, the finale of season 2 concluded with Elena having some sort of premonition. This season picks up with Elena dealing with that premonition and what it means for her and the pack. Does it mean (metaphorically) that she is going to destroy this pack? Or is it really what she thought?. So, she is terrified by the notion of her being the catalyst for this foreshadowed destruction.

In addition to that, there are some new characters introduced this season that will completely change things. I mean, it shocked me when I read it! I had no idea that the writers were going in that direction. It will completely shock the audience because it completely changes how you view Elena and who she is. So, this season will completely turn her world around and make her second guess where she is going in life.

We are pretty much off the books this season. As with any show that has evolved from a series of novels, you need to have that liberty of being able to change things to fit that hour long format. Also, we want to keep audiences excited, involved and intrigued, so I think that it was a great idea to veer off the books a little. This also allowed us to explore more of who the characters are and surprise fans of the novel as well.

THN: As a huge Superman fan, I grew up watching the CW’s Smallville for the entirety of its ten year run. The show has been incredibly influential and left a huge legacy behind it. How does it feel to have been part of that?

Vanvervoort: Well I’m with you there because I also grew up watching the show and it was a huge part of my childhood. I came into Smallville in season seven and that was terrifying because not only did I watch the show, but I was also joining a cast that had been a family for seven years. So basically I was the new kid on the block just trying to fit in. But I was also trying to come to terms with playing my first large American role, which also happened to be an iconic female superhero. There was a huge amount of pressure! Plus I was also moving away from home for the first time and living on my own.

So, I had quite a lot to deal with when I started on the show. But to be a part of Smallville was definitely worth all of those scary moments when I was younger, because it does have this legacy that will always remain. Getting the opportunity to play the first version of Supergirl on television was an honour and also a great training ground for future work. I’m very proud to be a part of it. I mean, it was on for ten years!

THN: Superheroes and Comic adaptations are extremely prevalent on the big and small screen now. But Smallville was part of the first wave that began in the early 2000’s and has definitely influenced a lot of what has come since.

Vandervoort: Yeah, I suppose so. I mean, back then there weren’t a lot of superheroes on television. I guess I never really thought about being part of that first wave until now. But it did take a while after Smallville ended for the superhero genre to get to the forefront of Television and Film. I’m just happy that is has now and that we also have female superheroes leading shows too. So, I’m very honoured to be part of that world.

THN: It was revealed earlier this year that you will soon be appearing on CBS’ Supergirl series starring Melissa Benoist. What can you tell me about your character?

Vandervoort: Well, I will definitely be a recurring character on Supergirl. I play a character called Indigo, who is sort of villainous super-human computer. I’m terrified to reveal too much information, but it’s nice that the show is making references to the past like this. I mean, Dean Cain and Helen Slater have also appeared on the series. So the opportunity to be part of that world again is a very nice homecoming. I think that Melissa is doing a fantastic job on the show and she is great to work with. I also love that my character looks completely different from how I looked as Supergirl, which is a lot of fun for me. It’s been a whole different journey playing Indigo so far and discovering who she is.

THN: Can you reveal whether or not there will be a scene between all three Supergirls including you, Melissa Benoist and Helen Slater?

Vandervoort: I can’t tell you right now, because I actually don’t know! I’ve only shot one episode so far and I’ve got a lot more to come. But even if I did know I wouldn’t tell you!

Our Laura Vandervoort interview continues below

THN: In regards to Supergirl continuing to hark back to the past, do you think that there is potential for Smallville’s Tom Welling to make an appearance? And is that something you would like to see?

Vandervoort: I love Tom and I think that he can do whatever he wants. If that’s something that he chooses to do then I know that the fans would love it. But at the same time I’m sure that he would like to get away from the Superman stigma that he’s attached to after playing the character for ten years. Although, saying that he mainly played Clark Kent before he became Superman in the series finale. But, I’m not sure if he will return to the role or not. I don’t know what he plans on doing, but I’m sure if he does show up on Supergirl fans would love it. But then again even if he doesn’t, I know that he’s a busy man and he’s doing his own thing so I wish him well whatever he does decide to do.

THN: Is there any sort of friendly rivalry between yourself and Melissa knowing that you have both portrayed the same character?

Vandervoort: Oh no not at all. I mean, first of all we have both played very different versions of the same character. I played Kara before she really knew who she was and before she became Supergirl. So, our two versions of Supergirl are ultimately polar opposite in terms their personalities. Smallville had me playing her as a more immature, adolescent and snotty version of the character, because she was living in Clark Kent’s world and trying to fit in. But in Supergirl Kara lives in her own comfort zone and realm, which is allowing her to figure out who she is as she goes along. So, they are both ultimately very different from one another. The fact that they are bringing me onto this show is great as I’m huge fan of Supergirl and I completely support it. It’s been absolutely lovely working with Melissa.

THN: Now for a slightly different question. With the recent release of the big screen version of Goosebumps starring Jack Black, did you find yourself reflecting back on your own childhood experiences on the 1995 Television series?

Vandervoort: That’s a great question! No one has ever asked me that before….well done you! I think it’s great that they are doing a movie about it. Growing up in Canada, most of us Canadian child actors were part of that Television series. I did three episodes of it myself and it was actually my first job. So, I really love the fact that are bringing that back because it’s nice to see that part of my childhood revived on the big screen. With things like Full House and Boy Meets World being rebooted for modern audiences, I think it’s great to see 90’s properties brought back to life.

THN: We definitely live in a world of reboots now, where everything seems to be coming back around!

Vandervoort: It’s nice because I’m of that age now where a lot of the shows that I grew up watching are coming back. So it’s quite nice for me to be able to reminisce about that. I absolutely love it.

THN: Finally, do you have any idea what you have lined up as your next project after Bitten has concluded?

Vandervoort: Well I’ll definitely be continuing on Supergirl for a little bit. Apart from that I am executive producing and creating a children’s show in Canada, as well as a book that I am hoping to publish very soon. But I’ve been working on my kids show quite a bit and it’s my first time behind the camera which is very exciting. It’s called Super Duper Deelia and it actually came about on the back of the huge popularity of superheroes at the moment. I wrote the first book about four years ago now, and I’ve been going to conventions reading it to young girls of eight or nine years old. It bothered me that a lot of role models these girls were looking up to in comic books or action figures were very unrealistic in their body types, and overall a little too mature for these children to try and emulate. So, I thought that I would like to create a character they can look up to, who is their age but also a healthier superhero role model. The character is going through school, homework and bullying issues, while also being a superhero. So hopefully, parents of young children can let their kids watch this show and grow up with this character.

THN: That’s definitely a very relevant topic, with the majority of female role models being extremely over sexualised.

Vandervoort: Yeah I feel like a lot of female superheroes are way over sexualised. But that’s because a lot of them were written for an older audience. There are so many young girls out there who want a female superhero to look up to, and it’s a little ironic that now the time seems to be right. We’ve been working on this for four years and hopefully it will be hitting the screen this year. I have learned so much from working behind the camera on Super Duper Deelia and it’s been an interesting experience trying to get this show off the ground.