The Star Online: Entertainment: TV & Radio

Posted: 29 Jun 2011 04:08 PM PDT

Nothing is what it seems for Anna Torv in the sci-fi series Fringe.

ANNA Torv is an Australian actress who plays an American FBI agent on the hit TV series Fringe which is shot 10 months a year in Canada. So, you can't blame the journalists sitting before Torv for looking perplexed when the actress started talking – her accent is neither Aussie nor American.

Torv herself finds her accent strange. "I hate that, but I think that is what happens when (an Australian) spends all day talking in an American accent," she explained.

The international media is gathered at the Soho Hotel in London to speak to Torv about Fringe, a science-fiction series which sees a team of FBI agents and consultants investigate unbelievable events, macabre crimes and mystifying cases.

Torv plays Olivia Dunham, a no-nonsense FBI agent whose uniform usually comprises pantsuits and pullback hair. At this interview, Torv couldn't be more different from her character. She wore a tight-fitting black cocktail dress (a find from London's Camden market, she happily admitted), four-inch (10cm) heels and bright red lipstick.

For Torv, getting into character is much easier when she puts on the pantsuit. "I think that's sort of one of the things that gets easier – you put the suit on and you can kind of go in and out (of character) much quicker because you know her rhythms and patterns."

However, playing Olivia can also be daunting. The actress explained: "Olivia's constantly the questioner and constantly carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders. It's exhausting."

But by no means does that mean Torv doesn't enjoy her job. This gig has been her longest acting job – season four of Fringe begins Stateside in September. "Going to work is just a pleasure. We're like a machine now – everyone has a role to play. And being able to work with a bunch of people that you know, that you kind of have worked with enough, they become your mates."

The Aussie actress gushed when she talked about her co-stars John Noble and Joshua Jackson who play scientists Walter Bishop and his son Peter Bishop respectively.

"Well, they're both great and the work that they've done with each other to create that father/son relationship, I think is the heart of the show. I'm in awe of, and I'm grateful for, what they have done because I think that it really elevates our show," the 32-year-old actress said.

Born in Melbourne, Australia, Torv spent her childhood years on the Gold Coast. After she graduated from Australia's National Institute of Dramatic Art in 2001, Torv landed a few TV jobs in Sydney. Then in 2008, she decided to move to America to pursue her career. It is rumoured that she beat 300 hopefuls for the role of Olivia in Fringe.

Even after three seasons in Fringe, Torv still finds it difficult to keep a straight face when shooting "strange" scenes. "Gosh, we giggle constantly. I mean, some of the stuff that we have to do is ridiculous," she laughed. "And sometimes, awfully revolting as well.

"When you stand and look at these giant worms coming out of people's mouths, you just have to suspend belief when you shoot scenes like that. Fake it till you make it."

The second season of the series posed to be an interesting turn for Torv as she had to play two characters when a parallel universe was introduced to the storyline. While Olivia (from the prime universe) is uptight and serious, Fauxlivia (from the parallel universe) is the opposite ... much to Torv's delight!

"I was so excited to get to play this chick from the other side because all of a sudden she could just be a little lighter."

While critically acclaimed (last week the series picked up a Saturn Award for Best Network series beating out Lost and Smallville, while Torv won Best Actress in Television), Fringe hasn't really enjoyed the success the studio is hoping for. Ratings have been disappointing so it was a surprise to many, fans especially, when Fox renewed the series for another season.

Fringe executive producer Jeff Pinkner told The Hollywood Reporter: "Fox told us they were thrilled with the show creatively, even if the number wasn't exactly what they would've hoped for, they know the audience is deep and loyal, and that's valuable to them."

Torv couldn't agree more with that statement. "As far as the fans go, we're only on air because they watch it." She explained that the fans have a lot to do with the direction of the series as there is plenty of interaction and communication between the writers and fans.

"(The writers) don't just put it out there and not care; they really do care and are really interested about what our audience thinks. And things kind of do change often, depending on what the audience wants."

However, Torv is not glued to the Internet to read what fans have to say about her character. She does get stopped on the street by fans who are mostly interested in the show rather than the actress herself.

"Look, the thing about our show is that the people who watch it, when they recognise you on the street, all they want to know is what's going to happen next. I'm totally proud to be part of a show where the show's the star!"

> The encore presentation of Fringe Season Two starts June 30 at 10pm, every Thursday, on WarnerTV (HyppTV Ch 162).

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Rabu, 29 Jun 2011