This is an unabridged version of our Q&A, which ran into today's print edition.
Pittsboro actress Andrea Powell has landed a hair-raising role on ABC's supernatural summer drama, "The Gates." Powell plays Karen Crezki, the mother of temperamental teen heartthrob and star athlete Brett Crezki.
Oh yeah, Brett is also a werewolf.
Powell's episodes begin this Sunday (10pm on ABC) and she'll appear on and off throughout the rest of the season. You can also see Powell in an upcoming movie with Renee Zellweger and Forest Whitaker, "My Own Love Song," and also in "Get Low" with Robert Duvall and Sissy Spacek.
We caught up with Powell this week and asked her about her role on "The Gates" and about managing an acting career from Chatham County.
Q: How many episodes of "The Gates" will you be on?
A: There are 13 episodes in the season, and I’m in six of them. I’m introduced in episode 3 and then come back for a nice storyline in episodes 6, 7, and 8, then finish out the season in episodes 12 and 13.
Q: You play the mother of a werewolf, so does that mean you're also a werewolf? Is there makeup involved, or is it all CGI?
A: You’ll have to wait a few episodes to find out if Karen is actually a werewolf or not, but I will say that the werewolves in our show are shape-shifters rather than part-human/part-wolf. If you look closely and if you know what to look for, you may be able to guess who they are. That’s part of the fun of watching the show. And when they do shift, they become actual wolves. The wolves we use on the show are pretty magnificent creatures, and very scary.
Q: The next natural question is: Team Edward or Team Jacob?
A: Team Jacob, totally (that’s the werewolf team, right?). It’s funny, my husband Paul [Ferguson] and I travelled to Olympic National Park last year and actually stayed on the Quileute Indian Reservation outside Forks, where the werewolves supposedly hail from. According to legend, the Quileute tribe is descended from wolves, and their spirit warriors could shift back and forth between human and wolf form. We weren’t all that familiar with the Twilight novels when we were there and had no idea what the big “Treaty Line: No Vampires Past This Point” sign meant (seriously, there was a huge sign on the way to the reservation), but the locals quickly schooled us. So now to be doing this show, on the side of the werewolves -- quite the coincidence.
Q: Are you originally from this area?
A: I moved to North Carolina more than 20 years ago, so even with the many years we’ve spent splitting our time between here and New York City, it’s definitely home. I grew up in Lake City, Florida and have also lived in Hawaii and Louisiana. It’s nice to go back up to NYC from time to time for work or to see friends, but it’s always good to come back to the tranquility of home.
Q: Is it hard to stay connected to the business while living in Pittsboro?
A: Not as hard as you’d think. The Southeast has a thriving film and television industry, and through the magic of video I’m able to audition for projects outside the area. I also have a great agent and manager, which helps. I feel extremely fortunate to work as much as I do and still be able to live in the peace and beauty of North Carolina.
Q: You live in Pittsboro, so we have to ask: What's your favorite thing to order at The General Store?
A: Huevos rancheros, or the special burrito if there is one. Can’t go wrong.
Brooke Cain isn't always proud of the number of hours she logs in front of the TV, but her loss of brain cells can be your gain. From reality shows to sitcoms to the more serious stuff, Brooke keeps her DVR smoking so that she can help keep you in the know. Brooke also tweets for Happiness is a Warm TV (you can follow