This movie is very action packed and has amazing special effects. What was your reaction when you saw the finished movie for the first time?
Jessica, I was blown away. I almost started crying. For the most part, I did blue screens for everything. And this is my first time doing a movie like this before. When I saw the final product, I almost fell to my knees and started crying because I felt so grateful. I can’t believe this is what I’m in. And the way they shoot those action scenes and the soundtrack to it, it’s an art. It’s a combination of not only the CGI and the special effects team but also Jaume, definitely Jaume. And then our DP, Lawrence Sher, he just came out of this world. He won an Oscar for Joker. And just go back to Western references — like Lawrence of Arabia, Good, bad and bad—These large-scale cinematic Westerners were undoubtedly the stylistic inspiration for this film. And oh my god, did they pull it out.
Okay, let’s shift gears for a minute. Everyone wants to know when season two of Sex / Life going on. Can you tell us what’s next for Billie?
[The date of] season two of Sex / Life It hasn’t been announced yet, but I’m pretty sure it will be next year. But I have no right to say more than that now. All I can say about it is that this year’s season is a little bit different. This year’s themes are really about hope and second chances — no matter how far your imagination can go, if you can imagine Billie talking about second chances, [and] What does that mean.
And for me, I’m sitting on this chair right in front of you. I really don’t know too many people who have this opportunity. To sit here and talk to you about this Netflix series, this huge movie that I’m in, and being a woman in this position is really great to me. At the end of the day, I sit back and think, “Damn – no matter how things go, I’m just lucky.” I’m so grateful.
The show was watched by 67 million households in its first four weeks and focuses on empowered female sexuality, which we don’t see much on TV. Did you know it would be such a hit?
Not quite. My job as an actor is to tell the truth at the highest level for this character. It was the only thing I could think of — focusing on her feelings, her feelings, who she was. To make sure that I’m acting between the lines and being full of life and present and just raw, that’s my job. I also have a lot of personal life to draw from this moment. I’m actually writing a book about all of that. But I was dismayed when I saw the feedback all those people followed. Again, I sit here with a lot of humility. Hard work I guess. And continue. Just put your head down, stop and smell the rose once, but this will pass just like everything else. I’m not too attached to success. I’m not too attached to failure. I just try to do it for me one step at a time, and as long as my kids are provided for and I’m happy and healthy and so are they, that’s all I care about.
