Sarah-Jane On Lucy Butler

“I wanted so much to work on Millennium, as I found Chris Carter a prolific and captivating writer, and was pleased to hear I had an audition for him, in an episode that David Nutter was to direct. I knew at the time that I felt very strong about the audition, and was surprised to say the least when the casting director called me at home. She said that they did not want to give me the part I had auditioned for, because they had a new recurring character that they would like me to play. This was the part of Lucy Butler.”

Sarah-Jane poses for a personal keepsake photo prior to filming, as her 6 hour transformation from Millennium’s Lucy Butler into a frightening demon is complete.

“Of all the episodes I did, I think the first one (Lamentation) was my favourite. The first day, going to set, I had barely done any work previous to this part, and the scene required me to be interrogated by Terry O’Quinn and Lance, but I had to dance circles around them, so I had to control the scene. I honestly did not know how I would do it, but as soon as I got to set, the character takes over, and I found that I had more of Lucy in me than I realized. The power felt natural and intoxicating, calm, yet the ‘fires of hell’ were burning, bubbling…

It was also fascinating to get the moulding done for the face of the devil. It took 6 hours to apply, and I had a chance to go back to my trailer and work with the ‘mask’. What you find is that you can completely loose all other aspects of yourself, and you have the permission to go completely to areas you perhaps only touch upon in life. This was the dark side, for me. Which I enjoyed exploring immensely.”

Sarah-Jane Redmond as Lucy Butler in a scene from Millennium episode Antipas.

From an interview with This Is Who We Are conducted by Scott Pugliese.

Sarah-Jane Talks Lucy Butler

Sarah-Jane answers your questions on playing the role of Lucy Butler in Chris Carter’s Millennium…

Sarah-Jane’s reply:

I think no matter where I would have been in the world, I would have come back to work on Millennium, with Lance.

 

There was so much possibility as to where the characters could have gone, past, present, future, there was a great intellectual chemistry between Frank and Lucy. That kind of challenge for a female actress to play, and win, is rare, and I would have welcomed that experience again anytime.

 

I am very fond of the work that I have done with Ten Thirteen Productions, and am so glad there are those that appreciate the chemistry and tension that was created.

 

S.J.R.

Sarah-Jane’s reply:

Hi Helen!

 

Thanks so much for your questions and comments.

 

Lucy Butler, yes, she certainly does inspire questions. I will never forget my first day shooting that character. It was the scene with Terry and Lance when they arrive at my house in the morning to interrogate me for the second time. I knew I had to walk circles around them, and there I was my first day, I was a huge fan of both Terry and Lance, I had a lot to prove. I was a little supprised at the end of that day, the power I felt emerge, like it had been sitting, waiting, just beneath my skin, waiting for an opportunity to pounce, and that it did, I could not wait to let it out again. Playing Lucy was not only creatively intoxicating, but it brought that power into my own life, or ‘realized’ it.

 

As for background on Lucy, to be honest, there were little words that needed to be said between the producers and myself. I didn’t really feel the need to ask too many questions, and unless I was on the wrong track, they really left it up to me. Sometimes things are better left unexplained, it leaves room for imagination, fantasy, intrigue. I can tell you that Lucy knew, but she promised never to reveal, and the secrets are dark and deep and locked away until someone decides to awaken her again.

 

Warmly,

 

Sarah-Jane