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 In the rather uncompromising action/adventure genre where fictional conflicts rage uncontrollably... and grueling combat isn’t just professed, it’s positively encouraged, Yancy Butler is undeniably the defiant new warrior chick on the block. Her
sheer intensity is utterly heartfelt and her dedication is unrivaled by most standards. Butler, for the uninitiated, is the daughter of Lovin' Spoonful drummer Joe Butler, as well as the enthusiastic star of TNT’s latest original hit series, ’WitchBlade’— a star who continues to accomplish that which is often well beyond
most sci-fi fans' far-reaching expectations. Her mother Leslie, was a company manager for several popular Broadway shows. At the age of thirteen she studied at HB Studios in New York, and continued to do so until entering Sarah Lawrence College. Upon graduation, and with a dozen impressive stage credits on her resume, Butler landed a guest starring role
on the critically acclaimed NBC drama ‘Law & Order,’ which directly lead to her landing the lead role in the series ‘Mann & Machine’. She also appeared as a regular
on the Miami Beach-based series ‘South Beach’. Later she moved onto feature films, co-starring in the action flicks, ‘Hard Target‘, and ‘Drop Zone‘. On ‘WitchBlade’ Butler plays Sara Pezzini, a fervent New York City police detective who, as the result of an interesting twist of fate, comes into possession of a magical gauntlet (the witchblade) that bestows upon her ancient mystical powers. There’s a "ballsy" brash edge to
this character, but it’s skillfully masked within complex layers of
suppressed vulnerability.
Pezzini is an inspired survivor at all costs, as is Butler— but when the character’s intellectual head conflicts with her volatile
heart— that’s when the actress's captivating talent really surfaces. The stunning leading lady turns up the passion thermometer and releases a flow of unrepressed emotions. Pezzini’s inner struggles are played to precision by Butler, who prides herself on the consistency of each performance. She has been accurately deemed by her countless followers as an "absolute babe". Her emerald green eyes, perfectly chiseled cheek bones, long dark tress and a spectacular body, have attributed to the actress’ enormous cult following, which continues to grow. However, after speaking candidly with her, I discovered that just beyond the surface, beats the heart of a true renaissance
woman— dynamic and bold, clever and unabashed... and so very very real. An actor’s ability to convey a thought without ever uttering a word is instinctual. Yancy Butler makes it look easy. Both on-screen and off, she's a virtual palette of numerous tints and hues.
UPBEAT Tell us a little about your character Sarah— what was it
that originally drew you to her?
Yancy Butler "Basically I found this woman, that was not only a kick ass character
but who is obviously very competent— a woman who is also very vulnerable. I think there’s a fine
line there. It’s hard for the writers to write for this male
annihilating— sort of 'I hate all men' type person— Sara is very strong because she has to be... I mean,
she's a homicide detective. So it’s interesting. It’s a very real character for me."
UPBEAT A number of the fans have already begun to parallel 'Witchblade' with the recently canceled show 'Xena: Warrior Princess'...
Yancy Butler "That’s so cool! I have to admit, I’ve only seen one episode of ‘Xena Warrior Princess’, but I’ve met Lucy Lawless and I just love her. She’s so cool."
UPBEAT A number of ‘Xena’ fans are crossing over to ‘WitchBlade‘. Do you think it’s because ’WitchBlade’ is yet another example of a strong female action hero? Do you feel that comparing the two shows is
at all fair?
Yancy Butler "It’s an interesting comparison in that I personally love shows like ‘Xena’— which are very fantasy based. That’s just my opinion, and again, I’ve only seen one
episode of 'Xena'. But the difference with our show is that I’m playing a New York City homicide detective. And I think that really lends itself more to the
audience itself— they can identify with my character— in that Sara has NO IDEA what’s going on with this
witchblade thing. You know, as Sara, I’m learning as I go along and as the story lines lend themselves
to that discovery, along with my character saying ‘Wow, what is this thing doing?’ So it’s a very fantastical situation based in a reality."
UPBEAT So she’s discovering things as she goes along?
Yancy Butler "Yeah she really is.
As for ‘Xena’, that show just seems to be much more fantasy based to me. I’m playing a cop who is suddenly having visions and feels like she’s losing her mind. So it’s not like this complete fantasy world where there are no rules. And to stress
again— ’WitchBlade’ is a fantasy-based situation, but in a very realistic world. I think that makes it far more potent in some ways."
UPBEAT So if you were to talk with a ‘Xena’ fan, what reasons would you
give them to watch 'Witchblade'?
Yancy Butler "Whenever you watch— whether it’s ‘Xena’ or even ‘Buffy,’— which I really haven’t had the time to
watch myself— not because I haven’t wanted to— but, the point is, you go along for the ride. Whereas our ride is almost an
oxymoron— not that it’s better or worse, it’s basically just much more bizarre. The audience can say, ‘Wow, here’s this cop going through all of this
crap— that must be very weird for her’."
UPBEAT If you, Yancy Butler, discovered the real 'Witchblade' what would you do with it?
Yancy Butler "(laughs) Oh God, I might have a melt down (laughs). All of a sudden you’re having visions like
one of those late 60’s LSD flashbacks. It’s a very odd entity that’s locked onto her wrist. And to top it off this thing turns into the weapon de jour, usually when she doesn’t want it to (laughs). I have to tell you, it’s highly embarrassing for my character, let alone
what it might be like for me personally (laughs)."
UPBEAT I recently interviewed best selling fiction author Dennis Lehane, who wrote ‘Prayers for Rain’ and ‘Mystic River’. We discussed at length what most people find interesting about fictional characters, be it in books, film or television. We
both concluded that it’s the flawed characters most fans are actually drawn
to— any thoughts on this?
Yancy Butler "Oh I completely agree
with you. I think the pendulum definitely swings toward the flawed
characters. I believe that the most powerful female characters we
have out there— these strong kick ass women— whether they’re based in reality or
fantasy— the most fascinating ones to watch, have a ton of flaws
surrounding them. They DON’T always know how to deal with everything. That’s what makes them so cool, so easy
for the audience to relate to on some level."
UPBEAT What flaws does Sara have that you find interesting to play?
Yancy Butler "She’s incredibly screwed up. She’s lost everyone that she was ever close to in her life. One of the most appealing things about ’WitchBlade’ is how Sara’s actually dealing with all of this. And then, there’s this other entity which gives her insightful visions as to how these people were
lost— I mean it’s a very odd sort of paradox when you really think about it."
UPBEAT So, Sara is on the edge most of the time?
Yancy Butler "(laughs) Wouldn’t you be? (laughs) But seriously, yeah, she is definitely on
the edge. I have this love interest in an upcoming story
arc— mainly because the producers said we needed to see Sara laugh about
something— even though she’s this extremely dark character. She doesn’t really know how to get close to
anyone— because she’s too frightened to get close. And that would probably be one of her biggest
flaws, it makes her a bit fragile in that sense."
UPBEAT Do you see Sara eventually evolving into someone who finds a sense of herself, thus allowing her to become vulnerable again?
Yancy Butler "Well, eventually she does. As I said, she develops a love interest. But again, one of the main
thrusts of my character is that while yes, you do see this vulnerable side to
her— whether she can maintain it or not remains her biggest flaw."
UPBEAT How would your best friend describe you?
Yancy Butler "(laughs) Oh my gosh... (laughs) Well, I really do count myself as having a great sense of humor. Now whether I actually do have one or not (laughs),
that's the real question (laughs)— I'd like to think that I
do— otherwise it’s just way too deep for me. But seriously, I’m loyal to the deck."
UPBEAT How did you become an actress?
Yancy Butler "Actually, my whole family was in the arts. My father was a rock and
roller— and still is— he’s with the Lovin’ Spoonful, so I had that. In fact, he was just recently inducted to the rock and roll hall of fame. When I was doing the two-hour ’WitchBlade’ movie I wasn’t able to attend the ceremony, but I couldn’t be more proud of him. He was on the musical
side— and my mother was the company manager for quite a few Broadway
shows— for Neil Simon, all of his shows. So basically, I have always been near the industry. Believe it or not, they [my parents] didn’t want me to get into it (laughs). But can you
really blame them? (laughs)"
UPBEAT Not really. I know it’s a strange industry— like a parallel universe. It seems like all
anyone really does is beg and lie (laughs).
Yancy Butler "(laughs) That’s
actually good way to put it. (laughs) It’s all based on perception.
Bridget, you have a deep voice. You have a voice like
me— and I feel like I can really talk to you. It’s odd you know, because my parents gig was that I had to go to college and that was the
deal— and then I could decide what I really wanted to do after that. And I don’t blame them at all. It’s like you said, it’s just a strange industry."
UPBEAT I’ll be honest with you, for anyone that gets into the sci-fi genre, it’s a tough
road— because you’re constantly selling a tall order of fiction no matter how you slice it. And you’re asking fans to believe that it’s all
real, while trying to stay consistent. That’s really tough to do.
Yancy Butler "You know what’s even tougher? And really Bridget, I haven’t been this blunt or this honest with anyone else I’ve talked to
today— I was on Dick Wolfe’s show ‘Mann & Machine’ a few years back. I was touted as the most perfectly created, genetically gorgeous kick ass woman on the planet. No pressure there (laughs). You can only go down
hill from
there— I mean, think about it, how can you possibly go upwards from there? I’m playing the most perfectly created person in the world. I mean, really, where do I go next? (laughs) What comes after perfection? (laughs)"
UPBEAT Do you attend the conventions?
Yancy Butler "We did last year. We did the comic book circuit, which was great. These are the cool hard-core fans that didn’t throw tomatoes at me and tell me that I really suck (laughs). What’s interesting about ’WitchBlade’ is we’re not developing something that is completely new. People have known my character [from the comic book] for like 3 or 4
years— so they could have REALLY said, ‘You suck!’. They could
have— but thank God, they didn’t. And now we’ve acquired all of these new fans, like the ‘Xena’
fans, so I’m very grateful, and very relieved."
UPBEAT If you were shoe what kind of shoe would you be?
Yancy Butler "(laughs) A Gucci stiletto pump. That I can identify
with much more than anything else."
UPBEAT Describe something you did recently that really reflected your unique
personality and style.
Yancy Butler "(laughs) I was eating a full meal in bed and having a cigarette at the same time. I
must say, I felt very European (laughs)."
UPBEAT If you found out you only had 24 hours to live on this planet, how would you want to spend them?
Yancy Butler "First I would probably call a bunch of people. Then I would have the kind of sex that I haven’t had in
years— actually, at that point, it would be any kind of sex— good or bad (laughs)."
UPBEAT What actor or actress in either film or television, have you
always wanted to work with?
Yancy Butler "I think the first person that comes to mind is Gena Rowlands. Not only is she
talented— she’s so damn cool. You know, I was doing this promotional
tour— selling videos and signing autographs and Orion got this hotel room for us... She came walking in and I was with my co-star. ‘Gloria’ is my
all time favorite
film— and so Gena walked in and she said, ‘Where’s the restroom?’ And my co-star said, 'Well if you're looking for any soap or
some sewing kits Yancy has them all in her purse' (laughs). ‘She’s taken everything.’ And I
just looked at my
co-star— it was so embarrassing. It was horrible (laughs). Then I ran into
Gena at the party afterward and she said, ‘I love your purse.’ It was
so embarrassing (laughs)."
UPBEAT Do you have any guilty pleasures?
Yancy Butler "Ben and Jerry’s Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream."
UPBEAT Are you a dog person or a cat person?
Yancy Butler "I’m definitely a dog person."
UPBEAT If you could live anywhere in the world where would you live?
Yancy Butler "Positano, Italy— it’s on the Amalfi coast. When I visited there I was half-naked. (laughs) I swear, I have
really thought about living
there— but if I did, I know I’d never work another day in my life. And it would not be because I didn’t want to. It would be because I
couldn’t— because I would be half-naked all of the time. I wouldn’t be able to move. It would be
quite tragic (laughs)." UB
Bridget Petrella is the Publisher and Editor in Chief of UPBEAT
Entertainment News Online. At this point in her life, she's seriously
contemplating a complete and unbridled abandonment of "
typical" network television... opting instead for The Cartoon
Network, Xena Warrior Princess, V.I.P., WWF Wrestling, Nick At Nite's TV
Land, All HBO Original Programming and of course... TNN's Roller Jam.
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