Michelle Forbes

Michelle Forbes: (When she was asked how she decided to accept the role of Maryanne on "True Blood") When someone offers you an entrance where you are standing naked with a pig, you don't say no.

Michelle Forbes: I actually think we need to stop being so prudish about nudity and start being more European -- because it's just nudity.

Michelle Forbes: (when asked about Alan Ball, the producer of "True Blood") He's such a wonderful man to work for and I don't think I've ever run into anyone who is not a fan of his. And, after "Durham County" and "In Treatment", I really wanted to do something light and fun. And while "True Blood" is a very technically difficult show and there is a lot of depth to it, it's illegal how much fun we're having on the show. Which for me, was really important, to go and do something that was fun for a bloody change as supposed to being tortured all the time. Even though I was tortured on the show by having to face a few fears.

Michelle Forbes: (During an interview about her role in "True Blood") For me, being new to the realm of vampires, it's a very unique voice. It's very, very funny. It's very dark, it's very sweet, it's sexy, it's Southern, it's a mystery. It's got a little bit of everything. It's a very unique voice and I'm thrilled to be a part of it.

Michelle Forbes: (when she was asked about her character, Admiral Cain, shooting her first officer for disobeying an order) [Laughing] Well, that was a bit abrupt, wasn't it?

Michelle Forbes: (when asked during an interview about the character "Ro Laren" on "Star Trek: The Next Generation") I received a script with this woman Ro in it. It was such a good story it really took my heart and I thought I knew exactly who she was. The only thing I was worried about when the producers asked me to come back was, are they going to homogenize her, because if there going to, it would be such a shame. It is really sad when there are only a few strong woman on television, when there are so many in real life. What has happened in the past, the networks or whomever get scared of it and start homogenizing and trying to make women less of a threat. With Ro, I never saw her as being stronger than anyone else, but perhaps I was a bit more outspoken.

Michelle Forbes: (discussing Battlestar Galactica) I think the show is so relevant. It's rare that you can have a sort of nihilistic view of the future that is still in a weird way, still hopeful and human. And you can't really type the show. I guess it's sci-fi, but it's also a military drama, it's a family drama, it's a political drama. Ron Moore just has that punch-you-in-the-gut writing. You're coasting along and you get hit by the questions he brings up. You see yourself in these people, you can see your flaws in these people.

Michelle Forbes: (discussing Admiral Cain on "Battlestar Galactica") I think that there is something compelling … about her sense of duty, and her sense of getting the job done at whatever cost. There is comfort in that in difficult times, in times of war. But people like that may be misguided.

Michelle Forbes: (discussing the character of Admiral Cain) Cain is always aware of her mortality and is quite willing to sacrifice her life and she expects the same of everyone around her.

Michelle Forbes: (when asked about her character of Mary in "Bullfighter") People ask me to play a lot of very tough, uber-women and I was really struck by the vulnerability of Mary, and I wanted to...I was eager to really explore that and be a part of that.

Michelle Forbes: (About her character of Admiral Cain on "Battlestar Galactica") I tend to play a lot of authoritative, strong women, so initially this simply wasn`t something I wanted to do. God bless them, though, for being so pursuant of me. The Galactica producers sent me a set of DVDs, because I had never seen the show, either. Galactica is amazingly good and well written. I shudder to think I almost lost out on working with those wonderful people and on such a powerful story.

Michelle Forbes: (On playing Sonni/Solita on Guiding Light) Everyday I have to cry or be on edge. It gets crazy sometimes. When I got hired to do a soap, I thought I'd get to wear pretty clothes and talk about who's sleeping with whom - well, we're talking religion, sex, guilt, rejection, loyalty, greed - there are some serious issues here, not what I would have expected at all.

Michelle Forbes: (talking about turning down Star Trek Deep Space Nine) There were all sorts of rumours about why I didn't take [the DS9 role] and that I was quite arrogant about the whole thing. It wasn't that at all. It was, again, about wanting variety in my career. If I'd gone on to do DS9 I might not have had the variety I've been lucky to have in my career. That's not to say I wasn't grateful for the opportunity; I genuinely was. However, I had to make a choice that felt right for me, which was a difficult one, especially as a young actor being offered a steady job.