(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) We speak to Angelica Bridges who is playing Poison Ivy in a Batgirl reboot about her first Comic Con experience and her thoughts on Dubai.
Currently filming new TV series Batgirl Rises Angelica Bridges is no stranger to big-budget small screen drama. In the year 2000 her turn as Red Sonja in Conan the Adventurer probably gave her a first taste of comic book/fantasy fame but it was her one-season stint on Baywatch from 1997-1998 that catapulted her to worldwide recognition. The actress played popular Taylor Walsh noted for her flowing red locks. It is that same hair colour that makes Angelica the perfect fit for the villainous Gotham City botanist and celebrated ginger Poison Ivy.
When we caught up with Angelica at Comic Con at the World Trade Centre in Dubai she spoke about the very different way Poison Ivy will be portrayed in what some are calling a feminist reimagining of this superhero story.
So how are you looking at updating the traditionally forward Poison Ivy?
This director isn’t focusing on a physical Poison Ivy but a mental one. That really drew me to the role. When the director described to me ‘I want to empower women with this film’ I thought I liked that. You don’t see much of her figure. It’s not the focal point. The costume I wear is a turtle-neck. It’s not low-cut. You won’t automatically look to her body or hips you’ll listen to what she has to say. I was very drawn to that as an actor. She can be smart and manipulative. She has seven different personalities in one woman and that’s great to play.
From the pilot of Batgirl Rises Ivy seems to have a strange relationship with Batgirl’s brother.
In the second episode this develops even further. What you see in the pilot is just a sliver of what’s to come. The next instalment means you get to see Ivy much more in-depth. You can see my deviousness and what I’m going for although it’s not obvious. You’re going to have to work it out. All I can say is she’s on the opposite side to Batgirl. After doing so many roles that are focused on being body conscious it is nice to do something where that isn’t an issue.
Given the ongoing overdue shift in perception towards female roles with characters such as Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games do you think a programme like Baywatch could survive today?
Of course. If they’re doing all these reality shows that are so dramatized and sometimes sexualised there is obviously a market for that…unfortunately. There will always be a place for Baywatch. What we need though is more roles for women than just being the sexy vixen in the show. We need more roles where we’re smart and captivating without being gratuitously over the top because not all women are like that. We have so many sides and facets. Things are getting better but they still need to change more.
One aspect of your appearance that people continuously comment on is your red hair. Does that ever get frustrating?
No! I was born with it and I never felt it owned me. I felt like I could use it because it’s unique. We’re four per cent of the population. We’re more fiery that’s true. I used it to my advantage by standing out from other people. It sets me apart from the other blonde and brunette actresses. If I ever need to do a role where I’m not a redhead I can just change it anyway.
What are your thoughts on your first Comic Con and first trip to Dubai?
I love all this kind of stuff. I grew up with Wonder Woman seeing all those shows and wanting to be a superhero. I’d like to come back next year after Batgirl is more established. I plan on travelling round Dubai. I want to go up the Burj Khalifa and down to Jumeirah Beach. People tell me I’ll not want to come home. I love energetic cities. New York has a special energy and L.A. has the great weather – put those two together and you’ve got the best city. Maybe that’s what Dubai is like.