Michael Emerson 09/10

How much did you enjoy working on Lost?
It was a complete joy to work on Lost. I had loads of fun because Benjamin Linus was a great character and I had great scripts. I really enjoyed acting in that mysterious world and I really enjoyed playing this mysterious character. The writers took care of everything for me. I just kept it simple and played Ben dark and ambiguous, which kept the audience interested but unknowing.

Did you enjoy discovering the answers to some of Lost’s questions in the final season?
That was one of the things that was most exciting about Season Six. The show was still complicated and mystifying – but we were getting answers to some of the questions that we all wanted to know about. I couldn’t put my finger on where we were going during Season Six, but I was always the last person to figure anything out. I always had to rely on other people to tell me what was going on.

How did you want the show to end?
I never thought about things like that. I trusted our writers to have a much larger imagination than me. Whenever I came up with ideas, they were always insufficient, so I steered clear of theories and stories. I just looked at the script and went from there.

Is it true that Matthew Fox was the only actor on set who knew the ending to the show?
People always thought that Matthew knew the ending, but I’m not so sure. He could’ve been making it all up. How will we ever know if he knew the ending unless he made a recording on a tape recorder, dated it and sealed it in a safety deposit box to open after we finished filming? We will never know the truth.

Were you happy with the finale of Season Five?
I thought it was a great season-ender from a series that always has great season endings – and I thought it was brilliant that it was a two-part cliffhanger. Each of the cliffhangers were sufficiently mind-bending to lure you into Season Six. In my case, I thought it was astonishing and I was very happy to play the scene that I got to play. Benjamin Linus often behaves in a calculated way, but every once in a while he does something completely childish or impulsive – and he got to do that at the end of Season Five. I was very surprised when I read the script and I was excited to play it.

Moving onto Season Six… What were you thoughts on the theory that Benjamin Linus could be the unknown hero of the show – and that he wasn’t evil at all?
I always thought that was completely possible, but I had no idea what was in store for Ben. In fact, I had no idea where any of the characters were going on the show. To be honest, I was surprised that Ben lasted for so long. I was also surprised that he was still as interesting as ever after so many years. But again, that was down to the wonderful scripts we got on the show.

Do you like Ben Linus?
Ben is a calculated character. I think you have to be able to find sympathy in every character you play or you have to be comfortable with them because a character lives inside you. However, Ben used to shock me all the time. I can’t believe some of the things he did.

How do Lost fans react when they see you in the street?
It’s a mixed reaction really. Some people can’t distinguish me from the role, so I would often be shouted at in Hawaii. People would cross the street in Waikiki to tell me that they stopped watching the show because they can’t stand me. But I enjoy it. It’s fun to be a villain.

What evil person from cinema would be a role model to Benjamin Linus?
Ben is civilized, so perhaps someone like Hannibal Lecter would be a good, civilized role model? No, wait a minute… What is that character in The Lady In White? Count Fosco! That’s it. He was one of the first, great dapper civilized villains. That’s better.

Why do you think Lost was so successful?
I think one of the reasons people became so excited about Lost was that the show changed every season. The lens through which we viewed the story would always morph into something new and different. The first season of Lost was a teaser. It was merely the tip of a much larger iceberg, so Lost became a bigger show every subsequent season. At the start of Season Six, we left that castaway soap opera far behind. That’s when we got into a speculative science fiction territory.

Do you think writing for television has improved in recent years?
I do. I think we’re living in the second golden age of television writing. At the moment, television writing is superior to cinematic writing in America on average. I honestly believe that. We’ve got some wonderful shows on television.

Is there any truth in the rumor that you are working on a new television show with your Lost co-star Terry O’Quinn?
Terry has been trying to convince me to do something and it would be a lot of fun. I really enjoy working with him, so if the two of us could do something with characters that are much different to our Lost characters, then it would be delightful. I think people enjoy the interaction between Ben and John Locke on Lost, so they might be interested to see a different kind of chemistry between those two faces.

There’s also a rumor going around that you would like to appear in True Blood with your wife. Is that true?
That was one of those things that you say as a joke in front of someone with a microphone and then it takes on a life of its own. I admire [True Blood creator] Alan Ball’s shows and if he ever had a part for me, I would love to be there – but I don’t know what that part would be. I would prefer to play something completely out of character, so it would be more fun if it wasn’t something sinister like the Lord of the Vampires. Maybe I could be a pizza deliveryman with a moustache who gets his head torn off? That would be fun.

What television shows do you watch at home?
During the last year, my wife and I have watched Nurse Jackie and FlashForward. We always check out the shows that other people from Lost star in, like V, because Elizabeth Mitchell is in it. My wife is also obsessed with Mad Men. I’ve seen it and I enjoy it, but my wife is obsessed.

Do you think Lost has changed you as an actor?
I won’t be able to answer this question until I get back to the stage. I don’t know how difficult it will be to get back to learning lines and rehearsing for a stage production. Working on Lost has upset most of my previous ideas about actor preparation. When it comes to acting on the show, I found it was better to be in the dark. It was better to grope around as an actor – and it was nice not to be burdened with the secrets. However, that’s not how I tackle a play on the stage.

Was there a big theater scene in Hawaii, where Lost was filmed?
I was always looking for a theater life in Hawaii. I’m a theater person and I’m in the habit of going to plays. I would go to community theaters and college theaters, but there wasn’t too much going on over there. I also supported the children’s theater there. I would go and watch music or dance or whatever I could find.

Are you concerned that you might only be seen as a sinister character from now on?
I know what you mean, but it doesn’t make me sleepless. Every time I’ve done a role well, everyone has worried on my behalf that I would never do anything else. My big break on the stage was playing Oscar Wilde in a play. After that, everyone was worried that I would only be able to play flamboyant Englishmen, but that was not true. When the industry sees you do something good then they want you to do more of it, so it’s up to you to put on the breaks and do something different. You thank them kindly and decline the offer if it’s the same character again – unless it’s staggering money.

What project would you like to work on next?
I have a pile of scripts at my house, but I haven’t chosen anything yet. It would be nice if I could play something different, but it doesn’t really matter because the main thing I look for in a new project is good writing. I would like a change of pace, but I’ll go where the best character that interests me the most is. It doesn’t matter if it’s television or the stage or even a movie. We’ll just have to wait and see what happens.

Terry O'Quinn 09/10

What’s your fondest memory from Lost?
The perfect day on the set of Lost had nothing to do with acting. There was always a wonderful atmosphere on set because there was so much beauty around you in Hawaii – and the atmosphere was magical. My favorite times were when we shot on one of the beautiful beaches of the North Shore of Oahu, near to where I lived. The sun would be shining and the wind would be blowing – and you’d walk out of make-up onto the set via craft services to grab a cup of Joe. You’d walk over to where the actors were all sitting around and you’d spot Naveen Andrews with a guitar on his lap and a smile on his face. He would start to play and we would all sing along – and those are the most beautiful memories I have from working on Lost. You were in for a magical day when that was happening. Those were the sweetest days ever.

What songs would you sing?
We’d sing everything from Fleetwood Mac and Pink Floyd to The Beatles and Van Morrison. I can’t even name all of the people or bands we would sing. You name a song and Naveen Andrews could play it. He’d figure it out on the spot or he would already know it. He was a dictionary of music.

Work sounds like bliss when you put it like that… Were there any downsides to filming Lost?
The only downsides were when you weren’t working. I enjoyed working on Lost immensely, so the hardest part of the experience was when you weren’t involved in an episode. Everybody I worked with on Lost was a joy, so you really felt left out when you weren’t on set.

What was your most memorable scene to work on?
My most memorable scene occurred in the third episode of the first season. It was the scene where John Locke stood up amidst the plane crash and the wreckage and the destruction and the chaos – and he realized that he could walk. I thought that was a brilliant scene because of the way it was shot. The director, Jack Bender, directed it superbly and I thought it was very moving. Michael Giacchino’s music had a large part in that, too. It was a fantastic scene.

Do you have any other favorite scenes?
I love the scene I did with Michael Emerson in Season Five where Locke was trying to hang himself, but Linus came in and killed him instead. That was a great day on set. It was like we were performing in theater. It was a lot of fun and I felt like I was really exercising my acting muscles, which made it wonderful.

Why do you think Lost was so successful?
All of the production values on Lost were top notch. They were better than anything I’ve ever seen on television. The cinematography, the acting, the directing, the music… All of those things were amazing. Another thing that helped was the way that the people who watched the show were avid viewers who wanted to protect Lost’s secrets in any way possible. Somebody asked me recently, “Why didn’t more of the secrets get out?” And I said, “Because it would have been artistic vandalism to put that stuff out there.” Fans of the show didn’t want the secrets revealed, so they would try to protect it. I think that was great.

Did you ever go online to check out what the fans were writing about the show?
I used to go online and talk to the fans a lot, but not towards the end of the show. I talked to them frequently during the first couple of seasons, but I found myself getting into the same conversations over and over again. The people I meet on the street satisfy my need to make contact with the fans. I love to meet them and I never say no to pictures. If anybody wants to talk about the show, I will generally talk about it.

Would it worry you if people came up to you in 10 years and say, “How’s it going, Locke?”
That’s perfectly fine with me. If an actor sees that as a curse, I think they need to go and be a roofer for a while. Or try out being a garbage man and seeing how they like it. It’s a compliment to be remembered.

What have you learned from playing Locke over the last six years?
I don’t know. Perhaps I have acquired a sense of confidence from him? I think a lot of us don’t see ourselves as substantial, but he has helped me realize I have more confidence than I thought I had. I feel like people will listen to me more than they would have six years ago and I’ve also learned that I’m a better actor than I thought I was. That is a lovely thing to realize.

Do people now turn to you to lead the way?
I was the elder statesman of our cast, so maybe they did a little – but not too much. I was just one of many actors in the cast of Lost and we all looked out for each other, but there weren’t any leaders really. We all just got on with our jobs on the show.

How much did you enjoy living in Hawaii?
I loved working in Hawaii more than I liked living there. I think if I stayed in Hawaii forever and didn’t work, I would probably go a little crazy. I would love to work there again, though. I was a lot healthier in Hawaii than I’ve ever been. Well, at least at this age. I’m a lot fitter than I would be if I hadn’t worked on Lost.

How do you like to relax?
I play a lot of golf. I love to walk and swim. I play the guitar. I do some carpentry. People often expect me to say that I surf, but I can’t. Everybody says, “You’ve got to surf in Hawaii. You have to start surfing.” But then, five minutes later, you see them again with a nice little scar on their body and they explain, “Well, I got this when my fin hit me.” Or, “I hit the reef and it tore me up.” My rule is simple: Don’t jump off the gravy train when it’s rolling.

Do you watch much television at home?
Sure. I love shows like So You Think You Can Dance. The people on that show are amazing. You watch these guys come from the streets and they’re into krumping or whatever it’s called – and then, all of a sudden, they’re doing the most amazing dances. I find it very moving and very satisfying, so I watch that. It’s much better than Dancing With The Stars. I also watch America’s Funniest Videos, but I don’t watch TV drama. I never really did.

Are you a good dancer?
I’m pretty good. I can keep the beat. I can waltz. I can handle myself on a dance floor. I also love to watch nature shows, too. I watch sports. I watch the news. I’m not really into reality television, though.

Do you plan to stay in Hawaii now that the show has finished?
I don’t know. I can’t stay there and not work, but we own a house there and it’s going to be impossible to sell in the current economic climate. What’s next for me after Lost? I’m working on something, but I can’t talk about it yet. I have a great idea and I’ve talked to Michael Emerson about it. I said, “You and I should do a series.” I’m trying to seduce him and coax him into doing something with me. I think that would be fun.

Have you been offered many roles since the show ended?
Not really, but I’m hoping that’s because people assume I’m busy. The only thing I know for now is the fact that I’m an unemployed actor. What’s next for me? I’m looking for a job and that’s it.

Is there any specific role you’d like to play?
I’ve played a lot of authority figures in the past and I don’t crave anymore of those, although I’ll do it if there’s a great story that’s written well. I guess I would love to play somebody who is flawed like Locke so that I enjoy the acting experience. It would be great to play somebody who has a complicated life and lots of trouble to deal with. That would suit me immensely. I’ll keep my fingers crossed and we’ll see what happens…

Jorge Garcia 09/10

What was the secret to the success of Lost?
I have a number of theories, but I think people were immediately drawn to Lost because we were very different to any other show on television. Its originality was a big deal. Back in the beginning, they were writing the script as they were casting the show, which meant the creators chose actors they wanted to work with before having a story for them to fit into. That helped to create characters that people cared about. Plus, everyone is going to talk about your show if you throw in a Twilight Zone ending to the pilot episode.

Where do you think you would be and what would you be doing if you hadn’t won the role of Hurley?
I would probably still be hustling for an acting career in Los Angeles. I’d be going to acting classes, I’d be submitting my pictures to agents and I’d be doing whatever I could to get a job.

What have you learned about yourself after playing Hurley for six years?
I have learned that I have the endurance to do a job like this. What we did was not hard labor. We were not doing construction, but there were definitely days when you felt like you earned your pay. I also learned that when I have to deliver, I can deliver – but it was challenging to learn how to concentrate. Before I started work on Lost, I didn’t have much experience in television. I had a couple of small parts in movies, but that was about it. The show has been a huge education to me on acting with cameras and crews. I’ve got a lot more experience than I thought I would have.

What’s the most important acting lesson you learned during Lost?
I learned to be prepared and I learned to concentrate. It was a lot tougher than I expected at times. For example, look at the scene where Hurley has to tell Claire that Charlie is dead. We shot that scene over the course of three days because it was a big group scene – but then it started to rain on us, so we had to stop. We shot that scene on a Thursday and Friday, but we had to come back on Saturday to finish because of the rain. The more emotional, crying moments were shot towards the end of it, but when they edited the scene they decided they wanted to add a few more lines of dialogue. So we all had to return to the set and be right at that moment of emotion to pick up a couple of lines. There was no build up to it and there is no warm up for it. We just had to get there and do it on the spot. I feel we did well with things like that. You’d never know if you watched that scene, but so much went into it.

What else did you learn as an actor?
I also learned that there are moments when acting becomes magical. There are certain things you find and discover in the moment of shooting – and it’s exciting for an actor when that happens. We were shooting a scene where Jack comes to visit Hurley in the mental institution, which was a really weird scene to film. Hurley is just staring at the wall. He’s almost catatonic telling the story about how Charlie has been visiting him. There was something about the air quality in that room that if I refused to let myself blink, I could see my eyes would start to water. So I tried to do the whole scene without blinking and it resulted in tears running down my face. When I was doing that scene, I remember thinking, ‘Wow, this is really exciting. It’s going so well.’ People don’t want to cry and they always fight it and try to hide it, which is how it came across in that scene. To get that moment on the show was really exciting for me as an actor. I was really proud.

It’s been noted in the press that you are a great music collector. What music would you choose as a soundtrack for the island?
For the island? Wow, that’s a great question. It would be extremely interesting to try and find a way to mix tropical music with an eerie sci-fi vibe. I’m imagining creepy bells and eerie sounds with a tropical steel drum behind it. Would that work? I’d love to have a go at creating that mix.

Talking of music… Is it true that you’ve been singing in a band called the Lost Souls with Matthew Fox?
That’s not true. I don’t know who made that story up, but there is no Lost Souls band. Matthew Fox and I are not in a band together. Sorry.

But it’s all over the internet…
I know. That story went everywhere, but it was completely false. It’s weird. While I’m dismissing rumors, I’m not a voice in the Hitman 2 video game either. That was picked up in the press, but it’s not true either.

What’s the weirdest rumor you’ve ever read about yourself?
The weirdest? I have no idea. Those two are pretty much up there at the top of the list. I remember my first batch of interviews for Lost when the Lost Souls questions came up. I think we were in Monte Carlo for their TV festival when I was asked about it and I didn’t have a clue what the journalists were talking about. Afterwards, I went looking for the story online and I saw that it was out there – but it was completely untrue. I’m sorry, but if Matthew Fox and I formed a band, we wouldn’t call it Lost Souls.

What would you call it?
I don’t know. It would be something crazier and something much better thought out than Lost Souls, though.

Can you sing?
Yes, I sing. There is a band called Band From TV that I go and perform with from time to time. Greg Grunberg from Heroes plays the drums, Hugh Laurie from House plays the keyboards and Bob Guiney does a lot of singing with them. I would join them whenever I could, but my schedule used to be pretty tight and I rarely had enough time to travel from Hawaii to wherever they were playing. It’s always fun to perform with those guys. We did a performance at Atlantis in the Bahamas last year, which was amazing. So yes, I sing. I sang in a band in college, too.

What’s your karaoke song?
My karaoke song always tends to be Delilah. I like to be loud when I’m doing karaoke, but I’m thinking of changing songs soon. I think I want to move onto a Gary Puckett & The Union Gap tune.

You are well known for keeping up to date with a lot of fan theories about the show. What was the craziest idea you came across?
The craziest idea I ever came across was a theory about cloning. Some fans thought that the plane landed safely in LA, but we were all cloned while we were in the air, so the show was all about our clones. Can you imagine that? Lost was really a crash story about clones! That’s why Jack’s dad was walking around on the island. He had been cloned from the cargo area, so his clone was alive on the island. That was a big, crazy idea for sure.

You have a very wholesome image. What’s the most outrageous thing you’ve done in public since appearing on Lost?
To be honest, I’m pretty boring. I don’t get outrageous. I’m sorry. Actually, I remember when we first moved over to Hawaii. During Season One, all of the cast would hang out together – even on the weekends – because we didn’t really know any other people in Hawaii. We’d hang out at each other’s homes and there would’ve been one point where I jumped into the ocean with no clothes on. That would be the most outrageous thing I’d ever done.

How much do you enjoy life on Hawaii?
I like it a lot. I’m usually pretty quiet, but I have a garden and I like to go and work out there. That’s where I can find my moment of peace. I head out there and I get my hands dirty or I clip stuff and gather everything for composting. I live close to the water, so I might go for a run or take a dip. I also go to the movies whenever I can. I don’t care what I go to see. I just show up and see whatever is starting next.

What plans do you have now that the show has ended?
The only plan I have for now is that I’ll be moving back to California to try and pick up some work. I think it’s still pretty early in my career, so it’s going to be worth moving back to show up for potential castings or whatever. But beyond that, I don’t really know what I’m going to do.

Have you been offered many projects or roles?
There has been some vague interest out there for certain things, but I’ve got nothing to report at the moment.

How much are you going to miss Hawaii when you leave?
I will miss Hawaii terribly. I dread returning to civilization, but I feel I’ll be back at some point. I’ll leave some kind of roots on the island because I loved the place even before I lived here. Hawaii has always been somewhere I’ve wanted to live, so I definitely see myself returning. I’ll be back one day.

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Het interview met Leslie Ishii

What inspired you to become an actress?
I'm Japanese-American, third generation. I started out in theater with the Northwest Asian American Theater Company in Seattle. We had a fundraising performance for a gentleman named Gordon Hirabayashi. He had broken the curfew during World War II and was incarcerated (for 90 days), which he believed was in violation of his rights. It was years later, and he had a Supreme Court case coming up (in which he would ultimately have his conviction overturned). The place was standing room only. We told the story of those interned during WWII and Gordon Hirabayshi and everybody was very moved. It was very powerful to see the audience's reaction in support of this community member. It was the first time that these stories had been told publicly since WWII. For the internees in the cast, it was the first time they had spoken of their stories at all. Many families had not spoken of these stories since they happened. I recall my Dad mentioning at intermission that he was in the restroom and saw men crying. Asian men could be very close to their vests in showing their emotions. I saw how powerful storytelling was and knew it was something I had to do more of.

You have appeared in many well-known TV shows, and one of them was Party of Five. Did you meet Matthew Fox during that role?
It was one of my first jobs in Hollywood. I played a nurse and he was actually the person I had my scene with. I don't know if he would remember it but he was very seasoned and very kind. He put everyone at ease. We did not cross paths on Lost, though.

Did you watch Lost before you came on the show?
I watched the first season pretty religiously and thought it was really funny that they had this show where a plane crashed and they got lost on this island, and it was airing at the same time as Survivor, a reality show that had no plane crash but involved a group of people on a beach trying to survive. I watched both of those shows and was fans of both the reality and the scripted versions. I don’t watch Survivor anymore, but I still watch Lost. It did get a little slow in the second season, but the third season picked up and the fourth season was great – it got deeper and more intense.

What was your audition like at the beginning?
I auditioned last August. I was away seeing my husband at a Shakespeare festival and was in the airport when I found out I was going to have an audition. When I received the sides (the excerpts of the scene I was going to play in the audition), it was very exciting. I hadn't auditioned for Lost since way back before it started. I think the part back then was a nurse but it wasn't pivotal and I didn't end up getting it. All this time later, here was another round of auditions. In TV, pretty much what we audition with is what we're going to shoot, so I assumed the scene I was given would be in the episode. Then I got the script and it was the only script I had received at home. I called my agent and said, “Am I still in the episode? Because I didn't read the scene I auditioned for.” She said, “Oh, that's because they're very secretive. They're not going to let out any material that will really be shot.”

Could you describe the scene you acted in the audition?
The side was great. Dr. Chang and I were on an airplane and it appeared we were coming back from having spent a short period of time when Dr. Chang was being recruited to join the Dharma Initiative. He spent that period of time going to seminars. I (Lara) was upset because it felt like there were throwing me a bone. They thought it would be enticing for me to sign because I would have my own job, as well, as a lab tech. I felt it was beneath me (as Lara was a scientist in her own right). We had this very young child. It made me seem like I was on the fence about this as a family. It ended with us being positive about the decision, but I had to see if it would be fulfilling for me.

What was it like playing Lara?
I have really enjoyed playing Lara. They made her so interesting at every juncture of her life. I would be so grateful to continue playing her if that's in the cards next season. She's so multi-faceted.

When you filmed the first scene of Season 5, did you know that the baby was in fact Miles?
When we shot that first sequence in the season opener we did not know that the baby was Miles. My question was, “Did we have the baby on the island or have the baby and bring him there?” I thought a little bit about it but was leaving my mind open.

The first scene I filmed was when Lara was in bed and the baby cries. One scene they didn't end up using was Lara talking with Dr. Chang before he left for work, but because they established them as a couple well enough they didn't need to use the second one is my guess.

What was it like working with Francois Chau?
Francois, I've know him a lot of years through the Asian American theater. His wife is an actor, too, and an amazing singer and performer. It was a real joy to see I'd be playing opposite him. We all belong to East West Players Asian American Theater in Los Angeles, one of the oldest Asian American theaters in the country. One of the key founders was Mako.

And Ken Leung?
Ken is a wonderful actor. We had a lovely talk. Once the scene was over and we were on set waiting, we had a few minutes to chat and kind of connect, before he looks in the house and sees himself as a baby. It didn’t take long before we realized we have many mutual friends.

What was it like shooting the deathbed scene?
Ken approached it perfectly, in my humble opinion. Before we shot that scene, we didn’t talk a lot. He was in his own place emotionally and I was in mine. I think it was perfect because it didn’t diffuse the emotional impact. The process ended up lending itself to the scene because Miles hadn’t seen his mother for quite some time, so I think we achieved something… an emotional distance. Well, and by now, you all know what happened with that scene and after it.

What surprised you the most on set?
Jack Bender directed the scene where my character was very ill. Both he and Stephen Williams (who directed “Follow the Leader”) are a dream come true for an actor. They're collaborative. They know you've thought about your part. They both know how to talk to an actor about the technical as well as the emotional. Sometimes you get one or the other with directors. They were hands-on with the actors, which was fantastic. It's a great crew, as well as the artists in the make-up and hair departments. It's a pretty well-oiled machine now. I had a great experience.

Who are your favorite Lost characters?
They’re all very interesting. I would have to say that when I first started watching, the language of the Sawyer character always got me. The writing was so unique. He would try to express himself by comparing something to something we already knew about. It was very delightful.

Matthew Fox does a great job as Jack. I enjoy the Locke character, too. I met Terry O’Quinn and he was wonderful, very friendly. I met Elizabeth Mitchell and she was friendly, and Josh Holloway was very welcoming and friendly. What’s lovely about this cast is that you never get a sense of hierarchy on set. It was a real pleasure to work with and meet all of them.

Do people recognize you because you played Lara Chang?
I get recognized a little bit. My brother asked me to sign an autograph. (laughs) When visiting my husband at the Arkansas Repertory Theater, one of the cast members recognized me from Lost and that was really unexpected. It’s one thing if you’re in L.A. and someone from the business recognizes you, but this was Little Rock. I had no idea Lost had become such a huge phenomenon.

My episodes of Desperate Housewives just aired recently, too. My brother Facebooked me and said, “You have to go online! The Desperate Housewives fans are starting to recognize you from Lost!” You know what's so exciting about Lost and DH fans? As an actor it's really nice to see that there are so many people excited about scripted shows. Writers sit down and really think things through and take us to places we could never go otherwise. I'm really grateful to the fans that they show such enthusiasm.

Can we expect to see you in Season 6?
Hope springs eternal for next season. It's always a nice surprise when you get that call to go to Hawaii. I have a theory about how Lara could appear again, actually. Not only can they time travel back and forth; we know she was gravely ill but we never actually saw her die.

There's a tiny little segment I filmed during the Dharma evacuation that didn't come up in the last episode, but it looks like it was cut. I can see where it wasn’t needed. This could bode well for my character. If you see too much, it could trap the writers in a corner. If you see less, it gives them more options to keep playing with.

You know, some fans have a theory that when Miles was talking to his mother, she was already dead...
I love that! That's even better! That's what I love about Lost fans. They're so smart and so imaginative. I love what they come up with.

Do you ever read Lost fan sites?
I have more so since being on it, but I don't check a lot. Actors hope it's all positive. When I was first cast I went to Wikipedia. I had missed a little of the show here and there but was doing a major review. They had extensive material and I basically printed all of it and read it and enjoyed it. Once you're rehearsing the scene and shooting, the information kind of feeds into it and brings your character alive.

Why do you think Lost is so popular?
I think it's because of the great imaginations of these writers. I tell people it's a thinking person's show. The fans are so smart and so imaginative and I know the writers are that way, too. The way they paint a scene and come back to it later; it resonates all the way back. Good writing has that kind of depth. Part of being believable is the whole attention to detail. It's a big commitment to watch this show because it's deep and a huge puzzle. You have to be willing to hang in there. It's a quite a journey that they take you on. I think it mirrors how our imaginations work. I’m hooked; I’ve been hooked since the beginning.

Do you have any theories about Lost?
Between takes in the scene where Dr. Chang was filming the Dharma video, one of the actors who played a Dharma cameraman said his theory was that the island was connected to Atlantis. I've continued to think about this because it would be an interesting premise. Atlantis was known for having all these great experiments. Maybe the Dharma Initiative had that kindred spirit.

I notice you’ve started a blog. Can you tell me more about it?
I had never blogged before. I had read them but had never written. My students at East West Players said, “You have to get a blog. You're on Lost!” So, they've been coaching me, and my students are a great teacher. They like reading articles from actors and wanted me to write what my experiences are like from an actor's point of view. It’s also a great way to let my family and friends know what I'm doing. The blog is at leslieishiiblog.blogspot.com.

What are your upcoming projects?
I juggle a lot of balls. I enjoy being creative. While being an actor is my primary job and I love what I do and I'm very grateful to be able to do what I love, I also teach because I believe in bringing up the next generation of actors. I am also a writer. And fans are welcome to come to a reading of a play I’m writing called “Painting By Numbers,” which is based on the Jane Austen novel “Persuasion.” The reading will be on June 30th at 7:30 p.m., at the East West Players Theater in L.A.

I already shot a remake of “Fame” that should come out this fall (Sept. 25th). One day of work was a great amount of fun. I play one of the school administrators. I didn’t get to dance and sing, but I wish I did! It's directed by Kevin Tancharoen, a Thai-American director, and he was wonderful to work with. It's lively and works well as a modern interpretation.

Would you like to say anything to the fans?
I really appreciate the Lost fans. I come from live theater where you have more immediate feedback to go on. On the Lost sites, people are into the show and really support it. They're such imaginative people. I love reading what they say because they're amazing. They shouldn't underestimate the effect they have on the show. Their enthusiasm has helped keep the show going.

Het interview met DarkUFO

Why do you like Lost so much?
Really a combination of the story, the characters, the writing and the acting. I think if any of those were weak it would not have held my interest for so long.

How did you come up with the idea to start DarkUFO?
I started posting spoilers over at the IMDB Boards back between the S1 and S2 Hiatus, at the same time I started to collate a list of the outstanding mysteries on a little blog. We also started posting some screencaps and easter eggs as well on Lost so it was a natural progression to start linking these pages together on the blog. Since then it has grown as we included more and more sections.

Why is Lost the number one series to make a fan site for?
Hmm good question. Again I think it's a combination, of the Internet Age we live in, the way the show captured our imagination and all the mysteries easter eggs they put into the show. But the no.1 reason is the fans, without the fans participating and contributing to the sites it would simply not be what it is.

How many hours do you spend in front of your PC screen daily?
Ha! far too long. It ranges, the day after an episode airs it can be up to 16 hrs. Normally I try not to spend more than 8 hrs a day on the screen. I will take breaks, sit in the garden when it's not raining, do a quick workout on the excercise bike or go grab a beer or 10

Can moderating brighten or ruin your day based on the comments that you read?
Great question. If I'd been running this site 15 years ago I migth have said yes to a day being ruined but I'm pretty thick skinned these days and comments don't affect me personally at all. What I do find upsetting is when people post overly and non-constructive critisim of others peoples hard work, be it a Theory, Poll, Fan Fiction etc. You tend to find these people never compliment or contribute so I just ignore them.
As for the other side of the coin, yes, nice comments and emails really make a difference.

Besides people posting spoilers in non-spoiler sections or the bad comments, what’s your least favorite part about managing DarkUFO?
I think the hardest part is the time difference here in the UK and US when the show is on. Having to stay up to 5:00am on Wednesday/Thursdays is a bit draining but apart from that I cannot really complain about anything.

Which question do people ask you the most?
There are 2 or 3. 1) Is LOSTFAN108 coming back 2) What time is LOST on in [insert country here] 3) What does DarkUFO stand for

What has been your favorite or most memorable part of running your blog?
At last an easy question! The community of people I've met and had the pleasure to work. There are far to many to name here but they know who they are.

At what point did you realize that you were going to have to make the site massive, and devote a lot of time to it?
I've never really thought of that, nice question. I don't think there was ever that "lightbulb" moment when I woke up and thought.. shit I need more time. I think it was more a gradual progression. As the site got more popular I spent more time on it and the more time I spent the more popular it became.

What are your top 5 favorite sections on your own blog?
LOL tough one. Ok, lets see. 1) Spoilers 2) Screencaps, 3) Homepage, 4) Theories, 5) Continuity

And which part of your blog don’t you like?
The only part that never really work was the Connections section (now removed). After Season 3 is was not really relevant and was too time consuming to try and update.

What is your favorite spoiler you posted from season 1 till season 5 episode 13?
For me it was the very first spoiler I posted which was a full synopsis of Desmond in the Hatch over at IMDB. Most people thought I was crazy or a troll :) I wish I had saved that thread (now deleted) as it was hilarious.

How did you “meet” your sources and why do they help you so much?
I think without question they all contact me. It's a chicken and egg sort of thing. As the spoiler section grew and got more well known, it got observed by various people involved with Lost from the writers, set/crew, people on the island, ABC post production and they saw that I was someone they could trust to contact and not reveal their identity etc.
As for why they help, I've no idea to be honest. Some people just like sharing what they know, and I'm glad they do.

Have you ever had any warnings from Disney or ABC for posting certain spoilers?
Never for spoilers, I once received a fake DMCA takedown notice from ABC for the Eggtown spoilers but when I investigated it appears that it was sent using a fake emailer.
The only items we've had to remove are the HQ Promotional Photos. As soon as ABC ask me to remove something I will.
To this date they have never asked for any spoiler to be removed.

How would you describe LostFan108?
Brave or Stupid. Risking his job to reveal spoilers is going too far.

Why do you think your blog is so successful?
Who knows to be honest. Probably a combination of hard work, time dedicated to running it, an awesome bunch of helpers, users/readers who take the time to sumbit so much info to us, and a HUGE slice of good old fashioned luck.

Have you ever been approached in real life because they recognized you?
Not for the blog no. I used to be in a Band back in the 90's and got recognised a few times .. it's actually quite embarassing when it happens.

Did you ever consider to quit with DarkUFO or asking someone else to manage it?
No although with my good friend The ODI we share a bit of the workload,especially when I'm on vacation of when I'm asleep and any breaking news/spoilers etc develop.

Besides your own, what is your favorite Lost fan site?
For the last 2 years I've hardly visited another Lost site, not becuase there are not 100's of great sites out there but simply because I don't have the time to participate and join in myself.
The only site that I visit a lot is Lostpedia which I use to check facts/easter eggs etc
Note: I have about 50 Lost sites in my RSS feed reader which I skim through each morning checking for any new info/spoilers/stories etc

What are you favorite character, episode and season?
At the time of writing this.
Episode: The Man Behind the Curtain
Season: 5
Character: Ben

What will you do when Lost ends? Will you maintain the site for discussion and if so, for how long?
Probably have a nice vacation :)
I'll keep the site up and I suspect for about 6 months or so there will still be some activity with various Polls, Cups, competitions etc as well as info on the S6 Soundtrack/DVD and Series box sets etc.
After that the site will be kept for as long as I'm around and Google/Blogger are around. I've zero plans to take it down.
I also hope to continue running SpoilerTV and hope that another show comes along to capture my attention.

Thank you so much for taking the time for this interview! What would you say to all the fans who read it?
Thank you and thanks to all the readers who read my ramblings and thanks for all the support in running the site, without the readers the site would not exist as it does today.