On a soap, you'll shoot two episodes a day and still not be there for eight hours. Here, we'll shoot six scenes over 16 hours, with explosions, fighting and bad guys. It's a completely different transition but I've always wanted to do physical and action stuff - it's in my blood.
Speaking of which, how did you go from professional basketball to acting?
I went to LA on vacation, saw the "lights, camera, action" and the stars on Hollywood Boulevard and fell in love with it. I'd never done acting and people said I wouldn't make it. Everyone thinks so many obstacles will be thrown your way and it'll take forever to make it, but I didn't know any of that so I was bright-eyed and super-naive. As an athlete, I thought "it's fourth quarter and I've got to win this game".
Did your athletic background help with the physical side of playing Kate?
For sure. When I get a bruise I'm like, "Yes! That's an accomplishment." I embrace being physical and my background has helped with learning new stunts, being fearless and doing my own fighting sequences.
So you've done a lot of your own stunts?
Pretty much 100 per cent. It's been hard work but we had weeks of training. Minka and Ramon [who plays John Bosley] also do their own stunts. Minka is a fearless daredevil.
How do you all get along off-screen?
We've got this genuine off-screen chemistry. It's like a sisterhood that happened from the moment we met. We're always having lunch or hanging out. And with Ramon, we'll be like, "okay, if a guy is doing this, what do you think it means?" We're one big happy family.
What's your own family like?
I have four sisters, my mum and dad, so it's a big family. This show is all about family and sisterhood and that's one of the things I gravitated to. It's something that's embedded in me because when there are five of you, you can't help but have a bond. You live and breathe sisters and that's what it is with Charlie's Angels. I consider Minka and Rachael my sisters, so it's like I have six now.
How involved has Drew Barrymore been?
She's very busy directing and starring in movies and running her production company. But she is and was super hands-on and supportive, especially in the pilot and with casting. She's charming, wonderful and a fellow Angel, so it's great to be in her presence because you just get this angel energy. I love her to death.
LOWDOWN
What: Charlie's Angels, the new television series
Where and when: TV2, 9.30pm Wednesdays
-TimeOut
