More Interviews

New York Daily News

“America does awards shows like no other — it’s their speciality!” adds Byrne. “For me, I feel like a kid in a candy store. At the Emmys last year, everyone looked bored and I’m there like, ‘Oh my God!’?” Source

New York Post

“Glenn is the standard,” she says of the actress whose portrayal of Hewes has won her two consecutive Emmys. “[She inspires you to] try different things in a scene. Options are a huge thing, to give different versions [of a scene] and really own what you do and not apologize, which is probably something I do. It’s a very Australian quality, that progress to some ridiculous apologetic mess.” [...] Byrne actually spent her holidays snowboarding with Donovan, “True Blood” actor Sam Trammell, and their significant others, a trip that proved almost as great a challenge for Byrne as unraveling “Damages”’ story lines. “I was the weakest snowboarder,” the Aussie actress confesses. “Tate was very good, and Sam’s an incredible skier, the best of the bunch. I spent a lot of time behind everybody, trying to keep up.” Read the rest of the article

IGN

IGN: What was it like, as an actor, to have your character be in a better, calmer place?
Byrne: (laughs) It’s strange because I think it’s almost easier to play the bigger emotions. You know, when someone’s in more of an even place then that is actually more challenging in a way. Because you don’t feel like you’re, perhaps, putting yourself on the line enough a little bit. And because last season was so traumatic it definitely a shift. And I’ve been on a lot less. It’s very much Tate Donovan’s season, which is fantastic. So I’ve been working a lot less well. I was a whole new stretch, but that the great thing about this show. It’s never the same. And I think in TV you can get scared that you’ll be doing the same thing again and again, but she’s (Ellen) been different character really every season so far.
IGN: Why do you think that Ellen went to go work for the D.A. and not pursue a huge paycheck at another big law firm?
Byrne: I guess there might be something about the D.A.’s office that’s a little more honest. A little more hard-working. You’re trying to do good for the people and you’re representing the community and their rights. And their safety. I think they just want to show a different side to the law. And it’s interesting because I went down to the D.A.’s office and met some great female lawyers who work there and just hearing them talk about working there why they chose it – and what the good stuff and bad stuff was about it – was great. Read the rest of the interview here