Lindy Booth, the perky Canadian redhead, has appeared in many films and prime-time TV shows such as "NCIS," "Starhunter" and "CSI: N.Y." She gained notoriety for her roles as Riley Grant on the Disney Channel series "The Famous Jett Jackson" and as Claudia in the TV series "Relic Hunter." But her recognizability factor made a huge leap when she joined the cast of fantasy-adventure show "The Librarians," now in its second season on TNT.
Along with Lindy, the cast stars Rebecca Romijn, Christian Kane, John Kim and John Larroquette, who, as The Librarians, an ancient organization hidden beneath the Metropolitan Public Library, dedicate themselves to solving mysteries, encountering evil in their adventures amidst a magical reality to save priceless artifacts and the world. Noah Wyle, also a co-executive producer, recurs as Flynn Carsen, his reprised role from TNT's hit movie trilogy version.
Booth recently chatted with HNGN about what adventures lay ahead for her on "The Librarians," what it's like acting alongside Romijn and Laroquette and what famous redheaded actresses fans sometimes mistake her for.
Tell us a bit about the character you portray on the show, Cassandra Cillian.
She is one of a team of new Librarians. Not just your average librarian, though, this group is tasked with collecting magical artifacts and keeping control as magic is released into our world. At the beginning of season two we are all brought back together to face Prospero, from Shakespeare's "The Tempest," and his band of fictionals - villains from literature. Cassandra is the maths and sciences expert on the team. She has a photographic memory and is also a Synesthete, meaning that her senses are cross-wired; when she sees numbers, she sees them as colors, science expresses itself to her as musical notes and math smells like breakfast food! She sees the world in a very different way from everyone else, and this helps give her a unique perspective within the team. She also has a deep connection to magic that we are starting to uncover this season.
Are you anything like your character on the show?
Like Cassandra I am a bit of an outsider... I was always a little left of center and a little goofy, I always have done my own thing and never quite fit into a specific mold. I relate to Cass most in that way. I also share her optimism, enthusiasm and love of life. It's interesting playing a character with a terminal brain tumor and still finding ways to look at things positively. But the Library has given Cassandra a purpose and a second chance at life, and she is relishing it.
I also definitely share Cassandra's quirky sense of style. Our costume designer Critter Pierce and I work closely to come up with her looks. They're a constantly changing reflection of her feelings and her love of life. And as someone who sees numbers and colors so closely tied.... They are a nod to her love of math too!
Are there any traits in your role of Cassandra you would like to incorporate into your real life?
I love that Cassandra is really speaking her mind this year. She was so shy and withdrawn last year, and I have a tendency to be that way too. I've been very inspired by the way she is vocalizing her feelings and wants and needs. She has strong points of view, and she's willing to risk being wrong to express them. I really admire that. Also, I wish I were better at math!
What would you like to happen in the show they have yet to do?
Our writers are so freaking smart! I love that every time I open a script something amazing that I could never even imagine is happening! I trust them completely.... Like this idea of all the great fictional villains coming to life from the pages of books, how amazing is that?
I can't wait to see magic really come out in the open in the world. To see how it affects everyday life, but also to see how The Librarians try to clean up that mess!
Have you learned anything from doing the show?
I have learned so much from the show. With my character's knowledge of math and science and the incredible depth of knowledge that our writers have, it's impossible not to. Whenever I get a new script I'm in front of the computer Googling half of my dialog, just to figure out what it means.
I will never understand all of it, but I've grasped enough of some pretty high-level physics and math that I can make it sound like I know what I'm talking about!
Is there something you want say to your fans?
I really, really love what I do. And it means the world to me when you come up and share stories about shows or movies that I've done that have touched you/made you laugh/scared you!
What makes you angry?
People who stop and just stand there as soon as they get off an escalator.
What makes you happy?
My family. My friends. My work. In that order. And french fries. Always french fries.
"The Librarians" airs Sunday at 8 pm. ET on TNT.
Marina Anderson is an established actress, published author ("David Carradine: The Eye Of My Tornado"), publicist, personal manager (The Media Hound PR), spiritual counselor and freelance writer specializing in entertainment. She was wife and personal manager to David Carradine, and responsible for resurrecting his career, which culminated in the hit Quentin Tarantino film "Kill Bill." Her diverse roles include starring and supporting roles in television shows, feature films, webisodes and national commercials, including "Bones," "The Mentalist," "Dexter," "Law & Order L.A." and "Seinfeld." Marina's passion is helping animals and she is an advocate for domestic and wildlife protection. Marina is currently working on her first of a series of inspirational children's books. The first stars her beloved collie, Lulu, daughter of Lassie VIII. Learn more at www.MarinaAnderson.net and www.IMDB.com. Contact her at ourwebemail@gmail.com and follow her on Twitter at @flyinggoddess.
