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Lost Newbie to Kristen Bell: "Thanks for Turning Down Charlotte!"
Rebecca Mader by Mario Perez/ABC; Kristen Bell by Chris Haston/NBC
Confession time: I wasn't expecting to like Rebecca Mader on Lost. Not because I think she's a bad actress or anything. She was good on Justice. It's just that, well, the role of Charlotte was originally earmarked for my beloved Kristen Bell, and the thought of anyone else playing the part just felt wrong. But three episodes into Lost's new season, I have to say, Mader is winning me over. It probably helps that the 28-year-old Brit is incredibly likable off-screen, due in large part to a wicked sense of humor that was on full display when we chatted earlier this week about her new day job, her hopes for a Charlotte-Sawyer lovefest and why she feels the urge to knock on Kristen Bell's door and start singing.
When do you have to report back on set?
Rebecca Mader: I have a feeling we'll be going back into production in about a month. But no one's called me yet.
What have you done during your downtime?
Mader: I moved. I got a new apartment. I went home to London and spent time with my family. And now I'm really bored and ready to go back to work. [Laughs]
Was it frustrating to have to stop in the middle of the season like that?
Mader: Yeah. I wasn't ready to stop working. I was having the time of my life.
Was that the general feeling among the cast?
Mader: I think some of the other kids were like, "Whatever...." But I think because I was new, and this is new and exciting for me, I didn't really want to stop.
Is everyone being nice to you?
Mader: They're so cool. They're such wickedly funny, cool people. They were very welcoming. It was really easy for me to slip in. They get my silly, stupid sense of humor. The downtime is really, really enjoyable.
Are friends and family pestering you to reveal to them the mysteries to Lost?
Mader: All the time, yeah. They think I'm lying when I tell them I don't know what's going to happen. They're like, "I hate you! You're so well trained! That's not fair — we're friends! I promise I won't tell anyone!" I'm like, "I don't have the answer. I really don't. I swear on my dog's life I don't have the answer." They don't believe me.
But you do know what you shot. Is it hard to keep that stuff secret?
Mader: It is hard, because there are a couple of really, really good episodes coming up. Charlotte does some really juicy stuff.
So... what is your primary reason for being on the island?
Mader: I look in the mirror and ask myself that question every day: "Who am I?" [Laughs]
How long until we get an answer to that question?
Mader: I don't know how they're going to play it out. I want to know. I want to go back to work and find out so I can tell you.
Yes, please call me.
Mader: I will.
There was a bit of a media frenzy over the summer surrounding the casting of your role — due, in large part, to Kristen Bell turning it down. Did you follow all that?
Mader: [Laughs] I didn't know when I was going through the whole audition process. It wasn't until after I got the job that I heard those rumors. Friends of mine would say, "Kristen Bell was up for your part and turned it down." And I'm like, "Did she?"
It's odd, because you wouldn't think you and Kristen Bell would be going after the same roles.
Mader: [Laughs] Never in a million years. We look nothing alike at all. It's pretty funny.
When you went in to audition, were you aware that the character was supposed to be...
Mader: ...Blonde and small? [Laughs]
Yeah. And have an American accent?
Mader: I do American accents all the time. I played an American attorney on Justice. I'm always ready to bust that out if it needs to be done. When I prepared the audition piece in my head, I was ready to go either way. So when I met Damon and Carlton, I went in speaking my own accent and they were like, "We like it this way."
Were you ever tempted to send Kristen a big bouquet of flowers?
Mader: [Laughs] I was going to do a Kiss-o-Gram or something. [Singing] "Thank you, Kristen... for turning it down."
Have you heard anything about a potential romance for Charlotte?
Mader: I've been trying to figure out who I want that to be.
Maybe Sawyer?
Mader: That's what my friends are hoping. But I don't know.
I'll plant that seed with Damon and Carlton.
Mader: Please do. Say the fans are really asking for it.
OK, gang, time to weigh in with your two pennies. What do you guys think about...
• Rebecca vs. Kristen as Charlotte
• Charlotte and Sawyer as lovahs
• Last night's Lost.
• The price of tea in China.
Discuss.
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Feb 15, 2008 11:14 AM
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Which role would have been worse for the great Veronica Mars? The shallow characer of Ellie or the limited screen time of Charlotte?
Can someone get Kristen a real role please? Hello, Hollywood?
(I'm still pulling for VM:FBI, but that's a lost cause... could be a good movie, tho)
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Feb 15, 2008 11:43 AM
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Thanks for the Q&A. I too have enjoyed Mader's Charlotte so far, and I hope she gets more stuff to do now that she's not "captured" by Locke and Friends. But, I still cannot help by pine for my dear sweet Kristen, especially with Heroes off the air till Fall. Even though her character is far less fascinating than Charlotte, I still can't get enough of that face!
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Feb 15, 2008 12:18 PM
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Nothing against Kristen Bell but I'm glad she turned it down. I like Mader as CS Lewis.
Sawyer has too many lovahs.
It was great.
Too expensive!
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Feb 15, 2008 12:29 PM
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I love Kristen Bell to death, but I almost feel like she fits in better with then Heroes cast than with the LOST Cast. There's just something about Rebecca Mader that I really, really like and can't see Bell pulling off. Bell would have made the character snarkier and more sarcastic, but we already have a character like that: Sawyer. Mader brings something else...
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Feb 15, 2008 12:31 PM
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I never thought about the fact that KB turned down the role when I watched the first few shows, but I like Rebecca Mader, and the British accent. I love Kristen Bell, but as smileet147 said, we've already got sarcastic Sawyer (and now even-more-sarcastic Miles) so we don't need another take on it; conversely, if Kristen hadn't been sarcastic a la VM, it would have been disappointing. I think that it turned out for the best.
I think that Sayid deserves somebody. Or Jack.
Loved the show last night, particularly gorgeous, shirtless Sayid.
That doesn't concern me; it's the price of tea here that I have issues with. The one local place where I can buy rooibos tea wants an astronomical price for it. And forget even finding oolong without driving at least 45 minutes.
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Feb 15, 2008 12:50 PM
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good we don't need a troll on the show
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Feb 15, 2008 1:10 PM
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I'm glad Bell didn't take the role. Sorry Mike, but I don't get the fascination with her. She can't act at all - I didn't like Veronica Mars and I can't stand her on Heroes - go ahead start the whining. I must not be the only one who thinks so or her show would still be on! I love Mader as Charlotte - although I'm not too sure about the character yet. I'd like to see her with Sayid...he needs a new gal pal and according to the last scene in last night's ep, it sounds like he gets one eventually. Last night was GREAT! Naveen really showed us some acting chops!
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Feb 15, 2008 1:12 PM
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limited screen time of Charlotte?
Be patient!!
She's had more screen time this season than some of the main characters.
And since she was involved in the discovery of the polar bear skeleton,
I have a feeling that we will be seeing MUCH more of her!
The only new character I really don't care for so far is that Nerdy Nervous Nellie.
I think I'd like to see a little play between Sawyer and Charlotte because they are both sarcastic-but unlike Kate, she can also be abrasive-like Sawyer. I see a nice battle of the strong willed.
I also like sarcastic Miles-I think he is busting stereo types (like the torturer with a heart of gold!) I don't think I've ever seen an Asian character quite like him.
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Feb 15, 2008 1:14 PM
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Looks like Bell made a really bad call in this case. She ended up with a *horrible* part on Heroes, and comes off looking really bad - maybe she's really talented but it doesn't show with Elle. I just don't get the hype about her.
I'm not completely sold on Charlotte yet, but a million times better than Elle. Then again, the difference between Lost and Heroes *this* season is night and day.
Crazy good episode last night, it's hard to believe they'd keep topping themselves three weeks in a row, but they have. Looks like next week we'll get confirmation of that asterisk quiz (that everybody figured out).
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Feb 15, 2008 1:17 PM
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Dear Lord do not put her with Sawyer. He's got enough problems.
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Feb 15, 2008 1:18 PM
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Ugghhh...Thank God. I hate Kristen Bell. She couldn't act her way out of a paper bag. I find her excruciating on Heroes...thank god that's a bit part too.
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Feb 15, 2008 1:54 PM
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Count me in as someone who does not see the appeal of Kristin Bell. She's just okay on Heroes, I could live without her character on the show.
I like Mader as Charlotte - I think she was perfect casting.
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Feb 15, 2008 1:58 PM
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I totally agree with you, ruandvin,
I'm so glad that its not Kristen. She looks like she's 12 years old, and if her and Sawyer had to have sex or kiss, it would look like child molestation. She wasn't right for the part. Maybe her and Walt together, but she certainly doesn't look like someone who could handle herself on the island as a supposed scientist/archeologist. Plus I hate her on Heroes, and if Veronica Mars was any good the network would've kept it on, like NBC keeps Friday Night Lights on because its good, even though it has no audience.
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Feb 15, 2008 2:10 PM
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I'm so glad Kristen turned this roll down for heroes. I love heroes and she's great on it.
Plus, I wouldn't have had time to watch the first 3 seasons to be up to speed to watch the current one. And I don't like to watch my shows out of order.
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Feb 15, 2008 2:13 PM
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