After developing her cult-like following in cerebral science fiction series such as Firefly and V, Brazilian born MORENA BACCARIN has managed to masterfully land a key role on television’s hottest drama. Her portrayal of Jessica Brody, wife of Sergeant Nicholas Brody, on the Golden Globe winning Showtime series Homeland adds dimension to the storyline and provides viewers with yet another layer of her abilities as an actress. Morena was raised in New York City where she attended LaGuardia High School of Music and Performing Arts before entering the theatre program at the Julliard School. Now with the tenacity of a city girl and the chops of a trained actress she talks with photographer Robert Ascroft openly about her craft and life. 

Morena Baccarin: We are all expressing ourselves through art and fashion. I just continue to be thankful to be able to do what I love every day.

RA: Are there things that come to mind that you wish were not still here?

MB: Violence, especially against women and children.

RA: What would you like to do before you die?

MB: Go to Japan. Win an Oscar. Have a family. See the end of poverty.

RA: I enjoyed working with you and feel we had a great shoot for Spirit & Flesh Magazine. What was it like to loosely base your look on Audrey Hepburn?

MB: I REALLY enjoyed the shoot. It was a blast to do some looks that were so very 60’s and Hepburn-ish, and simultaneously stay on the edgy side of things. It was fun to play with the idea of such an iconic figure, but only as a jumping off point. We had the liberty to move past it and use it merely as inspiration. I work best when I have specific direction like that. And then I can choose to obey or disobey!

RA: In between setups we talked about the differences between being in front of a still photo camera vs. the movie camera. Would you please elaborate?

MB: I have a hard time at photo shoots sometimes because it’s me up there. I am vulnerable. When I am playing a role it feels like somebody else. When I’m acting I also enjoy collaboration. I like to discuss things and be on the same page as the director. I also like to play. So even if you’re sure a scene should go a certain way, it’s fun to explore after you feel you have some good takes. Often you find something you didn’t even know was there.

RA: In creating this portfolio I wanted it to seem as if I followed you through several years of your career. Your look is versatile. How has that helped you with acting and getting roles?

MB: It’s the greatest gift as an actor when you get to transform. That’s the fun part. I have been lucky enough to play a lizard alien from another planet the same year I played a suburban military wife. I don’t know if it’s luck, talent, or tenacity, but I have been blessed with creating new roles and I love it.

RA: What fictional characters or real people do you admire from history and would one day want to possibly portray?

MB: Cleopatra, Natalie Wood, Wonder Woman, Hilary Clinton… to name a few.

RA: How do you prepare for a role?

MB: It’s really different with each character. I read the script first, and let the story and character dictate the terms. I do some research on the type of person and the times they lived in, and then I either access them psychologically or physically; whichever seems more accessible.

RA: Is there any part of you in the onscreen persona that you portray in Homeland?

MB: I’m sure that there is. After all I am accessing myself, but I don’t know which parts are me. I prefer not to think too much about that! It takes away the magic!

RA: The show is political; would you consider yourself politically active?

MB: Somewhat. I care about what goes on around me. But I also don’t believe in forcing your opinion on people.

RA: Your husband is a filmmaker. Are you ever interested in working together?

MB: Absolutely. We almost did once but it turned out that I couldn’t do his film because I was shooting something else. I always get a kick out of saying I was unavailable!

RA: You have done theatre in the past. How do you compare acting for television vs. performing for a live audience?

MB: Theatre is a real thrill. It’s the only place the actor really has all the power and control. There is no feeling equal to an audience enraptured by your performance. It feeds an actor like nothing else. And the spontaneity is thrilling. I like to play practical jokes on stage on my fellow cast mates just to keep them on their toes. Nothing too serious or that would throw them too much. But that’s the joy of theatre. It’s live! You never know what might happen. It can also be extremely brutal when it’s not going well! There is no hiding behind cameras.

RA: I love music and draw inspiration from it in my work. What are you listening to in the trailer between takes?

MB: I actually prefer to look over the script or do a crossword puzzle. I can’t do anything that alters my emotional state too much. We shoot long days and it’s hard to stay focused so I have to do whatever possible to stay in the zone my character is in.

RA: Are you the type of person who can read the same book over and over again or once it’s finished do you have to move on?

MB: I have only read one book twice: The Great Gatsby. But other than that I can’t. Once it’s done, it’s done.

RA: If you were to do something other than acting what would that be?

MB: It would probably be something completely different. Like Anthropology, or Astronomy. I am fascinated by science. Though that doesn’t mean I’d be smart enough to pursue it.

RA: Which city would you most like to live in?

MB: I think probably NYC. I grew up there and have some strong ties to it although it is difficult to live there now because it has become so expensive to live comfortably. I love the energy and bustle of the city. People are just people there. Everyone is living their lives and are so not interested in what clothes you’re wearing or what shoes you have. Even though I love shoes.

RA: What do you look for in a friend?

MB: Loyalty, trustworthiness, humor, someone who has my back and doesn’t judge.

RA: What is your earliest memory?

MB: I have the worst memory in the world! Seriously. I think one of my earliest memories was moving to New York from Rio, where

I was born. I was about 5 or 6 and my mom laid out two outfits for me to choose which

I wanted to wear on the plane. I had overheard my parents saying how cold it would be in the US. So I decided to layer both outfits on just to be safe. Two pants, two shirts, two sweaters. I was a very practical kid.

RA: What keeps you awake at night?

MB: Scary movies, I’m a wuss.

RA: Do you have a style icon?

MB: Audrey Hepburn. It comes full circle.