Queers and Battlestar Galactica
By: Matthew Breen
Source: out.comLast week at the Directors Guild of America in Hollywood, the producers and cast of Battlestar Galactica gathered at the William S. Paley Television Festival for a screening of the first part of the two-part season finale (the second part of the season finale airs Friday, March 10). At a private reception following the screening, we caught up with the very sexy Jamie Bamber (Commander Lee “Apollo” Adama), the fantastic Mary McDonnell (President Laura Roslin), and bombshell lesbian-icon-in-the-making Katee Sackhoff (Kara “Starbuck” Thrace).
As Lee Adama, sexy, buffed Brit Jamie Bamber is responsible for quite a feat: keeping many gay men home on Friday nights—no doubt thanks to his shirtless scenes in the futuristic co-ed locker room. Seen previously in the U.K.’s Horatio Hornblower series and in Band of Brothers, Apollo is Bamber’s first sci-fi role.
Out: What did you think about taking on this role?
Bamber: When I read that it was a remake of Battlestar Galactica, I had this sphincter-clenching, butt-tightening, remake-itis reaction. But the quality of the writing was so great I got over that quickly.
Out: What do you think of your gay fanbase?
Bamber: Well, I’m flattered about it. Amazed. I’d heard there was a gay following, but didn’t know much about it until recently.
Out: Do you approach a sci-fi role differently than you would another type of role?
Bamber: No, it’s just like a costume drama to me. There’s the military aspect to the character, so it’s like Band of Brothers in some ways.
Out: What about the special effects? Are you often working on a green screen background? How does that affect your performance?
Bamber: It’s just like theater. One has to pretend. There’s quite a lot of green screen with [the fighter planes]. You’re working with a blank canvas, and that’s a challenge I enjoy.
Out: Tell me a little about your experiences with sci-fi conventions. Those are some intense audiences.
Bamber: It’s something I never knew existed before. At first I was really scared and didn’t know why I was there! But it’s nice to know that the show has such strong appeal.