Kate Burton is known for her role of Margo in John Carpenter’s “Big Trouble in Little China”. Kate is co-starring in NBC’s new show “Grimm”, playing the character Marie. Media Mikes had a chance to chat with Kate about working on “Grimm” and also some of her upcoming projects.
Mike Gencarelli: Can you give us some background about your new show “Grimm”
Kate Burton: The story is an updated/modernized version of the Grimm fairy tales. I play Marie, who is the aunt of the main character Nick. Aunt Marie is sick with cancer and she tells Nick that he is a Grimm. Being a Grimm means Nick has supernatural powers which allow him to see things that normal people can’t. I have been in a lot of pilots and this is one of the best I have ever been in. The way the story is told is very gripping and funny. There is a little bit of a “Twin Peaks” feel to it but a little less perverse. My character was originally meant to be killed off in the pilot but it was decided against, so I return for the first episode and I am also going to also be in some dream sequences.
MG: You are currently shooting now correct?
KB: Yes. I just filmed the first episode in August and they have been filming ever since. I think they are going to be shooting 12 episodes plus the pilot. The show has been picked up for the beginning of the season and we will see where it goes from there.
MG: What do you think makes this show stand out and will make people want to watch it?
KB: Anyone who is interested in sci-fi/supernatural stories or magical themes, I think will like this show. I really think the show could take off! There are some really good stories. The Brothers Grimm really knew what they were doing. It’s just an interesting and gripping series.
MG: What was it like working on “2 Days in New York”?
KB: That was really fun as I don’t get to do comedy very much. Julie Delpy is very specific and knows what she wants. I worked for 2 days on the film on some really funny little scenes. Julie is really great and inspiring. The cast on the film is really great and a lot of fun.
MG: Can you tell us about another project of yours titled “Puncture”?
KB: That was a lot of fun. We shot that film in Houston about a year ago. The Kassen brothers were a lot of fun and really nice. It was a very happy experience. I have a wonderful scene with Chris Evans. I wish I was going to be able to go to the premier but I am shooting another television titled “Scandal”?
MG: What can you tell us about that show?
KB: The show is a mid-season replacement and I am not really sure when it’s going to air. I start shooting later in the week.
MG: Can you tell us about the film “Liberal Arts”?
KB: That’s a great movie that I really love. We shot in Ohio with director/writer/actor Josh Radnor. The film has a great cast which features Zack Efron, Allison Janney, Richard Jenkins and Elizabeth Olsen, who is an up and coming actress. Josh was really great to work with and our location was really great as well.
MG: What can you tell us about working on “Big Trouble in Little China”?
KB: That film is such a cult classic and it was my first movie. Kurt Russell, Kim Cattrall and I were the only three white people in that movie [laughs]. Everyone else was Asian and I got to meet practically every Asian actor that was working in Hollywood at the time. We also met a lot of great actors that came over from China to be in the film. John Carpenter was fantastic to work with as he is such a pro. My character was really fun to play. We didn’t know how great the film was as it came out the same day as “Aliens”. The film has really endured and people just love that film. Victor Wong was so funny!