Laura Mennell is known best for her role of Nina in Syfy’s “Alphas”. The show is finishing up its first season and is already green-lit for season two. Media Mikes was able to chat with Laura about working on “Alphas” and also about her character.
Mike Gencarelli: What do you like most about playing Nina on “Alphas”?
Laura Mennell: I think I probably love playing Nina’s ability. Although her power might not be a physical strength her pushiness gives her this enormous power even in intense situations. I like that she can get right in there and help save the day. She sort of uses her ability as a weapon. Nina is a great asset to the team. It’s fun to vicariously live through her. I also love having a female character that gets into the action mix which I think is great.
MG: When will we find out more about her back story?
LM: I think the mystery of Nina’s back story is very interesting. I think we have seen little hints of background here and there but she doesn’t like to go there and be vulnerable. I think in the second season you will see a little more as the series goes on. The mystery of the characters I think adds to the appeal of the show.
MG: Can you give us some info on the Nina and Cameron relationship story line?
LM: I think part of the connection between Hicks and Nina stems from the fact they are both fairly damaged people with difficult pasts. I really enjoy playing out their relationship. It’s never been an easy one. With Nina she has a lot of walls put with Hicks and when those walls start to come down as Nina gets comfortable something happens and they go back up. It’s nice to see Nina be a little more vulnerable with Cameron as most of the time she doesn’t want to be or appear to be vulnerable.
MG: What can we expect from the season finale?
LM: I can’t really say too much but it’s going to be a wonderful episode for Dr. Rosen and you get to learn a little bit more about his past. He will have to make some very interesting choices to make as a character. David Strathairn is such a wonderful actor any episode that centers around him will always be good. I really enjoy watching him work. The episode is going to be great and have quite a bit of action.
MG: Do you have a favorite episode thus far?
LM: I love a lot of the episodes. I had a lot of fun with the “Catch and Release” episode. Working with Summer Glau was great and she is really sweet. That episode was an interesting one for Nina as you got to see who Nina used to be and who she could have become. I think Nina’s encounter with Skylar really impacted her.
MG: How do you feel this show stands out from other sci-fi shows?
LM: I think the show is really cool and one thing interesting about our show fan wise is we have a lot of traditional sci-fi fans. The show is a little different in the procedural aspect and it’s a more realistic setting as our characters are sort of average people. I think because of those things people who might not normally be attracted to the show have been drawn into it.
MG: What are you looking forward to coming back to with season 2?
LM: I think it will be nice to get back and work with everyone. Everybody has been great! It will also be fun to see what’s in store for our characters each time we get the script for a new episode. I like the surprises.
