Lynne Deragon talks about Queer as folk

Many fans don't like the character of Joanie Kinney, so great you were in showing the woman's indifference to her children, especially her son. And how do you feel about your character? What attracted you to this role? Do you find any justification for Joan's acts?

How did you prepare for the role? Did you follow the director's instructions in everything, or put yourself in the place of the woman who lives without love and compassion? 

R: Joanie Kinney was probably the most reviled character in the show. As an actress, I couldn't just play her as a villain, because she didn't think she was doing anything wrong - she really believed her son was going to hell for his actions and she wanted to save him. She was a product of her upbringing, and her own unhappy marriage. From the outside looking in, she was a very sad and misguided woman who's own actions deprived her of a close.

so. Her religious fervor filled her with iron-clad 'absolutes' which left her no room for compassion. She was tormented by what she saw as EVIL consuming her son. She couldn't see beyond that - she couldn't see her own coldness - her own brittleness - not even her own loneliness could make her soften. I have known people like this. So I tried to make her as human as possible - human: meaning "full of flaws". 

D: Please tell us about the casting. How did you get the role, why were you interested in playing this character, and how did you find out about the job?

R: My agent contacted me about the role. I auditioned for the part. Simple as that.

D: What scene in QAF was especially difficult for you emotionally?

R: You asked what scene was difficult for me - All of them. I say that because in every one, Joanie was loaded with emotion but at the same time she was trying to stuff her emotions down and be 'in control'. She was a bundle of tight nerves. It wasn't pleasant to be in her body because she was suffering inside her own prison.

D: Could you remember some funny moments on the set? Do you have some fond memories of working on the role?

R: I can't remember specific funny moments - but I know there were some. What I do remember (because all my scenes had to do with Brian), is how wonderful Gale was. We had a lovely relationship off-camera. He's a very compelling, serious actor and a good human being. I enjoyed everyone I worked with on that show, actors, directors, crew, hair, makeup and costume people. It was a good bunch. Just wish I could have worked on more shows!

D: And the last question, which is always particularly interesting for the fans, – have you watched QAF? If not, why not, and if so, how did the film strike you? Were you able to watch it as a mere spectator, forgetting about the "inner workings"?

R: I did watch QAF. As you know, I wasn't in that many episodes, so I was able to detach and just get into the story as it played out. I thought it was very well done, and emotionally very engaging. 

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