BSGcast: Interview with Mary McDonnell
We were fortunate enough to catch up with Mary McDonnell one week before her appearance at DragonCon, while she was in Toronto for Fan Expo! Nat had the chance to sit down with her, on set, and chat about her thoughts on Battlestar’s Finale, Laura’s fate, Roslin Tattoos and even Caprica!
And of course, we have a shiny new Season 4.5 DVD Box-Set signed by Mary to give away to our favourite comment on the Season 4.5 review… so make your comments quick! We’ll be posting our review this week, and that’s where we’ll announce the winner!
August 30th, 2009 at 9:42 am
Wow!! Good job BSGcast! That was a really interesting interview.
Give me more of Roslin/MacDonnell lol
August 30th, 2009 at 10:33 am
It’s been so long since I heard that intro!!!! I luvluvluvluvluv Mary McDonnell!!! How did you get this? Laura was totally my favorite character on the show! I think I love you, Nat! Wow, I knew Mary was pretty, but wow. I love her hair! I’m rambling now…
August 30th, 2009 at 11:59 am
What an honor to talk with the president of the 12 colonies! Must be very exciting..!
Unforntunately the German TV stuck in season 2 of BSG but thanks to the internet some of us know how it ends!
Looking forward to Caprica (maybe 2012 in Germany) and -The Plan- of course!!! =)
August 30th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
Hello All
I have some news on “The Plan” the release date for DVD, and Blu-ray is Octobor 27, 2009 in Canada. You can now pre-order it at http://www.chapters.indigo.ca DVD is $28.04 and Blu-ray is 37.54. heres the link http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/dvd/search?keywords=Battlestar%20galactica&pageSize=10&sort=ReleaseDate&sortDirection=true&page=0
August 30th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
Good to see this pop up, though, when you Two are done, no more BSG of any kind you should just toss out a video every five to ten years, just to refresh us!
Also will you cover the Synger BSG Movie That seem’s like a bad idea?
August 30th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
Yay Mary McDonnell! I don’t have much experience with meeting celebrities, but she seems like the most sincere, gracious, intelligent, and engaged actress I’ve ever seen interviewed. Plus she has amazing hair! She handled the question about the fan with double Laura tattoos very well. You were lucky to spend time with her Nat, and thanks for asking about her thoughts on the finale. I am glad to know that she feels like Laura died at peace with herself knowing that she had lived long enough to lead her people to a new home…and being in love!
August 30th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
Fabulous! There are so few Mary interviews out there, it’s so good to see one pop up once in awhile.
It’s funny, she seems to be the only one who seems really satisfied with the finale. And wow, I thought I was a big fan. Double Laura tattoos? I think they are pretty well qualified for #1 fan.
August 30th, 2009 at 5:06 pm
Man, I miss the weekly BSG Casts with you guys!
Was really nice to catch up with the always lovely Mary, thanks!
Just wish she wouldn’t do more messing with plastic surgery, she was gorg au natural. Really.
I understand the pressure etc., but man, in Donnie Darko, she was stunning, wrinkles incl. and even because of.
August 30th, 2009 at 5:52 pm
Thanks for posting this interview. What Nicole said is right, Mary doesn’t seem to do many interviews. On the Season 4.5 DVD’s as well there are not as many clips of her behind the scenes or interview with her etc. It’s good to know she was happy with how her character ended up. Her character is one I’ve always liked and been happy with as well.
August 30th, 2009 at 6:01 pm
An excellent interview with such a great actor. Though I’ve seen a few of her film performances, next to Laura Roslin, her role as Liz from “Sneakers” is second most memorable to me (maybe it’s because Liz is just as much as “markswoman” as Laura Roslin). Even though Mary doesn’t do a whole lot of interviews, this is definitely a great gem to cherish. And, actually, this is practically the first time that an Interview for BSGCast was actually green screened, too. Still, great interview, hope to see more!
August 30th, 2009 at 7:36 pm
Thank you for sharing this. It’s always lovely to hear Mary speak about her character. I constantly get the impression that Mary really tries to put some thought into her interview answers and convey some of the process behind how she fleshed out the character of Laura Roslin as oppose to aiming for a standard soundbite answer.
And on a completely superficial note, love both ladies’ outfits – the 3/4-sleeved cardigans and jangly bangles. I almost expected them to break out into West Side Story songs.
August 30th, 2009 at 11:46 pm
You guys just never stop amazing me with the level of interviews, you are able to asemble.
August 31st, 2009 at 9:33 am
Just got my blueray of the entire series last week – the mini series was a new experience and I enjoyed it the most of any of my many viewings. You guys are amazing getting Mary Mcdonnell on the “set” It must have been a pain to move just for that interview.
August 31st, 2009 at 12:12 pm
Loved the interview! Hearing that intro with the floating BSGCast letters was very reminiscent of many times well spent debating, reading, and loving the site!
The interview with Mary was fantastic! At one point I thought Nat was going to nod her head off! But it was fitting. I loved hearing the background of the ‘con’ while still keeping that good old fashioned “set” look. Whoever did that editing deserves mad props!
Its great to hear that she is doing well, I hope her idea takes off.
August 31st, 2009 at 12:34 pm
I love Mary so much, what she did with that character was beyond amazing, the pure amount of air punching I did when Roslin & Adama finally got it on is testament to that! I like how she talks about the struggles Roslin had in her presidency and how she will have to answer for them, the road to the Gods is paved with good intentions.
August 31st, 2009 at 12:43 pm
Loved it!! Mary always brings it on!! So glad she was in BSG (along w/ every single person that was in the cast!) It is always nice to hear what the cast thinks of how things go or as in this case–End!! I whole heartedly agree with Mary!! She seems to be one of the more thoughtful, honest. insightful and down to Earth people!! As Nat said she does not seem to do many interviews and therefore that makes this one extra special!! Laura Roslin was tied on top of my list of favorite characters . . . I can’t spill the others!! It’s a secret!!
Not as big as who was the final Cylon, but . . . . I feel like I should be saluting or something with the President of the 12 Colonies sitting there!! 
Or at least say: “So say we ALL”!! I’m saving up to get the DVD set (how come pennies seem to be going less further?? 
“BSG” is right up on top of my ALL time favorite TV series and eagerly look forward to “The Plan”!! I know ALL good things must end (like my very dear “Guiding Light”) but this is one I will keep watching for a very long time!! Can’t wait to see the extras and other stuff!! Thanks for a great interview Nat!! 
August 31st, 2009 at 1:33 pm
Thank you Matt and Nat,
This was a great interview and I second all the comments here. I love Roslin – of all the female characters ever portrayed on big screen, small screen or stage, she has had a tremendous impact on me and I love her dearly.
Mary McDonnel simply rocks. What a talented lady and we are so lucky that she got that role.
Thank you again,
Tootie
August 31st, 2009 at 1:55 pm
Nat, I gotta hand it to you… you have AMAZING and NATURAL interviewing skills. Blows my mind…
Matt, you’re a bastard… for making me cry by putting Roslin’s death scene in the background. Damn you… :*(
August 31st, 2009 at 7:46 pm
I envy you Nat, I tried to talk to her myself at Fan Expo and my little podcasting butt was shot down. Guess you guys do have way more pull than I do, sigh. It seemed there were ALOT of celebrities that were very selective on who they would give interviews to for some reason no matter how polietly you asked. Sorry I missed seeing either of you at Fan Expo, hopefully we can work together again soon. Good interview BTW, you asked alot of questions I wanted to ask her myself.
Cheers.
Russel
August 31st, 2009 at 9:26 pm
This vid/interview makes it pretty clear why Mary McDonnell rocks universes. Every time that woman speaks,
Unicorns appear. I swear she has superpowers.
August 31st, 2009 at 9:35 pm
I love that woman…I love that woman! Fantastic interview Nat! Mary has been my favorite actress for nearly 25 years now. Her presence is felt no matter what the role or no matter what the genre. I am always so taken back by her graciousness and class. It was fantastic to hear her thoughts on the finale. In a way it made a few more ounces of some doubt I felt about it disappear. This was well worth the months long wait for a new BSGCast. I miss you guys and I miss my “family” here. We’ve certainly shared some life altering entertainment here haven’t we? And Casey, I feel your pain. Every time I see that scene I bust…it was truly beautiful. Finally, is there perhaps a Caprica Frak party in the works? I want so much to meet all of you! Peace!
September 2nd, 2009 at 7:17 am
Mary is such a pleasure to listen to, any time. She’s exceedingly thoughtful in her interviews and I love getting a glimpse of her mind. What a wonderful interview. Thanks for doing this.
September 7th, 2009 at 12:28 am
I would like to thank Nat for this interview, it isn’t that often that you see an interviewer allow the subject to enjoy themselves enough that they end up having a conversation with the interviewer and not just answer questions. When that happens you get things like this where the interview is both in-depth, and fun for all.
So Nat, make sure Matt gives you a pat on the back for this (I know this Matt is from the other side of the world
).
October 23rd, 2009 at 2:49 pm
[...] worth watching. Recent interviews include Michael Trucco, Alessandro Juliani, Kandyse McClure and Mary McDonnell. This is also an excellent opportunity to watch (or rewatch) the first and wonderful BSGcast [...]
October 26th, 2009 at 10:50 am
You guys should try to get Jamie for an interview. It would be interesting. Nice job, by the way!