INTO THE SUPERNATURAL WITH LAUREN COHAN
Having appeared on shows like the Vampire Diaries, Supernatural, and Chuck, geeks all over the world have been keeping an eye on actress Lauren Cohan. After appearing in season two of the cultural phenomenon that is The Walking Dead, the rest of the world has started to take notice.
A graduate of both theater and English, Cohan co-founded a touring theater company in the United Kingdom and has been acting steadily ever since. Both an actress and a model, Cohan exudes a natural strength that comes through in many of her characters. It is evident why she was chosen for the role of Maggie Greene. Press Pass LA sat down with Cohan to discuss her attraction toward eclectic roles and what it is like working on one of television’s most popular shows.
PPLA: You’ve been in Chuck, Vampire Diaries, Supernatural and now The Walking Dead. Is there something about the sci-fi/horror genre that attracted you to those roles?
LC: I don’t know, I think it is the dark shadow of my spirit (laughs). I love zombies. I love the mystique of the living dead and the romance of vampires. For me The Walking Dead is about seeing people’s strengths after the end of the world and in the face of all the horros in front of them. I like that.
PPLA: Were you a fan of The Walking Dead before you came on?
LC: Yes I was. I had seen one episode and didn’t realize it was a short series. So I was so excited for the character of Maggie and what they do with her and how much she has grown from when we first met her.
PPLA: The Walking Dead is now considered a cultural phenomenon. What has it been like working on the show and watching it evolve?
LC: It’s been thrilling. A real experience for me. I know how it must feel from the outside watching in but on the inside it’s like living a really good fantasy novel. There’s a magic to it that I can’t explain. The camaraderie is amazing and it’s a complete dream for me to be working in every day. It is just ironic that the dream includes zombies at the end of the world.
PPLA: I’m told you’re a kickboxer, how did you get into that and have those skills come in handy in the show?
LC: I love boxing and I love dancing. I also do Krav Maga. That was great, I took a class and was the only woman in the class.
PPLA: You co-founded a theatre company in college, are you still involved with it?
LC: I went back to London and I got back in touch with people. Whatever comes up in hiatus I would love to do it. Especially if it is a comedy on stage that gives me a break from zombies and darkness for a little while. I definitely miss the theater, I miss doing a story in one night from start to finish.
