Bree Turner Talks Grimm’s Season 2 Finale, the Scariest Creatures So Far, MonRosalee, and More
Steve Barton
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The Season 2 finale of “Grimm,” entitled “Good Night, Sweet Grimm,” airs tonight, and we recently had a chance to chat with Bree Turner (Rosalee) about the show’s scariest creatures, the most challenging aspects of her character, and of course the gruesome finale!
AMANDA DYAR: What would you say is the scariest creature so far to appear on the show?
BREE TURNER: I think the scariest creature was that Mauvais Dentes that was in our Season 2 premiere with the big saber-tooth teeth. He was very scary. And I thought both the special effects makeup and the CGI on that creature were really, really some of our best.
AMANDA DYAR: What would you say is one of the most challenging aspects of working on “Grimm”?
BREE TURNER: Oh, the most challenging. Well, I haven’t really had much experience in the genre. I did a “Masters of Horror” for Showtime. I did a one-hour film. That was my only other genre piece that I’ve done.
I think with this, though, you have to really commit to the world that you’re imagining because a lot of what you see on television is not what’s happening on the set. You know, we don’t look like our creatures when we’re acting. It’s all CGI. We have little white dots all over our faces when we’re trying to do these serious scenes.
And also the language – the German, the Grimmish – and the fact that it needs to sound casual. I think all those elements combined are challenging and unique to any other job I’ve personally done.
Now check out the full conference call transcript below, and enjoy!
In what ways did you see Rosalee further grow and develop as a character this season. And what new acting challenges did you find with that growth?
BREE TURNER: I think the biggest evolution for Rosalee between Season 1 and Season 2 is her confidence in the spice shop and being an apothecary and being in this world… When I arrived on the scene, I always likened Rosalee to someone who was the most talented with the biggest gifts in terms of this world in her family but the one that was the most insecure and lost with it all.
And that shows with admitting my drug use and moving away from Portland and isolating myself – my talent scared me so to speak. So I tried to make a focus just for myself, whether it was scripted or not, to slowly develop the confidence in this world and being the authority in terms of healing and the medicine world.
And now that we’re at the end of the second season, I think it’s been really fun to throw a lot of that away now and just be confident and own my power now. And I think there’s been a lot of really wonderful sort of layers of the onion that have been exposed to the fans, that my father was on the special committee that keeps everyone in check and that my brother and that have this connection to this.
When we were doing that “Natural Born Wesen” episode, I kind of likened myself to being Colin Powell’s daughter or something, and there was this surprising reveal to Monroe that I have this major, major authority really in this world and I don’t speak of it. I thought that was pretty cool.
So anyway, to answer your question, I think her confidence and becoming secure with her powers.
As a follow-up question, we love the relationship obviously between Monroe and Rosalee. How did that grow and develop this year, and what do you enjoy most about the relationship and working with Silas?
BREE TURNER: It’s been a really, really fun season… just sort of embracing Rosalee’s light and her kindness and compassion , who she is. I think her past is just her skeletons, her demons, her path that she was on, and I think at her core she’s a truly compassionate loving soul and spirit. So it’s been really fun to not play the dark [but to] play the light this year and enjoy the journey with Silas, who is just such an incredible actor and person and now friend. And we’ve had such a good time. We’re so relaxed with each other and I feel so comfortable with him that it just all feels very organic, which I think is coming through. I think the response has been positive for a combination of all those things.
When we spoke with David a few weeks ago, he said that it was a real doozie of a season finale. I’m wondering what your reaction was when you saw the script and what excites you about this final episode of the season?
BREE TURNER: Well, seeing the finale script, it was just truly… I don’t know what more they could have put in this script. I mean everyone , every storyline, gets blown out and exposed, resolved, challenged. And then just the level of production value in this finale – it’s like feature film quality stuff that we did in terms of effects and story and set and environment. I mean, it was all just really at the top of our game I felt. And we were all kind of chomping at the bit to start production on this last one.
Sci-fi is perhaps the most unique genre and probably has the most unique fans. What do you like about being in this world?
BREE TURNER: The support and love and loyalty from the genre fans are like nothing I’ve ever experienced. I’ve only done a few jobs in this world, but nothing like this at the scale of “Grimm.” And so I’ve been blown away with how committed and supportive and protective our fans are over the characters and the show. And it’s just been really awesome.
Related Story: “Grimm” Cast Members Talk Season 2 Finale and What’s Ahead in Season 3
So, we heard that a major character might die. Can you tell us a bit more maybe about that and a bit more about the finale?
BREE TURNER: Ooh. Well, yeah. Can I tell you specifics? No. But someone’s life is definitely in balance, and it’s very, very, very scary to be this person I will say. And I honestly don’t know how we’re going to resolve it in terms of storyline. I’m nervous and excited about how Season 3 is going to begin with this cliffhanger because it’s pretty major.
Monroe was saying that he thinks things are so great. He’s not sure , but it sounds like a dream come true. He almost can’t believe it. Is there strife ahead for Rosalee and Monroe?
BREE TURNER: Oh, it’s “Grimm,” you know. People don’t stay happy very long on this show. And the Rosalee/Monroe romance has had such a beautiful journey this season, [but] let’s be real. Only complications are coming.
You had to film a good portion of Season 2 when you were pregnant. What was that like?
BREE TURNER: Yes, I have been pregnant almost this entire season. And I’ve had to really check my vanity at the door because it’s like been the evolution of my body expanding and then shrinking and being expansive. But it was crazy. It’s been a really, really wild year for me personally, and blending the show in the middle of all this will be something I’ll never forget. That’s for sure.
Well, congratulations! Was it a boy or a girl?
BREE TURNER: A little boy. It’s so funny to think that he was in my belly during all these crazy episodes. And then I went back to work one month later, and I feel like he’s just a part of this show. This little baby. It’s fun.
You spoke a little bit earlier about the fact that part of Rosalee’s legacy from her family is this connection to the Wesen Council. Do you think we’re going to find out more about that and what that could mean for Rosalee?
BREE TURNER: I hope so. We don’t know where the writers are going to take us, but I think that’s a pretty juicy storyline to explore for Rosalee in particular.
In Tuesday’s finale Juliette will take her first real steps into the Grimm world. Rosalee and Juliette are friends so what role do you think Rosalee may play in Juliette’s introduction to Grimm life in Season 3?
BREE TURNER: It’s been such an enjoyable relationship to explore, the Juliette/Rosalee friendship. At the beginning of this relationship I truly felt very, very responsible for her unraveling, considering I gave her the potion that caused her problems. So I think I felt very responsible and protective over her over this last handful of episodes where I’m basically convincing everyone else to get onboard with her evolution because of the personal responsibility I felt.
And so, now that we’re ending the season, there’s obviously more of that new reveal for her, and her involvement in the group will be explored more. I’m excited about that – I’m happy she’s in the know. It’s a well deserved breath of fresh air for everyone just to have her memory back and to have her involved in this world. And also just to have another female’s energy in the group. I think it will bring some lovely new dynamic to the scenes and to the show itself. So I’m excited for us to be a little girl power unit.
What was your favorite episode or season storyline in terms of character development for Rosalee this year?
BREE TURNER: Well, I think it’s the romance this year. It has been really fun and it’s been so sweet and it’s so enjoyable working with Silas that I think that the payoff the fans will receive [tonight] will be well worth the wait.
We’ve really enjoyed watching Rosalee evolve as sort of a guide to help Nick navigate through this world. When you were first cast, did you know the larger story of where Rosalee was going? Has she evolved the way you expected, or have there been some surprises?
BREE TURNER: I knew nothing! I was cast very quickly and on set within 48 hours so I had very little information on anything. I really had to go off of my instinct and also the very thorough and rich character that Jim and David built right off the bat. I don’t think it would have been as successful if they hadn’t have really known who Rosalee was from the beginning. It allowed me to just really dive in with very few questions. In terms of where she’s gone, yeah, I am surprised and pleased because I sort of anticipated more of an attitude maybe with Rosalee just because [in my] first episode, “Island of Dreams,” so much of it was keeping everyone at a distance.
And I think that a lot of her journey towards the end of Season 1 was sort of like slowly warming up to this whole idea of working with the Grimm and being back in this world and using my talents. I definitely needed a focus for myself personally just to like not throw it all away so fast. I mean, it wouldn’t be honest that way.
But now that we ended Season 2, the lightness of Rosalee this season was not maybe what I had seen for her when I auditioned the first day, but being in it, it’s such a right choice to really not have too many complications for her – getting Rosalee established into the group and becoming vulnerable again in her life and really becoming confident with her talents. Now in terms of Season 3, who knows? I think it would be fun to sort of let some skeletons out of the closet a little bit.
That was going to be my next question. You beat me to it. I was going to ask what you’re looking forward to, assuming you live through the finale.
BREE TURNER: Assuming… yeah, exactly! Who knows if I’ll be around? If I am, that would be what I think would be fun to explore.
The webisodes over the winter hiatus were a huge hit with the fans. Are there any more plans for you to do some over the summer hiatus?
BREE TURNER: No, not that have been brought to my attention. But they were really fun to do. It was really enjoyable to kind of have this frothier version of the spice shop where there wasn’t so much peril involved.
Rosalee really brings a lot to the “Grimm” team. She is obviously a good knowledge base. She’s the healer. What would you like to see Rosalee’s role be in the group in the future?
BREE TURNER: In these last two episodes [and] as you’ll see [in the finale], I become much more the authority in the issue at hand. And I really like that choice – there’s no more bumbling through this now. Now I am one of the most powerful apothecaries in the Wesen community. I’m such a research nerd, and I think that was exposed in the “Endangered” episode when I knew everything about the alien creatures. I just love research and history and books. And I think I know a little bit about everything honestly. And I think that would be fun to just sort of have kind of complete total world domination in terms of my skill set. I think I am becoming very powerful that way.
You mentioned that Rosalee is going to be kind of the voice of authority in the apothecary world. Is this going to get her in trouble at all in the finale?
BREE TURNER: Oh yes. It’s a lot of pressure. And I think everyone sort of is starting to look to me for the answers, and I only can do what I can do, you know. So I think yes, it does get me into trouble with what we’re dealing with.
How do you handle all the complicated language like the dialogue, the Wesen names, and all that?
BREE TURNER: Well, number one I just say it the way Silas says it. I just go to Silas now and I say, “How do you pronounce this. How would you say it?” He’s pretty much become the authority on all German Grimmish words. I just try to do it like he does it.
It looks like the group is going to be fighting some zombies in the finale. And I was wondering, now that you have had the baby and you’re up and around and everything, did you have a chance to do a little bit of action is this episode, and is that something you look forward to in the future?
BREE TURNER: Yeah, for sure. That was probably the hardest thing for me when I was pregnant, not being able to do all my own stunts or just being as physical as I like to be. I would do all my own stunts, but NBC doesn’t want me to do that, so… In the finale, yes, Rosalee gets more physically involved for sure in what we’re dealing with. And I’m excited about doing a lot more of that in the future for sure.
Related Story: Images from “Grimm” Season Finale Episode 2.22 – “Goodnight, Sweet Grimm”
You talked about not having done a lot of sci-fi work in your career. Do you watch sci-fi, fantasy, any of this kind of stuff, and what are some of your favorite shows or movies?
BREE TURNER: Growing up, one of my favorite films that was very influential was Clash of the Titans in terms of fantasy genre piece. But the remake? I don’t know… I’m more [a fan] of the original. I love the animatronic quality to the original Clash of the Titans. I definitely feel more excited about sci-fi though now that I’ve been sort of immersed in this world. Like “Warehouse 13” or “Dr. Who” or all these really cool shows [that] weren’t really on my radar before are now suddenly… now I totally get it. I totally get the obsession. Now I’m onboard.
Great! Welcome to our side.
BREE TURNER: Yeah, the club. I’m a card-carrying member now. Thank you.
What would you say makes a career in this industry rewarding for you so far?
BREE TURNER: Having an outside life. If [your career] is everything, you’re going to be very, very sad because it’s actually very unrewarding most of the time. And moments like being on this show are just like lightning in the bottle. What’s happening now is so special, honestly. To be on a show that I sincerely love, working with people that I sincerely care about, loving what I do, having fun, and it’s successful… it’s like this doesn’t happen, you know.
But I feel like it’s so much sweeter now because I’ve been working hard for over 15 years. I’ve dealt with a lot of rejection and now success, but it’s a mixed bag. And now to be in this place and have my family and my children and my husband, I feel like I’m able to really enjoy it in the right way because I also live my life.
Season 2 Finale – Episode 2.22 – “Goodnight, Sweet Grimm” (airing 5/21/13; 10:00-11:00 pm)
THE ROYALS BRING THEIR AGENDA FOR NICK TO PORTLAND – JAMES FRAIN AND SHOHREH AGHDASHLOO GUEST STAR — Just when things look like they’re back to normal with Juliette (Bitsie Tulloch), Nick (David Giuntoli) is called to investigate a flurry of rage-fueled assaults happening all over Portland. He goes to Monroe (Silas Weir Mitchell) and Rosalee (Bree Turner) for help battling Portland’s newest wave of “undead.”
As if that weren’t enough, Captain Renard (Sasha Roiz) informs Nick that his brother Eric (guest star James Frain) is in town on family business. Meanwhile, Stefania (guest star Shohreh Aghdashloo) and Frau Pech methodically use their alliances with Adalind (Claire Coffee) to battle one another. Russell Hornsby and Reggie Lee also star.
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