Not a sci-fi fan? Dark Matter can change that

Dark Matter lead actress, Canadian Melissa O'Neil wasn't a huge science-fiction fan. Now on her third season of the SyFy hit and with multiple Comic-Cons under her belt, however, she sees the power this genre has in uniting fans the world over.
Here she speaks to us from Vancouver about her time on Dark Matter, her career and why she wants to visit Dubai.   

For people who are just about to tune in for the first time, how would you describe your Dark Matter character's journey?
What began in season one as an exploration of what happens when six mercenaries wake up on a ship with no recollection of who they are, where they came from or how they got there, has now expanded a great deal!
Moving into season three, we continue to explore the backstories and continuing arcs of the characters.
The character I have the pleasure of portraying is called 'Two'. She is the captain of the Raza (the ship our crew lives on) and is an intelligent, natural leader who is a master fighter and tends to not suffer fools lightly.
Through the first season, we do end up seeing much of her backstory and, to avoid any spoilers for those who have not yet joined us, suffice it to say, a rather substantial reveal leads Two to question just who she really is. Or, rather, what she is.

What is it you like most about your character and what would you like to change?
Two soldiers on no matter what her state of being (unless, of course, she's incapacitated). It's one of the elements to her personality that I admire most. That said, l wish I could tell her to take a break and let up sometimes. It's okay to escape.

How do you think you'd react if you woke up in the same predicament as Two? Do you think you'd make a good astronaut?
I doubt I'd be as violent but I can't deny that I've a strong personality and am prone to leading the charge.
If we were stranded and no one knew what was going on, and no one was making decisions, organising, and thinking of the logistics of survival - look over here, I'm not talking about it because I'm already on it. Collaboration and discussion can come after we figure out the basics.
 However - I don't think I'd make a great astronaut. I love this Earth so much it makes my heart feel huge in my chest.

How did you become involved with the show?
Dark Matter was my first television show and while I can't say that it was on the cards or certainly anything I ever fantasized about, I do know that I was looking for a way to get back into Canada, I was working in New York at the time and feeling a bit homesick.
As chance would have it - the television agent at the agency where I am represented saw me perform in Les Miserables where I was playing Eponine. Almost a year into my stint on Broadway in New York in the same production, I received a call for a television audition. I screen tested for that one, and then screen tested for another sci-fi show and Dark Matter was my third television audition ever and when we booked the gig - it was a bit hard to believe but gratifying to finally get close AND get it!

Have you been indoctrinated into the Syfy family?
I love attending conventions. The big ones like San Diego Comic-Cons are bizarre because they feel like what must be the biggest press junket on the planet with only a few amazing 'for-the-fans' type experiences.

Were you a fan of sci-fi before this?
I can't say that I was a huge sci-fi fan prior to this. One of my favourite films is The Fifth Element and I did grow up with a lot of Star Trek in the house (any and all incarnations). But - I am a science and technology fan in life so the concepts that are usually discussed in sci-fi are ones that I'm always game to jam on.

What can this show offer an international audience, especially over here in Dubai?
The show has been airing in 85 countries and some of our biggest fans are not even in North America. It continues to amaze me just how far of a reach Dark Matter has.
I think the success of the show comes back to the writing. A show can be expensive, with all the bells, whistles, and trimmings and - trust me, we're got some of our own - but without a solid, compelling story an audience will fade.
Dark Matter offers an escape because in it we follow a group of characters who are leading lives that are, quite literally, out of this world - but it is their human qualities that allow people to see themselves in each moment, in each character and then asking themselves - the viewers - the big question - what would I do?

Have you ever been to Dubai or the UAE?
I have not been! However, during my last Con experience at AwesomeCon in Washington, I had a chance meeting with a lovely person named Khalid during breakfast. He's the CEO at Manuel Market. We have an incredible conversation about pretty much everything under the sun. He'll get a good laugh out of me mentioning him if he ever sees this.
In any event, if his and any of the images of Dubai that I have seen are any indication of what the experience of Dubai is like, I've every intention to visit.

What have you got coming up after this series of Dark Matter?
After Dark Matter wrapped shooting on season three, I flew out to Thailand where I spent a month working on martial arts, taking in the nature and had a particularly memorable time at an elephant conservation park. Aside from that, I am spending the summer in Canada, travelling within my beautiful country when possible, learning new things (working with a pottery wheel and riding a motorcycle are the first two things that come to mind) and a lovely guest feature on a new television show called Condor starring Max Irons and William Hurt which is based on the film Three Days of The Condor.
WHAT DARK MATTER IS ALL ABOUT
Based on the graphic novel created by Joseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie, Dark Matter centers on a crew who awaken on a derelict spaceship with no memories of who they are or how they got there. Facing threats at every turn, they have to work together to survive a voyage fuelled by vengeance, betrayal and hidden secrets.
In the gripping Season 2 finale, the EOS 7 space station is destroyed with members of the team still on board. Season 3 picks up immediately, following the survivors of the bombing as they fight to stay alive and find the rest of their crew.
The series stars Melissa O'Neil, Anthony Lemke, Alex Mallari Jr. and Jodelle Ferland with Roger Cross and Zoie Palmer. Joining the cast this season are Ayisha Issa (12 Monkeys) as Solara Shockley, Mishka Thébaud (Bitten) as Adrian and Andrew Moodie (Trust No One) as Teku.
david@khaleejtimes.com