Author: Emma Loggins
Date: 2008-07-14

Interview:
We had the honor of sitting down with Gina Ravera on her recent visit to Atlanta for The Closer premiere party. We sat down with the star at the W hotel in Midtown to talk about the series, her character, and her career. Here's what she had to say:

What can you tell us about the new season of The Closer? What can fans look forward to?

Ravera: We watched the progression of everyone coming together. That was season one. They're a family now. This season is about power, the lack of it, and trying to have control when you don't have any at all.

Season 2 starts out with a murder and a huge fire in Griffith Park. Kyra's character, Brenda Leigh Johnson basically loses her mind, because she can't control a natural disaster. As fans of the show know, Brenda is an absolute control freak. There's also a new character, who is a reporter. He's brought into the force to put a positive spin on LAPD, and it goes completely the opposite.

With my character, Irene Daniels, her relationship with Gabriel has been pretty quiet on-screen, but the relationship is taking a turn. It takes a pretty volatile turn, and it upsets the order of the squad room. So all of the things that Brenda was concerned would happen... well they do happen. We also have characters that find out how little power they really do have.

Any guest stars we can look forward to?

Ravera: You know everyone always wants to hear what it's like to work with Kyra. She's wonderful, but this show is really about the guest stars. It's the showcase of talent that hasn't gotten its chance to have a lead role and shine.

So upcoming guest stars, we have Daniel Baldwin and Jennifer Coolidge. Jennifer is actually in my favorite episode; it's a case about a murder for hire. And in this murder for hire, you get everything. There's nothing better than the comedic stuff between Proenza and Flynn. In this episode, it's actually questioned whether or not Proenza still has a place on the squad because of his age, and whether or not he can still offer anything.

So that's your favorite episode that is coming up?

Ravera: Yeah, I love Jennifer in it. She's hilarious. In the middle of the reading, I was busting up a thousand times. I had to make myself be serious.

You've done so many projects over the years. What's been different about Irene as compared to the other characters you've played?

Ravera: I'm very passionate and very expressive. I've played dancers and freaks. I'm from San Francisco, and I definitely put that part of my personality on-screen. This character, Daniels, is far more reserved than I've ever played. It was very difficult to play someone who was so buttoned down, so straight. Can I tell you... back problems! From just the suit alone... Folks who wear a suit, I have mad respect for, because the heels and suit every day [makes a pained expression while holding her back]. It's difficult not expressing the way that I feel. I'm someone who doesn't really edit a lot. I don't really have a good edit button [laughs]. This character really has to keep things very chilled and do her job. The truth is that it's a male dominated field, and you have to be perceived as someone who can handle whatever comes her way in the same manner that a man can.