Appearing
in practically every scene of the new TNT series "Witchblade," Yancy Butler
admits she's "pretty beat. We have never probably worked less than a 14-hour
day. We have definitely gone up to 18 hours. And by the time I go home
and memorize the next day's lines, it's 19 hours. But I have been motivationally
jazzed."
TNT aired a two-hour pilot for "Witchblade," based on the best-selling
Top Cow comic book, last summer. The first of 11 hourlong episodes kicks
off today at 9 p.m.
A cross between "NYPD Blue" and gothic fantasy, "Witchblade" follows the
adventures of Sara Pezzini (Butler), a tough, honorable and sensitive New
York detective whose search for justice brings her in contact with an ancient
weapon. The Witchblade is so powerful that it can battle all of the Earth's
darkest elements.
Since prehistoric time, the Witchblade has picked women of incredible power
to wear it. Though possessing the Witchblade gives Sara even more powers,
she also must learn to harness its abilities.
David Chokachi plays her partner, Jake McCartey; Anthony Cistaro is Kenneth
Irons, a billionaire intent on possessing the Witchblade; Eric Etebari
plays Irons' mysterious cohort, Ian Nottingham; and Will Yun Lee is Sara's
slain former partner, who has become a ghostly guardian.
Executive producer Ralph Hemecker admits it has been tricky to balance
the realistic and fantasy elements of the series.
"I am calling it 'gothic verite' because you want to keep the gothic-supernatural,
sometimes sci-fi elements going as well as the reality," he says.
"It doesn't look silly," says Butler. "The great thing is, the audience
is finding out with Sara what this thing can do."
As an example, Butler singles out a scene in the movie in which Sara walks
into her precinct and sees a knight in shining armor.
"If this was a fantasy-based show, it wouldn't be as odd," says the actress.
"But we are juxtaposing these two totally different worlds, and that is
what makes it different and cool."
