Yancy
Butler might be a major wimp. But onscreen, as a New York City detective
Sara Pezzini, she smolders.
And, as she battles the forces of evil that continue to spring up in this
crazy, mixed-up world, Butler possesses a most important ingredient --
believability to go with beauty. It is Butler's athleticism that allows
the TNT series "Witchblade" to work.
"Witchblade," based on the Top Cow comic book about a female cop with a
magic bracelet, debuts tonight at 8 on TNT.
What began last year as a one-shot, made-for-television movie, proved popular
enough with viewers for the network to bring back Butler's character.
"It's funny," the throaty-voiced Butler said, "though it was touted as
a movie of the week, I would have been pleased and proud had it been made
as a pilot. It was not cheesy, and I found something particularly good
in every frame."
As an action series, "Witchblade" is brimming with leaps, tumbles and "how
did we do that" "Matrix"-like 360-degree viewpoint sequences. Butler had
to learn to react to characters and special effects that would be added
in post production.
This includes being encased in metal.
"I don't have a lot of time to train," she said. "It's more like baptism
by fire. I like doing a lot of that stuff. The director is always saying,
'Yance, can you do this?' Why have a stunt woman?"
An important piece of Butler's costume is a Mary Martin-style rig. The
device, which allowed Martin to fly through the air as "Peter Pan," slings
the actor all over the set.
"I've thrown punches in other shows," said Butler. "But I'm learning so
much from this show."
Pezzini and the bracelet unwittingly join forces during a shootout that
erupts while she is investigating a museum break-in. As the detective stares
down the business end of an automatic weapon, the ancient bracelet leaps
from its case and attaches itself to Pezzini's arm. The bracelet becomes
a weapon and a shield.
Part of the fun comes as Pezzini continues to discover how her new adornment
works. In tonight's series premiere, she has a new partner, Jake (David
Chokachi), while her slain partner Danny (Will Yun Lee), returns as a guardian
spirit.
And while Pezzini faces a police review board for her alleged role in a
murder case, an enigmatic billionaire (Anthony Cistaro) bent on possessing
Witchblade, becomes her protector and pursuer.
For Butler, used to working in productions for major networks (NBC's "Brooklyn
South"), having a cable series is as enjoyable as it is new.
"I used to think that working for a network was the be all and end all,"
said Butler. "Then, with 'The Sopranos' and 'Sex in the City,' work on
cable has become so broad. Now people look forward to working on a cable
channel. We have more license to be creative, and not just in terms of
language or nudity, but in content.
"I enjoy the character, who has nuances and is sexy, vulnerable and can
kick ass. If we went for five years, I wouldn't be happier."
While Butler has successfully made the transition to action hero, there
is one difference between the comic book and the television Sara.
"In the comic book, her measurements are quite perfect," said Butler with
a laugh. "And I can't run in stiletto heels. In the comic book she can.
I wear sensible shoes."
