In
moving from the comic-book page to the TV screen, Witchblade's Sara Pezzini
has had a bit of a makeover.
The
dashing heroine still possesses the mysterious, superpowered metal glove,
but the busting-out-all-over wardrobe of the popular Top Cow comic book
has been exchanged for the leather duds of a cop who likes to push the
limits on her motorcycle.
''You
can't have a homicide detective running down the street in a metal bra
and 3-inch stilettos,'' jokes Yancy Butler (Brooklyn South), who plays
Pezzini in the TNT series, which premieres tonight (9 ET/PT).
In
Witchblade, Pezzini is a New York detective who comes into contact with
a magical gauntlet and sword that has helped female warriors battle the
forces of darkness through the ages. The Witchblade helps Pezzini fight
criminals, but it also leads to flashes of fantasy, such as a knight in
armor, and conversations with the spirit of her slain police partner (Will
Yun Lee).
Possession
of the glove-weapon also brings a nemesis, billionaire Kenneth Irons (Anthony
Cistaro), and his able subordinate, Ian Nottingham (Eric Etebari).
Witchblade
builds on an August TNT movie of the same name that was the highest-rated
movie during the week it ran. The strong ratings, especially among the
young adults desired by advertisers, influenced the decision to make the
show.
The
series hews more toward reality than the comic book, but it doesn't neglect
the fantasy. Those scenes, which Butler refers to as ''Witchblade flashes,''
are more striking because of the grounding in reality.
''It
makes it that much more weird,'' says Butler, 30, who often puts in 15-hour
shooting days on the Toronto set.
She
especially enjoys the show's humorous elements, such as some of the exchanges
between Pezzini and her new partner, Jake McCartey (David Chokachi). They
flesh out the character, who also will have a love interest, Butler says.
''It's
a very bleak existence. She's lost a lot of the things she loves,'' she
says. ''But there's a great side to her that's playful, caring, cute.''
As
a character-driven series, the TV show concentrates more on Pezzini and
how she deals with the Witchblade than the weapon itself, which is a larger
presence in the comic, says executive producer Ralph Hemecker. Despite
such differences, he believes the comic's fans will enjoy the show, which
coincidentally becomes a series the same week that another Top Cow publication,
Tomb Raider (spun off from the game in 1997), makes its big-screen premiere.
Female
warriors, such as Pezzini and Tomb Raider's Lara Croft, have become hot
in recent years. TNT hopes the action nature of Witchblade will attract
a male audience, and Hemecker believes both men and women will like the
character.
''A
lot of women like Pezzini because she's this woman warrior. A lot of guys
like her because she's tough and she's funny,'' says Hemecker, who believes
Butler will add to that appeal.
''In
addition to being a phenomenal actress, Yancy is also an athlete'' who
does many of her own stunts, Hemecker says. In the pilot, she broke a toe,
he says.
Butler,
who appeared in the action movies Hard Target and Drop Zone, says she enjoys
stunt work.
''I'll
try anything twice,'' she laughs. ''It's quite intense, but you do it because
you want it to look that much more real.''
