The Ark: Christina Wolfe and Shalini Peiris talk the series
We always need a doctor and an intriguing character on sci-fi shows. The Ark has them in the form of Christina Wolfe and Shalini Peiris.
When you’re doing a TV series that involves planetary colonization, you know a doctor is needed. Shalini Peiris takes on that role as Dr. Sanjivni Kabir in The Ark. Then you need a character with a lot of secrets and some dark connections. Well, Christina Wolfe has us covered there with Cat Brandice.
Of course, they couldn’t share too much about their characters on the series, especially Wolfe. We need to learn who they are as the show goes on. What we did learn in this interview with the two was what drew them into the series and a few teases of what to expect.
Being drawn into the characters of The Ark
For many, it’s the genre of the show that draws people in. For Peiris, it was all about the character.
"“I instantly connected with Dr. Kabir. I felt a very strong connection with my character and her journey. And I think the story as a whole felt so…at the core of it was a very human story and the relationship between these people. And you’re seeing those relationships develop in real time because they’re all getting to know each other.”"
That is something about this series. While it is set in space and that usually brings the opportunity of planet-hopping and different species and people, The Ark keeps everything contained. Dean Devlin and Jonathan Glassner have brought us a series about people and humanity that just happens to be set in space.
Wolfe continued by sharing something others have echoed about the show. It’s about people coming together.
"“The relationships between the characters were so interesting to me because they were so different, and I was interested in being part of an ensemble drama like this…It’s a story we can all relate to.”"
Teasing the characters where they start off
Wolfe couldn’t share too much about Cat for some very good reasons. She isn’t supposed to be on the ship and has managed to work her way on it. We get to find all this out as the series progresses, and it’s a fun little story.
"“So, Cat finds a way to get on the Ark. She’s not really qualified to be on there in the way that a lot of other characters are. She needs to find a way to survive on there…She does have an agenda of her own, but I can’t talk about that.”"
In the words of River Song…Spoilers!
As for Peiris, she plays the doctor. However, she was never meant to be the main doctor on the ship. She was one of the junior ones who finds herself thrust into a leadership role.
"“I think when she initially signs on for the mission, she is one of the more junior doctors, so she definitely…is very far from the experience required to take on the leadership role…and you see her at that point in her journey from the beginning.”"
It becomes a relentless journey as she comes into her own and shoulders the responsibility of being the new doctor in charge.
Just like Christie Burke, Richard Fleeshman, and Reece Ritchie, the two got two scripts at a time. They talk about that in the interview and what it meant for acting choices.
Take a look at the full interview with Christina Wolfe and Shalini Peiris below:
The Ark airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on SYFY. Catch up on peacothe following day.