Based on a Danish television series, The Killing has splattered onto the AMC Channel now for the current third season. The show is set in Seattle and follows two murder investigators covering 24 hours of the case. The current season has Stephen Holder searching for a runaway girl and a string of murders.
Bex Taylor-Klaus plays Bullet, a tough lesbian living on the streets of Seattle. The actress was raised in Atlanta and started performing in junior high. She spoke with Windy City Times about her breakout role.
Windy City Times: Hi, Bex. Tell me about your name, first of all.
Bex Taylor-Klaus: It is short for Rebecca.
WCT: What is your nationality?
Bex Taylor-Klaus: Wow, that is difficult. My family is from Spain, Cuba, Israel. The family is Jewish and from all over the place.
WCT: So you grew up in the South?
Bex Taylor-Klaus: Yes, sir, in Atlanta, Ga.
WCT: I read you were always athletic.
Bex Taylor-Klaus: I like sports.
WCT: What led you from acting in school to being on a television show?
Bex Taylor-Klaus: I moved out to Los Angeles in August and I started auditioning. I was living with my best friend, her mom and her brother. It was my Cuban family. I was just trying to get a job.
WCT: What attracted you to audition for the character of Bullet?
Bex Taylor-Klaus: I love to audition. It gives you the chance for five minutes to act. I love acting. When reading the character breakdown I got so excited because she seemed like such an interesting character to play. The sides were incredible intriguing and I just got this feeling that this character would be so interesting.
WCT: Did you research people similar to this character?
Bex Taylor-Klaus: When I was in Vancouver I did sit down with a girl on the street and talk to her for a while. One of the things that make Bullet so unique is that she is not like the other street kids. She is not on the streets because she got kicked out of her home or because of drugs. She is on the streets because that is where she belongs. It is where she fits in. That is where people need her. She is there because she wants to be there.
WCT: How did you relate to Bullet?
Bex Taylor-Klaus: It is really funny because I can find a lot of Bullet in myself and the other way around in terms of being a protector and being stubborn. Finding ways I could relate to Bullet was always entertaining for me.
WCT: Did you have to shave your head for the role?
Bex Taylor-Klaus: Yeah—it was fun.
WCT: This is a very heavy show.
Bex Taylor-Klaus: Yes, in the best possible way—the way that it is so real and dark. It is honest in the way that shows never are.
WCT: How is it working with your co-stars?
Bex Taylor-Klaus: Phenomenal. I love them so much. If I said anything bad about any of them it would be a lie. In terms of their personalities they are good, hilarious people. In terms of talent, holy crap!
One thing that I loved is there is a corner of street kids and we got to spend time together when we weren't filming.
WCT: Did you get to work with the actor Elias Koteas?
Bex Taylor-Klaus: Sort of, yes.
WCT: I have like his work for so long.
Bex Taylor-Klaus: I love him! First of all Max Fowler, who plays Twitch, is a major Ninja Turtles fan so we decided we are back-up Ninja Turtles. Max was so excited that Elias was from those movies. I have loved Elias' work but in person he is even more incredible. I love his mind and his philosophies. I loved getting a chance to talk to him.
WCT: Had you been to Canada before prior to filming there?
Bex Taylor-Klaus: I had been to Niagara Falls, Montreal and Quebec with grandmother but this was the first time I had been there for a long time.
WCT: I'm heading up to check out their gay Pride in Toronto.
Bex Taylor-Klaus: That will be fun.
WCT: Do you have big plans for the premiere?
Bex Taylor-Klaus: My family is making me attend a screening for it.
WCT: Are you getting dressed up?
Bex Taylor-Klaus: No. I refuse. If I dress up it will be in the most Bullet-like clothes I can possibly find.
WCT: What is next for you, Bex?
Bex Taylor-Klaus: I am pretty sure I am going to mope around for a little bit. I want to be a teenager and enjoy the sunshine for the first time in months.
I am going to get myself back out there and keep auditioning. I want to work as much as I possibly can but also I want to spend time with my family, friends, and keep being a kid!
The Killing draws blood every Sunday on AMC. Visit www.amctv.com for listings and details.
