In today's Sci-Fi Blast From The Past, Brandy Ledford talks about booking her role as the kick-ass government agent Alex Monroe in The Invisible Man.
She went mad on Poltergeist: The Legacy, died on The Outer Limits and played a sexy alien temptress who seduced unsuspecting human males on First Wave. Nowadays, Brandy Ledford is busy fighting the bad guys as Alex Monroe on The Invisible Man. If you were to look in the dictionary under “super agent” Alex’s name would most likely be there. A U.S. government agent with a five-star-A rating, she is an expert in everything from weapons to surveillance, sabotage, seduction and infiltration. Last seen as Dawn Masterson on Baywatch Hawaii, Ledford was hoping her next TV series role would be one in which she could make use of both her brains and beauty. Her wish came true in the form of Alex Monroe.
“As soon as I read the breakdown for Alex Monroe I fell in love with the character. I even liked her name,” laughs Ledford. “I’m so thrilled to be playing this role. Some casting directors and producers have a tough time believing that an actress that had been on Baywatch would be capable of taking on a part like Alex Monroe. Usually it’s, ‘Oh, she’s from that program. Can she act?’ Well, yes, I can, and people knew that I could before I did Baywatch, you know? I mean, someone like Yasmine Bleeth was so lucky to be cast on Nash Bridges. The produces of that show realized that she was talented as well as good looking. Please believe me, I’m not trying to knock Baywatch. I learnt a lot while I was on the series. It’s just that afterwards I had to work that much harder in order to prove myself.
“I really wanted the part of Alex on The Invisible Manbecause I knew I could do it. She’s a tough cookie and can kick major butt. I have a green belt in kickboxing, so that worked in my favour. Without sounding politically incorrect, I can shoot a gun. Not that I love guns, just that I’m comfortable working with them. So Alex gets to do all these things plus she’s intelligent. I have to say, though, I became even more interested in the role after I met Vincent Ventresca [Darian Fawkes a.k.a. The Invisible Man]. He gave 150% of himself when he read with me during my audition. I thought, “I’d have so much fun working with this man.” Then when I got the job and came down to San Diego and met Paul Ben-Victor [Agent Bobby Hobbes] and the rest of the cast I knew that things were going to be great.”
Trained as a dancer from the age of five, Ledford was a member of her high school’s championship dance team. She and her classmates travelled the States and performed at such places as the 1984 Olympics, The Rose Bowl and even Dodger’s Stadium. Although the actress loved the craft she did not think it was financially wise to pursue dancing as a long-term career. After graduating high school, Ledford modelled for a while but soon became bored, so she began to study acting. She made her debut in the 1993 feature film Demolition Man starring Sylvester Stallone and Wesley Snipes.
“I was so nervous and excited when I got to the Warner Bros. lot,” says the actress. “All I had were two lines to deliver and I wanted to make sure I did it right. I think I ended up doing thirteen takes for my one scene. I was very green back then and not that confidant an actress. However, I remember sitting in my trailer waiting to go before the camera and knowing this [acting] was what I truly wanted to do. When I walked onto the set and saw the lights, cables, grip gear, and, of course, all the people, it just felt like home, and I still get that same feeling whenever I start work on a new film or TV project.”
On TV, Ledford has guest-starred on such series as The Drew Carey Show, Walker, Texas Ranger, High Tide and Silk Stalkings. She also had a recurring role on The George Carlin Show and was a regular on the Canadian drama Fast Track (along with First Wave star Sebastian Spence). The actress first appears on The Invisible Man in the second-season episode The Camp. It is obvious from the beginning that Alex Monroe is anything but a shrinking violet.
“She walks right into The Official’s [Eddie Jones] office and says, ‘I’m here. I’m working for The Agency now. My office is one floor up and on the side of the building with a view if you want to come on by.’ Alex isn’t welcome,” notes Ledford. “My character is there without The Official’s approval but he can’t do a thing about it. She has friends in high places and they’ve arranged for her transfer to this department. In this story, we learn that the most important person in Alex’s life has been taken from her. She needs The Agency’s resources, in particular Darien Fawkes, to find him.
“Of all The Invisible Man episodes I’ve done so far, The Campis still my favourite. Not only is it a solid story but it also helps viewers as well as Darien and Hobbes to understand why Alex is here. It unfolds in a beautiful and emotional way and the ending is quite moving because my character doesn’t find who she’s looking for. Greg Yaitanes directed this episode as well as the second one I’m in, Johnny Apocalypse. He’s a great director and does a terrific job of drawing you into the story by using interesting camera angles and moves.”
Having worked only with each other in the field for over a year, it takes Fawkes and Hobbes time to get used to having a third wheel along for the ride. “I think Hobbes is initially rather intrigued with Alex,” says the actress. “He tries to come on to her and she doesn’t want anything to do with him in that way. As for Darien, he’s extremely skeptical of Alex until later on in The Campwhen he discovers she’s much more than just a pretty face. It’s only then that he and Hobbes begin to garner respect for her, and visa versa. Of course, that doesn’t mean that the three of them won’t continue to butt heads,” laughs Ledford.
“I find Alex’s relationships with The Official and The Keeper [Shannon Kenny] just as interesting,” she adds. “The Official doesn’t take crap from people and here’s Alex giving it to him. I think that’s hard for her because she respects the man, but because of circumstances is forced to go over his head. When it comes to The Keeper, Alex needs her as an ally. Personally, Shannon and I get on very well, and we want both our characters to do the same. They’re two professionals that are learning to work together. We don’t want any cat fights or other Melrose Place-type dramatics on this show.”
Besides The Invisible Man, Ledford can be seen this summer on the big screen in Rat Race, and also in the HBO erotic thriller Zebra Lounge. Like Alex Monroe, the actress knows what she likes, especially when to comes to performing in front of the cameras. “I’m my own worst critic,” she says. “Usually when I watch myself I’m disappointed. I enjoy being in the moment far more. For me, one of the most rewarding parts of this job is going home at the end of the day and knowing that I gave my all to the work.”
Steve Eramo
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