An Interview with Natalie Zea (Karen, Dirty Sexy Money)

July, 2007

When the networks deliver their upfront presentations every May, always one or two series really stand out above the others. The upcoming fall, 2007 series are no exception as there are a few shows that we just know are going to be a hit with viewers. Among those series is ABC's Dirty Sexy Money, a show that critics say is Dynasty meets Six Feet Under.

One of the stars of Dirty Sexy Money is Natalie Zea, who portrays Karen Darling, a character sure to out-rival the likes of Alexis and Krystle Carrington. I had the opportunity to chat with the very lovely Natalie Zea about her upcoming role on Dirty Sexy Money and where she sees herself in the future.

Q: You had dreams of acting at a very young age, what do you think inspired this dream?

Natalie: "There was never a particular moment where I had an epiphany. There was a small, apparently very significant moment in high school when I was in drama class and realized it's [acting] harrowing. Especially when you first get into it and you realize the power you have as a performer and you want to keep doing it forever. I'm not exactly sure what inspired me or pushed me to want to do it, it was just sort of built in I think."

Q: Once you began pursuing your dream, how long did it take to land a role?

Natalie: "It took a very long time. I got spoiled in the beginning, right when I got out of college I landed an agent almost immediately and I got the first two things I auditioned for -- granted, they were tiny independent films that never saw the light of day. Then there was a drought for two years where I couldn't get work, I couldn't get commercials, I couldn't get theater work, which was a real bummer because that's why I was in New York. I got a lesson about working hard and being talented and how there are aspects of it that you have no control over."

Q: How did the role of Karen Darling come to you?

Natalie: "Well, I got an audition, and I went, and I got the part. It was in the midst of pilot season, when you have three or four auditions a day just thrown at you and you're having a problem deciphering one from the other. I was having a really bad week, a couple of things had fallen through which I thought were sure things and I went in with the wind knocked out of my sails. I feel like I was sort of fearless, I didn't put any effort into being nervous and I went there and thought this is what I've got, if you don't like it, cool, I'll move on. I guess it worked!"

Q: In a nutshell, what is Dirty Sexy Money?

Natalie: "What I've read is, Dynasty meets Six Feet Under and I feel that part of that is correct. It has the cheese and the fluff that Dallas and Dynasty used to have, but I think it has a lot of depth to it and the combination of the two I think is pretty genius."

Q: Tell is about Karen Darling.

Natalie: "Karen is the kind of animal who will hunt for food while she's painting her fingernails. She's got this intense predatory aspect that is coupled with a genuine, real vulnerability. She's like no one I've ever played before."

Q: Alexis vs. Krystle Carrington: Which character is Karen?

Natalie: "I think she'll be the hybrid offspring of both of those ladies."

Q: I know people are comparing the show to series such as Dynasty, but are there any other series you think are similar to Dirty Sexy Money?

Natalie: "To be totally honest with you, no. I feel like it's more cinematic. I can find more films to compare it to than TV. I feel like its got a strong Royal Tenenbaums influence to it. When we were working on the pilot, the day before shooting began, our brilliant director Peter Horton brought in The Graduate for us to watch the first fifteen minutes so we could get a tone about how it's supposed to be. It's not the same premise, but just the essence and talent of what you feel when you're watching it is what I think they're going for with this show."

Q: If you could be on any other series on television, what would it be?

Natalie: "I'd have to say The Office."

Q: If you could play any role in movie history, what role would you choose?

Natalie: "I would have played Ann Reinking's character in All That Jazz."

Q: Where do you see yourself five years from now?

Natalie: "There are a lot of things, but I'll pluck one out of the pool -- directing. I'm dying to get behind a camera if someone will just give me one. There's just something about the creative control that you just don't get as an actor. I get it, I know there's an expiration date for us ladies in this business and I know I want to stay in this business forever."