Exclusive interview with Anna Hopkins

December 18, 2019 | Anna Hopkins plays Lilith in season 3 of Freeform's "Shadowhunters", which is based on the books by Cassandra Clare. In our interview we talk about Anna's experiences working on the show and the development and feelings of her character.

Foto: Anna Hopkins - Copyright: Shalan and Paul
Anna Hopkins
© Shalan and Paul

Note: © myFanbase 2019 - The interview is exclusive to myFanbase and may not be published on other websites or the like. You may share the first two questions (up to 180 words) if you link back to this site. Translations other than English and German may be posted with full credit including the link to this site.

1. How did you get into acting? Is there a project which is particularly dear to you?

I began acting in high school and booked my first job when I was 18 on a mini-series called "Human Trafficking" starring Donald Sutherland and Mira Sorvino. I learned a ton on that show and went to Prague to shoot. It was an incredible first project, especially because it brought to light the extraordinarily horrific world of human trafficking that is still in full force today.


2. A question on "Arrow": What are your thoughts on Oliver and Samantha's relationship? Could you share a memorable moment from working on the tv show?

I have such fond memories of working on "Arrow", mostly because Stephen was such a great guy to work with, welcoming me in with a lot of warmth. I always thought Sam and Oliver's relationship was a special one as you don't often see on tv a former romantic relationship that becomes simply a co-parenting situation (of course this was cut short!) But there was a mutual respect between Sam and Oliver that I admired.

3. What drew you to audition for the role of Lilith in "Shadowhunters"? How did the casting process go?

The showrunners of "Shadowhunters" were also the showrunners of a show I worked on called "Defiance", so I had a great working history with them. But at first the network thought I may be too young to play Lilith, as they had pictured her older, but Todd and Daren and Matt Hastings really loved my audition and believed that I could bring Lilith to life in the way they had envisioned.

4. Did you enjoy playing a malicious demon like Lilith? What's most fun about it? And how did you prepare for such a role?

Of course I did! Lilith was one of the most fun roles I've ever played. She really was deliciously evil. Her wardrobe was a fantastic bonus as well. To prepare I read up on the mythology of Lilith in various religions and traditions, and also read the Shadowhunters book for the season I was going to do. And I watched all the seasons leading up to 3. I only had about 2 weeks so it was a crash course for sure!

5. In the Shadowhunter's version of Lilith, she is in some way the mother of Jonathan Morgenstern but they have a special and different mother-son-relationship. How would you describe their connection?

Well she in a sense takes him in, adopts him. But as she is a very dark, damaged character, the way she shows her love is actually quite manipulative. At its core, you could argue she in a sense abuses him, making him fear her in order to keep him close. But if you ask her, she'd of course just say she loves him more than anything.

Foto: Anna Hopkins - Copyright: Shalan and Paul
Anna Hopkins
© Shalan and Paul

6. Lilith obviously dislikes the Shadowhunters and their friends. Who do you think she hates the most in the first half of season 3?

Definitely Jace, because of what he did to Jonathan. So I think Jace is really her main focus, and if she can get rid of the others then that's a cherry on top for her.

7. Jonathan's attempt to murder her definitely has an impact. What does she feel in this moment when she discovers that he wants her dead? Do you believe she would kill him in revenge if she had the chance?

I think she's completely heartbroken but again, because she is such a sinister character, her being heartbroken manifests as pure rage and a desire for revenge.

8. Which of the character traits of Lilith would you like to have been explored a little bit more? And which character should she have more scenes with?

I would've loved to see how she would have dealt with Jonathan after he tried to kill her. I think there would've been room for a lot of complexity with her, as she would really be conflicted as to how to handle him. And I think Lilith and Clary should've had more scenes, I think there was something really interesting that came out of both the characters in their scenes together near the end of 3.

9. If you could rewrite her destiny or her ending, would you do it and in which way?

I loved the way they wrote her ending in the show, I think they did a wonderful wrap up of the series.

10. Do you have any upcoming projects you would like to tell us more about?

Yes! I'm currently shooting season 5 of "The Expanse", playing journalist Monica Stuart. It's going to be a crazy season, stay tuned :)

Thank you so much for making time for us, Anna, we wish you all the best!

Ceren K. - myFanbase

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