Emily Beecham - Episode 170
Emily Beecham, aka Minerva. Image courtesy of AMC and Into the Badlands
Miss Emily Beecham plays Minerva (aka The Widow) on the AMC Martial Arts show, Into The Badlands.
Miss Emily Beecham - Episode 170
I was blessed to have AMC approach us and inquire about interviews for both Miss Emily Beecham and Mr. Daniel Wu.
Of course, we said yes, and did what we could to make schedules work (which, as you might imagine, was a bit difficult due to their extensive commitments.) It was an honor to speak with Miss Beecham, and we get some good insight into her character, Minerva, better known as The Widow. We discuss what it's like on set, her injuries, the way she views her character, and a lot more. It's a fun conversation and one that gives you some great behind-the-scenes information into not only her life but her character and the show overall.
Enjoyed this episode? Why not check out the book, A Journey Into the Badlands: Conversations with Three Stars from the Acclaimed TV Show
Season 2 of Into the Badlands premieres on AMC Sunday, March 19th. You can check out everything you might want to know on the show's website, here.
Emily Beecham Podcast Interview
Jeremy Lesniak:
Hello, everyone, and thanks for tuning in. This is Episode 170 of whistlekick Martial Arts Radio. And today we're joined by Miss Emily Beecham, one of the stars of AMC’s show into the Badlands. We're going to do things a little bit differently today. If you look at your podcast feed or if you join us on the website, you'll see that we actually have two episodes released today, both of them interviews, but yet it's a Thursday, why are we doing this? Because AMC was kind enough to come to us and say, “Hey, we would love to get Miss Beecham and Mr. Daniel Wu on the show. Can we make that happen?” And of course, as a fan of the show, I said yes, over the last couple of days, I had a chance to talk to each of them. We're releasing both of these episodes today. And I encourage you to check out Episode 171 with Mr. Daniel Wu. And we've got this episode here with Miss Emily Beecham. We separated them out. They're shorter, but we did kind of dig deep, and you get a real up close personal look at both of the stars of one of my favorite TV shows. Miss Beecham and I did have a little bit of technical difficulty. We tried recording over Skype. And you can hear at the very beginning, I kept part of that conversation. But we ended up having to switch over to a phone call where we finished up, I appreciate her willingness to be flexible, and we had a good talk. So, I hope you enjoy it. This is me and Miss Emily Beecham. Miss Beecham. How are you?
Emily Beecham:
Great. Good. Thank you. How are you?
Jeremy Lesniak:
I'm doing wonderfully. Thank you. I appreciate your time. I know our listeners are really going to enjoy this.
Emily Beecham:
Yes, no, you're welcome. Yeah. I'm just trying to find a quiet place.
Jeremy Lesniak:
All right. No worries.
Emily Beecham:
Running around the flat. They’re shouting, sorry. I've found a quiet place. And we can totally run over if you want. Because I feel bad about my connection being so crap. So, you know, I mean...
Jeremy Lesniak:
I’m not going to turn that offer down.
Emily Beecham:
Jeremy Lesniak:
Hello, everyone, and thanks for tuning in. This is Episode 170 of whistlekick Martial Arts Radio. And today we're joined by Miss Emily Beecham, one of the stars of AMC’s show into the Badlands. We're going to do things a little bit differently today. If you look at your podcast feed or if you join us on the website, you'll see that we actually have two episodes released today, both of them interviews, but yet it's a Thursday, why are we doing this? Because AMC was kind enough to come to us and say, “Hey, we would love to get Miss Beecham and Mr. Daniel Wu on the show. Can we make that happen?” And of course, as a fan of the show, I said yes, over the last couple of days, I had a chance to talk to each of them. We're releasing both of these episodes today. And I encourage you to check out Episode 171 with Mr. Daniel Wu. And we've got this episode here with Miss Emily Beecham. We separated them out. They're shorter, but we did kind of dig deep, and you get a real up close personal look at both of the stars of one of my favorite TV shows. Miss Beecham and I did have a little bit of technical difficulty. We tried recording over Skype. And you can hear at the very beginning, I kept part of that conversation. But we ended up having to switch over to a phone call where we finished up, I appreciate her willingness to be flexible, and we had a good talk. So, I hope you enjoy it. This is me and Miss Emily Beecham. Miss Beecham. How are you?
Emily Beecham:
Great. Good. Thank you. How are you?
Jeremy Lesniak:
I'm doing wonderfully. Thank you. I appreciate your time. I know our listeners are really going to enjoy this.
Emily Beecham:
Yes, no, you're welcome. Yeah. I'm just trying to find a quiet place.
Jeremy Lesniak:
All right. No worries.
Emily Beecham:
Running around the flat. They’re shouting, sorry. I've found a quiet place. And we can totally run over if you want. Because I feel bad about my connection being so crap. So, you know, I mean...
Jeremy Lesniak:
I’m not going to turn that offer down.
Emily Beecham:
to challenge the system. So, she's a very brave and strong character. And yeah, that's a really interesting role to play. I'm really interested and you know, [00:04:06:00:04:07]. So much you could say about her, really? Yeah, she... Yeah, she's a very complicated character. And she's always making very unpredictable decisions. So, she's a nonconformist, and she's was an improviser, I guess. Yeah. She was making unusual moves. Yeah, I think she's a really interesting character to play because she's such a challenge to all these other strong roles that are in the show. And she's a force to be reckoned with.
Jeremy Lesniak:
That's a good way to put it a force to be reckoned with it, obviously into the Badlands as a martial arts show. least that's how I see it. And yeah, she is a martial arts character. I mean, just larger than life figure. Did the martial arts aspects to the role attract you to it?
Emily Beecham:
Yes, absolutely. I've never... This is the first action, a martial art show, I've ever done. So completely new to the experience. So that was really exciting. And there are so many elements of the character in the show that were really appealing as a really unique show. I thank the whole creative team because they come from very different or they will have very different styles and I feel when put together, [00:05:47-00:05:49] and the Hong Kong fight team. And the producers who made a lot of time to know and an hour mile for showrunners writers of the show. They created Smallville and then the fight team. They've worked a lot in Hong Kong. Doing amazing. Hong Kong martial arts movies are the fusion together with [00:06:16-00:06:18] mix. So yeah, so it was really appealing. And of course, the fight training was a really excellent experience. And yeah, get to experience that kind of thing often. So yeah, the whole thing was a strong pull.
Jeremy Lesniak:
Who's your favorite person to match up against in a fight scene on the show?
Emily Beecham:
In a fight? Or...
Jeremy Lesniak:
Yeah because you get to work with a bunch of different characters, you know, a bunch of different actors.
Emily Beecham:
Yeah. They're really hard to compare them because they're so completely different. And it'd be impossible to compare. Marton plays Quinn. Ally is still there. But there's so many different relationships with different peoples. All the characters have so many different dynamics. So, they're all, you know, really excellent. And then, you know, I have really enjoyed. I work a lot with Ally. And I've worked a lot
more with Marton this season. So, they all work in very different ways. And it's all been really fun. And what was your question? I think all from many tangents and then I wonder what were the
Jeremy Lesniak:
Tangents are the foundation of the show. So, I'm never going to reel you back. You may be used to that in other interviews. I don’t do that at all.
Emily Beecham:
Yeah.
Jeremy Lesniak:
Who's your favorite? Really? And maybe you're being political, maybe you don't want to play favorites?
Emily Beecham:
Well, I'm not being political. I just... Yes, I'm so different and hard to couldn't really compare them. Who's my favorite character? Or in what sense like a...?
Jeremy Lesniak:
Well, I guess I would imagine, you know, as a martial artist when I get to work with certain people in my training, I am more excited...
Emily Beecham:
Are you talking about fight?
Jeremy Lesniak:
Yes.
Emily Beecham:
Who I enjoy fighting with? Well, Ally's greater in fight with because she is the same size as me. When you're fighting with somebody who's double your size, it’s really hard. I also love fighting with the stunt team because they're so skilled and they really know what they're doing and [00:08:45-00:08:46] and you know, obviously it's easier to fight with somebody who's a professional. Yeah, but I do enjoy fighting with them. Yeah, with Ally and... Everyone's so different to fight with, really. Yeah, I fought with few people. Yeah, I enjoy fighting. You know, the men, there are an awful lot stronger than me.
Jeremy Lesniak:
What's that?
Emily Beecham:
I mean I'm a little more exhausted by the end of the fight because it's a lot harder to find somebody who's not especially with, you know, the sword fights because, yeah, you have to put more pressure into it. So, you don't get a sword across your face.
Jeremy Lesniak:
Do you like working with the weapons?
Emily Beecham:
Yes, I do. Yeah, I've worked a lot more with the Katanas this season, which are harder for me than the daggers because well, the daggers are lighter in weight. And you know the Katanas, you have to watch your spacing more especially in the locations because we did find some really unusual locations and some cramped spaces and different spaces. So, the weapons often get caught on things. So, that's a real challenge. But also, you know, you need a lot of strength to hold these weapons because, you know, they get heavier because they're larger. I don't want any different. My personal favorite is a dagger because I like moving with it which is much trickier but different.
Jeremy Lesniak:
Yeah. And as you said, they're heavier and of course, anybody that's swung a sword around for more than two or three swings...
Emily Beecham:
Yes. Yeah.
Jeremy Lesniak:
How would you describe your characters fighting style?
Emily Beecham:
[00:10:58-00:11:00] that have contradictions? Yeah. [00:11:10-00:11:12] sharp and quick. That Sarah? Yeah, I think that passion survives the fights with people who are stronger than her. And agility. Strength.
Jeremy Lesniak:
Have you been hurt on set?
Emily Beecham:
I did a couple of times this season. Yeah. But also, the climate in Ireland is a lot colder than New Orleans where we shot season one. So, you can pull muscles really easily. So, you have to make sure you're warmed up, which is quite tricky when you're filming 13-hour days, like 60 weeks, you know, you can't obviously be warming up [00:11:53-00:11:55] just making sure looking after your body and timing the warm ups and yeah, I could have a bust on the nose and pulled my neck and then I have sprained an ankle as well. So, it was quite eventful the season but just ice them. We have videos on set and doing the exercise carrying on exercising muscles and then they prepare themselves quickly and staying relaxed keeping them off as last year. Yeah, it was fine. I have learning experience.
Jeremy Lesniak:
You do, listeners may not know, but you do from what I understand, the majority of your stunts, the majority of your fight scenes.
Emily Beecham:
I yeah, I do quite a lot. We have amazing... I have an amazing stunt double this season called [00:12:44-00:12:46] who is really incredible. So, she doesn't have the wire work and the triple backflips because I think you know, time issue as well because there's so much going on, you know, when we were shooting so much. To stop my shooting. So, shooting something probably six-day weeks, you know, so, if there's no time off to keep rehearsing, and all that safely so, she takes care of a lot of those, but we keep the dialogue. So we can, I can try and do as much as I can. And she's really supportive. So, she helps me out and makes sure I know what I'm doing and I'm doing everything safely. So, yeah. I do the majority of that but yeah, she does some insane stuff. Amazing, insane things.
Jeremy Lesniak:
It's an intense show and you're playing an intense character in it. You know, just hearing you talk about shooting that sounds intense as well. And as you're talking about it, there's almost a reverence coming through in your voice. Do you thrive in that kind of environment? Is that part of who you are?
Emily Beecham:
I do. Yeah, I do. I do enjoy it. Yeah, it's a challenge you know, you have a lot of stamina. And yeah, and you know, you have to know how to look after yourself because it's physically and strenuous. The hours coupled with the physical side of it. I do. Yeah, I do. I do enjoy it. Yeah, I do enjoy it quite a lot. I was just going to say I have a tougher side with Japan which probably the widow appealed to me and then I think Daniel might use me if he has anything that was looking for me quite a while. It's a bit hesitant to claim that I'm actually quite shut off. I think they might take the Mickey out of me. They think I'm [00:14:57-00:14:58]. I think I'm quite tough, but I think the [00:15:03-00:15:10]. There is another level.
Jeremy Lesniak:
Well, it's pretty hard to get to their level. I mean, you know, Daniel was, yeah, martial artist, and...
Emily Beecham:
Like, come on, you can do it.
Jeremy Lesniak:
Does he tease you often?
Emily Beecham:
Oh, no, not Daniel. No, no. Well, the stunt team, you know, they're so strong and so much stamina, you know? I mean, actress. Yeah, it's a different, it's a different level.
Jeremy Lesniak:
What's been most different about your shooting experience within to the Badlands versus the other projects you've worked on?
Emily Beecham:
Um, well, the whole show, the whole experience on Badlands is much more intense. Because we are doing, we have two units at once all the time, we have the fighting unit that shoots at the same time as the main drama unit. And then often, for instance, on Penny Dreadful, there were three different drama units going on at once. And so, when we had several drama units going on at once, at one point, we did have three drama units at once. So, that was four units. And when you're in a lot of the scenes, that's really nonstop. So, it is another level. But I think with these very large-scale productions like Badlands. It's a lot larger scale than anything else I've done before. I think I'm guessing that's the norm really. So, I think they often have a lot of units and a lot of traveling, a lot of....Yeah, it's very committed. I didn't think people are aware of that, actually, when people do. Especially if you want to play a leader, I just imagine what it must be like playing that often that black, often black role that really realized what a massive commitment that that must have been for.... What is the actress’ name...? She's amazing. Yeah.
Jeremy Lesniak:
Well, I'm noticing the clock.
Emily Beecham:
[00:17:56-00:17:58]
Jeremy Lesniak:
I'm noticing the clock and I don't want the press team to get mad at me for keeping you too long or anything, you know, hope that we can have you back again, for season three, you know, for pro events. I respect your time. And I appreciate you being on the show today. I appreciate you spending some time and talking with me. And I'm sure that all the listeners are going to be least, they better be tuning in for the premiere on March 19.
Emily Beecham:
Great, thank you. It's nice to talk to you.
Jeremy Lesniak:
Thank you. Have a great rest of your day.
Emily Beecham:
Thank you. Bye.
Jeremy Lesniak:
Take care. Bye, bye. I enjoyed my time with Miss Beecham. And I felt like I got a little bit of a behind the scenes perspective on what it's like being on a martial arts television set. And as someone who isn't, by really our definition of martial artists, I think she does a great job representing the martial arts. If you've seen the character, if you've seen the show, you know what I'm talking about. If you haven't, you've got a little bit of time to catch up before Season Two premieres. And I hope you do. It's one of the few shows that I am in front of the TV, not watching it, you know later on DVR. It's a great show. And if you're a fan of martial arts action, really, we should be supporting the show as a community. Just because we want it to be there. We want more stuff like this to be there, don't we? So, check it out AMC, March 19, Into the Badlands. Don't forget to check out Episode 171 with Mr. Daniel Wu, another star from the show. And if you want to check out what we offer at whistlekick, or check out the show notes where we've got a bunch of pictures and other promotional items for season two for Into the Badlands, whistlekickmartialartsradio.com. Thanks for listening. Until next time, train hard, smile and have a great day.