Stargate Universe actress Ming-Na has been doing the interview rounds this week, with tonight’s episode “Life” marking the first major outing for her character, Camille Wray.
A short kino recording earlier in the season gave the first hint that Camille is gay — the first openly gay character on Stargate. In “Life,” she’ll have the chance to visit Earth and see her long-time partner, Sharon (played by 24’s Reiko Aylesworth).
“I felt that it would be a challenge on a social level, but on a personal level as an actor, it’s like any other job,” the actress told The Huffington Post. “I’m just trying to understand who she is, what her strengths are, where she’s coming from, what her greatest fears are and what her motivation is from day to day. So as far as those challenges are concerned, it’s pretty much the same. Except I’ve never kissed a woman before, on or off camera, so that was the only other new challenge.”
It’s the first time playing a lesbian for both Aylesworth and Ming-Na, who took it as a professional challenge. “When it was presented to me I felt it was a new challenge as an actor,” she told After Ellen. “I’ve never played a lesbian before and I thought it was very fitting for her character.”
Ming-Na also talked about Camille Wray and tonight’s episode in a new interview video from TV Guide:
Whatever the show’s writers may have in store for Camille’s future, Ming-Na is confident in them. “The great thing that I know and that I’m positive about is that the writers from Stargate Universe, all of them, are so respectful and for this series they want to draw out great characters who have real emotional issues and things that happen to them that people can relate to,” she said. “I fully trust what their sensibilities are, the stories they want to tell.”
For more from Ming-Na on tonight’s episode and Stargate’s portrayal of a gay character, check out her new interviews with The Huffington Post, After Ellen, and Planet Out.
“Life” airs tonight at 9 p.m. (8 Central) on Syfy Channel in the U.S., and at 10 p.m. on SPACE in Canada! Look for it on Sky1 in the U.K. on Tuesday, and head to GateWorld Forum to tell us what you think of the episode after it airs!
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I’m looking forward to seeing this episode and watching more of the wonderful Ming-Na at work and seeing the character of Camille Wray explored more.
Alan | November 20 @ 10:47 pmYeah…
Never associate Stargate and the Huffington Post…
ever again…
please…
Vladius | November 21 @ 2:43 pmSorry to say this but I had thes episode seen when i clicked through it within 10 Minutes.
the sciFi part was around 5 Minutes and thanks Cencorship my other Post never mad it here were I said
arnoldrimmer | November 21 @ 2:50 pm5 Min SciFi
40 b…….
This was the best episode of SGU so far, and not because it depicted a lesbian relationship, although I enjoy seeing the full spectrum of humanity presented in any media.
It was the best because it had the most payoffs, the best writing so far, some interesting choices. It had some faults, but overall, this was the first episode of SGU so far that had me smiling and thinking “more please!” at the end.
Damek | November 21 @ 3:31 pmYes. Do associate Stargate with Huffington Post
Gaeth | November 21 @ 4:01 pmagain please. Any press is appreciated, regardless of the outlet’s reputation or political association.
I really don’t give a damn about sexual orientation being presented in a scifi show. Lame and just another moonbat attempt to sell diversity and social engineering. Of course SyFy is owned by NBC, the moonbat network of liberal fools. I’m just saying.
Stormin | November 22 @ 2:28 pmStormin: then don’t watch. If they’re “selling,” then it’s up to buyers to buy if they want. Choice: you has it!
Damek | November 22 @ 4:32 pmDamek: Buyers will indeed speak. This show will be a one season run. People want Stargate action and a scifi adventure, not this tripe.
Stormin | November 22 @ 8:15 pmWonderful. Finally homosexuality and Stargate! Sorry, I had to wash my eyes clean with SG-1 Very little scifi and a big attempt to get us to become invested in these unlikable characters. Really. Eli is the only one I would consider to invite over for dinner. Scheeech.
kenny | November 23 @ 11:42 amI’m going to give it a few more episodes before I sign off completely. Honestly, I don’t care who is lesbian. I don’t care who is sleeping with whom. I’m disappointed that the only hint of anything really related to sci-fi ended up being a lie. Why is it that everyone is fearing for their lives and doing everything possible to guarantee their doom? This series is killing me. Please come back SG-1 and SGA……
mporter | November 23 @ 1:28 pmThere is no need to have two Lesbians kissing and making out on a family time show, nor is it necessary to be as graphic on the sex scenes. What is the purpose? this is a Science Fiction show not another promotion of Hollywood’s smutty ideals of twisted morals that are once more being rammed down our throats.
No more for me watching the unnecessary trashy sex scenes week after week as LOVE BOAT “Destiny” zips through the galaxies, second only to the speed to which crew Zips off their clothes.
polairbear | November 24 @ 1:47 amI’m Done with SG-U X-rated
@polairbear well we have had 1 “proper sex scene” but no privates were showing and it didn’t last long in the pilot, was implied but not actually scene in Light, Was just kissing but some classed as being a sex scene (lol) in Water, A lesbian kiss & seeing Greer having sex with some women (short, no privates and you can’t hear them).
Still a far-cry from “SGU X-Rated”. Sex is a powerful tool in real life, its shows that these people are human like us and not unrealistic heroes who always save the day.
Tanith | November 24 @ 5:45 amTanith: And who needs that? If I want something realistic I go out. I want science FICTION, I want fun, I want heroes. For brainwashing sex/relationship shows feel free to tune in a large number of crappy shows, this is supposed to be Stargate, scifi, and its a shame that it isn’t. Last “real scifi” (meaning space scifi) thats still alive is a bullcrap show and not a scifi… It only shows that the producers are becomming senile (in terms of franchise age), they spent way too much doing it they just needed to ruin it. Well congratulations on the below-averagedness of SGU.
Yxelione | November 24 @ 7:21 amStargate has always had Action,Adventure heros who save the day yet they always kept it presentable it always had something to offer. SGU has been a let down i won’t lie this whole Lesbian topic is annoying and a line that never should have been crossed. Kid’s watch stargate i mean it’s always been a family SCI-FI show. Since i was young me and my dad have been watching it together. SGU has lived up to none of it’s promise’s, it’s just a Soap Opera, why no Action?.Nine Episodes so far only one had action. Shame on the producers, i mean hell I’ll watch it to see where it goes but i don’t expect much.
Durrkid34 | November 24 @ 4:04 pmBravo SyFy! We only had to sit through gratuitous scenes with a promiscuous Lt. Scott in order to see a loving, committed lesbian relationship. If only this were the status quo. Heaven help Sharon if something were to happen to Camille.. unless it’s in her will she’s not entitled to a dime
starsage | November 24 @ 8:22 pm“Kid’s watch stargate i mean it’s always been a family SCI-FI show.”
Aye the likes of Teal’c being tortured, Vala being burned alive in front of us, The life literally sucked out of someone etc is completely fine for the kids while sex isn’t.
Tanith | November 25 @ 12:04 amIf I wanted to watch a sci-fi show showcasing homosexuality, I’d watch “Torchwood”. At least it’s original.
FoxTrottrGrl | November 25 @ 1:03 amSGU is just a BSG ripoff – it’s like the “Enterprise” of the Stargate universe. That’s the primary reason I don’t bother with it. I might try it next season, once they bother doing something original.
Og God, this is to not Stargate… Like many of you said – if I want to watch sex, romance, jelousy, I’ll watch something else! Here, I want adventure, problems, space races, enemies, brilliant solutions and so on.
Am I the only who who thinks love and romance are best when only hinted at? Like Jack and Sam. It keep you watchin, you want more, it makes show interesting (along with all the other interesting stuff of course :). But here, when they force you will all the relationships at once, it becomes boring.
Gaia | November 25 @ 3:54 amSorry, just my opinion. D
on’t know how long I will last with this show, probably only waiting for Jack and Daniel to show up again…..
Whats wrong with SGU? Do you really need to prove to the world that you accept gay people?
If that’s the case then fine, we, the stargate-loving fans, acknowledge that you SGU openly accept and tolerate being gay.
Having said that, can we get on with the real show now? You proved your points, now show us Stargate (in case you (the show’s directors and scriptwriters) forgot what a stargate was; A stargate is a big round circle made of Naquadah, it’s purpose is to transport you from one world to the next. It’s THE SINGLE thing what made stargate such a hit.)
But, if you’re going to bash a show you should also name it’s positive points, balance it out so to speak.
I can’t get enough of the Destiny, I absolutely love that ship. I hope you can show us more of it’s mysteries. And the use (or the way it was used) of CGI has not disappointed!
How bad some characters acting may be some other really are amazing.
Young for example, I didn’t expect him to be so cool, especially how he decided to do the “don’t call us we’ll call you” routine with O’neill and the IOA.
I can’t wait to see how crazy Greer can get, cause he seems to have lost a few marbles already (which makes him really interesting).
Yes SGU sucks the way it is, but there are enough elements within the show that, if used properly, could lead to a sci-fi show that leaves SG1 and SGA far behind it. So literally turn this ship around and make it worthy of the name STARGATE Universe.
equnai | November 25 @ 2:53 pmI really don’t need to re-visit these issues time and time again but this franchise “upgrade” has become a real dud just as predicted before the year long press conference promo tour. Look, the weather channel gets good ratings for some reason too.
I feel bad for the families that embraced the SG/SGA timeframe in their youth and became confronted with this later on down the road with their young children. I wish the producers just went back to the movie and started from there to develop new concepts. Come March I really hope they flush this where it belongs and start over.
And the old cast appearances seem to smack of desperation, not need. Seems like the SGA people are just plain blacklisted as well. But that’s another story for D&D. Most of this cast should really shine but I wouldn’t be happy with the position I was put in if I was in their place.
Are the fan letters pouring in D&D? Remember when Letterman interviewed George Clooney and first thing he said was, “You killed Batman!”? The perfect analogy. Good cast for the most part — bad premise. This is concocted TV at it’s worst. Made to attract advertiser demographics, not produce outstanding sci-fi. Ground-breaking? LOL takes more than dark shakey-cam for that you simplistic stooges there at Lion’s Gate.
And you know, from my personal experience, some “gays” I knew absolutely hate other “gays” outside their own personal norms with a virulence not discussed.
Sad to say this whole thing has become a tragic farce that betrays the SG fans. Let’s get back to good science fiction (I’ll use BB5 as an example) not this sordid sort of pathetic social acceptance preaching agenda the producers sold to the SyFy channel.
Maybe the genius producers should have test marketed this to one of their fan expositions. Many movies have been canned after the boos from the crowd. Somehow this just reeks of a continuing disaster, not some bright star in the world of episodic science fiction television.
Mentat | November 25 @ 10:11 pmThis whole “won’t somebody think about the children!!” bs over SGU showing lesbians “on a family show” is ridicolous.
@Tanith.
Good point about the double standard between violence and sex.
Michael Sacal | November 26 @ 9:48 amThe constant whining about SG:U is hilarious. Many of you whiners sound like a bunch of old geezers who want to turn back the clock.
Face reality people. SG-1 & SG:A are now part of the past. In the world of Showbiz, TV Shows and Audience tastes change. In order for the Stargate franchise to continue and grow with newer (younger) fans, a new direction must be made. SG:U is a nice fresh change and will help grow the franchise.
As much as I loved SG-1, the show was way past it’s expiry date and the ratings for SG:A at the end of its run was already stagnant or close to dying. If TPTB catered mainly to the taste of older fans, like me, the Stargate franchise would have ended a long time ago.
lemmy | November 26 @ 1:07 pmI just do not get you people saying this new format is somehow “upper crust”.IMHO this new format is nothing but Psycho babble and has little to do with Stargates or exploration of space like the original series.
Nothing makes any sense with this show except having cheap sex and body swapping.The commander spends more time trying to get back together with his ex wife than trying to get the ship back under control from the auto program the Ancients installed.
You would think the number one priority would be to crack the code instead they have everyone doing Psych evals and swapping body fluids.Eli is spying on Rush instead of actually doing something constructive
So far, it could be renamed Body Swapping in Space or as the World Turns on the Destiny FTL.
ScottyDog | November 28 @ 4:33 pm