We talked to Lisa Kudrow about her new series: "I am proud to be able to run through a forest without falling"

Lisa Kudrow is one of the most iconic faces of TV comedy. After playing the iconic Phoebe Buffay (and her twin sister) in Friends, she established herself as a star in front and behind the camera in the 2000s with The Comeback, a visionary cult series (and one of the best in HBO's catalog), and now she is getting ready to captivate the new generations with the charming Time Bandits, the new Apple TV series.

Created by Taika Waititi, Jermaine Clement (What We Do in the Shadows) and Iain Morris (The Inbetweeners), this remake of the adventure and time travel movie directed by Terry Gilliam in 1981 appeals to the nostalgic spirit of viewers who grew up with the original film, while speaking directly to today's children, the ones overlooked by Hollywood, which only focuses its efforts on animation for this audience.

The series has the same starting point as the movie. It proposes an unpredictable journey through time and space with a colorful group of thieves and their new recruit: an 11-year-old history enthusiast named Kevin. Together, they embark on an exciting adventure to save the boy's parents and the world.

Kudrow plays Penelope, the leader of the eccentric bandit gang, who stumbles upon fascinating worlds from the distant past while searching for treasures. As they escape from evil forces, they witness the creation of Stonehenge, see the Trojan Horse in action, escape from dinosaurs, and wreak havoc in medieval times.

EL ESPAÑOL spoke with the actress in a virtual interview before the series premiere, a conversation we reproduce below.

After 35 years in the industry and with such iconic characters under your belt, what motivates you currently when choosing a project?

Right now, I think I'm more in the phase of who I want to work with or who I would like to work with, rather than thinking about genres or things like that. Taika Waititi contacted me and said, "Jermaine and I wrote something that will be filmed in New Zealand. Would you be willing to go there? Do you want to know more?" So, without much thought, I said yes.

After accepting, I found out it would be a remake of Los héroes del tiempo and that I would also be working with Iain Morris. It was the complete package. I was lucky. I love these quick decisions where everything turns out well and also everyone you work with is fantastic and very fun. That's what I look for currently, working with people who create an atmosphere on set where you feel comfortable.

'Los héroes del tiempo'

If there was any, what was the main challenge for you during filming?

I am a fairly cautious person, so for me, starting something new is always a challenge, no matter how much I want to and how much I have prepared. Starting something new makes me nervous because I'm not sure how easy and quickly it will be for me to get into the character and all that.

Regarding action scenes and the like, the truth is I have no experience and at this point in my life I really don't want to put myself in danger in any way. So, I only offer to do and do what I know I will be able to do, I don't take unnecessary risks because I don't feel pressure to prove anything to anyone, basically because no one expects me to do things like that. However, I have to say I'm proud to be able to run through a forest without stumbling or falling.

"If I were guaranteed it would be a quick visit, I would love to meet Madame Ching."

-Lisa Kudrow

How was Penelope described to you when you were offered the role?

The funny thing is that when I was offered the role, Penelope didn't have a name yet because the character had originally been written for a man. When they thought of me and I accepted, they changed her name while keeping the essence. As they explained to me, the character was initially created as a sort of cowardly leader, and I asked them if they could change that aspect of her personality.

I told Taika and Jermaine, "Can we make Penelope not a coward?" I really love bravado. I love stupid arrogance with nothing to back it up. And I think it's fun when someone is not afraid even though it's clear to everyone else that maybe they should be. 




If you could travel back in time, what period or historical figure would you like to meet?

I know those hypotheticals always seem like impossible opportunities to turn down, but I'm clear that I'm not going to go to certain past eras for an extended stay, in smelly, disease-ridden places without sewage. So, if anyone guaranteed me it would be just a quick visit, I would love to meet Madame Ching.

*This article has been automatically translated using artificial intelligence