Alexa Havins: Torchwood Miracle Day

Alexa Havins said it plainly: "If everything is aside that we survive and not the repercussions that we see on Miracle Day, I would go to space and jus…" — and Premier Guide Miami was in the room when it happened.

Alexa Havins is best known for her role on All My Children, with additional credits including One Life to Live, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, CSI: Miami, and Grey's Anatomy. She joined the cast of Starz's Torchwood: Miracle Day — a reimagining of the UK BBC sensation originally created by Russell T Davies — as Esther, an American CIA analyst pulled into the world of Torchwood. The series airs on STARZ on Fridays at 10pm ET/PT. Premier Guide Miami spoke with Alexa about stepping into the Torchwood universe.

PREMIER GUIDE MIAMI: How does it feel getting pulled into the Torchwood world as an actor, and tell us about your character Esther.

ALEXA HAVINS: Esther is kind of a little bit of Alice in Wonderland — down the rabbit hole we go. Her curiosity gets the best of her. The first thing out the gate is: did you ever hear of Torchwood? What's Torchwood? And down she goes looking for the answer — who is this Gwen Cooper and this mysterious man in the coat? She just finds herself quickly, without choice, with her life changed in the matter of a moment in this new world. As far as myself, it's just been an absolute pleasure. Russell and Julie called me immediately and welcomed me with open arms into the family. John and Eve were the same. We're friends for life. It's just been a great experience and I enjoyed every minute.

PREMIER GUIDE MIAMI: Can we look forward to romance between Rex and Esther?

ALEXA HAVINS: Well, I think more than anything there is something very romantic about the idea with Rex. He's out in the field and it's dangerous and there is something sexy about it. And here she is, stuck behind her computer — there is a longing not only to be with him but to also be out in the field and work with him hand in hand. We have this little tango, the professional and the personal relationship. You'll see as the ten episodes go on, she tries. She gives it her all but Rex, as you see, is tough — all business, gruff, stern. That makes for an interesting pairing because she has this innocence and she's naïve and she's fresh. And then here is this guy that has lived a full life, as well as the Captain Jack character and the Eve character. They all know who they are. Playing a character with clear growth was such an honor and so much fun as an actor. She's not the one with weapons training and a life on the run. You kind of see her stumble a little and pick herself back up, surrounded by these strong characters that help her become who she is.

PREMIER GUIDE MIAMI: You play a strong character. What is that like for you as a female, and did you enjoy working with Bill Pullman?

ALEXA HAVINS: It's very rare that females are written with strength. I always feel like it's either arm candy or in comedy you're setting up a joke so the guy gets the big laugh. It gets a little tedious and boring from our end. So it was so refreshing to have a character that was so thought out and fleshed out. Russell knew what he wanted and the females are as strong as the males — it was just wonderful. It didn't ever feel like a "strong female character." It just felt like being part of a whole of very strong characters. And Bill is a crazy genius. He's the first thing people freak out about, and just watching him work — you're in the scene and you forget you're even in the scene. He's so focused. And what I always say is there are brilliant actors, and a lot of them cannot be kind. This is truly one of the nicest people you'll meet. It's really refreshing to see someone with such success still be as humble and gracious as he is.

PREMIER GUIDE MIAMI: How has your experience been with such an international team?

ALEXA HAVINS: It's been a great experience. There is an interesting parallel between my character Esther and Gwen in the original first season — it was an honor to take over that passing of the torch, introducing the new audience. Everything the new audience members are asking — what is Torchwood? — Esther is asking the same questions. She's digging and finding those answers for them. Who is Captain Jack? She'll find out for you. It's a neat way of starting the fourth season strong with bringing in new viewers. They don't have to have watched the past episodes and at the same time it doesn't alienate the current fan. You just jump on for this ride. It's not a ton of back story exposition — it's here is a story, here is where we are, join us, we're going to take you on an adventure.

PREMIER GUIDE MIAMI: Is there an episode you just can't wait for your fans to see?

ALEXA HAVINS: For me one of the big moments was the reveal of the two characters. My husband is an insane fan of Torchwood — he pretty much said he would divorce me if I didn't take this job. The big reveal I thought was quite breathtaking: Esther is digging, digging, what is this — and then you just look up and there is Captain Jack and his crew. It's such a breathtaking reveal that from a fan's perspective and a viewer's perspective it's quite an initiation. And then for the fans of Gwen, it's seeing her with that badass rocket launcher.

PREMIER GUIDE MIAMI: Did you do all your own stunts?

ALEXA HAVINS: I tried, but my character has a high fall and right out of the gate, that was not me. They let us do as much as we're comfortable with. John and I got wet in our little fountain scene — we were in the hot tub right away together. I'm scrappy, a little bit of a tomboy, so I enjoy that. But then there is a point where they step in and say okay, there is fire, there are explosions — they want us to be safe.

PREMIER GUIDE MIAMI: If you knew that you couldn't die, what one crazy thing would you do?

ALEXA HAVINS: If everything is aside that we survive and not the repercussions that we see on Miracle Day, I would maybe go to space and just be able to walk around and live just to experience that. But sharks could be next — I have a serious fear of sharks. So maybe that. I'd maybe just travel. If you knew you had endless time to see the world.

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