MONDO EXTRAS

Mr. S: Right. Had you read Jeff Lindsay's novels -- I mean, when you got the part, did you read the novels before you started shooting, or...have you still not read them? I've always been curious about that.

Benz: We were actually told not to read them, but, of course, I don't listen to authority, and I did read them. I read both of them, and I really liked both of them a lot. I actually can't wait for the third one to come out.

Mr. S: Yeah, that's coming out pretty soon, isn't it?

Benz: Yes.

Mr. S: Like, I think next month?

Benz: I think so, yes.

Mr. S: Okay. Um, now, obviously, in the adaptation of the novel to at least the first season, there's going to be some differences. I personally haven't read the novel yet, it's actually sitting here on my nightstand, but I've got about five other things I need to read first. In your perception, what were the main...what were the biggest differences between the novel and how the first season ended up?

Benz: Um...the first season used the novel as a guideline, and there were a lot of similarities, but also, I mean, everything that happened to Rita in the novel is what happened in the pilot. So, basically, Rita's whole storyline was created by the writers of the show. So, that's a big difference. I mean, the basics were there: the abusive ex-husband, the kids, and her sexual dysfunction was all a part of the first novel, but pretty much all the scenes that took place in the pilot episode were taken from the first novel. From Episode Two on, it's all created by the writers.

Mr. S: Oh, okay. That's pretty interesting. I've actually heard that Paul, the ex-husband, doesn't really have much of a physical presence in the novel at all.

Benz: No, none at all. No physical presence. And also, in the novel, Rita's an exercise fanatic, and they didn't use that at all in the series. Although, I am an exercise fanatic, so it's kind of weird.