USA Network Upfront 2008: Gabrielle Anwar and Diva Maria of WWE Raw
by Brian Tallerico

After a subtle career on the big screen with notable roles in such films as Scent of a Woman with Al Pacino, Things to Do in Denver When We're Dead with Andy Garcia, and most recently The Marsh with Forest Whitaker, actress Gabrielle Anwar has found a regular home on USA Network's Burn Notice in the role of an ex-IRA agent who comes to the aid of actor Jefferey Donovan, a spy whose been "burned" after being blacklisted.

With Burn Notice set to reappear on USA this coming July, the lovely Gabrielle Anwar was on hand at the network's Upfront in Chicago on April 1 and The Deadbolt caught up with the actress for a brief chat about what fans can expect from the second season of Burn Notice, the casual atmosphere of the set, how she stays in shape, and she wants people to know about her anatomy.

USA NETWORK UPFRONT 2008: CHICAGO

Gabrielle Anwar of Burn Notice

Gabrielle Anwar on how she got the part:

"Same old, same old. I was sent the script and it was actually damn good. I actually finished it and I begged my manager to get me in the room, which is pretty much the story of my career."

Anwar on if the show will be different in season two:

"I have absolutely no idea. I'm in the dark. I'm actually traveling back to Miami on the weekends. They start shooting on the 25th of April. I have to unpack my thong."

On if she enjoys comedy or drama more:

"I enjoy being able to translate what's on the written page into something tangible. And if it isn't on the page then I suck. [Laughs.] Believe me it's true. I have plenty of proof. I don't really tend to gravitate toward any specific genre. I just love to read something that's been well-executed in its writing. And that doesn't happen very often, unfortunately."

On the perfect role:

"I am enjoying playing Fiona. I think that she's multi-dimensional. I think there's an authenticity to the woman that she is. I think she embodies the multiple personalities that make up a woman quite nice. The perfect role would have to be a woman that changes. What I may suggest today may not be relevant in a week."

Anwar on whether the set is as much fun as it looks:

"Bruce is ridiculously funny. It is a lot of fun. I'm having way to much fun. The sh*t is going to hit the fan and something terrible is going to happen."

On if there's anyone else she wants to work with:

"God, yeah. I mean I haven't worked with anyone I want to work with. [laughs]"

On whether she likes spy movies:

"I don't understand [them]. I don't understand how the gadgets work, the storylines - I don't understand anything about a spy movie. I drive my friends crazy. If we go to a spy movie, halfway through I'm like, 'Who's he?! What are they doing? Where did she come from? How did they open the door with that?'"

Anwar and whether she works out to stay in shape for the show:

"I'm addicted to Yoga. But not 'Om Shanty Shanty' yoga. I do hardcore 'sh*t that hurts my butt cheeks' yoga. Jeffrey is black belt twice. Can you do that twice? He understands what he's doing. I don't. Because of the costumes that I find myself in, I do a smidgen of yoga every day. I found a new kind of yoga called YogaHop, which only happens in Santa Monica in California. We'll have to satellite it in while I'm in Miami. It's insane. It's different in that one might call it blasphemous if one's a true Yogi. There's a lot of bumping around and shimmying. I have a tendency to burst into song. But it's exciting. To get me into a gym is probably the most difficult feat in the world. So, something that is inspiring and, to some degree, spiritual and gets rid of cellulite, what's the harm in that?"

On whether she likes Miami:

"I do. Having grown up in Europe and shooting a lot in Eastern Europe, Miami is quite luxurious. It's really indulgent. I'm a big fan of the tropical weather. I've just discovered Coconut Grove, which is much more my thing than South Beach. I'm past the age of all-night parties and getting to set in the morning and not looking like a donkey. Coconut Grove is a little slower. Joni Mitchell lived there. So it's good enough for me."

Gabrielle Anwar on if there's anything she wants people to know:

"I don't have anything on my lips. My daughter tells me that I have horrible things written about my lips, my leathery skin, and my tits. So, whatever. My lips look big because I over-line them with lip liner because I want to look like Angelina Jolie. My skin is leathery because I love the sun and I'm not as vain as I am in love with the sun. And my tits got really big because I had a baby and then they got really small and then they got really big again because I had another baby and then they got really small and then they got really big because I had another baby and then they got really small. You know what? It's called aging. So, I guess that would be nice to clarify."

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