Playing a blind concert pianist with vampirical tendencies was a challenge that Zoe Tapper relished during the filming of Demons.

23 January 2009 18:41 PM

"My character Mina Harker originates from Bram Stoker's Dracula novel - she is the woman who is forced to suck Dracula's blood," explains Zoe. "But we take her into the modern world where she has become mortal and joined the fight against the half-lives alongside Luke, who is the last descendant of Van Helsing - the first vampire slayer.

"Mina is quite a complicated character and not always as she might at first seem. On the surface she is a concert pianist but there is a twist in the tale because she has to deal with demons from her own past. In order for Mina to fight her dark side she must put up with the consequence: blindness.

"In order to control her vampiric urges, Mina cleanses her blood using a kind of dialysis. I think she probably sits at her piano absorbed in playing while she undergoes this daily treatment."

So what drew Zoe to the role? "It was quite unlike any I had come across before. What is great about Mina is that, having lived for well over 100 years, she has all this history. On the one hand you see her fighting the half-lives with the rest of the gang but she also has a fascinating back story which is quite dark. So while she is ultimately fighting for good there is always that chance she could be drawn to the other side.

"Mina and Galvin have a long relationship and I think an unwritten agreement that if Mina ever got to the point where she couldn't control herself any more he has her blessing to kill her."

On playing a vampire, Zoe says: "I like the edge of danger that Mina has and I absolutely loved turning into a vampire. What is so powerful is that I spend much of the time portraying Mina without sight but as soon as she drinks her own blood and turns into a vampire she can see again. So you go from looking at the ground to looking into people's eyes and she takes on this strong physicality."

When a bad boy vampire arrives on the scene and Mina (Zoe Tapper) starts behaving strangely, Galvin (Philip Glenister) gets suspicious. Mina confesses that Quincey (Ciaran McMenamin) is back. He has come for her – he wants her to give in to her half-blood heritage.

For Mina is immortal – the Mina Harker of Bram Stoker’s Dracula. The blood of Dracula flows through her veins giving her power and eternal youth. 

Galvin knows Quincey’s return is painful for Mina – this is only confirmed when she tells him that she knows it’s wrong, but she still loves Quincey. Galvin reassures her that he, of all people, understands – but they both know that sentiment has no place in the smiting game. Mina knows her duty. Galvin tells her they will set a trap and rid the world of Quincey for good.

But when Mina can’t go through with it Galvin is taken hostage. Luke is furious – Mina sacrificed Galvin for a vampire? Mina tells him she couldn’t let Quincey die. Luke’s (Christian Cooke) not impressed – so he used to be her boyfriend, so what? When Mina replies that Quincey is not her lover, but her son, Luke is dumbstruck.

Meanwhile, Quincey is preparing to use Galvin as bait to capture Luke, the biggest prize in the half-life. Quincey’s plan works – Luke comes to rescue Galvin with Mina’s help, Quincey goes for Luke – it is the beginning of an epic fight.

Original article here.