Kathryn Ann "Katee" Sackhoff is an American actress best known for playing Lieutenant Kara "Starbuck" Thrace on the Sci Fi Channel's television program Battlestar Galactica.
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» All American actress InterviewsWhat's going on, Reddit? I'm Katee Sackhoff, but you might know me better as Captain Kara 'Starbuck' Thrace. I've partnered with SYFY to talk any and all things science fiction with YOU, so let's do it! Ask me anything you want to know! I'll begin answering questions around 7 PM EST/ 4 PM PST.
Edit: Thanks for all your great questions. I have to sign-off now but if you need more BSG, check out the marathon kicking off NOW on SYFY.
Proof: https://twitter.com/kateesackhoff/status/911039656954806272
Are you and Tricia Helfer secretly competing to see who has a better AMA, cylons or humans? Also thank you for inspiring the most badass tank top combination in fashion.
No, Tricia and I are actually incredibly supportive of one another. But I hear her AMA went fantastic this morning! Thank you so much for the comments on the tank top, I actually was just told the other day it was incredibly attractive which I didn't know that the time. That's good to know in hindsight!
Hi Katee, On Tricia's AMA she mentioned wanting to do a reboot of Cagney and Lacey with you. Is that something you'd be on board for? I'd watch!
Absolutely! I would adore working with Tricia again. It would be a dream to work with one of your best friends on a daily basis. I would absolutely be on board with this, as long as it wasn't a procedural type of show and more serialized.
Hey Katee, huge fan here! Thanks for bringing strong female presence to the screen and really nailing Starbuck as a character. I suppose I'd like to know where you think Kara went at the end of her story arc in BSG. It became pretty obvious that there was something crazy going on, but how did you mentally end her story?
I wanted to give Starbuck a bit of peace at the end of her journey on the show and because I had know idea what she was or where she went, I created that myself. In my opinion, she went with Anders at the end.
Did you expect any backlash for playing a role originally cast as a man? Was there any? How did you deal with it?
What’s the best positive feedback you’ve received for the same?
Thanks for making one of the best TV shows ever!
First of all, your welcome and secondly, I didn't expect any backlash, I guess I was just young and naive and didn't realize how much love people felt towards the original series. There was a ton of backlash, in the beginning, the way I chose to deal with it was to ignore it. Ultimately, you realize you can't make everyone happy and as an artist, you just need to stay true to yourself.
Is Sackoff really your last name? (PS Miss you in Longmire)
Of course, it is! My father had to endure a lifetime of nicknames, we might as well make the name famous.
Excited to see you on The Flash soon. Was it fun beating up Danielle? Did you get to work with any other actors?
How could you possibly know I was beating up Danielle? Cuz that would be a spoiler!
Hey! If you could do a mashup episode of BSG and any other show ever, what would you pick?
I think that a BSG/Cheers mashup would be fun. There was actually a bar on BSG so that would play really well or maybe even Night Court. It could have solved some of BSG legal issues!
Would you rather fight 1 fat Apollo or 100 regular-sized Apollos?
I would say his fighting ability would not have changed any, he just might have been a little smaller as big Apollo. So I probably would choose him!
Hello Katee! Thanks for doing this AMA.
I know the Flash probably has spies listening to your every word so can you at least share your first impressions from working on the show? Anything non-spoilery you can tease? I must admit I saw you guys film near a Burnaby bridge one night, no spoilers from me either but it looked epic. Can't wait for an official costume reveal and to know why poor Danielle was on the ground so much, haha.
Anyway... Starbuck is still to this day my favorite TV character. We may not understand everything about her but well, that's life isn't it? We don't always get answers. Is there something you're surprised fans don't ask questions about?
Thank you. Can't wait to see your Flash episode(s)!
I absolutely loved working on the Flash. I'm getting ready to head up to do another episode in the next few weeks. There's really nothing I can reveal at all, other than the bulk of my scenes have been with Danielle and I adore her. I can't wait to get back to Vancouver and dive into this character who seems to be quite evil.
What Do you hear?
Nothin' but the rain...BOOM BOOM BOOM.
You have said that Vic Moretti is the most "normal" character you have played, is it easier to play normal or harder to make it believable?
It actually is easier to put on a character that's big or farther away from who you are in reality. When you play a character that is so close to yourself and normal, you run the risk of becoming lazy and just phoning it in every day.
Hi! Thank you for doing this AMA. Battlestar Galactica is the best TV show I've ever seen. The performances still move me every time I re-watch it. So thank you for that, too.
Star Wars or Star Trek?
First of all thanks for that compliment! I really appreciate it. And secondly, I'm a little biased on this one. I might get kicked out of bed if I don't say Star Trek. But I want to believe that we have enough love for both of them because I truly can't pick.
What movie, old or new, had you thinking "damn! I wish I was part of that!" and why?
I was obsessed with Indiana Jones growing up! I would have played a rock just to be apart of them.
Hello Katee!
To move slightly away from BSG questions:
Which genre do you have the most fun working with? The more Sci-fi shows like BSG, or the more paranormal ones like Occulus?
I loved working on Occulus because it really allowed me to dive into a character that was so outside of who I am as a person. The paranormal ones sort of allow you to have more fun with characters. So I would say those!
What were you wearing in the bathtub scenes on The Big Bang Theory? Come on, you were all thinking it.
I was actually wearing sweatpants and a tube top, so I was completely clothed. I know that's not a sexy answer, sorry to ruin that for you! There was no real water in that bathtub, just bubbles which are really slippery. We had to push our feet against each other so we wouldn't slip. I kept kicking him, where you shouldn't kick a man!
How was working with Vin Diesel on Riddick?
Absolutely amazing! I'm still trying to figure out who I need to bribe to be in the next one! So if you guys can figure that out let me know haha.
What was working on 24 like?
Also congrats on getting a shoutout on jeopardy today
I loved working with Kiefer and Clayne Crawford he plays such a phenomenal nemesis. Plus, he's great on Lethal Weapon which is a guilty pleasure of mine.
Starbuck is such a badass character. Are you as much of a badass in real life? If so, pls tell all and if not, what's holding you back? :)
I am not a badass in real life! I'm a bit more of a wimp to be honest. Not for lack of trying mind you! We must always continue to try to be badasses. But Starbuck was the epitome of what that means, I would never be able to live up to that if I tried.
Hi Katee, do you still ride motorcycles? What's in the garage these days?
Yes! Right now in my garage I have a Harley-Davidson Fatboy, a Suzuki V Strom, a custom Cafe Racer and a Ducati Scrambler.
Do you think was Starbuck somewhat responsible for Kat's Suicide?
No, absolutely not. I believe at times when people are on this trajectory and if they are very committed to it, while as survivors we may carry a lot of guilt, I don't know if there is anything you can do. However, we must always try and mental health is a serious issue in this country. So we must never stop trying to help our friends and family. However, I think to say that someone is responsible for another human being's suicide is terribly irresponsible. That being said, we have seen children fall susceptible and be pushed to suicide by their peer groups and this is an instance when as a society we need to better.
On wich spaceship would Starbuck want to serve if it was not on the Galactica?
And who is your favorite science fiction character outside the BSG universe?
PS. You are amazing!!!
Oh my god, I'm going to need to rewatch this entire series again with you guys. I have no idea what any of the names of the other ships are! It's been too many years so a rewatch is definitely going to need to happen.
Hey Katee! Great to see you at DragonCon this year! And keep up the work with Acting Outlaws and Denden!
I can answer the first 2 questions easy: What was Starbuck? An awesome character. When will Longmire Season 6 be released? Not soon enough.
Okay now on to the real questions:
What is it like to have "your" theme song be the whole key to the successful jump that ends the journey?
(Bear McCreary did an amazing job on the soundtracks!)
When will we see you doing voice work on Rick & Morty?
Thanks again for doing this AMA Katee!
We were lucky enough on BSG to have Bear McCreary and he did a phenomenal job! Because I didn't really know where BSG was going the song didn't really carry the weight of what it really was until the end of the show. One of my favorites moments in Battlestar though is when she figures it out and jumps the ship. And I will do Rick & Morty as soon as they ask!
Were you familiar with or a fan of the sci-fi genre before BSG?
Any current sci-fi shows you enjoy watching or would like to be a part of?
And of course how goes the motorcycle riding lately?
My father raised me on sci-fi and action movies, so I've seen most sci-fi movies you could through my way. Right now I'm watching The Handmaids Tale. The motorcycle riding is great thank you very much, although I just had to get eight stitches in my back so I won't be able to ride for a while now.
Will you be making a guest appearance on the BSG rewatch podcast /u/Tricia_Helfer mentioned in her AMA?
No sorry I actually won't! But enjoy it.
Hi Katee! BSG was one of my favorite shows. I also loved you in Riddick and in Longmire. Do you prefer doing movies or TV?
I love them both! It's just a matter of where the strongest character development tends to be and that's where I gravitate toward.
Hi Katee. Hope you're doing alright.
You're joining the Flash's Rogues gallery, congrats! Are you allowed to say what brings Blacksmith to Central City? If not, do you have any cool or fun story to share from the Flash set?
Thank you!
I'm actually not allowed to share anything of great value. But what I can say is that Blacksmith deals with black market items that are for sale. So, she is potentially just doing that! ;)
Good Evening, Katee! If you could be part of any story adapted from a book, which would it be?
I think you'd make a great Devi from the Kingkiller Chronicle. I mean perfectly.
My favorite book growing up was The 12 Dancing Princesses and I would love somehow, to figure out how to be apart of that. If it ever got made of course!
Are they holding you in a van, making you do this ama against your will?
How did you know? It's amazing where they can lure you with vodka.
Katee, you obviously appreciate first responders but what appreciation for cops do you have now having played VIC for so long that you didn't have before?
I have always respected police officers. There are so many professions that seem to be thankless these days. I believe that nothing but respect and admiration should be paid to our law enforcement officers when they are doing their job with honor, humility, and respect.
I just watched BSG for the first time this year. It is my husbands favorite show of all time. I fell in love with BSG and Kara's character. We got to go to Austin this year and see the reunion panel. I wish I could have met you!
Anyway, I am a pianist (my husband is a drummer) and I am learning a lot of the BSG score on the piano right now (particularly Battlestar Sonatica.) Bear McCreary was so creative with the BSG score. We love the BSG score!
My question is: what is your favorite song he composed for the show?
Oh Jesus! There are so many and I honestly couldn't pick. Bear McCreary is a true genius.
Hi Katee,
What initially drew you to playing Starbuck? How did it come about that you were offered the role?
Offered the role? Absolutely, not! I auditioned at least 5 to 7 times to play Starbuck. Initially, what drew me to it was the script was fantastic. But I really wanted to shoot a gun! Up until then my career was mostly "typical blonde rules" and I really wanted to expand out of that and Starbuck fit the bill.
How did you feel about the ending of BSG, and the sorta ambiguity of your characters fate?
I loved the way it ended and the ambiguity of Starbuck. For me, I don't think you could have answered who she was and where she went to satisfied the fans. I think the way they chose to end it allowed the audience to have BSG continue to be a personal experience for each viewer and Starbuck's ending became a personal for the fans, where they could decide for themselves.
Hey Katee, I can't wait to see you as Starbuck!
I had a Longmire question, if that's alright.
Can you hint at when Netflix will release the final season and do you know if there's any talks about a Longmire movie? Thank you very much for doing this AMA!
I have absolutely no idea when Longmire is going to air and I know that there are discussions about potential movies, but there is nothing definite.
Hi! Big fan of yours and was wondering if you were given a superhero role - what would it be and why? :)
I have absolutely no idea! I tend to actually like playing villains more than heroes.
We always hear rumors of BSG coming back, Just curious, have you spoken with other cast members about this and would you be interested in doing it?
I would have to say that these rumors are completely false. BUT if for some reason there was a reboot with the same cast, I would find it quite difficult to play Starbuck at this point in my life. She was a great combination of useful angst, guilt, and responsibility that to a certain extent I think because of my age I was able to tap into. I don't know if I have that in me anymore.
Have you ever played the BSG board game? If so, what did you think of it?
I have never played it! But I've signed a lot of game pieces.
Hi Katee,
When's the next Acting Outlaws ride?
Thanks
Nothing is planned just yet! But Tricia and I are always up for rides. We're looking for the time when both of us are available and these days that doesn't happen a lot!
I recently learned that you were on Nip/Tuck, but then someone else took over your role during the following season. Why didn't you come back?
I booked a pilot and was not contractually obligated to do any more episodes, so I shot the pilot instead, even though it didn't get picked up. Then I went on to 24.
I just wanna say Hi Katee and ask you what kind of music you're listening to these days. Any bands or songs you recommend? Thanks!!
I actually just saw Tom Petty last night. He was absolutely amazing! The day before I was in Pheonix watching U2 and I'm listening to a lot of Bob Marley right now. Music is a really huge part of my life and I couldn't possibly go a day without playing some sort of vinyl or listening in the car.
When is the next Acting Outlaws calendar coming out? I keep reusing my old one even though the days are wrong because I like the pictures.
As soon as Tricia and I have the time to actually shoot another one, we'll do it!
Hi Katee,
What was it like when the fame hit? You probably just like hey I got the part on this sci-fi show and then it takes off and you become a geek icon? What was it like when that first happened?
I don't know if it's actually really hit? The benefit to playing characters different myself is that I have anonymity still and can basically go most places without being recognized, which provides me with quite a bit of privacy, to be honest.
After all the remodeling! Will you have to start over? Can you at least switch ovens?
Honestly, after I finished the remodeling I got bored and got a new house! I always need a project.
Best behind the scenes memory of doing Longmire? (Love that show and I'll be honest I never would have watched it if I hadn't watched you in BSG. So happy to see your acting ability chops have so much range)
Thank you so very much! The Longmire cast are all very very close and I enjoy working with all of them. But I must say, night shoots with Adam Bartley are one of the funnest things to do.
Katee, I worked with you onset in worcester MA because I was too cheap to pay for comiccons. When I first met you I almost peed my pants Now after working 10 plus movies as Crew i just think of you as a a wicked nice human being and coworker.
My question is How do celebrities like yourself feel the public should know how hard (albeit fun ) making movies is with the demands almost 24/7 sometimes and the gypsy lifestyle?
Would it hurt the celebrity mystique or image if the fans really understood the team effort involved in production?
Could you really do the flash villian like the sarah corvus character?
PS. when are you gonna make mother mary a grandmother? the genepool needs more like you.
Wow! Those are a lot of questions. First off thank you so much for working on the film and obviously it's led to a career in the film industry so I'm glad to know that you enjoyed and got to keep doing it. I do believe that fans should have some idea of how hard actors work. Case in point the hours that the crew and the cast work and then drive themselves to and from work. There are times when it is incredibly difficult to stay awake when you've worked a 17 hour day. I believe the union should do a better job protecting actors in circumstances like this. Annnnd the rest of the questions are too personal!
Which of your roles has been your favorite and what is it like knowing you have the fan following you have?
My favorite role I've ever played was the role Jenny in Girl Flu and I am incredibly thankful to have the fan following that I do. I have a career because of you fans and every single thing that has come in my professional life has been because the fans have supported me.
Katee, thanks for the AMA and all you long hard hours working to entertain us. What does Kiwi taste like?
do you ever just take a roll to pay the bills and make the best out of it and find you enjoyed it?
Would it influence your choice of roll later?
Oh my gosh you're so dirty! ;) And the answer to your question is yes, acting is my job and therefore there are times when you need to pay your bills.
Hey Katee! Huge fan of your work in BSG. Would you rather have Adama or Tigh as your father figure?
I would say Adama because he's a bit more stable and also not a Cylon!
We love you in Longmire! Have you heard any more about a movie after the series wraps? And how do you feel about the love scenes with Walt assuming the series stays true to the books?
I would just say spoilers, spoilers, spoilers all of your questions and I'm glad you love Longmire!
What did you have for lunch today ?
I had a kombucha and three chicken sausages, sliced tomatoes and four egg whites (with hot sauce) to be specific.
Seriously, WHAT was Kara Thrace? And thanks for coming out to DragonCon last year.
I seriously have idea!!! And you're welcome.