[The Gateroom] You play Ratcha in "A Dog's Breakfast", Colt's co-star in "Starcrossed". Can you give us a brief rundown of the character please, both in and out of the space soap?

[Rachel Luttrell] Um... well, lets see.... She is the tough sexy alien female counter part to her human love interest/co-conspirator. Sounds familiar? Yes, a bit of type casting on David's part. All in good fun though! And outside of work? The name of the character of the actress who plays Ratcha in “Starcrossed” (hmm, that is a bit confusing...) was not established nor was her at home persona, however I imagine she is a bit neurotic. Is a gym bunny. Is in and out of bad, destructive relationships. Is constantly falling in-love with her co-stars and guest stars. Has an obsession with expensive shoes and loves chocolate.

[TG] Unlike Teyla, your character in DB is a very stereotypical 'alien babe'. Did you enjoy hamming it up for a change?

[RL] I was born a ham so, yes, I loved getting a chance to be so silly.

[TG] What was a 'typical' day of shooting for 'A Dog's Breakfast?'

[RL] Oh, well, you know the “Starcrossed” portion of the film was shot out in one day. One long Saturday... on the set of “Stargate: Atlantis”. And it was a hoot. David was in fabulous form and there was a great sense of humour to the whole day. Now, I did visit the set on the other days of shooting and as an observer all seemed to be going remarkably smoothly. The crew was great, as was the cast (if I do say so myself) and David managed to not only do a lovely job, but had fun doing it.

[TG] What was it like working with mega-star Mars?

[RL] Oh, Mars and my dear Nala (my little doggy) are buddies from way back. So, try as he might Mars was unable to pull any Star attitude with me.... Nala and I saw right through him. Actually, for such a grand star he has managed to remain quite down to earth. Really.

[TG] As I'm sure you know, Paul McGillion is considered a wee bit of a heart-throb and seems to make a habit of kissing his onscreen co-stars!! So will you be sending him chocolate and flowers or should he go back to kissing David?

[RL] Will I be sending him flowers?! Oh, no, no, no! He should be sending me flowers! And that's all I have to say about that.

[TG] What is your funniest memory from working on "A Dog's Breakfast"?

[RL] Looking into camera and screaming like a banshee as Paul pretended to be possessed by some strange entity.

[TG] What was the most challenging part of working on the film?

[RL] Dealing with all the inflated egos!!! Just kidding. There really was no down side. I had a blast.

[TG] You were working with a lot of people you were already familiar with from "Stargate Atlantis". How was it different or the same as your experiences on the show?

[RL] Yes, that was part of the fun of it. We all knew each other quite well and got along with each other wonderfully. Good chemistry makes for good film making. You can quote me on that if you would like. It was different because I got to be silly on screen, whereas in Atlantis I am just silly off screen. But I felt very much at home in the costume they had me in... tee hee.

[TG] From the trailer we've seen, it looks like at least in the TV world of "A Dog's Breakfast", you're playing an alien woman, much like you do on "Stargate: Atlantis". Do you have any concerns about getting type-cast?

[RL] No.

[TG] You were working quite closely with a lot of your Atlantis co stars, even using some of the Atlantis sets. Did you find it hard to get into the character you were given because things were so similar?

[RL] Oh, no. In fact, it was fun to be so different in such familiar surroundings..... But Ratcha, although camped up, is loosely based on Teyla, so....

[TG] What was you favorite part about working on "A Dogs Breakfast"?

[RL] Laughing and being silly.

[TG] Do you think you would do another movie? Do you have any plans for such at this time?

[RL] Yes, of course! I don't have one to dangle in front of you like a carrot just yet.... But give me time!

[TG] Having done 'A Dog's Breakfast', would you do another similar film, or would you like to try something completely different?

[RL] I love comedy. But I love the idea of exploring other genres as well.

[TG] During the past three seasons of Atlantis, we've seen a fair bit of character development from others within the team. How would you like to see Teyla developing in the future?

[RL] Are you suggesting that you have not seen much character development for Teyla? Because if you are, I will have to agree with you. There is soooooo much that I would like to see tackled with respect to her past, her connection to this galaxy (the Pegasus Galaxy) her fighting, her love interests, her people, her family.... And on and on...!

[TG] What's your favourite Atlantis episode so far? What do you particularly enjoy about that episode? 

[RL] Oh dear. You know, we have shot so many that this question hurts my brain a bit. It is very hard to isolate just one episode. I love the ones that Teyla figures heavily in for obvious reasons but there are others I love for what they reveal of the other characters, and because of the fabulous skill with which my fellow cast mates have had a chance to exhibit. 

[TG] You are fairly active across the convention scene. Do you have any favourite experiences? 

[RL] Hmmmm? I don't want to be seen as being "active on the convention scene"! I may have to pull back a bit! Having said that, I really have loved the interaction I have had with many of our fan base. They are a very giving and warm group of people.

[TG] You seem to spend a lot of time portraying the strong, female type of character on our TV screens. Is there another type of character you'd really like to delve into and explore?

[RL] I love playing Teyla. But, yes, there are many other types of roles I would like to explore. That's why I got into acting, because of the potential diversity of it. I love playing strong female characters but there are some wonderful parts out there that have nothing to do with what I am doing right now and it is my intention to explore as many of them as I can.

[TG] When you first started out in your acting career, did you ever envisage having the success you are currently experiencing? What was the trigger factor in making you turn to acting for a career?

[RL] I always had an inkling that I had the potential to do quite well in this business, yes. I think you have to have some sense of confidence in this area to even attempt to get into this nutty industry. And the trigger? In grade school I got to sing a little nursery rhyme in front of a massive crowd of people at a place called Massey Hall in Toronto. After the initial stage fright I got out there and, well, I was hooked.

[TG] Alien ass-kicking beauties aside, are their any roles in your career that stand out in your mind which you'd encourage your fans to go out and see?

[RL] I am assuming you don't mean just roles I have done, but roles that other actors have brought to life? If so then, well, yes, there are soooooo many wonderful performances out there. God, I wouldn't know where to begin. How about Katherine Hepburn in !Adam's Rib! for starters? There are a million more.

[TG] What’s the most embarrassing CD in your collection, and why is it so embarrassing??

[RL] The most embarrassing CD I have is one that I bought about 10 years ago 'cause I guy liked was really into it. I have never actually taken it out of its plastic packaging. Why is it embarrassing? Off Broadway actors singing crazy cover tunes.... Need I say more?

[TG] Would you, Rachel Luttrell, if given the opportunity, go through the Stargate to Atlantis?

[RL] Yes! Providing I could come back. There are too many people and one furry friend, who I just couldn't live without.

[TG] And what would your one luxury item be?

[RL] Dark chocolate.

[TG] Thank you for your time, Rachel!