Meet Gretchen: An Interview with Madeline Zima

NBC Photo: Chris Haston

Helping the invincible Claire Bennet (Hayden Panettiere) in the daily shenanigans of college life is Californication’s Madeline Zima, who joins the cast of “Heroes” as Gretchen. Zima will be part of a multi-episode arc as Claire’s friend and confident. The young and talented actress took some time of her busy schedule to talk to us NextOnHeroes.com about her work on the NBC sci-fi drama.

Most people remember Madeline as 6-year-old Grace Sheffield in the popular sitcom “The Nanny,” and most recently in the Showtime’s dramedy “Californication” as Mia Cross. However, she is no stranger to other genres. “I love the Matrix and anything that has to do with the powers of the mind. Also anything about comic books, everyone loves superheroes,” Madeline told us about her taste in science fiction. She proudly owns all three season of the show, “Everyone I knew told me to watch the first season of the show so I bought the DVDs. Later, I also got the second season. The third was a gift for being on the show. I’ve watched every episode. I’m a fan girl now.”

Like other experienced actresses, Madeline has a very positive attitude about auditioning for roles, “I just go in there and have a good time.” However, getting the part of Gretchen wasn’t easy. She confessed to us she was unsure at first, “I didn’t think I was going to get the job because the other girl, who went in before me, was in there for a really long time. There was only two of us up for that part.” Ultimately, to her surprise she was asked to audition for a second time and she was given the role, “The next time, I had to read with Hayden. She had a very specific view of the kind of person her character wants to be friends with. It was all taken into account.”

In addition to her new role in “Heroes,” Madeline is a regular cast member of David Duchovny’s “Californcation” where she plays an ambitious and scheming teenager. However, playing multiple characters is no simple task. Madeline has to juggle two almost opposite identities: Californication’s vixen Mia Cross, and Heroes’ off-beat roommate, Gretchen Berg. “I had one week where I did one character and then the other. It was weird twitching gears.” We asked what the seductive Mia would think of Gretchen, and she replied, “I don’t think Mia would hang out with Gretchen. Mia likes to hang out with people that are superficial and she likes to use them. Gretchen isn’t like that at all.” About the differences and similarities of her current shows, she answered, “I think they are night and day different. One is a half hour comedy and the other is an hour drama, action sci-fi show. They are both heightened sense of realities, but one has people flying and having superpowers.”

Naturally, Gretchen will spend a lot of time with Claire during Volume 5. Almost all of Madeline’s scenes are with Hayden Panettiere. She told us very enthusiastically how much she loves working with Hayden, “She is so cool, she is really funny and smart. She is a complete professional. We both have been in shows since we were little kids, like months old. I admire her so much. She handles herself with so much poise for someone so young.” Fans of Madeline should also look forward for scenes with Jack Coleman (H.R.G) and Ashley Crow (Sandra Bennet).

NBC Photo: Chris Haston

Transitioning from a child star to an adult actress is not always easy. Madeline attested, “It was difficult. At some point I was stuck in a limbo as far as my career goes because nobody really wants to hire somebody who is off from a sitcom. There is a terrible stereotype about child actors from sitcoms.” However, her talent and maturity have helped her throughout her career. Barely twenty four years old, Madeline has added NBC’s hit show “Heroes” to a long and admirable résumé. She already feels very comfortable working on the show. She shared some insight of the “Heroes” experience with us, “Its like a family. Everyone is really nice and they all know each other really well. They crack jokes. It’s a pretty wonderful place to work. I feel lucky.”

For the finals part of the interview, we asked her about the much anticipated on-screen kiss with Hayden Panettiere that has all the fans talking in the blogosphere. “My first one was with Selma Blair in a movie that hasn’t come out yet ["Happy Together"]. She is my second kiss with a female. I’m excited to see myself. I hope it turns out well.” This scene, which will be part of one of the first three episodes, will be the first gay kiss of “Heroes.”

Madeline’s most recent projects include horror film “The Collector,” whose script was originally intended to be a prequel of the famed franchise “Saw,” where she plays the character Jill. She also starts alongside with Renee Zellweger and Forest Whitaker in “My Own Love Song,” a film currently in post-production. And of course, don’t miss her first appearance on Heroes with the return of the show on September 21st at 8:00PM ET as Claire’s quirky roommate.

NextOnHeroes.com would like to thank Madeline Zima for taking time to do this interview. We wish her the best in her career and we are looking forward to see her character on the show.

Click below to see the full size exclusive images of Madeline Zima on “Heroes: Redemption” courtesy of NBC. The following pictures are part of episode 1 “Orientation.” Claire and Gretchen attend a party on campus.

[View with PicLens]