Dollhouse A quick chat with Dollhouse star Eliza Dushku

Eliza Dushku is gunning for the truth in an explosive new series of the US sci-fi drama Dollhouse, screening now on Sci-Fi channel.

After a slightly shaky start, the first series of Dollhouse became one of the most talked-about shows on TV, with fans raving about Eliza Dushku’s performance as Echo, the young woman controlled by a sinister organisation which imprints her with different personalities in order to hire her out as an ‘Active’ for dangerous assignments.

Created by Buffy writer Joss Whedon, the drama returns to Sci-Fi, picking up the story some six months after Echo was kidnapped by Alpha, a rogue Active who imprinted her with all her previous personalities, causing a short circuit in her brain.

As Dollhouse reopens for business, we asked Eliza Dushku what’s in store…

So, what can you reveal about the new series?
"It’s got the same heart and guts, but it’s a different game this series. The new episodes will be dark and twisted, but in a fun and sexy way."

Where do we find Echo?
"She’s still operating as an Active, but the imprints aren’t working properly and she is experiencing the personalities all at one time. Echo is evolving and starting to remember who she is. She is no longer unaware of her surroundings. She is no longer blank and two-dimensional; she is starting to figure it out."

Is there any romance in store?
"Paul Ballard [Tahmoh Penikett], the former FBI agent, is working in the Dollhouse now and there is a lot of chemistry between them. There are a lot of things building up."

Are you still doing your own stunts?
"I’ll try whatever needs to be done and there are plenty of bumps and fights along the way. In the first episode, I learned how to beat up boys using a private jet as a weapon."

What new personalities can we look forward to?
"I’ll be doing a little burlesque dancing later in the series. At the end of the last series, we had a wrap party at a nightclub in LA with all these girls dancing, so I asked Joss Whedon to write it into the show."

We hear your family doesn’t like your raunchy scenes or photo-shoots
"I have three big brothers and, after my first magazine cover, I got a lot of grief because they were really embarrassed. I promised I wouldn’t do it again… but I did!"

Are you still a fitness fanatic?
"Because the filming schedule on Dollhouse is really long, I was getting a little bit wiped out. So my routine is more relaxed this year and I’m not running in the gym all day long. I’m working with a new trainer focusing on alignment and eating the right food for my blood type."

Who’s your most famous friend?
"Well, I appeared with Arnold Schwarzenegger in True Lies in 1994 and he’s become a good friend. He is truly a man who worked hard to get where he is. He’s grateful, too. I remember him saying, ‘Eliza, I try to learn something new and be better every day.'"

You also worked with Robert De Niro on a couple of movies. What was that like?
"He’s really nice, really paternal. He used to ask me who I was dating. You know, like, ‘Is he treating you right? If he isn’t, I’ll break his legs.’ It’s kind of cool to have Robert De Niro quizzing you on your love life!"