IGN Interview: Kim Raver The 24 star talks about her exciting new series The Nine, and what the future holds for Jack Bauer and Audrey Raines, including the 24 movie. By ERIC GOLDMAN Published: July 28, 2006 It's been an incredibly busy couple of years for Kim Raver. After her stint on Third Watch ended, she quickly transitioned into her role as Audrey Raines on the hit series 24, where for the past two years she has defied the odds (compared to previous women involved with Jack Bauer), ending season 5 with Audrey still clearly an important part of Jack's life. However, when 24 returns in January, it will be without Raver as a regular. The actress has moved over to the new ABC drama The Nine, playing Kathryn, one of nine people held as hostages during a bank robbery, in an ensemble that includes Tim Daly and Scott Wolf. I've seen the pilot to The Nine, and it's incredibly compelling and involving; In the first 15 minutes, we see the setup to the robbery, before cutting to 52 hours later, as the hostages are rescued, in a gripping sequence that shows that clearly, some incredibly dark and notable things occurred in the time we skipped past. The series will follow the lives of the survivors and how the experience has changed and bonded them, while giving the audience flashbacks that will slowly reveal what exactly occurred inside that bank. Recently I spoke to Raver for an exclusive interview with IGN TV, to discuss her role on The Nine and what drew her to the part. We also spoke about 24 and what the future might hold for Audrey, who clearly is a character that can't just disappear, and who we haven't seen the last of. IGN TV: So I have to tell you, The Nine is my favorite pilot I've seen for the fall. Kim Raver: Oh my God, that's so sweet! IGN TV: I would assume you read a lot of pilots, so what did you think when you read this one? Raver: It's funny, I don't think I read one other pilot [this year], because I actually was going to stick with 24. And then Peter Roth from Warner Bros came to me, and was so passionate about this, and so passionate about me with the role of Kathryn, and I just respect Peter Roth so much that I said, "Okay, I'll take a look at it." And also [executive producer] Hank Steinberg, his show [Without a Trace], I'm a big fan of. I was reading it in the trailer while I was doing Night at the Museum in New York. So it was like, I was doing 24, I was in New York doing Night at the Museum, and I started reading this script, and I thought, "Oh my God, this character is so fantastic!" All of these characters are so interesting, and what an amazing concept, because really, I think it's completely character driven. And watching it as an audience member, I thought, "Wow, I care about all of these different people." And what an unusual way to see the world and to see these characters, and to be able to play this life before, this life during, this life after, and that tension in going back and forth. Like how do you… Once you become someone and you have a new experience, who do you become? And especially after -- and I know this is a huge, huge comparison, and I'm very aware that it's nothing in the same realm -- but 9/11. I was in New York, I was blocks away. Like I said before [during The Nine press conference], I was making sandwiches at the hospital, and giving paramedics water on the highway to go down there [to Ground Zero], and when something happens like that, you're different. And you don't know it until it happens. And you can say, "I would have done this… I would have done that," but you don't know. And I was so drawn to that concept and how it was written. But then I was in a predicament, because I love working with Kiefer Sutherland. I just… Everyday that I go to work, I am just so grateful. And Jon Cassar, the director; and the writers; and the cast they get. But we were kind of able to work it out where -- and hopefully it stays this way -- we were able to keep the character alive, Audrey's going to hopefully stay alive. And there's a future, they're going to do a movie, and they're keeping her alive for a very specific reason… which of course I can't say. And so it's kind of the best of both worlds, so I went for it, and I'm just thrilled that I did. I think that everyone's work in the pilot is very strong. IGN TV: Did you arrange to periodically return to 24? Raver: Yeah. I mean, we're going to have to see, we're just going to have to see how it works out; what my shooting schedule is on The Nine, because contractually, that is my commitment. I am allowed to go and do some shows, and you know, there's a lot of like, fine print, but yes, hopefully to keep the story alive, for Audrey and Jack, and then the ideal world would be to then continue the story on the hiatus. IGN TV: It's funny, because the second they announced you were on The Nine, my friends and I were like, "Oh, Audrey is dying!" Raver: Everyone's like, "Oooh!", I know! IGN TV: Especially on that show, where so many people die. Raver: Which is kind of great though, which is kind of what I love. I love when the audience thinks it's gonna be one thing and then it's like, "Ahhh, it's not what you think!" IGN TV: I'm patting myself on the back here a bit, but after I had that initial reaction, I started to say, "I bet she survives…"Just because everyone was expecting her to die, you know? Raver: Right, right. Especially with all the stuff that was going on, like with the slicing of the arm, and the torture. So it's kind of like I had this, "Heh heh heh, you think you know what's happening!" Watch, I say that, and in episode 2 of 24 I'll be dead. But as of now, that's the way we're preceding. IGN TV: For me, watching the pilot of The Nine, 15 minutes in this huge thing happens where we jump 52 hours ahead, and everything's gone crazy, and it's so jolting. When you read the script, did you have that, "Oh my God, what happened to everyone?!" feeling? Raver: Oh yeah, absolutely. Even when we were shooting it… As an actor, I had to fill in the blanks for some of the things. They [the producers] filled it in for the really important things, but some of them I was also definitely coming up with ideas for myself, because I had to give myself a reason for why… even little tiny specific things… I'm very detailed oriented and that was important to me. And I think it was interesting, because while we were shooting, things would come up; like when we were shooting the scene where they pull us out [of the bank], and something came up that wasn't established and wasn't something they'd told me. And it was just an emotion that came from being in the moment. And in the dark, I went behind camera, and [co-executive producer] K.J. [Steinberg] was there, and we started talking about it and brainstorming about it. And it was great, because that's going to also allow us to hopefully come up with some really great ideas that are coming organically. IGN TV: Scott [Wolf] mentioned that the cast did get to have a sit down with the producers and ask some questions about your characters. Obviously you can't tell me the answers, but I think with your character, people are going to be really curious what happened to your hair. [Editor's Note: You'll see what I mean in The Nine pilot] Did you find out the answer to that? Raver: Yeah. The big beats, sort of the broad strokes, they did. But I'm sure when we get into that moment, let's just say episode 10 or 12 or 15, where they're really exploring that moment, I'm sure more things will be revealed to me on the day, and from K.J. and Hank. IGN TV: There's an interesting scene where you call Tim [Daly]'s character late at night, which you could read several different ways; maybe it's a romantic attraction, or maybe it's just her wanting to connect with him as a fellow survivor of this experience. Is that something you've been told specifically about, or are you playing it a certain way right now, and seeing where the scripts take it? Raver: I think I want to keep that really illusive. I think that I have my just instinctual gut thing on it, and with K.J. and with Alex [Graves], who's just an amazing director, it's about taking all the layers, and kind of putting them like that [together], and that's also so what's so great about this show, and also why I love 24. Everything is not as it seems, and that's such an interesting thing as an actor, because it means that there's a lot of layers. And you know, that's the way we are in life. There's one thing that we put forward to people, [but] there's a zillion things going on in our head; strength and insecurity and fear and pride, and so it's kind of neat, because you're getting that I think from the characters too. And so I want those questions! I like to hear people's opinions on the phone call and what's going on between us, because I like to see what's the reaction, and how's it coming off. Like I know what I'm feeling, and I know what it is when I read it, but how is it being perceived? IGN TV: All the characters are obviously shook up in different ways by the experience, but your character seems to more calmly go back to work and return to her routine. Do you think she's someone who internalizes more? Raver: I was really specific with everyone, that after season 4 on 24 - you know, I changed Audrey a lot in season 5. But I was really specific that if I do this pilot, and when I do this pilot, and when I'm doing the show… I notice that there was a lot of emotions coming from a lot of the people [on the pilot]. And after season 4, I wanted to do something totally different, where the emotions weren't externalized. And it was someone that you're like, "Whoa, is she affected by it? Is she not affected by it? What is going on?" And I think Kathryn's really different that way. Audrey was like, [Raver throws her hands up while making a shocked expression and an explosion noise]. Kathryn's mechanisms for survival are different. Bark collars for dogs IGN TV: Including Third Watch, you've basically been able to go through three different series in a row. Raver: Four; Trinity. IGN TV: Four! So, looking back, has your career been what you hoped for or more then you expected…? Raver: It's funny, when I was in New York and I started acting, I never thought, "Oh, I want to go to Hollywood and be on magazines!" There are probably some people that are like that, but for me, it sort of comes when you're out here and you hear all that stuff. But for me, if I'm working, and it's a great project, I'm so grateful. I mean, do I have aspirations? Do I have goals? Yes. Am I proactive in making them happen? Yes. But for me, it's about the work. It's about finding really great work, wherever that is. If it's an amazing play up in Williamstown, do it! If it's a huge movie here, do it! So yeah, I feel very lucky that I didn't have to go back to waiting tables! IGN TV: Can you talk about your character in Night at the Museum? Raver: I play Ben Stiller's ex-wife, and Paul Rudd plays my fiancé. And I can tell you that I've never laughed so hard in my entire life on a set. Like especially coming from 24 and then I went into The Nine, it's just a different vibe. The creativity, the way you get to places -- at least there -- was like this improv central. So to be in the midst of Ben Stiller and Paul Rudd, improvising, I thought, "Oh God, help me!", because it was impossible to keep a straight face. I really hope they use the outtakes, 'cause there was one scene where it was just really a great day. I haven't seen it put together. I got an email from Ben saying he's happy with it. It's about the Museum of Natural History in New York City, and basically, everything inside of it comes alive. And the cast is unbelievable. I mean, those two, then Robin Williams, Dick Van Dyke, Mickey Rooney. IGN TV: Yeah, it seems like everyone is in that movie! Raver: It's just… Being at the table read, I couldn't take my eyes off everyone, because it was sort of a span of these great comedians. IGN TV: Where you proud that 24, while already a hit, seemed to really resonate this year? It seemed to have more fans… Raver: I know… IGN TV: The show had more critical acclaim and Emmy nominations too. Was that gratifying for you? Raver: Yeah, because I think we really felt it. I wasn't there from day 1, but just hearing people talk on the set, I think everyone appreciates the show, but it's also nice to be really recognized for it, you know what I mean? I think everyone's really grateful for this great job and this great family, and Kiefer and Jon Cassar, and [24 creator] Joel Surnow, but to actually have more people watching it, it's fantastic. Because you're doing it for the fans, and the fans are amazing. I don't think I've been on a show where… the fans for Third Watch were totally different. It was gratifying in a different way, when you've got the firefighters and the New York working people, like, "Yeaaaah!" But the fans of 24… The range… It's just such a mix, and it's definitely great. And it's funny, when people are like, "What's it like being on a hit?" It's like it doesn't kind of register, because I'm so excited to be working, and working with Kiefer and all those great people. And then those other things kind of register afterwards. You go, "Oh yeah, it is a hit!" IGN TV: With the 24 movie, have you heard any more about it then we heard, and if you might be in it? Raver: What have you heard? [laughs] IGN TV: Just that they're probably filming it next summer, in the break between seasons… Raver: What I've heard -- and like I said, everything could always change -- it is a go, not for this summer, but the following summer; '07. It's going to take place I think in three different cities. They are not going to do the entire thing in real time, because that just… I mean, Jack can't travel from Paris, to anywhere… London, to Washington, while you're watching it. And I think, I'm hoping -- and you know, again, this could change -- when I talk to Kiefer and when I talk to the producers, one of the main reasons to hopefully keep the story alive for Audrey and Jack, is that we have something that I can do in the film. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Nine debuts October 4th at 10:00 pm ET/PT on ABC, after the Lost season premiere.