Russian born actress and former model Olga Fonda is soon to be the bad girl that everyone loves to hate, starring opposite Sharon Stone and Jeff Hephner in TNT‘s new drama series “Agent X” premiering Sunday, November 8th at 9/8c. Fonda steals the spotlight starring as ‘Olga Petrovka,’ a mysterious and fearless Russian spy who is continually followed by the danger and excitement of being the #1 target of Agent.
Interview Donovan Blyden | Photo Justin Wilczynski
You currently star in TNT’s new primetime drama series “Agent X” as Russian spy Olga Petrovka. Tell us a bit about your character and being cast for the role.
“Olga” is such a great character! I am extremely thankful that Blake Herron created her! She is fearless, has a great sense of humor, has fun in everything that she does, she enjoys her life, and she has strong fighting skills!
I was shooting The Vampire Diaries in Atlanta and I received a self-tape audition request. We had a heavy filming schedule and initially, it was hard finding the time to get to a casting office to self-tape. I finally ran out during our lunch break and was able to submit the tape on time. The Agent X casting process was long and it took a few months to hear back. I almost lost hope. And when I returned to LA, I received a surprise phone call from my team that the producers wanted to see me. I was very happy and excited!
After watching the trailer the show seems to be very action packed. What is the stunt & physical aspect of the show like?
When I learned that I got the role, I hit the gym a lot more than I normally do. I knew it would be a physically intense role, and I wanted to be prepared… When I got to the set I was extremely thankful that I did! I love doing my own stunts (well, as much as they allow me to do). Our stunt team is also very strong, professional, and they really care about the actors’ safety. I also really enjoy learning new stunts and fighting sequences.
Your big break came when you were cast in the 2011 blockbuster Real Steel. What was it like working alongside Hugh Jackman?
I will forever be grateful that I was cast in Real Steel. The entire cast & crew were so professional and they set such a great example on and off set. I learned a lot and I will carry those lessons with me throughout my entire career. I could not have wished for a better introduction to the film industry. Hugh Jackman, Shawn Levy, Stacey Snider, and Steven Spielberg all set a high bar for me! They were so kind, so real, and very polite to anyone around them on set. I have great memories with the Real Steel Family.
You have made appearances in several successful primetime programs some of which include Nip/Tuck, Entourage & The Vampire Diaries. What do you look for when selecting a role?
Well-written material, a good story, and an interesting character arc. I am not afraid of challenging myself and I constantly work on different genres and playing around with different accents.
You were born and raised in Ukhta, Russia and studied in the Unites States as a teenager. What was the biggest culture shock in studying & now working in America?
Sports! At that time, we didn’t have many sports in Russian schools. There were not a lot of school groups or activities. So being a part of a school sport was a shock, but definitely exciting for me. I enjoyed being a part of a co-ed soccer team and I also tried basketball. Although, I don’t recall basketball as being my future calling. 😉 As for working in the United States, I never really worked in Russia since I left very early. Working in the United States is really all I know. And I love what I do. Very thankful that this country gave me so many opportunities.
After completing your education in the states you were signed by Ford Models. What has been the most important casting tip you learned that you still use today.
Since a lot of modeling jobs are based on being the “right look,” I realized you can either be the most beautiful, the most talented, or the nicest, but if a client wants something different than you, there is really nothing you can do. You learn to go into the room, be prepared, have fun, and when you exit the room, you forget everything. Otherwise, you are going to drive yourself crazy trying to figure out what you could have done differently. You have to accept that if you did your best, that is good enough.
With your experience as a model, we hear you are an aficionado on all things beauty & fashion. Any quick tips and tricks for young working fashionistas such as yourself?
Work is work, but you are not going to enjoy it if you don’t take some time for yourself. Healthy body + healthy mind = happy YOU! Even if it’s a few minutes every day, take some time for yourself. Breathe. Do something besides work. And if you have time, spend that time in the spa, hanging out in the garden, painting, cooking, working out, anything that makes YOU happy!
What else can our readers expect from you in the next year?
I hope to shoot another season of AgentX… 😉
Check Out This Preview Below!