Celebrity Byte

Did you ever play video games growing up?

I didn't have a TV growing up. We had Frogger on our first family computer that I played. My parents weren't into that sort of thing. We didn't have anything like Game Boys or anything like that.

What do you think of the things companies like EA have achieved with games today?

It's unbelievable. That's why I see the future is going to be outrageous with what they're going to be able to do with games. It's already amazing. I'm just shocked with what they can do now. When I was filming, they were showing me some of the other games that they had done. There was a car game, Need for Speed: Carbon, that one of the actors from "Battlestar" had done, Tahmoh Penikett. They were showing me some sequences from it and it was just amazing.

Tricia strikes a dramatic pose in her Command & Conquer 3 uniform.

Are there any gamers on the set of Battlestar Galactica?

On Battlestar, I usually work with James Callis and he's not. I did an episode of Supernatural and Jared (Padalecki) and Jensen (Ackles) were big into games. They had PSPs between takes in the Impala warming up and they're playing football against each other while I'm in the back seat. When we were in the house, warming up between scenes, they were playing a game on the TV screen. I don't know what game they were playing, but they were really addicted.

How has "Battlestar Galactica" changed your life?

It gave me some validity in the acting world. I had only started acting a year before Battlestar, so it definitely gave me some security. It's been so critically acclaimed. We've been lucky with that and I've been able to work during hiatuses and also learn and grow as an actor. Getting to work with people like Edward James Olmos and Mary McDonnell you don't get that often in the beginning of your career so it's been a real treat.

I think because I wear a white wig on the show, when I'm out in public I haven't been noticed that much because I look so different.

Both "Battlestar Galactica" and "Command & Conquer" are huge sci-fi franchises. Were you a fan of sci-fi growing up?

I was a fan of sci-fi. I grew up on a farm outside of rural Alberta, Canada, so I didn't see many movies or anything. I had seen some episodes of the original Battlestar when I was at a friend's house. My father was a sci-fi fan so we would go see the Star Trek and Star Wars films. I tend to like the more fun Star Wars things. What I like about Battlestar is that it's so realistic. That's also something I liked about Command & Conquer. You're talking about a Tiberium universe, just like with Battlestar, you're talking about cylons. But these aren't funny-headed creatures or fantasy sequences, so for me it has that sense of realism to it.

Did you know Tricia's Battlestar hair is actually a platinum blonde wig?

Do you get noticed much in public with the success of the show?

I think because I wear a white wig on the show, when I'm out in public I haven't been noticed that much because I look so different. It's more when people hear your name. They'll look at you funny. I find it at odd places like the pharmacy or the grocery store. And they don't say anything until you're about to turn away and they'll say, I really liked last night's episode. And I'm like, "oh, cool!"

Were you familiar with the original TV series before you got the job on the new incarnation?

I had seen bits of it. I knew what a Viper was and I thought Apollo was cute, but I hadn't followed the story line because I'd only see it at a friend's house.

Vivendi Games is coming out with a "Battlestar Galactica" game this fall on Xbox Live. What are your thoughts on a "Battlestar" game?

I think it will be great. I wasn't aware that they were coming out with one. I think Battlestar would be great as a game. I hope they do bring the actors on board because I had a great time doing Command & Conquer.