Lucy Lawless as Xena: Warrior Princess
In 1995 a woman warrior was introduced to the viewers of Hercules: The Legendary Journeys. Leader of a renegade army of pillagers and roughnecks this woman was not one you would bring home to meet Mom. Bound and determined to defeat Julius Caesar and make a name for herself by killing Hercules she plowed her way through villages and towns all across Greece. Taking what she wanted and not caring who got in her way.
Then her army decided she was getting soft. They drove her down the gaunlet and tossed her out on her evil arse. (albiet a nice one, it sure as hell was evil at the time) What would she do next? The only thing she could do and survive. Redemption.
After meeting, and subsequently not being able to get rid of a young determined bard from Potiedia, she set off on what would turn out to be the longest journey of her life. Together they would redefine friendship, courage, and love. All for the greater good.
Lucy Lawless fell upon the role of Xena while on holiday. The role had already been cast and Lucy was taking a break with her daughter, Daisy. She had previously played Lysia, the leader of the Amazon army in another episode of Hercules and had caught the eye of Robert Tapert, executive producer of the show. When the actress that had been cast to play Xena originally dropped out at the last moment Rob called in Lucy to save the day.
And save it she did. Making Xena a household name Lucy has turned a small New Zealand made tv show into one of the most formidable forces in syndication history. In one fail swope of her jeweled sword she has put the Kiwi Islands on the map. Nobody had ever seen an export as awesome as this.
Together with co-star Renee O'Connor and an ensemble cast, Lucy has set the tone for what makes good, fun, campy TV. Without Lucy this would have been just another flash in the pan. A two season run would have been lucky. But with her... who knows. Six seasons is the promise. But we could definitely handle more. It just doesn't get any better than this.
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