Xena: Warrior Nutballs

Interview #12: Rob Tapert! Co-creator, Executive Producer, Director, and Writer 🧠🎬🎣

He’s the co-creator, executive producer, writer, director and yes, an avid fisherman 🎣 - the one and only Rob Tapert (eeeeee!!!!!) joins us for a kōrero/chat about bringing Xena: Warrior Princess to life ⚔️
 
Rob takes us back to the very beginning, what drew him down to Aotearoa New Zealand, the magic of building something wildly ambitious on the other side of the world, and how a scrappy team of Kiwi and Aussie creatives managed to capture that once-in-a-lifetime lightning-in-a-bottle which turned Xena into a global pop culture phenomenon ⚡🌍
 
Yes, we do get him to say the words hard yakka 💪 as he reflects on the creative risks, and the secret ingredients which gave the show its heart, humour, and enduring queer legacy 🏳️‍🌈
 
Plus, in a moment we’ve been holding our breath for, Rob shares a candid and much-anticipated update on where things stand with that reboot script 👀
 
This one is candid, wholesome, and beautifully bittersweet (see what we did there?) and a rare chance to hear directly from the Kiwi-by-choice screen legend himself ❤️
 
Cast a line, Nutballs… this one’s a big catch 🐟✨

Interview #11: Jodie Dorday! Solari 🔑🙄⚔️

This interview we’re joined by the utterly hilarious kiwi Jodie Dorday ✨🎭
 
Xena fans will know Jodie best as Solari, the fierce Amazon warrior from “The Quest” (S2E13) and “A Necessary Evil” (S2E14). Yes, THAT Amazon, the one that serves Bruce Campbell as Autolycus, the kind of stink eye you feel in your bones 🔑☠️ 🤣
 
As a multiple-character actor on Xena: Warrior Princess, Jodie shares what it was really like jumping between roles on set. We dive into what it was like when Lucy Lawless returned for “The Quest” after her injury and the pressures of being a guest actor on a big international show ⚔️📺
 
Jodie is one of those true Kiwi lasses, charming, glamorous and outrageously funny - expect peak Kiwi humour as Jodie reminds us why she’s an absolute scene-stealer on screen and off 💥😂
 
Show notes:
 
- Jodie will be appearing in Small Town Scandal - here's a wee link for more details!  https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTyJ_-SD4PH/?igsh=ZjB1MnY5bjlwYWw0

Interview #10: Hudson Leick! Callisto 🔥💀🖤

We’re extending our whānau/family as we are joined by the one and only - Hudson Leick! The ultimate Xena: Warrior Princess villain, Callisto 💀⚔️ 
 
We dive deep into everything Callisto: from that iconic campfire scene with Gabrielle in “A Necessary Evil” (S2E14) 🔥🏕️, to exploring the sexual tension Callisto had with Xena ⚡💋 and her reaction to discovering Callisto would become the mother of Xena’s child 🤯. Hudson shares what it was like working in Aotearoa New Zealand, the connections she made on set, and the energy of filming in the ‘90s Xena-verse.
 
Most importantly though, we ask the question we have all been waiting to know the answer to: 👉 Did her famous black leather bikini cause her any chafing? 🖤👙
 
Hudson chats openly, thoughtfully, with genuine raw heart and reflection on her time in the show, while never missing a beat to make us laugh - she is a generous soul who makes you want to grow just by listening to her speak.
 
Far out, this is a special one whānau and we hope you enjoy as much as we did!✨🥰
 
Show notes:
 
Follow Hudson's on Instagram - this is where her 7-day yoga challenge will be held: https://www.instagram.com/HudsonLeick/
 
Learn about Hudson's yoga retreats, customised malas and bracelets as well as astronomical readings: https://www.hudsonleick.com/

Interview #9: Murray Keane! Howar from "A Day in the Life" 📜🐟🍳

This interview we’re joined by Kiwi legend Murray Keane AKA ‘Howar’ from fan-favourite episode “A Day in the Life” (Season 2, Episode 15) ⚔️📜
 
Shell and Lou dive deep into one of the best episodes of the entire franchise with Murray, he talks about working within the subtext (yes, everyone knew), working with Lucy Lawless, Renée O’Connor, Michael Hurst, and the hysterical Alison Wall who played Minya 🥰. Plus, Shell finally gets her long-overdue deep dive into the food on set 🍗🍞🍇
 
Murray also reflects on working on the original Hercules TV movies 🏛️⚡ which launched the entire franchise, alongside Lucy Lawless before she was cast as Xena 🤯
 
A well-established Kiwi director🎬Murray has had an enormous career working on some of the most iconic shows Aotearoa has ever produced 🌿📺
 
This is a proper, wholesome kōrerorero | conversation 💬❤️ and Murray knows exactly how to keep us laughing 😂✨
 
Show notes:
 
Murray mentions he was in a Meal Mates ad with Lucy Lawless - this is a very pixilated version of that ad! https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=meal+mates+biscuit+add+lucy+lawless&mid=7B07AA35F29A455CC9667B07AA35F29A455CC966&FORM=VIRE 

Interview #8: Tammy Barker! Stunt Double for Renée O’Connor | Gabrielle - Seasons 3, 4 & 5 💥⚔️

This episode we chat with Tammy Barker, the legendary Aussie stunt double for Renée O’Connor | Gabrielle across Seasons 3, 4 and 5 💪
 
Tammy is the stunty who takes Gabrielle from the sweet, scroll-carrying bard 📜 to the fully fledged warrior, the “Battling Bard of Potidaea” ⚔️. This is the woman who did the hard yakka: the hits, the falls, the fire, even copping a broken nose at the end of (an extremely apologetic) Renée O’Connor’s staff in “Forgiven” (S3E14), all so Gabrielle’s evolution felt earned 🤕💥
 
Tammy was behind some of the most iconic moments in the entire series, including the infamous 'Gab Drag' in “The Bitter Suite” (S3E12) 🎶💔, and the blistering fire scenes in “Forget Me Not” (S3E17) 🔥😭
 
She reflects on what it was like working in the ’90s as a bright-eyed, bushy-tailed Aussie who crossed the ditch to chase her dreams in Aotearoa | New Zealand and suddenly finding herself in the middle of one of the most physical, groundbreaking TV productions of the decade 📺⚡️
 
Warning: this episode contains Tammy doing spins with her sais, at which point Lou and Shell absolutely fizz, fully, loudly, and with zero chill 🫠💖
 
It’s high-energy, behind-the-scenes gold, a love letter to stunt work 🎬, the unsung heroes who made the Xena action hit as hard as it did and just some good ol’ fashion Australia hard yakka! 💥⚔️
 
📸 Follow Tammy on Instagram: @tammybarker1
 
 

Interview #7: Garth Maxwell! Director of 10 Episodes 🎬✨

This week we're pulling up our director’s chairs as we sit down with Garth Maxwell, the Kiwi filmmaker who brought us absolute bangers like "Mortal Beloved" (S1), "Lost Mariner" (S2), "Devi" and "Endgame" (S4), "Seeds of Faith" and "Looking Death in the Eye" (S5), and "The God You Know" (S6)…and honestly, the list goes on, the man does not miss! 🎬✨
 
He reflects on working with Alexis Arquette (Caligula), Lucy Lawless (Xena), Renée O’Connor (Gabrielle), Alexandra Tydings (Aphrodite), and Tony Todd (Cecrops), and shares how he approached big emotional beats like Ephiny's death with Danielle Cormack 💔
 
As a filmmaker and member of the LGBTQIA+ community Garth reflects on his approach to the subtext between Xena and Gabrielle, and the importance of protecting their relationship on screen 🌈⚔️...and yes, we do ask him about that infamous Gaphrodite kiss scene in "The God You Know." 
 
This is a megaphone-worthy episode packed with delicious behind-the-scenes stories from the 90s 💫
 
Follow Garth on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_garth_maxwell_/
 
Watch Jack Be Nimble - Garth's film starring Alexis Arquette: https://jackbenimblefilm.com/ 
 
Show notes:
 
- Lou can't sleep at night over the fact she said in Endgame S4E20 when Xena walks away from Pompey, he says something - because he doesn't say nufink! He actually just starts creeping up on Xena with a dagger and her Xena-senses detect him and that's why she kills him. Phew, thank the Gods we have remedied that, Lou can sleep again now.
 
- Ok, Lou still can’t sleep because she called Alexandra Tydings “a floating bauble”, instead of what Garth actually called her which was “a bauble flaffing about” which is soooo much better. Great, issue resolved! ✌️

Interview #6: Doug Kamo! Multiple Character Actor - Sullus in "The Execution", Dorian in "One Against an Army" and more! 🗡️🏹

This week we get a behind-the-scenes look at what it was really like to be one of those brilliant Kiwi actors who popped in and out of the Xenaverse as completely different characters, the ultimate ’90s TV shapeshifters.
 
We're chatting with Doug Kamo, the Kiwi character actor who perfected the fine art of playing, as he so quaintly puts it, 'dicks' of Xena: Warrior Princess. You may recognise him from 🏹 Sullus in The Execution (S02E17), 👞 Brother #2 in If the Shoe Fits (S04E12), 🛡️ Border Guard in Amphipolis Under Siege (S05E14), or as 🗡️ Dorian in One Against an Army (S03E13) AKA the dick who gets Gabrielle shot with a poisoned arrow...or do we actually owe him thanks for creating all that hurt-comfort drenched subtext? 🤔
 
Doug takes us behind the scenes of "One Against an Army" the emotional powerhouse which launched a thousand fanfics and is still widely considered one of the best episodes of the entire show. He reflects on subtext, and the joy of working with Lucy Lawless, and Renee O'Connor.  
 
Full of laughs, heartfelt nostalgia, and an unfortunate pineapple accident involving Lucy Lawless, this kōrero celebrates the unsung heroes of the series, the character actors who gave the Xenaverse texture, life, grit, - you know, the dicks. 
 
👉 Follow Doug on Instagram: @dkcm_entertainment

Interview #5: Tracey Henton! Makeup Artist and Hairstylist 💅💄💇‍♀️

This week we’re chatting with the ever chic and impossibly talented Tracey Henton, Makeup Artist and Hairstylist for Xena: Warrior Princess seasons 5 & 6! She served looks for Livia, Eve, Aphrodite and so many more 💅⚔️
 
When recalling a wig flying off mid-stunt, Tracey sums up the entire spirit of our podcast in one glorious battle cry, a perfect blend of hard yakka and Kiwi ingenuity:
 
💥 “You learn how to get that motherf*er to stay on!” 💥🤣
 
Get ready for laughter, hairspray, and behind-the-scenes stories only a true warrior glam squad member could tell 👑✨
 
Follow Tracey on Instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/tracey.henton/

Interview #4: Darien Takle! Cyrene - Xena’s Mum 🍻🪓💜

This week we pull up a chair in Cyrene’s Tavern and chat with Kiwi legend Darien Takle! 
 
She is the impossibly talented actor behind Cyrene, Xena’s fierce, funny, and warrior-in-her-own-right Mum 💜
 
Darien opens up about the raw connection she feels to Cyrene as she reflects on the emotional truth she brought to the role, the magic of filming in Aotearoa New Zealand and even a slightly prophetic dream she had about Lucy Lawless. 
 
From behind-the-scenes stories to reflections on motherhood, art, and authenticity, this kōrero is full of warmth, laughter, and love. Grab an ale, it’s storytime with the one and only Darien Takle!

Interview #3: Adrienne Wilkinson! Livia/Eve, The Bitch of Rome ⚔️🔥/The Messenger of Peace ☮️

It’s The Bitch of Rome! AKA Xena’s daughter, Livia/Eve! 🔥☮️
In this kōrero/talk we welcome fan favourite Adrienne Wilkinson (aka Livia/Eve) into our extended whānau. She shares what it was like coming to little old Aotearoa New Zealand as a young American actor to work on one of the biggest shows of its time. 
From stepping onto set with legendary Kiwis and Aussies to finding her place in the Xenaverse family. Adrienne is not just Xena’s daughter, she’s part of our whānau for life. ⚔️💜 
With an impressive career that’s spanned universes from Star Wars to Star Trek, Adrienne reflects on how her time in the Xenaverse helped shape it all. ⚔️🎉🙌
 
Follow Adrienne on: 
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/adrienne.wilkinson/Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/yo_adriennew/X:   https://x.com/Yo_AdrienneWTikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@yoadriennew
Visit her website at: https://www.adriennewilkinson.com/   Her consulting website: https://planamediagroup.com/