Maggie Q on Nikita, Buffy and Punching Out Fellow Actors Like It's Her Job (Because It Is)

That's unfortunate but impressive though. Not that many women can knock out a 6'4" guy.

The reason why Nikita can even fight guys that size is not because she is stronger than them. That's absolutely impossible for a woman my size to be stronger than a guy that big but she's a lot quicker and very clever. Part of it is that they just can't get their hands on her so everything has to be done very quickly. In thirteen years of doing this, I've never hit anyone though -- unless I had to do it on purpose. I've never. I remember connecting with his head and thinking, "What just happened?" and he just dropped.

Were you able to stay in character? Did they still use the shot?

No! I immediately broke character and was my apologetic self. I just couldn't believe it. Everyone was looking at me and I said, "Sh*t, what just happened? What just happened?" I just heard someone yell "Medic!" Not only is the guy's eye swelling out and it is immediately turning black, I also cut him on the inside of his eye so he was also bleeding. I don't know how people box for a living. I don't know how they can just hurt people for a living and be OK with it. I sent him flowers and was groveling. He was so gracious and kind though. He said, "Listen Maggie, it's not your fault." But he was probably lying.

So how did they finish the scene?

They actually had to rewrite it because his eye was already swollen shut at that point and he couldn't open it. So, his role had to be over and they replaced him with a stunt man and they had to change the story a little bit.

Have you ever been in a real life situation that required you to use your defense skills?

Knock on wood, no. I think I fight so much in my work life that when I'm not working, my life is pretty peaceful.

But you would if you needed to.

Oh yeah, I remember I used to get in fights in school and stuff like that when I was a kid. I wouldn't start stuff but I would end up running my mouth always. I do remember that.

I hate watching most high school girl fights that are portrayed on TV. There was one last week where two cheerleaders were pulling hair and slapping each other. I've seen some actual high school girl fights in the hall that don't look anything like that.

Yeah, I don't remember hair-pulling from any of my fights. I was a lot more brutal than that.

I read that you so hated wearing that red swimsuit in the pilot that you told writers that Nikita was not allowed to wear another bikini again. Have you faced any opposition yet?

No, no. I was so over that. The redeeming thing about the pilot scene was that she was wearing that swimming suit in a nightmare. It was all a bad dream. I remember talking to producers and asking them, "Well can't I wear a one-piece and class it up a little?" I'm so over gratuitous "look at me" moments. I don't work out and be healthy and want a strong body because I want to look good in a bikini. I do all of those things for me and for my health. I'm not going on the cover of Maxim and FHM because that's not me.

When I read the scene, I said, "Oh, no! Can I please wear a one-piece?" And they said, "Maggie, you can do whatever you want but the thing is Nikita is supposed to look like one of these slutty girls at the party. That's the whole point." She has to think that she is one of those girls who dresses like that and is close to a rich guy to get attention for it to be a bad dream. I was like, "Dammit!" Then that picture was splashed everywhere for Nikita and the funny thing is that the show is not about her being scantily clad. It was just that little scene. But I'm on episode 8 now and there is not a bikini in sight. Let me tell you, girl. Unless it is a bad dream or a flashback, that is definitely not happening. I want people to know that this is a serious show. I think that is such a cheap way to get viewers and we are not taking that road at all.

Is there one character that inspired your portrayal of Nikita?

Before shooting, we talked a lot about the Bourne movies. I think the reason why what Jason Bourne did was so cool and the reason why we were emotionally invested in his journey was because there was emotion in his face. There were things he cared about that we cared about. From one movie to the next, there is always something that we are emotionally clinging to and that is kind of what is happening with Nikita. Hopefully, people who watch will care about Nikita, will be concerned about finding the people who hurt her and want to be there as she searches for the things that she lost and wants to get back.

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