exist Star Wars: Lower DecksDr. Taana (Gillian Wegman) is very capable Cerritos The chief medical officer’s bedside estate may leave something to be desired.
Comics Beat caught up with Wigman via Zoom to learn more about playing the surly CMO. We asked all about recording Ta’Anna’s swearing, the inspiration behind the character, and whether Wigman would reprise the role in live-action.
This interview has been edited for clarity and length.
Avery Kaplan: When you were recording lines for T’Ana, did you swear and then they beeped it out?
Gillian Wegman: Yes, I swear constantly. I fucking love to swear. I find a wonderful joy in the constant spewing of words and deeper words. Honestly, when they told me on the call back, “Go crazy,” I said, “That’s probably the damnedest thing I’ve ever done.”
My poor son… during season one or two, he had to come in because I didn’t have a nanny, and I picked him up from school. They were very helpful; they let him sit on the couch. One time they asked, “Would it be okay if you sat here with him and went crazy?” I was so happy, I said, “You have no idea. He’s heard it all before.”
He sat there, like a nine-year-old kid, thinking, “Yeah, yeah, I don’t care.” So he swore. I felt terrible at that point…Both of my kids heard me. There’s nothing I can do, especially when I’m driving their car. “Did you fucking see that?”
I have to be careful, but I love it. I don’t think I’ll ever give it up. So the fact that I got to use it on a character that I have a lot of respect for… Look, Dr. Ta’Anna, she’s very good at what she does; she’s very good at what she does. Never mind what she did. She was the best researcher, a great surgeon and an outstanding doctor. Her attitude is what you get.
By the way, once you become her patient, you will never want to go back. You are trapped. You’ll want to meet her. If I were a dermatologist in, say, Los Angeles, everyone would want to come to me because I’m the best. I’d say, “Lay down.” Your face is a mess. We’ll start here.
KAPLAN: Were the curse words written in the script or did you use them freely?
Wegman: A little bit of both. They usually write dirty words or whatever they want in there, and then they say, “You can be as dirty as you want.”
Honestly, every time I record, it’s like Christmas morning. Because what I said was highly inappropriate and I used the verb in the most inappropriate way. I walked out and I was sweating, but I was sweating like my endorphins were being sucked out of me.
I will miss it terribly. I really hope there is a part two to this experience. Although I’m grateful that we have five seasons and that I get to work with really talented and hilarious people – from producing to performing to recording and editing…every aspect of the music.
I wish I could have another chance to live in that world, especially in this one. trek world.
It was a great experience.
Kaplan: Would you be interested in reprising this role in live-action?
Wegman: You fucking bet I will. I would sit and receive my prosthetics—probably swearing to cook up a storm to get into my Saita character.
I would feel her. Because I wake up every morning feeling like her, and I want to make a vow to my kids to do things and a vow to the world to go out and be as honest as possible.
Her honesty comes from such a real place. This is not meant to be disparaging, nor does it necessarily make you feel bad. It’s like, “You’re in my way. I have to get from point A to point B. I might not get the vaccine.”
she was like if Anthony Fauci More grumpy, adding some feline traits, more like, “Don’t kid me, this is what we’re going to do. If you don’t take my vaccine and hear why I’m doing it, I’m going to strangle you to death.” .
So I would do it without hesitation. I threw it out. Let me do your live show.
Kaplan: Are you a cat lover?
Wegman: The sad thing is: I personally am a cat person. I have two very allergic people in my family.
So, fun fact: There are over 300,000 cats living in Los Angeles County in a feral way, which is both sad and kind of beautiful. They didn’t even know how many there were, they knew it was over three hundred thousand.
So in our community we have one or two so I leave food for them twice a week. There were two of them and they came and sat with us. We gave them names: Squigg and Wendy. They come to eat the food and we love them. As far as I know, they have a home, but they come to visit. My kids are excited. But my husband has severe allergies. So we have a dog.
When I leave my husband I will get a cat. Or a lot.
KAPLAN: Is T’Ana based on any specific cat or person?
Wegman: For me, it’s based on how I really feel inside.
What I find hysterical and surprising is this: when Mike McMahan Showed me the original, from Star Wars: The Animated Seriesshe is super sexy. I loved what he said: “No, no, we’re going in the opposite direction.” I found this line so clever and hilarious and went against the idea of that era that women should be sexy and demure. They are pleasing to the eye, sweet to the ear, and always make you feel sweet.
So I love how he said, “We’re going to take this to the other side and make her the most annoying but also the best.”
So I think for me, it’s based on all the feelings I have inside, and all the characters I like to play – which are high-status, angry, very rude characters. But the difference is that she comes from a place where work is truly a priority.
And, she loved the people she came into contact with because they were intellectually curious. Just like Tandy.
Taana is one of the most realistic characters on the show. I don’t want to underestimate how special everyone is on the show. But I think T’Ana has a serious, solid work ethic – don’t screw it up.
Kaplan: Did you make the cat howl? Is this just your talent?
Wegman: I guess so! I’ve been practicing. Like I said, Squigg and Wendy came to visit and for years we would sit there and try to imitate the sounds they made. I listen to it whenever I have friends who have cats, especially cats who like to sit on their laps.
The cat’s chatter is hysterical. Because you can hear them interacting with each other. And everything is different. It’s incredible! Then when there is peace and joy, it goes into a deeper place. I like it.
I went on YouTube once and listened to the cat meow, so I could really think about this. But they drive me crazy, especially the high pitched ones. I was laughing hysterically most of the time when I made the sound because you’re trying to keep finding it too.
Kaplan: What would Taana order from the food replicator?
Wegman: She would order – this is so gross – I think she would order a banana with fish sauce on it. Do you want to throw up a little? But she’s also kind of sexy, so that’s part of it.
Kaplan: Thank you very much!
Wegman: Wishing you long life and prosperity, Mom!
new episodes Star Wars: Lower Decks Available to watch Thursday on Paramount+.
Keep up with all things The Beat StarCraft Coverage here.
