Natacha Karam is no stranger to our television screens, she best remembered as Mina Becker on the Emmy acclaimed TV series “Homeland”, but television viewers fell in love with her with her power portrayal of Sgt. Jasmine “Jaz” Khan of the Special Forces team on NBC’s drama series “The Brave”.
It was heartbreaking when a Network decides not renew a potentially good television so years ago as fans awaited whether NBC would renew the show, TV Talk Amy was privilege to be able ask Natacha some questions:
Acting – performing – entertaining, was that something you have always liked doing?
Yep! I have wanted to be an actress since i was about 3 years old. I know it sounds like such a cliché but it’s true. I used to put on hours of performances that my poor parents had to sit through. I’d ‘direct’ and star in (self-made) productions with anyone who would stepped foot into my house. I feel like my cousins hated coming over because they knew what I was about to drag them into haha.
What was it like to perform for the first time in front of an audience?
I honestly don’t remember. Literally from 3 years old I have been on and off stages, from school plays and theatre clubs to drama school and then out into the professional world.
Before Jasmine on Brave – what would you consider to be a memorable role you ever, did?
When i was 6 I played the role of ‘Princess Snowflake’ in a play called ‘Princess Snowflake’ and I remember thinking it was the hugest deal in the world and my costume was a proper princess dress, I felt like i was in a fairy tale. Nothing compares to that childhood innocence and wonder. Also, my two front teeth fell out the day before we opened and that is something in my life that is hard to forget ….. hahah.
Take us little bit on how did you come across Jasmine’s character?
I was living in London but had a manager and agent out in LA. We decided it would be good for me to come out to LA for my first pilot season and take some meetings and start auditioning out here. On my flight on the way here my manager sent me a script and said ‘this is the part you are going to get’ – turns out she was right!
How did you feel the first time you met “Jaz”?
I loved her! What a Badass. I almost felt like i wasn’t badass enough. But once I had my first audition and got into the character and felt the responses in the room I changed my mind and decided YES, I am badass enough. I am more than capable, and I WILL get this role. The mind is a powerful thing. I also loved that Jaz does more than she says. It’s rare to have female characters who have more action than dialogue. Lots of female characters do all the exposition and the talking whilst the men go out and do the doing. Not Jaz, no Sir.
How much of Natacha is in Jaz, and how much of Jaz is in Natacha?
We are quite similar in some ways. I’m little lighter and brighter than our dear friend Jaz, she’s a little snarkier than I am. But we both love to take the piss (I think that might be a British saying- it means make fun of people or things), we both have warrior spirits and are both loyal women. She is definitely more badass than I, I have my own dose of badassness but it sure as shit isn’t on her level.
How much physical preparation is required to play “kick ass Jaz?”
Quite a lot. I had to box 5-6 days a week before I got this part, so i was physically active and in decent shape but I really did train very hard once I got the part. Between the pilot and the show getting picked up I was trying 2-3 times a day to work on different things. Boxing in the morning, strength and conditioning in the afternoon and then some cardio or flexibility work in the evening. Once we started filming, training like that was impossible to keep up, but we all hiked together at high altitudes with weighted vests on and did gym sessions 4-5 days a week. I also kept up my boxing training. Safe to say, we trained hard.
How much weaponry training did you have to do and learn?
We had two boot camps lead by our incredible Technical Advisor, Mikal Vega, which were both physical and educational. The push-ups and planks were a lot more familiar than handling weapons that’s for sure. I had never held a weapon before this role in my life. Everything I learned, I learnt from Mikal and his patience and precision.
You and the guys obviously needed to “bond” to create that “cohesiveness” that is seen in your team, what sort of “bonding exercise” did you guys have to do?
Honestly, we didn’t intentionally do anything. Working out together and boot camp really brought us close and threw our egos out the window. Also, we were all in a hotel in Morocco together for 5 weeks. I think this naturally created a brotherhood and sisterhood amongst us.
What was the most “fun” part of shooting The Brave?
I know I’m a softie, but getting to meet these incredible men and women and gain a new family now has a truly special place in my heart … especially for this cast and crew. Also firing blanks in action sequences is pretty damn fun. It feels like you’re in a video game but it’s also kind of real life.
I know I am probably one of those millions of fans who stay tuned every Monday evening…is there a message that you want to tell or “whisper” to ME and all of the fans?
All I want to say is that I love you guys and I am continuously overwhelmed by your support. I used to hate social media, but I don’t regret it because I get to connect with incredible people. Stay tuned, stay supporting, stay positive and let’s get ourselves to a season 2!
TV Talk Amy would like to thank the NBC Press Office for making this possible. And of course our very special thanks to Natacha for taking time from her busy schedule answering our questions.
In September 2019, Natacha was casted in a FOX Broadcasting Company spinoff of 9-1-1, entitled 9-1-1 Lonestar that aired on January 2020.
