Jennifer Beals plays blind in 'The Book of Eli' and looks back on 'The L Word'

Jenifer Beals

Jennifer Beals has done some of her best work in recent years, and she continues to make interesting choices in the characters that she plays. In the critically acclaimed TV drama series "The L Word," she played art expert Bette Porter, a complicated and intelligent mother in Los Angeles who just happens to be openly gay. Since "The L Word" ended in 2009, Beals has had alternated between roles in television (including a guest stint on "Lie to Me") and movies.

In the post-apocalyptic action thriller "The Book of Eli," Beals is a blind woman named Claudia, who is the girlfriend of the story’s tyrannical lead villain, Carnegie (played by Gary Oldman). After a mysterious stranger named Eli (played by Denzel Washington) enters their world, Carnegie imprisons Eli, who has a valuable book that Carnegie wants. Claudia then is caught between loyalty to Carnegie and to her daughter Solara (played by Mila Kunis), who ends up befriending Eli. I recently chatted with Beals by phone in this exclusive interview, and we talked about what she would really do if she were blind in a post-apocalyptic environment; why the atmosphere of "The Book of Eli" is intense on screen but was light-hearted off screen; and what she really thinks of "The L Word’s" open-ended series finale.

In playing a blind character, what did you learn about yourself, in terms of how you’d be able to cope if you were blind in real life?

I’m not sure how to answer the question, because [Claudia] was blind from birth, so she doesn’t know anything other than that. And for me to go into that situation would be completely different and it would be utterly terrifying, because I realized when I was practicing — blindfolding myself — how much I rely on sight in every way. So I would not fare very well, especially in that apocalyptic environment. If I lasted a day, it would’ve been a miracle.

Jennifer Beals and Gary Oldman in "The Book of Eli"

You worked with Denzel Washington before, in 1995’s "Devil in a Blue Dress." How has he changed, and what was it like working with him on "The Book of Eli?"

We only had one scene together in ["The Book of Eli"], but what’s stayed constant is how relaxed he is and incredibly focused he is.

If you were really living in a post-apocalyptic world where modern, high-tech conveniences were rare, what would be the things you couldn’t live without, besides your family?

Other than my family, I don’t know. I’d learn to adapt. There would be things I would miss, and those are largely things like green of the forest. It wouldn’t be a pleasurable existence, that’s for sure.

Gary Oldman and Jennifer Beals at the Los Angeles premiere of "The Book of Eli"

"The Book of Eli" is such an intense film. What was the atmosphere like on set when the cameras weren’t rolling?

I think we all had a sense of humor. It was a downright jovial set. Gary [Oldman] and I would sing "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" songs between takes. Solara and Claudia would be sitting at the table, and he’d come over and [make jokes]. There are moments when you have a prolonged break that you take advantage to pace yourself. And I was surrounded by people who were really joyful and kind. I didn’t feel tortured all day long. There were moments that were, quite frankly, really wonderful.

Speaking of Gary Oldman, what else can you say about what it was like to work with him?

He’s so funny! He’s the most dedicated actor I’ve ever met. I’ve never met anybody who’s so determined to get to the marrow of a scene … He’s incredibly dedicated to what he does. He’s a very delightful person. He doesn’t torture other people around him to get to that place. He’s a lovely person. He’d make the actors laugh.

Mila Kunis, Gary Oldman and Jennifer Beals in "The Book of Eli"

Besides Gary Oldman, you also had the most scenes in "The Book of Eli" with Mila Kunis. What is she like?

Mila is s full of life and energy and sensitive and very dedicated to what she does. She’s so young, but she’s been working for so long, she’s not young in the craft …

The series finale of "The L Word" was so open-ended. What did you think about the series finale? And if "The L Word" could continue, what would you want for your Bette Porter character?

I would want [Bette to] move to New York and see what [reunited couple Bette Porter and Tina Kennard’s] life would be like and see what would happen to them. I so treasure every moment I had on that show. I was so unbelievably blessed with that experience in ways that I can’t begin to count.

The sixth season was very difficult for many reasons, because it was the last season …and for a show that began about friendship to end in [a] murder [storyline] and mistrust [among the friends] was difficult. But the friendships I made on that show, including Ilene [Chaiken, co-creator/executive producer/writer/director of "The L Word"], transcend anything that happened at the end.

One of the things that I do when I finish a project, especially like "The L Word," is to make a photo book. The show belonged to the fans, not just to the cast … so I made ["The L Word"] photo book available, and 100 percent of the profits go to charity. It’s available online at www.lwordbook.com.

Jennifer Beals and Laurel Holloman in "The L Word"

Ilene Chaiken has said in interviews that she’d like to see "The L Word" made into a big-screen movie. Are there any updates?

I haven’t talked to her about the movie in a while. We’ve been talking about other projects we have planned.

What are the other projects?

[She laughs.] They’re not available yet for public consumption.

Do you plan to watch the reality show "The Real L World: Los Angeles," which Ilene Chaiken has in the works with Showtime?

As much as I watch anything on TV.

Jennifer Beals at the Los Angeles premiere of "The Book of Eli"

What do you think about reality shows in general?

I don’t usually watch them, because they tend to be quite negative. I don’t believe that they’re really that negative [in real life], but the drama is created by the editors and producers. If I want to watch fiction, I’d rather watch [scripted] things, like "The Young Victoria."

In 2009, you guest-starred on the TV series "Lie to Me" as Cal Lightman’s ex-wife, Zoe Landau. Do you know if Zoe is coming back to the show?

I’m the last person to ask. I’ve done four episodes of "Lie to Me."

Can you talk about your experience working on "Lie to Me"? For example, what was it like to work with Tim Roth?

We had a really interesting relationship. It’ll be interesting to see which direction the show will go.

Jennifer Beals at the 2009 GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles

What’s next for you?

I’m working right now on a film called "A Night for Dying Tigers." It’s about a uniquely dysfunctional family. I play a sister-in-law, with part of the insanity but without the inherited traits. It’s hard to talk about because we just started … Lauren Lee Smith is in it, who was on "The L Word," and she actually did a film called "Lie With Me."

Looking back on when you had your first big breakthrough with "Flashdance" in 1983, what’s the most important thing you’ve learned since then?

I feel like I dealt with life in the spotlight pretty well. I would do the same things, but I know now it [the celebrity hype] is not real and that it’s someone else’s construct.