Nadia Dajani was drawn into acting early in life. She attended the High School of Music and Art and the British Theatre Association School. She is known for movie roles such as Flirting with Disaster and Sidwalks of New York. She starred in the television show Ned and Stacy as Amanda Moyer for two seasons, and she has also appeared in other series such as Sex and the City, Ugly Betty, and of course plays the part of Tina on Showtime's The Big C. She also writes, produces, and stars in her own web series Caught Off Base with Nadia.

Dajani sat down in an exclusive interview with Jamie Ruby of Sci Fi Vision and MediaBlvd and to discuss life and her role on The Big C.

Question > How did you get started in acting?

Nadia Dajani > I always knew I wanted to do it and started acting in school plays at 10 yrs old.

Question > How did you come to work on The Big C? What attracted you to the part?

Nadia Dajani > I auditioned because it's a part I've never played before. I fell in love with Tina's party spirit!

Question > Who inspires you?

Nadia Dajani > All the girls who are of a certain age and still never saying 'die'.

Question > Is there anything you had to do to prepare for the role?

Nadia Dajani > I had to avoid eating lots of bread in order to squeeze into those tight jeans.

Question > What different challenges were there in playing Tina compared to other roles?

Nadia Dajani > Again, VERY TIGHT JEANS.

Question > What is your favorite part about working on the show?

Nadia Dajani > My favorite was how much I loved having big boobs!

Question > What has been your favorite scene that you filmed?

Nadia Dajani > There's a scene where I proposition Oliver Platt while he's parked in his car - that was a lot of fun to shoot.

Question > Can you talk about working with the cast?

Nadia Dajani > They were an absolute dream, everyone was so welcoming. An amazingly gifted group of people.

Question > Would you ever be interested in writing or directing if you had the chance (for The Big C or something else)?

Nadia Dajani > Yes, I once wrote a one act play that won an award at the HBO Aspen Comedy Festival. And I'm writing and producing now for Caught Off Base.

Question > Has there ben a particularly funny moment on set? Maybe someone plays pranks or there are bloopers that stand out?

Nadia Dajani > Not on The Big C. But years ago I did a play with Steve Zahn and we used to play jokes on each other on stage, he always got me better than I got him.

Question > What do you like or dislike about your character? Is there a part of you that relates to Tina?

Nadia Dajani > I never was a party girl so I'm living out behavior I never got to have.

Question > If you could write your own storyline for Tina, or if there is something you would like to see her do, what would it be?

Nadia Dajani > I'd love to see what Tina does for a living. Maybe she owns a nail salon?

Question > Are they strict with the script or do you improvise, and if you do improvise scenes, which do you find harder?

Nadia Dajani > I love to improvise but there wasn't any need to improvise on this show - it's so well written.

Question > What has been your favorite role so far?

Nadia Dajani > I loved my roles on Sex and the City, Curb Your Enthusiasm and The Big C.

Question > What would be your dream role or who would you most like to work with?

Nadia Dajani > I would want to work with Betty White and Carol Burnett!!!

Question > Can you talk about Caught Off Base?

Nadia Dajani > It's a web series I created of funny interviews with current and former baseball players. I write, produce, and act in it and I love traveling around and getting to meet all of the players.

Question > Do you like movies or television more? How is it different?

Nadia Dajani > No preference. Both are fun, no difference unless it's a sitcom with an audience, that's more like a play.

Question > Is there a part that was cut from the show (like a deleted scene) that you wish wasn't, or something in hindsight that you wish they would have cut?

Nadia Dajani > I actually haven't seen them yet.

Question > Do you watch yourself act?

Nadia Dajani > Yes but usually not more than once - too much cringing.

Question > If you weren't acting what would you be doing?

Nadia Dajani > The owner of the NY Yankees!

Question > What have you learned about yourself or what has been the most rewarding?

Nadia Dajani > That I'm a bigger dork than first thought.

Question > Do you have any advice for others wanting to act?

Nadia Dajani > Learn how to be an actor, not notorious.

Question > Do you have any new projects coming up that you can talk about?

Nadia Dajani > I'm about to start shooting a movie of the week for CBS starring Jennifer Love Hewitt and Betty White.

Question > What is the one thing that fans would be surprised to know about you?

Nadia Dajani > That I don't swear. Ever.

You can catch Nadia Dajani on The Big C which airs on Monday nights at 10:30 ET/PT on Showtime.


Originally published at Media Blvd. and here on Sci Fi Vision.