Maggie Q on Bosch spin-off show Ballard, her gruelling Nikita workload and love for Hawaii
Actress Maggie Q discusses her role in Amazon’s new show Ballard, the demands of leading Nikita, why she prefers life away from Hollywood
Landing a lead role in a television series would seem like a dream scenario for an up-and-coming actor. But it can also become a nightmare – just ask Maggie Q.
The actress, who got her start in Hong Kong action films, scored the title role in the 2010 spy thriller Nikita, where she showcased her athletic prowess and became one of the few Asian actors to star in a US network drama series.
Although Q was grateful for the experience, she also remembers the project as all-consuming and gruelling, prompting her to be more selective about her choices.
“I get a lot of scripts, and a lot of them I don’t like,” says Q, whose real name is Margaret Denise Quigley.
“I also wasn’t looking to take on another show. It was like, ‘Is this something I really want to do right now?’ I know what it takes to be No 1 on a show. It’s a massive output, and it really has to be good enough for me to want to do that again.”