Based on the books by Tony DiTerlizzi, the animated series WondLa, which premiered today on Apple TV+, follows Eva, voiced by Jeanine Mason, a curious teenager, raised alone in a state-of-the-art underground bunker by her robot caretaker Muthr, voiced by Teri Hatcher. After an attack on the bunker on her sixteenth birthday, Eva is forced to climb to the surface of the Earth, which, now called Orbona, she finds has been inhabited by aliens, and there no humans are around. Eva leads Muthr, as well as water bear, Otto (voiced by Brad Garrett), and alien, Rovender (voiced by Gary Anthony Williams), on a quest to find humans, her home, and ultimately, her destiny.

Actress Hatcher, who originally narrated the audio books, was first approached by DiTerlizzi about working on the series. Recently, when speaking with SciFi Vision about working on the project, she talked about the collaboration aspect of an animation. “[T]hat's my favorite thing about it.” Hatcher explained, “What the animators are doing and what you're doing, and what the director and the producers are doing, it's kind of a constant circling back between all of you until the whole thing cements together, and I really appreciate being a part of a group of artists in that way.” 

To Hatcher, it’s about the script when she decides whether or not to work on a project. “[I]f you're a cog in a larger piece that you think really works and has meaning, that could even be just entertainment, but whatever the meaning is, if that's clear in the script, then I'm excited to be a part of something, no matter how big or small my part might be,” the actress told the site.

“I always believe in showing up, showing up with just a lot of energy, an open mind, an open heart, and allow[ing] yourself to evolve,” added Hatcher. “Sometimes something will surprise you. Sometimes you'll have a new idea that you didn't anticipate. Sometimes somebody will offer you an idea that you didn't anticipate. I think just being open, I think that's a pretty good way to go into work and into life. So, I think that's what I was doing here.”

Watch the full interview or read the transcript below, and be sure to check out the animated series WondLa, now streaming on Apple TV+.



SCIFI VISION:   What was it about this project that made you think that you had to do it? 

TERI HATCHER:  Well, I recorded the audiobooks for Tony years and years and years ago, and so when it became the idea that they were going to make the animated series, he had reached out to me and said, “Would I like to voice the Muthr?” And of course I would, and I did. So, that's how I ended up being a part of it. 

Is it hard for you though, just using your voice, because you can't emote with your body and your expressions, or maybe it's easier because nobody has to see you? How does that factor in for you? 

I wouldn't necessarily say that it's easier or harder. I just think that it's its own unique muscle, and I really enjoy it. I don't particularly approach it - from an acting technique point of view, I'm thinking of it, I guess, closer to like a monologue, where I'm still saying something to someone; I'm still looking for a reaction from someone, even if they're not there. So, that feels the same to me. But you are alone in a sound booth in just your sweats with not necessarily any makeup on. So, that's also pleasant [laughs], but it really is, an animation is really a collaboration, and maybe that's my favorite thing about it. What the animators are doing and what you're doing, and what the director and the producers are doing, it's kind of a constant circling back between all of you until the whole thing cements together, and I really appreciate being a part of a group of artists in that way. 

Because you didn't have people with you, were you given, you know, sound files a lot of times to kind of hear your scene partner’s take on it? Or did you just kind of go off of whoever was there with you at the time? 

No, no. I never worked with any of the other actors’ voices. Sometimes Bobs Gannaway would read with me. Sometimes I would just read the dialog over and over, you know, each line, like you maybe do three times. That was sort of a pattern we had that you would do three passes of the line, and then you would move on to the next line. So yeah, it kind of worked both ways. 

Was there anything though that you did find difficult about this, or was it pretty easy, since it was just voice work, although still, you know, a fun job? 

Well, again, I wouldn't say easy, but I wouldn't say difficult either. It's just an opportunity to explore acting and bringing a character to life. I mean, that's kind of how I approach it. 

Did you learn anything about yourself from doing this project in particular? 

Oh, well, I always believe in showing up, showing up with just a lot of energy, an open mind, an open heart, and allow yourself to evolve. Sometimes something will surprise you. Sometimes you'll have a new idea that you didn't anticipate. Sometimes somebody will offer you an idea that you didn't anticipate. I think just being open, I think that's a pretty good way to go into work and into life. So, I think that's what I was doing here. 

Is there anything in particular you look for when you're when you're deciding whether or not to take a role, just in general? 

Oh, in general, I would say the script. I think, no matter how big or small a role is, I think if you're a cog in a larger piece that you think really works and has meaning, that could even be just entertainment, but whatever the meaning is, if that's clear in the script, then I'm excited to be a part of something, no matter how big or small my part might be.