A genre fan since she was a child, the stunning Holden gave iF Magazine an exclusive interview about her new role, as well as her work on the forthcoming ALIENS VS. PREDATOR sequel and her stint on Lifetime’s vampire series BLOOD TIES.

iF MAGAZINE: Were you still doing BLOOD TIES when you auditioned for FLASH?

GINA HOLDEN: I think we were shooting and I was possessed by a demon [on BLOOD TIES], so I went in to read for [FLASH GORDON]. I only had a couple hours sleep and I didn’t even have the script yet. The only time I could go in, I had a whole different vibe going on, that dark Goth, demon vibe which is obviously quite different than Dale. It was really funny. It turned out for the best, and if you’re right for the part, you’re right for the part, so it all worked out.

iF: Did you research the old FLASH GORDON newspaper strips or the old serials?

HOLDEN: I did a little bit as much as I could. I had a brother growing up who was into sci-fi and comic books and I wanted to do whatever he did. We would stay up all night finishing video games. So I was so into this that when it came time that I got the role, I got the old comic books, got on the Internet, and watched the [1980] movie.

iF: How much input did you have in recreating Dale Arden for the new millennium?

HOLDEN: They said, "here’s the basis, go and create something you want to create. Stay true to the original." She’s so much modern now. Underneath it all, just like anybody else, she’s vulnerable, she has a huge heart, she wants to do the right thing. She’s so strong and courageous and out there and adventurous. She doesn’t want to sit back. She wants to get in the game and does not want to sit on the sidelines and watch. She’s wonderful, very important to the story and obviously a tried and true friend to Flash. She wants to do whatever she can to help him, aside from yes, a little bit of a love triangle going on. The bottom line, she wants to help him save his father.

iF: You’re working on Episode 9 now, what has been the most exciting thing you’ve done so far on show?

HOLDEN: There’s been so many neat things, but for sure, it’s that sci-fi element of going to Mongo and doing all the green screen and letting the imagination go wild. For me that’s the most exciting thing. It’s creating that whole thing and also, I really loved all the relationship stuff I’m faced with as Dale. She’s so challenged, confused, but it’s fun and adventurous. I think every day is adventurous.

iF MAGAZINE: What can you tell us about ALIENS VS. PREDATOR?

GINA HOLDEN: It premieres at the end of December. It was a fantastic experience because I’m such a big ALIEN fan. The whole casting process I was just blown away I was able to read for something like that. Being the nerd that I am for that kind of thing I was like, "really, I’m reading for this." And the when I got the part I was more excited and when I got on set, I was working with the original crew from ALIEN and sitting next to this creature, I was just pinching myself. I couldn’t believe I was there. It was a fantastic experience.

iF: What character do you play?

HOLDEN: I play Carrie Adams, she’s the wife of one of the Colonel’s in town. She’s a waitress and she’s an All-American girl and gets into some crazy situations and it was fun.

iF: Do you get to battle the Aliens? Do you become Sigourney Weaver at some point?

HOLDEN: I wish. Something happens to me that I’m not so much Sigourney, but I do come face to face with these guys. It’s pretty exciting, we’ll have to wait and see.

iF: Everybody trashed the last film, I’ve heard this one is much better.

HOLDEN: I think so. I think the true fans enjoyed the first one, but the directors [Colin and Greg Strause] are up and coming and they’ve done a phenomenal job. The experience of it was fresh, exciting and new and it’s going to be really good. I think it’s really well done, from my perspective, since I’m such a fan.

iF: Do you get to meet a Predator and an Alien or just one of them?

HOLDEN: Just one.

iF: An Alien?

HOLDEN: Yes.

iF: Did you enjoy working on BLOOD TIES, since the character was so different from the other things you’ve played?

HOLDEN: I played a Goth girl which was really different than what I normally play. Why not do something outside of yourself of what you do. I wanted to dig into that lifestyle and vibe. She turned into a quite a big character. She was a smaller, fun contribution to the show and then it became something else incredible.

iF: You have a taste of the genre stuff now.

HOLDEN: I think it’s fantastic. I’m just as much of a dork and geek. I think it’s exciting.

iF: Does it help as an actress that you’re so into this?

HOLDEN: I love it. All these experiences I’ve had are great. The first time I ever did green screen was on FINAL DESTINATION 3 and I was so excited and open to it. It was so cool. I’m actually harnessed up, 20 stories up, in this roller coaster, they’re flying me out of the side against this green screen. How much cooler does it get than that.