IN CONVERSATION WITH JAIME SLATER
interview by JANA LETONJA
photography by BRETT ERICKSON
Jaime Slater is an accomplished actress, writer, and producer whose commanding performances and creative versatility have established her as a standout voice in both television and film. She will next star as Cornelia in ‘Spartacus: House of Ashur’, the highly anticipated continuation of STARZ’s iconic ‘Spartacus franchise’, premiering on 5th December. Known for her memorable roles in ‘Jupiter’s Legacy’, ‘Pacific Rim: Uprising’, and Marvel’s ‘Daredevil’, Jaime has consistently delivered layered, emotionally grounded performances across genres. Beyond acting, she continues to expand her creative footprint as a writer and producer, developing stories centered on strong, complex characters.
‘Spartacus: House of Ashur’ marks the return of one of television's most iconic franchises. What can you share about Cornelia and her place in this new, reimagined chapter?
Cornelia is status personified. She is one of the richest, most powerful, and well-known women of her time and she's intent on using her wealth and influence to elevate her husband, Julius Caesar.
Cornelia serves as a catalyst for total mayhem in Ashur's world and colonizes his villa in pursuit of her political ambitions for her husband. And because it delights her. Within that world, she weaponizes her shrewdness, intelligence, and sexuality. She also indulges in all things sinful and hedonistic, which makes her so much fun to play. The other interesting aspect of this character is that she has little to no consequences for her actions, and when you're that untouchable, people become nothing more than playthings. Everyone bows to her, whether out of fear or necessity. And I could not love her more.
Stepping into the ‘Spartacus’ universe, with its legacy and fiercely loyal fanbase, must have been surreal. What was that experience like for you?
I was a huge fan of the original series. Being a part of that fanbase and then landing this role made it feel like I was catapulted through my television screen. The first time I stepped foot on set was incredibly emotional for me. It's such an honor to get to be involved in something so well loved and so well written. I'm so grateful to Lionsgate and Starz for trusting me with such a spicy part of this show.
What drew you to the role of Cornelia, and what was the biggest challenge in bringing such a powerful, layered villain to life?
Cornelia is quite special for me because she's the first “monster” I've gotten to play. I love how she's intensely feminine and elegant, yet utterly vicious and duplicitous. She's completely lacking in empathy, and just so callous in the way she uses and manipulates people. In my mind, that adds up to the ultimate villain, which is what absolutely drew me to her.
But that's exactly where the challenge was for me. How do you begin to relate to someone who has no restraints of any kind. I realized all the reasons I love her were creating a distance for me. Having total power and operating without a moral compass wasn't something I could relate to, so I had to flip it to something I could. What if I liked the things she did? What if it felt good? What if it was fun? That was my entry point.
From ‘Daredevil’ and ‘Jupiter's Legacy’ to ‘Pacific Rim: Uprising’, you've moved fluidly between superhero, sci-fi, and drama worlds. How do you decide which characters or stories to take on?
I work really hard to find the depth, nuance, and stakes of all my characters and scenes, so it's lovely to hear that that translates between genres. Each of these characters had this strength and agency that I really admired. That's what I always look for in a role. I also love to play characters who can teach me something about being empowered and embodied. That's actually what I love about Cornelia. She has all of these qualities as well, but in a very twisted, dark way.
As your career evolves, what kind of stories or roles excite you the most right now?
I love period dramas as well as fantasy. Roles where I can completely immerse myself in a different time and world are incredibly exciting to me.
When you're not on set, what helps you recharge or stay creatively inspired?
I love to be outside. When I'm in LA, I'm always walking and hiking. That's where I have my biggest creative breakthroughs and revelations. I think the constant motion and engaging in my senses out in the elements gives my brain the space to process and gel on things. I actually had a lot of "aha moments" about Cornelia while walking in the rain in Auckland, where we filmed.
What's something fans might be surprised to learn about you?
Maybe not so surprising after my last answer, but I'm super outdoorsy. My favorite vacations and places to be are off grid, where things feel real. I go camping with my family in Africa every few years and take summer trips in the mountains of the Western US horseback riding and hiking. Basically, if there's no cell service, I'm in.
‘Spartacus’ is a major milestone. How do you hope this role shapes the next chapter?
Great question. I'm hopeful this will lead to the types of roles I haven't gotten to experience yet. I love being a part of an episodic period drama, but the thought of exploring more opportunities in feature films is creatively enticing.
