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David Franklin - The man who sucks up like no other as yes-man Braca.

Becoming Braca
  Tell us how you got the role as Braca?

It was very short notice actually. I went in the day before they started shooting Braca. I think there was some change of cast, because I went in and talked to a director the day before, and then I was on the set the next day.

I thought it was for a show called Fire Escape. I imagined I�d look pretty good in a fireman�s helmet. Turned out it was for a show called Farscape. I learnt that pretty quickly. I catch on.

How much did you know about the show before joining it?

I knew nothing. Less than nothing. And of course, Farscape is this whole new universe, they�ve created this entire world. So I went in with less than 24 hours notice, and had to very quickly adapt and pretend I knew what I was talking about. It was so, so, bizarre.

There was this whole world and terminology that I had to do a crash course in. I had no idea what an arn was, what a microt was, what a vector 6-something was. For the first couple of weeks, I was not at my most relaxed. It�s not the sort of dialogue [that�s easy to learn]. And the terms! It�s not colloquial dialogue. So it kept me on my toes.

Manipulative motivations
  What's your idea of Braca's real character?

He�s a man whose mission is to tiptoe through the minefield of various alliances as a Peacekeeper, and to not only survive but thrive. Power, you know, is quite an aphrodisiac. He�s a political animal.

Was it difficult to keep Braca such a consistent character when he didn't have a lot of screen time?

Well, that was very frustrating to start with. About halfway through season two David Kemper came up to me and said, "I love what you�re doing, I�ve got big plans for you." And I though, "Yeah, yeah".

Sure enough, there�s been an arc and a growth of the character, and you can see how Braca has matured and actually grown into his role as a Captain. He�s not just a manipulative slimeball who�s not capable. He�s actually proved himself to be capable. And the fact that there has been that growth, that�s kept me interested.

After what we've seen in season four, is there a shred of loyalty in Braca after all?

Well, where are you up to? Ah, in that case, all I say is a-hah!

Pornographic Peacekeepers
  What are the Grayza scenes like to do?

Sexual harrasment in the workplace, is that what you�re talking about? Yeah, it was so bizarre, getting away from Scorpius�s rule, and thinking, "Hah, got a lady boss. Things will be a little bit more relaxed. There might be a few scatter cushions around the Command Carrier. A bit more talk about feelings and emotions." No.

It was straight from the frying pan into the fire with Commandant Grayza. Poor Braca�s been molested in the workplace with her sex gland. She actually gave up a great deal of her life to get that sex gland. She�s used every trick in the book for her quest for power. It�s been really fun, doing that.

What's it like working with Rebecca Riggs?

We have a blast. As I�m sure you�re aware, her outfit just covers her nipples, as all good Commandant�s outfits do. One day she said, "Are they even?" and I thought she said "Are they evil?" so I said, "Yes, yes, they�re malevolent!"

It�s fun. It�s fun to be sexually molested in the workplace, though I know it�s not politically correct.

The secret of survival
  Did you ever expect to be playing Braca for so long?

God, no. When season one finished, I thought, "That was fun, off we go." And then they kept booking me for another episode, another episode, another episode. Each time I thought, "Oh well, I�ll get morphed into something, or destroyed by something, or vapour gunned." Whatever evil thing they could think up.

I have learnt one thing. Never go on a mission with Braca, because you won�t come back. But people still go on missions with him! They�re fools, I tell ya.

How would you fancy a Captain Braca spin-off?

Now you�re talking. He laughs like a loon.

It would be very exciting. There would be lots of bits I can�t talk about now, because it'd be a little bit rude. Braca�s revenge! And revenge is good.

The cancellation
  How did you learn about the cancellation?

For a couple of days before it was all green light, smooth sailing, and everyone was very confident that there would be a fifth season. Then a couple of days before it was announced, it all went very quiet, up top. So I felt "something funny is going on." And that was the unfortunate fact of life.

What do you think about the fan efforts to save the show?

It's absolutely extraordinary. I mean, I knew that there was a strong fan base, but I had no idea that people felt so passionately. All our contributions to the show created something that's quite special. I had no idea.

I just used to trek out to glamorous Homebush, to the industrial estate, and go out to deep space there. This is the first actual convention I�ve been too, and this isn�t even a specifically Farscape convention, [here] at Gallifrey.

So it�s absolutely incredible to meet the fans who we make the show for. And to see how strongly they identified with it, and loved it. Well, that�s what we made the show for. No fans, no show.

Future plans
  Have you got anything new lined-up yet?

I�m just over here in the United States having a look around. I�ve been working as an actor in Australia now for many many years, and I�m just having a look around for any possibilities over here. I have done a lot of international work in Australia, so I thought I�d spread my wings and have a look.