Kate Beckinsale Passes Torch To Rhona Mitra In "Underworld 3"

Kate Beckinsale left an indelible mark on the “Underworld” franchise with her fierce portrayal of Selene, the heroic, if not feminist, vampire, in the first two film chapters. Now, fast-rising actress Rhona Mitra (“Shooter,” “The Number 23”) takes the reins from Beckinsale, playing the female lead but a completely different character in the prequel “Underworld: Rise of the Lycans” from Columbia Pictures.

Mitra was initially apprehensive about joining a franchise so closely associated with, as she says, “another British, brunette actress. But once I understood it was a prequel and a complete departure in terms of the character, I knew I could carve out something for myself.” In the new film, she plays Sonja, the beautiful but willful daughter of the supremely powerful Vampire leader, Viktor (Bill Nighy).

The filmmakers praise Mitra’s ability to capture the contradictory elements of Sonja’s personality. “It was very hard to find somebody with the toughness you need from a vampire, who also has a vulnerable side,” says producer Len Wiseman. “I think it’s a very difficult thing to pull off as deftly as Rhona has.”

The character reminds director Patrick Tatopoulos of Selene in many ways. “Sonja is to me the archetype for Selene,” he says. “Sonja is a warrior, but there’s something very fragile in her as well. She’s definitely a strong fighter, but emotionally she’s very charged as well. And she can become quite sensitive.”

Playing the Vampire assassin is an entirely new experience for Mitra. “This is a complete departure from any roles that I have played,” she says. “She is incredibly empowered. Sonja is a quite passionate female who embodies all of these warrior-like qualities, but also this wonderful femininity. It is quite seductive and enticing.”

Even though she is a newcomer to the franchise, Mitra says her co-stars made her immediately comfortable on set. “I had never worked with Bill Nighy or Michael Sheen before. Bill is a rock star in his own right. He lends himself so brilliantly and so gracefully to the Vampire world. And Michael’s preparation for this role was really exemplary. People always say, ‘Oh, I’m so blessed, and it’s such an honor’ but it genuinely was. The bar was set high and I had to rise to the occasion.”

Mitra originally hails from the U.K. but has become one of today’s most sought-after young actresses worldwide, due to memorable roles on American television series such as David E. Kelley’s critically acclaimed series “The Practice” and “Boston Legal,” as well as her season-arc character on “Nip/Tuck.”

She has since moved on to more significant roles in film, most recently starring in the thrillers “The Number 23,” opposite Jim Carrey, and “Shooter,” with Mark Wahlberg. Her past big screen credits include “The Life of David Gale,” opposite Kevin Spacey; “Highwaymen,” alongside Jim Caviezel; “Sweet Home Alabama,” with Reese Witherspoon; “Hollow Man,” alongside Kevin Bacon; and “Get Carter,” starring Sylvester Stallone.

Opening soon across the Philippines, “Underworld: Rise of the Lycans” is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.