Probably the most brutal show that Syfy has ever produced, Blood Drive pays homage to the Grindhouse school of cinema, with Matador’s Christina Ochoa playing Grace, who’s not beyond using anything – or anyone – to achieve her aims. She answered some questions from Paul Simpson…

Blood Drive is very different from anything else on television at the moment; what were your impressions when you first read the script?

I love being a part of something truly “different”. Unlike anything else out there. James Roland really took a risk and we were all excited to be a part of that.

What particularly appealed about playing Grace?  Did you have any reservations about playing her?

She’s unapologetic. I love that. She’s at peace with her darkness and that’s a concept that’s very appealing to explore as an actress.

The first episode is drenched with sex and violence!

Yes… yes it is. :)

How much input have you had into her character development through the series, or was it all pretty much mapped out before you came on board?

The scripts were in place, but Roland and the entire producing team allowed for us to find pockets and make the characters our own. None more so than Colin with Slink. Isn’t he just brilliant?! I love what he did with the character.

What’s been the biggest challenges about playing her, and making a show that’s as intense as Blood Drive?

Physicality aside (our poor makeup team had dozens of bruises to cover on a daily basis because I insisted on doing my own stunts) the biggest challenge was probably making sure the relationships were very grounded, since the characters themselves are known archetypes and pretty extreme. Good cop, femme fatale…etc.

Presumably when you’re caught up in making a series like this, you don’t get much chance to indulge your passion for marine studies – or do you use them as a way to “switch off” from the pressures of production?

I always try to make time for my “first love”, if you will; the Ocean. So aside from volunteering and connecting with the Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town, I would try to get away and do as much scuba diving as possible as well as partake in programs promoting science and marine conservation.

You talked a few years back about maybe combining the two loves – acting and science – in a role; has anything come of that? Have you considered creating it yourself or with someone like Bob Orci or Roberto Rodriguez?

Still working on that. :)

Would you like to direct/produce your own fictional material (as opposed to the podcasts etc.)?

I have a production company and my producing partner and I are currently developing content with writers and other talent. That’s definitely something I’d like to pursue in the long run.

Blood Drive, Thursdays at 10pm on SYFY

Click here for our interview with composer Michael Gatt

and our spoiler-free review of episode 1