SCIFI AND TV TALK: Sci-Fi Blast From The Past - Christopher Judge (Stargate SG-1)
n today's Sci-Fi Blast From The Past, Christopher Judge talks about his early days playing the Jaffa warrior Teal'c on Stargate SG-1.
With his steely gaze, imposing stature and muscular physique Stargate SG-1’s resident extraterrestrial Teal’c is a force with which to be reckoned. As the former personal guard of Apophis, the god-like leader of a highly aggressive alien race known as the Goa’uld, this proud and mighty warrior had to obey orders without question. However, since coming to Earth and joining a group of military and scientific explorers led by Colonel Jack O’Neill, Teal’c has not only reclaimed his independence but also the freedom to think for himself.
Given his stoic and guarded nature most people would consider Teal’c the strong and silent type but there is so much more to him than meets the eye. Although he may not always express himself in the most obvious of ways it does not mean that he is not experiencing the same pain, anger and even happiness that his teammates feel. Despite his towering presence Teal’s is remarkably subtle when displaying emotion and this presents Christopher Judge with a huge creative challenge when portraying the character.
“Teal’c has so many emotions and, yet, very few ways in which to show them,” he explains. “I think the hardest thing for an actor to comprehend as well as trust when it comes to their performance is stillness. I had the opportunity to once work with James Earl Jones and he gave me some advice which I’ve never forgotten and that is, ‘Let stillness be your strength.’
“When something amusing happens in a story I have to struggle as Teal’c to keep a straight face. There have also been moments in certain episodes that have really moved me as a human being and have made me want to cry but that isn’t how Teal’c would react. I have to register the emotion, whatever it may be, and relate Teal’c’s feelings to the viewers but not overplay his reaction, and that can be incredibly difficult at times...”
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