By TIM NIXON
Published: Today
"I KNOW how to Google and email," says MARY LYNN RAJSKUB of her limited computer skills.
In other words, she's a far cry from her code-breaking, disaster-preventing 24 alter-ego Chloe O'Brian.
The CTU employee has spent the last five years tapping away furiously behind banks of screens, tackling all manner of baffling numbers and patterns.
She's become Jack Bauer's closest ally, often going rogue to help KIEFER SUTHERLAND'S hardman field agent outsmart the innumerable terrorist threats thrown their way.
Off screen, Mary Lynn admits her relationship with Kiefer lacked the closeness of their characters, saying she felt "nervous" in his presence.
Although it's hard to imagine Chloe blubbing her eyes out, the actress/writer/comedian/musician was an inconsolable wreck when the crew called "wrap" on the last ever 24 scene earlier this year.
She's now holding out hope she'll be asked back if and when the 24 movie comes to fruition.
I met up with Mary Lynn in a London hotel and put your questions to her.
How did you get into 24 - did you fall into it or actively seek a part?
Anthony Dawson, Surrey
I did not activity seek a role. The audition came in but the part wasn't written yet. My agent told me I should go in and my mum told me I should go in, because she watched the show. I didn't watch the show. I went in and the creator, Joel Surnow, said that he'd seen me in this Paul Thomas Anderson film starring Adam Sandler called Punch Drunk Love and really liked me and really wanted to create a role for me. I thought that was very nice but I didn't think that he would do it. But he did. I thought it would just be for four shows or six shows and that I'd be fired or killed after that. It kept growing, to my surprise.
How much have you enjoyed your time on 24 and what are your fondest memories?
Nina636
I enjoyed it very much because it was the first time I was able to be a dramatic actress. I always did comedy before that. I just enjoy playing Chloe because she's blunt and rude and says things that you shouldn't say, so that was fun. I really like the people that I worked with. Overall I'm very fond of the whole experience. But after being on 24 for five years, I might do something lighter for a while.
Chloe O'Brian was a very awkward woman who lacked social skills. Could you relate to that side of her?
Lilah Rubywell, Wimbledon
I definitely am close to Chloe being socially awkward. I can relate to that. But I can't relate to that kind of intellect. I'm much more polite in real life.
Chloe spent most of her time at the computer. Were you ever jealous of all the action scenes your castmates got to do?
Amanda Rigby, Kingston
A little bit. I think it would have been fun to have more action. But then they'd be up at night filming at the beach when it was cold outside or on a submarine and I got to be indoors on the computer. I had it quite easy. I got a little bit of action over the years.
How do your computer skills compare to Chloe's?
Sherrie Landreth, Texas
I know how to Google. I know how to email. That's about it. I did see the movie The Social Network, does that count?
Working so closely for such concentrations must test relationships - both personal and professional. Is Kiefer Sutherland a friend in real life or just a colleague?
Bethany Oscar, Hampshire
Kiefer Sutherland is really a nice guy. It's funny how scary he gets when he's Jack Bauer. There's an intensity that always made me nervous to be around. I don't think he understands how tense he can be. He told me way later it was because of having the weight of starring in the show on him, but I thought he was really smart in the way he set that pace for the show. When you're around him, you instantly match that intensity because I would be more inclined to just joke around.
Do you think Chloe had a bit of a crush on Jack?
Neil Fredericks, Devon
I think my character started out as a rule follower who wanted to do the right thing but over time she followed Jack Bauer. She wanted to be more like him. He follows his own code and what he thinks is right. She was so loyal to Jack - to a ridiculous point at times. I think that she would have to on some level have a crush on Jack to act in the way that she acted. I think it's something that she would never really admit to herself. She was in the closet over her crush on Jack.
Kiefer Sutherland said there were lots of tears when shooting ended on season 8. How did you react?
Pauline George, Scunthorpe
I was all of those tears that he was talking about. The whole day I was trying to pretend that it wasn't really the end. I just didn't want to face it. Then when it was the end I just burst into tears. It's a little bit jarring because you get to the point where you're very comfortable. The saddest thing was not being able to see all the people. We'd all got so close.
In the beginning the 24 concept was very original. After 8 seasons, do you think it had run its course as a TV show?
Alice Rufus, Cornwall
I think that it could have gone on a couple more years, just because the fan base was so strong. Even though you knew that certain elements were going to happen - the terrorist threat, how I'd always try to help Jack - I think it worked. But at the same time, that's a long time for any TV show. So it's ok that's over.
There has been a lot of talk about a movie, any idea if and when this will be going ahead?
Nina636
(Joking) I'm writing a movie myself. It involves Jack Bauer and Jack Pack in his underwear. It's something that I'm working on so that if they don't come up with the script quick enough, I've got one I can propose. It involves a lot more action on my part. I have a suit with, like, eight guns on it so I'll be pretty powerful in the movie. Jack would be my sidekick. He can relax and take a break - he's done enough.
If there's going to be a movie, will you be in it?
Barr4
Sure, yeah. I've been asked if I'd continue the series - I think a movie would be more appealing at this point because it would be interesting to see where they started it and how they did it. I'm still interested in my character. I'd be interested to see what more could be done with her.
If you could resurrect any character who has died in 24 for the movie, who would it be and why?
Lucy and Will, Birmingham
I would bring back Edgar, I would bring back Michelle Dessler, and I would like to see President Palmer as president again.
When you're out of public, do people often shout Chloe at you - and what's the strangest encounter you've had with a fan?
Matilda Henry, Yorkshire
People call me Chloe probably more often than they call me by my real name. People are pretty nice, they're all just excited to tell me how many shows they've watched in a row or the get-togethers they have or the different games they play while they're watching 24. Sometimes people hug me which can be nice or strange, depending on what mood I'm in. I try not to talk too much because people are really, really into 24. It's really fun when you get the people who can't stop talking about it and the people who are like: 'I've never seen it - what's the big deal?' in the same room. I just stand there and let the fan go on at the non-fan.
You were recently in a one-woman show called Mary Lynn Spreads Her Legs. Did that shock a few people who only know you as awkward Chloe?
Amanda Grace, Sunderland
I always did comedy before 24 so it's not unusual for me to perform live onstage. This show is a very personal show as you can tell by the title - it's very intimate. But I think I've surprised quite a few people who have come to the show thinking I'm just going to tell stories about being on the set of 24. It's actually quite a personal, dramatic story - so some people are letting themselves in for more than they'd bargained for. The subject matter gets a little bit dark and twisted. It's the other side of having a child and maybe not being into that child. I do it in a funny way but it's a serious subject.
24: The Final Season is out on DVD and Blu-ray now
Off screen, Mary Lynn admits her relationship with Kiefer lacked the closeness of their characters, saying she felt "nervous" in his presence.
Although it's hard to imagine Chloe blubbing her eyes out, the actress/writer/comedian/musician was an inconsolable wreck when the crew called "wrap" on the last ever 24 scene earlier this year.
She's now holding out hope she'll be asked back if and when the 24 movie comes to fruition.
I met up with Mary Lynn in a London hotel and put your questions to her.
How did you get into 24 - did you fall into it or actively seek a part?
Anthony Dawson, Surrey
I did not activity seek a role. The audition came in but the part wasn't written yet. My agent told me I should go in and my mum told me I should go in, because she watched the show. I didn't watch the show. I went in and the creator, Joel Surnow, said that he'd seen me in this Paul Thomas Anderson film starring Adam Sandler called Punch Drunk Love and really liked me and really wanted to create a role for me. I thought that was very nice but I didn't think that he would do it. But he did. I thought it would just be for four shows or six shows and that I'd be fired or killed after that. It kept growing, to my surprise.
How much have you enjoyed your time on 24 and what are your fondest memories?
Nina636
I enjoyed it very much because it was the first time I was able to be a dramatic actress. I always did comedy before that. I just enjoy playing Chloe because she's blunt and rude and says things that you shouldn't say, so that was fun. I really like the people that I worked with. Overall I'm very fond of the whole experience. But after being on 24 for five years, I might do something lighter for a while.
Chloe O'Brian was a very awkward woman who lacked social skills. Could you relate to that side of her?
Lilah Rubywell, Wimbledon
I definitely am close to Chloe being socially awkward. I can relate to that. But I can't relate to that kind of intellect. I'm much more polite in real life.
Working to tight deadlines .. Chloe O'Brian
Chloe spent most of her time at the computer. Were you ever jealous of all the action scenes your castmates got to do?
Amanda Rigby, Kingston
A little bit. I think it would have been fun to have more action. But then they'd be up at night filming at the beach when it was cold outside or on a submarine and I got to be indoors on the computer. I had it quite easy. I got a little bit of action over the years.
How do your computer skills compare to Chloe's?
Sherrie Landreth, Texas
I know how to Google. I know how to email. That's about it. I did see the movie The Social Network, does that count?
Working so closely for such concentrations must test relationships - both personal and professional. Is Kiefer Sutherland a friend in real life or just a colleague?
Bethany Oscar, Hampshire
Kiefer Sutherland is really a nice guy. It's funny how scary he gets when he's Jack Bauer. There's an intensity that always made me nervous to be around. I don't think he understands how tense he can be. He told me way later it was because of having the weight of starring in the show on him, but I thought he was really smart in the way he set that pace for the show. When you're around him, you instantly match that intensity because I would be more inclined to just joke around.
Do you think Chloe had a bit of a crush on Jack?
Neil Fredericks, Devon
I think my character started out as a rule follower who wanted to do the right thing but over time she followed Jack Bauer. She wanted to be more like him. He follows his own code and what he thinks is right. She was so loyal to Jack - to a ridiculous point at times. I think that she would have to on some level have a crush on Jack to act in the way that she acted. I think it's something that she would never really admit to herself. She was in the closet over her crush on Jack.
Kiefer Sutherland said there were lots of tears when shooting ended on season 8. How did you react?
Pauline George, Scunthorpe
I was all of those tears that he was talking about. The whole day I was trying to pretend that it wasn't really the end. I just didn't want to face it. Then when it was the end I just burst into tears. It's a little bit jarring because you get to the point where you're very comfortable. The saddest thing was not being able to see all the people. We'd all got so close.
In the beginning the 24 concept was very original. After 8 seasons, do you think it had run its course as a TV show?
Alice Rufus, Cornwall
I think that it could have gone on a couple more years, just because the fan base was so strong. Even though you knew that certain elements were going to happen - the terrorist threat, how I'd always try to help Jack - I think it worked. But at the same time, that's a long time for any TV show. So it's ok that's over.
There has been a lot of talk about a movie, any idea if and when this will be going ahead?
Nina636
(Joking) I'm writing a movie myself. It involves Jack Bauer and Jack Pack in his underwear. It's something that I'm working on so that if they don't come up with the script quick enough, I've got one I can propose. It involves a lot more action on my part. I have a suit with, like, eight guns on it so I'll be pretty powerful in the movie. Jack would be my sidekick. He can relax and take a break - he's done enough.
On call ..Chloe O'Brian
If there's going to be a movie, will you be in it?
Barr4
Sure, yeah. I've been asked if I'd continue the series - I think a movie would be more appealing at this point because it would be interesting to see where they started it and how they did it. I'm still interested in my character. I'd be interested to see what more could be done with her.
If you could resurrect any character who has died in 24 for the movie, who would it be and why?
Lucy and Will, Birmingham
I would bring back Edgar, I would bring back Michelle Dessler, and I would like to see President Palmer as president again.
When you're out of public, do people often shout Chloe at you - and what's the strangest encounter you've had with a fan?
Matilda Henry, Yorkshire
People call me Chloe probably more often than they call me by my real name. People are pretty nice, they're all just excited to tell me how many shows they've watched in a row or the get-togethers they have or the different games they play while they're watching 24. Sometimes people hug me which can be nice or strange, depending on what mood I'm in. I try not to talk too much because people are really, really into 24. It's really fun when you get the people who can't stop talking about it and the people who are like: 'I've never seen it - what's the big deal?' in the same room. I just stand there and let the fan go on at the non-fan.
You were recently in a one-woman show called Mary Lynn Spreads Her Legs. Did that shock a few people who only know you as awkward Chloe?
Amanda Grace, Sunderland
I always did comedy before 24 so it's not unusual for me to perform live onstage. This show is a very personal show as you can tell by the title - it's very intimate. But I think I've surprised quite a few people who have come to the show thinking I'm just going to tell stories about being on the set of 24. It's actually quite a personal, dramatic story - so some people are letting themselves in for more than they'd bargained for. The subject matter gets a little bit dark and twisted. It's the other side of having a child and maybe not being into that child. I do it in a funny way but it's a serious subject.
24: The Final Season is out on DVD and Blu-ray now
Source: thesun.co.uk
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