Lana Parrilla, famous for her powerful role as the Evil Queen on ‘Once Upon a Time,’ is stepping into a brand new world. The Puerto Rican-Italian actress is set to star in ‘The Rainmaker.’ This new legal series is coming to USA Network. It’s based on the popular book by John Grisham, and Lana is taking on a role that was originally written for a man.
In this fresh take, Lana plays Bruiser Stone. The character was male in the classic movie by Francis Ford Coppola. Mickey Rourke played the original Bruiser. Lana, who is 48, explained that making Bruiser a woman adds more power and depth. She shared with Us Weekly that this female Bruiser is “much more effective” with Rudy. She also noted how strong she is in the courtroom. Lana described her as smart, brave, and very street-smart. “It’s a much more interesting version of Bruiser,” she said.
Bringing Bruiser to Life
Lana got ready for the role by looking at both the novel and the movie. She found Bruiser’s strong will very relatable. “Bruiser had it in her pocket, so to speak,” Lana explained. She understood how the character moves through the world. Bruiser knows who to trust and who not to. She is a fighter. Lawyers fight for people who cannot fight for themselves. Lana feels she has that same fighting spirit.
Still, the biggest challenge for Lana was the legal language. She admitted it’s a completely different world. “I never went to law school,” she said with a laugh. Lana added that she’s more interested in medicine. She joked that she might be a better doctor than a lawyer. “I don’t know if I’d ever hire myself as a lawyer,” she quipped, “I’m too emotionally sensitive.”
Connecting with Her Roots
Beyond her new role, Lana also spoke about her amazing fans. Hispanic fans often see her as a symbol of strength. When asked about this, she responded with deep emotion. She takes in all that love with “open arms and gratitude.” She thanks higher powers for all the positive energy coming her way.
Lana believes much of this connection comes from ‘Once Upon a Time.’ That show truly became a global hit. It touched and inspired lives in ways she never thought possible. She added that this fan love keeps growing, especially with shows available on streaming platforms.
A Musical Dream
During the chat, Lana shared a personal dream: to act in a project completely in Spanish. She has always wanted to be in ‘West Side Story.’ It’s a very special musical to her. She holds it very close to her heart.
She admitted she might be too old to play Anita or Maria now. Yet, it has always been her true desire. This dream shows her strong pride in her Puerto Rican and Italian background. “Since I was a child, I thought about those characters,” she explained. It’s a childhood dream that might not happen exactly as she imagined. But it remains very meaningful to her.
Looking to the Horizon
With ‘The Rainmaker,’ Lana Parrilla is showing her range. She continues to find new and different roles in her career. Her focus is on this new show premiering soon. Still, she never forgets the characters who meant so much to a generation of fans. She said fans have grown up with these characters. Their lives have changed. “I can only be grateful for having been part of something like that,” she stated.
‘The Rainmaker’ is set to premiere on USA Network. You can catch it on Friday, August 15, at 10 p.m. ET.
Interview and report by Yana Grebenyuk.