Dangerous Liaisons

Kosar Ali Interview: Victoire in Dangerous Liaisons (Video)

Published

2 years ago

November 6, 2022

Nir Regev

Kosar Ali spoke to The Natural Aristocrat® about portraying Victoire in new STARZ TV series Dangerous Liaisons.

This Kosar Ali interview contains spoilers for the Dangerous Liaisons TV Series on STARZ.

THE NATURAL ARISTOCRAT (NIR REGEV): During this season of Dangerous Liaisons, Victoire is told, “You’re the sort of girl that brings nothing to the world.” It’s a brutal scene. I was wondering how that line made you feel in the moment?

KOSAR ALI: Yeah, thanks for asking! I mean, it’s not a really nice thing to say to someone. So it was heavy… But, you know, I guess it’s just what comes with being an actor.

THE NATURAL ARISTOCRAT: When I interviewed Martha Millan on FOX TV series The Cleaning Lady, she spoke of how wearing servant’s clothes around rich elite characters made her feel.

“I look at them and they’re wearing these $5,000 suits and everything. They look amazing and obviously very sexy and beautiful to look at. And here I am in my cleaning clothes, definitely my vanity got to me.”

There’s definite parallels to Victoire on Dangerous Liaisons there. What are your thoughts on Victoire being similarly relegated to the side?

Kosar Ali as Victoire and Alice Englert as Camille in Dangerous Liaisons TV Series Season 1. Photo Credit: STARZ

KOSAR ALI: Yeah, I mean, you’re traveling back in time essentially to where it’s a difficult society and a difficult place to be as a black person… For some anyway. It’s not a nice feeling physically, emotionally, and soulfully. But yeah, it wasn’t fun.

THE NATURAL ARISTOCRAT: Why do you think Victoire pried into Pascal Valmont’s love letters in Dangerous Liaisons’ premiere episode (“Love or War”)? Why the overprotection of Camille?

Alice Englert as Camille and Kosar Ali as Victoire in Dangerous Liaisons TV Series Season 1. Photo Credit: STARZ

KOSAR ALI: I think because Victoire is a little detective. That’s what she reminds me of. Victoire senses a little bit of bulls*** and she just has to go chase it.

Victoire doesn’t trust Pascal Valmont and she’s a very protective person of the people she loves.

I think Victoire has to be protective over the people in her life because I don’t think she had much people in her life that loved her. Not much friendships, not much family. So it’s really important for Victoire to cherish that (with Camille).

THE NATURAL ARISTOCRAT: Victoire in a lot of ways, is the centerpiece of the whole story presented in Dangerous Liaisons. If Victoire never shows Camille those love letters addressed to Pascal Valmont, everything changes. How do you feel about that?

KOSAR ALI: Yeah, exactly! Victoire was kind of like the catalyst to all of that destruction. And I think she carries that into the scene.

Kosar Ali as Victoire in Dangerous Liaisons TV Series Season 1. Photo Credit: STARZ

I think Victoire carries a lot of guilt and questioning herself. Whether it was the right choice or not. But I don’t think she ever meant it in a malicious way. I think she’s just young.

Victoire thought it would be the best choice. But yeah, she basically caused all of that. So it’s not such a good thing necessarily, is it?

THE NATURAL ARISTOCRAT: Genevieve de Merteuil asks
Victoire to be mute essentially, which she immediatley rebuffs. What do you feel drives Victoire to rebel like that considering she seemed to be vehemently against fleeing with Camille initially?

Kosar Ali as Victoire in Dangerous Liaisons TV Series Season 1. Photo Credit: STARZ

KOSAR ALI: I think Victoire wanted to get out of there, but her friends were also there. So it’s kind of that thing where it’s like, “We’re here now. So what could we do?”

And I think Victoire rebelled because she’s a very rebel type of character. I think if Victoire has something on her mind and in her heart, she can’t help but say it and do it.

Victoire stands up for herself because who wants to be mute? I’m not mute. I can speak. So I guess that’s just her character. Victoire is quite outrightly spoken.

THE NATURAL ARISTOCRAT: What was your original audition like for Dangerous Liaisons?

KOSAR ALI: It was actually really bad! (laughs) It was a really bad audition. I went in there sleep deprived and did not learn my lines properly. And I even made up a character at some point.

But it was really nice meeting Robert Sterne and Leo (Leonora Lonsdale). We really got along and they somehow pulled me back and now I’m here!

THE NATURAL ARISTOCRAT: Did you know you were reading for the Dangerous Liaisons TV Series?

KOSAR ALI: Yeah, I knew I was reading for the series and Victoire but she was very, very different when I auditioned for her. We changed the script a lot.

We built a lot into the series when I got the role. But when I initially auditioned, I knew the basis of the character.

THE NATURAL ARISTOCRAT: What did you think of the overall sets and costumes for Dangerous Liaisons? They’re so elaborate.Dangerous Liaisons stands out as an exceptionally upscale, grand, and expensive TV series production.

Kosar Ali as Victoire in Dangerous Liaisons TV Series Season 1. Photo Credit: STARZ

KOSAR ALI: I think that was my favorite part, to be honest with you! The costume and the production really creates the world. You feel like you’ve been transported back.

And they all put so much time into it, so much love into it. So it was really incredible.

THE NATURAL ARISTOCRAT: What do you hope fans take away from your character Victoire?

KOSAR ALI: Firstly, I hope they like her and if they don’t like her, that’s okay as well. I hope they connect with her and I hope they see her strength and power.

THE NATURAL ARISTOCRAT: Do you think it’s easier to be disliked than liked as a character? Is it easier to be a villain than a hero?

KOSAR ALI: I think they’re both equally hard, but I guess it’s harder to be a villain. It’s harder to be a villain because all that hate, that must be a lot.

THE NATURAL ARISTOCRAT: Interesting. I recall either Christian Bale or Heath Ledger once commenting how it was more freeing to play a villain in reference to the Joker. How you’re not restricted by the hero’s rules or a need to be liked, so it’s liberating as an actor.

KOSAR ALI: Yeah, there’s something kind of freeing about playing a villain. I think there’s so many more layers with villains and much more emotional outtakes than heroes!

THE NATURAL ARISTOCRAT: Thanks Kosar!

KOSAR ALI: Thank you!

– Watch Dangerous Liaisons Season 1 Episode 1 (“Love or War”) right now on STARZ!