Ashley Edward Miller
"I'm originally from northern Virginia, a few miles outside of the nation's capital. I worked for several years as a professional geek at a bloodsucking government contractor supporting the DoD. Before that, I graduated (barely) from the College of William and Mary. This is my first television gig, though Zack and I sold/optioned two screenplays prior to our Andromeda assignments. We had both been toiling in obscurity before we started writing together, having sold de nada between us while working on our own.
As of this interview (Editor's Note: April 1999), my wife Jennifer still deigns to admit that she knows me."
Xenite.Org: The first season of Andromeda has wrapped and the second season is underway from your point of view. Looking back at all the intense scrutiny you (the writers) experienced before the premiere aired, do you personally feel more pressure now or less than you felt then?
Ashley Miller: Less, definitely. There is no pressure quite like the first time something you've written hits the air. I thought I was going to explode in the weeks leading up to the premiere of "D Minus Zero". Thankfully, I didn't.
Xenite.Org: One of the criticisms levelled at Kevin Sorbo is that he has been portraying Captain Dylan Hunt much as he portrayed Hercules. Although such criticisms are purely subjective, was the character of Dylan Hunt examined with an intention to give Kevin a chance to do non-Herkulean things. And, if so, how satisfied were you with the first season in that regard, critics be damned (or blessed)?
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Ashley Miller: Some critics are going to see Kevin as Hercules no matter what he does on Andromeda. That's their problem. The truth is, we've all worked very hard to carve out a unique identity for Dylan -- and that includes Kevin's efforts on the stage. For my money, Kevin has done nothing but succeed in creating a new and compelling character for science-fiction fans. His naysayers are cordially invited to go back to their caves (to paraphrase Bob Dole).
Xenite.Org: Science fiction shows are famous for reinventing classic literature and plays, like Shakespeare, some of the Greek dramas, and occasionally more recent works. Do you envision rewriting something like "The Tempest", "Romeo and Juliet", or "Medea"? Have you snuck anything by the viewing audience where you were secretly hoping someone would say, "Hey, that's from...." and it didn't happen (as far as you know)?
Ashley Miller: I think classic themes from literature appear and re-appear all the time, without regard to genre. Looking at our own body of work, there's a touch of the Orpheus myth in "The Banks of The Lethe" and several touches of the Old and New Testaments in "The Devil Take the Hindmost". But I wouldn't say that these "touches" equate to rewrites -- I think it's more accurate to suggest that some archetypical elements are apparent in those shows.
Xenite.Org: Do you feel pressured to take Trance's character in any specific direction, given the fan response that has developed around the Purple One?
Ashley Miller: Nope. Trance is what she is. And what she will be...
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