27 Comments so far

1. Brianna July 7th, 2007 8:08 am

   I’ll blame it on the fact that it’s mere days away from the new Harry Potter movie, but when reading the book I sort of saw Helena Bonham Carter. Young, slight but overwhelmingly capable, and depending on who she’s playing, not necessarily on you would want to turn your back on.

2. Brianna July 7th, 2007 8:12 am

   And of course I meant “not necessarily ONE you would want to turn your back on.”

3. J. July 7th, 2007 8:30 am

   Well, she has to be evil.
   And aging.

   How about Joan Collins? Perfect!

4. Jamie H July 7th, 2007 8:45 am

   Faye Grant, wife of Stephen Collins (the dad on Seventh Heaven).

   She’s not a major actress, but she’s an unforgettable one. I saw her on the short-lived tv series “State of Grace” in which she played a middle-aged Southern belle during the 1960s: she has class out to wazoo, enough charm to knock you over, but a definite cross-me and it’s your funeral, bitch about her.

5. Jenifer July 7th, 2007 9:44 am

   If I remember right, Xan is in her 50s, but through use of surgery and magic looks young for her age, so my first thought is Nicole Kidman. But Meryl Streep would be another great choice.

6. robena grant July 7th, 2007 10:03 am

   Christine Lahti. She’s a fabulous actress, can play any role and she has that cool sophistication to carry off Xan’s humongous ego. Also, I think it mentioned in the story that Xan was most like Lizzie (or did I just make that up?)

7. pats July 7th, 2007 10:27 am

   My first thought was Catherine Zeta Jones — beautiful and sexy who would fight to retain her beauty and power. And that thought led to Delta Burke who can definitely do over-the-top…

8. Sindy July 7th, 2007 11:13 am

   i agree with jenifer…i saw the headline and Meryl Streep showed up in my head *g*

9. Diane (TT) July 7th, 2007 12:21 pm

   I still like Diana Rigg for Xan. Smooth, elegant, but not much given to suffering fools, with just the right touch of ruthlessness. Not hard looking, like some others who have aged “well”. Because if it were that obvious, what would be the point?

10. GatorPerson July 7th, 2007 12:25 pm

    Elizabeth Taylor

11. dee July 7th, 2007 4:39 pm

    Lauren Bacall is Xan. Of course, that’s because she’s one of my favorite people. My favorite movie of hers? “The Mirror Has Two Faces”. She was just so freakin’ stunning in that movie. Plus, she’s got the attitude to carry off the zinger lines that Xan dishes out in the book. I don’t care what anyone says about her looking older. To me, SHE is the QOTU.

12. McB July 8th, 2007 9:25 am

    I too thought of Joan Collins, although maybe not recently. But Diana Rigg is perfect.

13. ZaZa July 8th, 2007 2:35 pm

    I with Diana Rigg, too. Wasn’t she your firt choice, Jenny?

14. ZaZa July 8th, 2007 2:40 pm

    Ooh, ooh! Minnie Driver. She’s a little young, well, a lot, really, but she can play evil really well, and she’s tall and gorgeous.

15. ZaZa July 8th, 2007 2:59 pm

    Or Demi Moore. Yeah. Looks younger than her age, strong, could be ruthless. I like her.

16. Jenny Crusie July 8th, 2007 4:13 pm

    My first choice, back when she was named Rellie, was Jessica Walters. But then when we changed her to Xan, it was Diana Rigg all the way.

17. Lily July 8th, 2007 4:20 pm

    How about the actress from the OC who played Julie Cooper? She does a fantastic villainess and I think she’s got the most stunning witchy green eyes…Melinda Clarke, just remembered her name. I know she’s a bit young, but you could put that down to her magical powers…

18. Mary Stella July 9th, 2007 11:27 am

    I just read the book over the weekend. Immediately I thought of Meryl Streep for Xan. Now I’ve had another thought - Finola Hughes (Anna Scorpio from General Hospital), without the British accent. I didn’t realize until just now that she played the mother of the three sisters on Charmed, but I think she could be a terrific Xan. She’s beautiful, sexy, could easily charm men to her bidding, but also turn to evil control in a snap.

19. me July 9th, 2007 11:27 am

    I was also going to say Joan Collins. Or maybe Faye Dunaway.

20. Diane L. July 9th, 2007 7:55 pm

    I’m definitely in the Meryl Streep camp!

21. Sheri July 9th, 2007 10:35 pm

    I thought of Joan Collins right away also. And Delta Burke. Who played Cruella de Ville–Glenn Close? She does evil well. And I love the idea of Meryl Streep also–wasn’t she the nasty woman in The Devil Wears Prada? Just loved that character. Very cold. Sophia Loren would make a great Xan–exotic, lovely, ageless.

22. patmc July 10th, 2007 4:24 am

    i thought of diana rigg and lanie kazan two very different, but they both could do the part.

23. Christy H. July 10th, 2007 11:11 am

    How about Alice Krige from Star Trek

24. Andi July 10th, 2007 6:03 pm

    Sheri beat me to the Delta Burke idea. I didn’t even realize that is who was in my mind the whole time I read, until I saw this question. Then I thought I’d read the responses and all of them would be mine and Sheri’s. For me Delta Burke is Xan - just sumptuous.

25. Louisa July 12th, 2007 4:32 pm

    Holly Hunter would be funny. Debra Winger is sexier, but her eyes are blue.

    I didn’t get that Xan was as mature as Diana Rigg or some of the other ladies mentioned. HBC is sort of an extreme Emma Samms. Finola Hughs would be great.

    I’d go with Holly, though, just to drive folks bats.

    Well, Judith Anderson as she was in Rebecca. Brrr.

26. Courtney July 12th, 2007 8:31 pm

    Lena Olin (aka Irina Derevko from “Alias.”) Sexy, evil…or is she? Perhaps she’s just misunderstood.

27. Debbie July 15th, 2007 7:30 pm

    I have to agree with whoever said Catherine Zeta Jones. I can so see her in that role. I also thought maybe Susan Sarandon and Julianne Moore.

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