One Ranger follows a Texas Ranger (Thomas Jane) as he is recruited by British Intelligence (Dominique Tipper) to help track down and stop a dangerous terrorist from attacking London. It’s a buddy comedy that is packed with action. Written and directed by Jesse V. Johnson, the film also stars John Malkovich, Nick Moran, Patrick Bergin, and Dean Jagger.
The Expanse fans will be thrilled to see Naomi Nagata and Detective Joe Miller back together for this one. This time they work much more closely, in roles that we have never seen them tackle before. Dominique’s British Intelligence Officer is smart, tough, and quite savvy, playing beautifully off Jane’s ranger character.
Screen Rant sat down with Dominique Tipper to talk about coming back together with her The Expanse co-star. She discussed what it was about this movie that drew her in, as well as if Naomi Nagata would get along with her One Ranger character. Dominique also raved about her time on the sci-fi series, confesses how she felt when they got that first cancelation, and whether she would return to the role or not.
Dominique Tipper on One Ranger & The Expanse
Screen Rant: I loved seeing you in this role. What was it about One Ranger that made you want to be a part of the film?
Dominique Tipper: Well, firstly, Thomas [Jane] called me and was like, “Doll, are you in London?” And I was like, “Yeah.” And he was like, “Do you want to do a film with me?” Didn’t know what the role was, read the script, and I was like, “Oh, you want me to be opposite you?” And it’s a bit of like a buddy cop thing, so the chance to do that with Thomas Jane? I was just like, “Sign me up immediately. You being a cowboy? And me a British cop slash skinhead? I’m in.”
It was so funny to see him in this role. He totally commits.
Dominique Tipper: That’s Thomas, though. That’s who he is. That’s who he is, as an artist. That’s why I love working with him. And I thought that it’s just so different from our The Expense roles as well. So it’s just, it’s funny to see us like this. He’s not method, but he’s one hundred percent in. He was giving me full cowboy. And I loved it.
I’m just laughing thinking about him with the cowboy hat and everyone telling him, maybe you should wear a new outfit.
Dominique Tipper: I know, that was one of my favorite things in the script, actually, just everyone being like, so are you gonna change?
How would you describe your One Ranger character?
Dominique Tipper: I think she is very tough. very ballsy. I think she’s very bold. I think she’s very smart and savvy. And cunning and fun. Actually, I think it’s quite a serious role. But I think she gets it done in a way that’s got a bit of flair. And I really enjoyed that about her. I think she’s a match as well, for everybody that she comes across. She’s no wallflower.
Are you anything like her in real life?
Dominique Tipper: It’s funny because I’m from the East End, which I very, very rarely get to put on screen. I grew up in pubs, so I know a lot of people like that. I’m very cottony. I mean, you gotta wind down me. And if I’m with my mom? Forget it. We’re going into it. I think there’s definitely part of that in me. I don’t know if I could be in law enforcement because that, even where I come from, being working class, it’s a bit side-eyed and frowned upon. But I definitely think I share some qualities.
Do you think her and Naomi would get along?
Dominique Tipper: Oh, I don’t think Naomi would take to her too well. Just like the way she comes in at the beginning of the film, just comes into his house. Naomi would not like that. The idea of this is really funny in my head, like, get her off my ship. We all know what Naomi’s like with authority. I think that one, she’s a cop, and two, she’s bold as how she is.
How would you describe this movie for people that are looking for something to check out and watch?
Dominique Tipper: I think it’s a very fun action-filled romp. That’s how I would explain it. It was very fun to shoot. It’s very, it’s crazy. There’s so many crazy characters in it. And I think most of all, it’s fun.
I had a blast watching you and Thomas together. I was like this alternate universe of The Expanse.
Dominique Tipper: A parallel universe, that’s what I love about it! That’s literally the reason I’ve done it. Because I was like, everyone who watches The Expanse is gonna get such a trip watching us as these characters.
I was so sad when it wrapped up and ended. I thought it was such a perfect show from beginning to end. I would love to talk to you about working on The Expanse, and what that was like.
Dominique Tipper: Oh, God, I mean, it’s still one of the most incredible experiences of my life. It’s weird for me as well because it was my first big show. I had only crossed over into acting about three or four years before that. It was just wild to not only to be on that show with the quality of it, but then do six seasons. I still can’t believe that it lasted that long – with a cancellation in the middle. I cherish and hold that experience so dear because it really shaped me into who I am as an artist and as a person on set.
And when I say that, I mean what I expect. The Expanse operated to such a high standard on screen, but also off-screen with the crew. I am so spoiled with what I got to experience there and most of the women are still like my sisters. and I talk to Frankie Adams and Cara Gee all the time. And Steven Strait, I love so much. We had such a joyous time making that show. It’s difficult but it was worth it every single minute and I loved it. I adored making that show.
What was that feeling like when you got canceled the first time?
Dominique Tipper: Horrible. We didn’t know. And it was just a really weird time where we were in the Alcon offices collecting memorabilia. I was like, Oh, can I have that little doll of me? We all said bye to each other. I was devastated and sobbing, because it was the people as well.
The show is excellent, but it’s so rare you get on a set and you like everyone and you enjoy working together. It’s just how it is. You’re not going to like everyone you work with in film because you could get through so many people and it’s just quite normal for you to be like okay, that one’s not for me. On this set when we were just so upset to leave each other. Then fans did their thing. The whole thing was just nuts, to be honest.
What was your reaction to getting the call to come back and keep filming?
Dominique Tipper: I was a bit funny about it. I’d emotionally let go of Naomi and I was like, I don’t think I can go back. It was quite weird actually to let go of it and then get my head back in gear of like well I guess we’re going back. Oh, yay, we get to go back, hang on. It was weird. Again, all of it. The whole journey from being canceled to being not canceled was weird. A roller coaster.
With the last few seasons, that’s a lot of heavy stuff to come back to.
Dominique Tipper: I was so grateful for it because I didn’t know if I could do that. I hadn’t been given that kind of material as an actor yet. I didn’t read that book, because Noreen our showrunner had warned me the year before, he was like, we’re gonna put you through the ringer on this one. And I was like, “Okay, buddy, let’s see.”
But honestly, with every script, I was like, “Are y’all gonna kill be?” Because I didn’t actually know what’s coming in. But I liked it that way. Because each episode I got to play to the extreme. I never knew what was coming next. So I was like, Oh, I’ve kinda worn myself out in episode four, and now I’m going to jump into space. It was wonderful. I really got to chisel my tool and just see what I’m capable of. And I was quite proud of myself, actually.
If The Expanse was to come back in any iteration, would you be there?
Dominique Tipper: Probably. Yeah. It’s weird because you just never know where you’re going to be. But based on the experience I had, I doubt I’d say no. But it would depend on what format. Like I don’t know if I could do another six years. I want to keep doing other characters. Do you know what I mean? But maybe if it was films or a limited series, that would be cool. And let’s see, because they’re doing the graphic novel now that fills in the gap. So that’s going to be quite cool. I don’t know, maybe I’d be too young to do it if they bring it back on the other side. The legacy of The Expanse is quite important to me.
With them bringing in the graphic novel, how would you feel about someone else taking over that role?
Dominique Tipper: Yeah, no. She’s mine! Ty and Daniel made her to be fair, I just brought her to life. But I wouldn’t want someone else to play her. That’s for sure.
There’s makeup and CGI where they can age you up. You’re fine.
Dominique Tipper: I’ve actually just done something where I got aged, but it was quite difficult. For this, you would have to do quite a lot because it’s a thirty-year time jump. But it’s possible. Anything is possible.
About One Ranger
British Intelligence meets Texas Justice in this white-knuckle action-thriller. A gunslinging Texas ranger (Thomas Jane) tracks a bank robber (Dean Jagger) across the desert — only to discover he’s an international terrorist set on detonating a bomb in the heart of London. When the lawman’s partner is killed, he is drawn into partnership with a British intelligence agent (Dominique Tipper) and her boss (John Malkovich) to bring the outlaw to justice — dead or alive.
One Ranger will be released in select theaters and on VOD on May 5.
