THE CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK - NEWTON DISCOURAGED FROM ER ROLE

THE CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK actress THANDIE NEWTON was initially discouraged to appear on ER - as "certain people" felt it was beneath her to appear on TV.

Newton, 31, who played the love interest to NOAH WYLE's DOCTOR JOHN CARTER on the hit American medical drama, was discouraged from moving into TV acting after appearing in a string of Hollywood movies like MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE II and THE TRUTH ABOUT CHARLIE.

Newton says, "Certain people discouraged me from doing ER because they said it wouldn't be a good move to do TV after making films, but | found it great doing something that I knew wasn't just going to get me another job or further my career.

"I did it because I wanted to."