How does working on Passions compare to the primetime work you’ve done??
Obviously, the pace is insane compared to primetime. In primetime you do 16-18 pages a day, here we do 70-100. And in the beginning, I was doing twins on top of that. I was working 16 hours every day—it was nothing like that on primetime.
What was it like playing the dual roles of Grace and Faith?
I had a great time playing both parts. For me, it was an experiment in subtlety in where I found the differences between the two. It was interesting, because they really wanted them to look alike. I just had to make choices emotionally on how they were different. I’d love to do it again, but I’d love to have a big difference between the two. It would be fun to have Faith come back and be mad and do something extreme with her powers. Grace is so warm and caring—it would be nice to play the opposite.
Did you always know you wanted to be an actor?
I always acted out as a kid! Mostly, I was a tomboy! My mom sent me to modeling school when I was in high school and then I started modeling and doing commercials. Commercials are really what led me into acting. Acting was never really my drive until I started doing commercials and then I found the whole process fascinating.
What are your favorite and least favorite things about Grace?
My least favorite is that she cooks way too much! She’s always making breakfast! My favorite thing is the goodness she sees in everyone. I like to think I’m similar in that way.
If you could change one thing about Grace what would you change?
I want her to get her memory back because I want her to be a witch! I want her to use her powers!
What would be your ideal storyline for Grace?
I think the Grace and Ivy thing would be very exciting to explore. Once Grace gets crossed in a serious manner, she’ll be a different person—that it will bring out different colors in her and people will say wow! I think Ivy will bring that out!
What was it like doing the fight scenes with Juliet (Tabitha)?
The fight scenes with Juliet had to be some of the most fun I’ve ever had working. We looked like a couple of cowgirls—swaggering around and flexing our muscles. Juliet was wonderful—we were choking each other and throwing each other around. Girls don’t get to do those kinds of fights very often, so that was a real treasure.
What’s your off screen relationship like with your on screen family?
The girls are great—they’re like my buddies. I have a lot of laughs with them. And they seem very grown up—I always forget how young they are. James (Sam) and I just have the best time. He makes me laugh more than anybody else on the show. I got really lucky with James—he’s a great guy.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Golf is big for my husband and me. We play a lot together. I also hike and do yoga. I live on a lake and I swim a lot in the summer. And I’ve got dogs that take up a lot of my time. I’ve got a lot of energy!
What would be your dream role or project?
I always wanted to be James Bond—it’s that tomboy thing. I also love period pieces. If I could do Gone with the Wind over again, that would be great. I like people who are larger than life.
What three words would you use to describe yourself?
Open-minded, lighthearted, and trustworthy.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
People are always wowed by the fact that I’ve been married 17 years and been successful in the business at the same time. To me, it’s just who I am and what my life is, but it is an unusual thing in the business. And I’m happily married on top of it!
What would people be surprised to know about you?
That I love to build things. When the commercials come on for tools, I want them all—the power drill, the clench, all of it!