So, when did you first realise that acting was what you wanted to do with your life? Pretty much since as long as I can remember. I think the thing that sealed the deal was when I was five, I insisted my mother write a letter to the local cable station in Southern Wisconsin to ask how I could be on The Brady Bunch. When I got home from Kindergarten, I would always watch the reruns in syndication. One of the producers at the TV station actually wrote me back and said while they were sorry The Brady Bunch was no longer shooting, if I was interested in being an actress, I should look to take acting classes.
Who were your major acting influences growing up, and why? Olivia Newton John impacted me beyond measure, believe it or not, because the first time I saw Grease I wanted to be Sandy. It solidified my love of musical theatre. And Carrie Fisher, as Princess Leia, made me want so very desperately to be an action hero.
What was your first major project, and what do you remember the most from this experience? I had a number of small roles in TV and indie projects, but I’d say my first “major” project was Shameless on Showtime playing the role of Patty opposite William H. Macy in the finale of season three. We were in a pushup contest, and I remember having to do almost 500 pushups during the multiple shots and just praying that my arms wouldn’t give out. It also happened to be Halloween and the last day of shooting, so the day was short and because they were so nice, I ended up at the wrap lunch which was the nicest lunch spread I had ever seen on a set.
So, how did you get the part as Hammerhead in Doom Patrol? My agents submitted me for the role, and they called me in for an audition. I was rocking a bald-head thanks to the chemo therapy I was going through which might have helped, but the rest, as they say is history.
What was the most rewarding episode for you to work on in Doom Patrol, and why? My first episode Jane Patrol was the most rewarding for a number of reasons. I am always thrilled when I get to utilize my physicality in a role, and the stunts I got to do in this episode were pretty badass. Dragging Karen around was tougher than it looked, but man was it fun.
Can you tell us a bit about what the cast were like to work with, and maybe how they helped shape the way you approached your character throughout the show? On account of who Hammerhead is, I am usually interacting with Diane as Jane or one of the other Jane personalities, except for the first episode where I got to work with both Diane and Brendan. Both of them were incredibly generous, both as people and scene partners. When I auditioned, the season hadn’t premiered yet. Warner Brothers is very protective (for good reason) about the scripts and storylines, so while I had read the script and all the Grant Morrison comics, Diane was the most helpful when it came to how I approached Hammerhead. In the audition, casting was able to let us view some of Diane’s version of Hammerhead, so I used that as a jumping off point. On set, she was incredibly open to questions, which was great because I’m kind of her, you really have to watch the show.
For those that haven't seen the show just yet. What can you tell us about it, and why should they watch it? Doom Patrol is a series about the most unlikely set of superheroes. They are broken, damaged, and potentially insane, yet they are stepping up to save the world. The writing on this show is the funniest and most irreverent I’ve seen in a superhero series. The cast play their roles with such grounded truth, that you can’t help but love every last misfit one of them. Not to mention, every shot looks like it could be art.