Interview with Stephanie Niznik

We got the opportunity to do an interview with Stephanie Niznik who once played a part on "Everwood". She tells us, what she thinks about the ending of the show and what she did after it.

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1. What is your favourite memory of your childhood?

My favorite childhood memory would have to be of a certain field mouse, who had been a patient of 'Steph's Animal Hospital'. Dreaming of becoming a veterinarian, I created and ran my 'animal rescue shelter' out of my family's garage for quite a few years.  When I first found 'Mousie' out in the woods, he was badly injured with a broken leg. I took care of him all summer and released him in the backyard in the autumn, not daring to believe he would ever survive the winter. My eight year old heart filled with joy when 'Mousie' and I came face to face almost a year later! He stopped for a minute, and looked at me (I imagined that he was saying "Thank you!"), before he ran back into the woodpile.

2. When and why did you decide to become an actress?"

I became an actress when it dawned on me that I didn't want to have a "What if....?" life. Meaning that, it suddenly seemed more important to me to risk failure, rather than to never know what I might have achieved if had I tried. When I made this choice, I was planning to become a geneticist and was studying at Duke University. On a dare, I auditioned to play the lead in Shakespeare's "the Taming of the Shrew'. To my complete amazement, I was cast in the lead role of Kate. The acting bug bit, and I knew I needed to pursue my dreams of becoming an actor. Thankfully, I've been blessed with many acting opportunities. I'm now very grateful that I took the chance.

3. If you could choose to put an entire crew together for a movie: Who would be the director? Who would be the writer? And who would be in the leading role(s)?

Yikes!! I'm terrible at these kinds of questions! Honestly, I am always eager to work with any artist, be he or she experienced or just starting out, who has an appreciation for their craft, a willingness to listen and learn from others, and a sense of gratitude toward their good fortune. All that really matters is that everyone, both crew and cast, is doing the very best that they can to make the project, as a whole, the best that it can possibly be. Everyone is vital and important. The actors on the screen could never be there without the hard-working people behind the camera that got them there.
OK, I'll admit that I do dream of working on a Stephen King project. I admire his incredible talent, and we both come from the same hometown, Bangor, Maine.

4. If you look back, which season of "Everwood" do you think was the best and why?

Of course, I loved them all!
The raw, open honesty of Season One is amazing to watch. The pain and confusion of all the characters is conveyed with a deep compassion, but also has that delicate, hard to capture, touch of humor that surfaces in our lives during the  times of greatest stress. In my opinion, the writers of 'Everwood' are some of the finest television talent to be found in Hollywood.
I also really enjoyed filming Season Four. In 'real life', the cast got along so very well, and spent almost all of time together. We really enjoyed each other's company, and became a tightly knit family of friends.The trust, comfort, and joy we shared clearly reflects in the work.

5. What do you think about the series finale of "Everwood"?
6. An alternative season finale of "Everwood" has been shot to use it in case that the show gets another season. Can you tell us something about this alternative finale?
7. Are you happy about the way the story of your character Nina ended? Would you have preferred an alternative to this ending?

I appreciate that the 'Everwood' season finale did not leave any of the major storylines unfinished. How disappointing it would be to never find out what happened to the characters, after four years of viewing!
We did shoot two different endings, and were very much hoping as we filmed that 'Everwood' would go on.
Alas, this was not to be.
The cast and crew were just as surprised as the fans when we had to say 'good-by'. I wish we could have witnessed Andy and Nina, in love, as they began a life together (finally) under the same roof. Two strong-willed individuals that are able to bring out the best in each other, while at the same time, are able to 'push each other's buttons'.
Without doubt, there would have been some very funny shows. Treat is a delight, both as an actor and as a human being. He always knew how to make me laugh!

8. Have you kept any "Everwood" mementos?

I still have my 'Everwood' chair that I sat on for four years- complete with my cup holder!

9. Do you still stay in contact with some of your former colleagues from "Everwood"?

I am still very close to most of the cast, especially Treat Williams, Merrilyn Gann, and Deborah Mooney.

10. In 2007 and 2008 you played a part in "Life is Wild", a show that has been shot in Africa. Did you gain any special experiences in Africa? Have there been any special moments you would like to share with us?

'Life is Wild' was a true adventure! Africa is a magical land, filled with amazing people and animals. Not a day went by without Africa teaching me a significant life lesson.
In brief, what I THOUGHT I needed, as opposed to what I actually NEED, both materially and spiritually, is much simpler than I'd ever before imagined.

11. myFanbase is an online magazine about TV shows. Do you have a favorite show?

I adore "The Mentalist", and any show that features Chef Gordon Ramsey.

Catherine Bühnsack - myFanbase