Interview with Emily Rose

Emily Rose is best known for her parts as Lena Branigan on the drama series "Brothers & Sisters" and as Trish Merrick in "Jericho". myFanbase had the opportunity to get an interview with the actress who told us a little bit more about her work and her upcoming projects.

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1. What is your favorite moment of your childhood?

Something I really enjoyed in Junior High was riding my pony, Cheyenne. I lived in the city, but my school was in the country and I stabled my pony at the school. After school I would grab my pony and I would ride her in the pouring rain up to the soccer fields and watch our school soccer games. I loved being able to get away on that horse.

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

I feel like I made that decision a few times. The first time was when I was a child. I always had a vivid imagination and enjoyed make believe and dressing up. I think the second time I made that decision was in college. When my parents were helping me pick a major they said "we think you should study what you enjoy, so what do you enjoy?" I knew that I enjoyed theater, so I decided that if I was going to spend my time studying anything in college, I would want it to be theater. Then finally I think the last big choice to be an actor was when I decided to go to grad school. That's when I went out on my own and said, "I want to dedicate three years to studying this craft." I thought I would just end up teaching it in college, because no one ever seems to make it in this profession, but I was very blessed to start working right out of school. Ultimately, I think being an actor is a decision I make every day, and each time I have an audition; "Do I want to do this? Do I love to do this?" And that answer is most definitely, "yes!"

3. What was the hardest scene you've ever done and why?

Two come to mind. The first was a scene I shot in "John from Cincinnati." David Milch, our director, is known for his "Day of" writing style and we almost never knew what we were shooting until we showed up on set. Once there was a scene he added for my character that had no lines. He told me ten minutes or so before we shot what he wanted me to do. He explained what my character was going through and told me just to go for it and they would film it. This was scary but somehow I was prepared. I credit all that time in acting class where I was constantly feeling thrown into the fire. :)
I think the other most difficult scenes are any scene in which I have to cry. It's very difficult to maintain that level of emotion for take after take and to make it feel authentic. I tend to get cast for these scenes a lot, but it still freaks me out when I am called on to do that, so I just use my own fear to feed the scene.

4. You were a part of the second season of "Jericho". How did you experience being the newbie on a set with a cast who had already been working together before?

It actually was really exciting. Jericho's cast was VERY welcoming. I made a lot of friends on that show. They were all so excited to be doing the show and eager to have more stories to tell. New characters mean new stories.

5. How was the audition for "Jericho"? Did you audition for the part of Trish Merrick?

The audition was great. The producers are fantastic, and yes I auditioned for the part of Trish.

6. Did you know "Jericho" before you got the part? Did you know about its trouble getting a second season and how the fans supported the show?

Yes, I had heard of "Jericho", but I found out much more about it's history when I got the part and researched the show.

7. Did you and the other cast and crew members hope that the show would get more than seven episodes for season 2?

I think everyone hoped. For me though it was just a great opportunity to work on a show for more than an episode. I was SUCH a newbie that I was happy with whatever opportunity I was getting to work.

8. If there had been a third season of "Jericho", what do you think would have happened?

I think Trish would have found herself in a predicament as she was growing closer with the townspeople and realizing what her company was really up to. But I doubt the world was on it's way to peace and harmony, if that's what you're asking! :)

9. "Jericho" deals with atomic bomb attacks, have you ever thought about what happened if this became reality?

Actually yes, our friends joke about having a central meeting place in our town here if anything ever happened. We have our local coffee shop and that's where we plan to meet and have a head count in case of any type of disaster. We have to look out for one another! :)

10. You also got a recurring part on "Brothers & Sisters" that caused a lot of trouble for Tommy Walker, one of the main characters. How did you feel about the role of Lena?

Honestly when you audition for parts you don't really know where the characters are going to go. This is true with Lena. I was told Lena would be the new secretary at the office and would POSSIBLY have a relationship with Tommy. They always say an actor can't judge his/her character, and I never found this so true as I did with Lena. I had to believe that Lena was really just looking for validation and love herself. ... For several months after the show had aired, people would have the most funny reactions to me in public. They were so excited to see someone from the show, but wanted to hate me so much. And understandably so! I am very much the opposite of Lena in real life, so I forget that people are reacting to the character.

11. You got the lead role on SyFy's "Haven". Congrats on that! What do you expect from the show and your character Audrey Parker?

I expect to read the script every week going "What?!, But How?!..... OHHHHHH. YES!!!!! Cool!!" The first episode I read made me fall in love with the character. The writers are so fantastic and suspenseful. The characters are also very layered. So I expect it to keep surprising me and to have a really fun time filming it.

12. Did you read Stephen King's novel "The Colorado Kid" which "Haven" is based upon?

Yes I did, and it was not quite what I expected. I finished it and as soon as I put it down I said out loud .... "What?!! But what happened? I want to know!!!" Apparently Stephen King knew what to expect regarding people's reactions, because even in the novel he follows up with a message to the readers saying "You may like the ending, you may not like it, but here is where I am coming from." I've never seen an author do that before - sort of be there to hold your hand afterward ... at that moment I felt a lot closer to Stephen King. I thought, "he gets me" :)

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

Man, what a question! .... I would love for Damon Lindelof to write. I think we all can agree that "Lost" is one pretty amazing show. I would love to work on a set with Tom Hanks directing and to play across from Meryl Streep. I know that makes a pretty interesting toss salad of a movie there, but come on now... dream with me. :)

14. Is there a show currently airing which you would like to play a part in? What kind of part would you like to play if you could choose?

I have been up for "Lost" before... Though I can't decide if I really would have wanted a part on it. I wouldn't want to ruin the mystery. I truly can say I would love to be a part of "Friday Night Lights." The connection between characters on that show is fascinating. I WOULD LOVE TO BE A PART OF THAT CAST and that story. I think I would have to play a teacher, or a senior in school.

15. What is your favorite place in the world? Where do you feel most comfortable?

My bed, HAHA! I could lay in bed all day! No, but really, a lake in the mountains with a good cup of coffee. I feel the most comfortable with my husband and my closest friends all cozied in for dinner and a night of good TV.

16. Do you have any other new projects you can tell us about?

I'm most excited about shooting HAVEN and then when I come back working on UNCHARTED 3, a video game for PS3 that I have been involved in from the beginning of my career. Going back to work on that project is like going home.

17. Since myFanbase is an online magazine about TV series, do you have a favorite show?

I tweeted this the other day actually. My top three in no order are : LOST, Friday Night Lights & Deadwood. My husband and I also admit to a guilty pleasure-- we are addicted to HGTV and all the home shows. I guess that just comes with growing up! I can't believe I'm actually old enough to think about owning a home!

Catherine Bühnsack - myFanbase