Q&A

GN: Chicago Med has taken Dr. Hannah Asher on such a powerful journey, what has it been like for you to shape her evolution, and how did you prepare for her most challenging storylines?

JS: It’s been quite the ride. Consistency is a gift that’s rare for an actor and playing this character, within this particular world for five seasons, has allowed me to learn and play in ways I’ve never had the opportunity to do before. When we first found Hannah, she was OD’ing at a safe injection site, then scrubbing in for surgery at a hospital the next day. In the time we’ve known her she’s gotten sober, fought through stigmas and stereotypes, advocated for patients, delivered countless babies, worked through relationships and is now navigating the world of co-parenting. We’ve gotten to see her as more than just her struggles and more than just her job title. Beginning in this role for me, was really about expanding what I thought I knew about heroin and opioid addiction and what it looks like to function through different stages, as well as the in’s and outs of being in a hospital setting as a doctor and OBGYN. One of the things that I had a hard time with in the beginning, other than trying to infuse her addiction in ways that were appropriate, was Hannah’s confidence and her authority. It felt foreign to me. Getting to build what strength and confidence looks like and feels like for Hannah at different moments in time has been its own lesson. Imposter syndrome is real! I’ve been lucky to have had some brilliant OBGYN’s, as well as female trauma surgeons, labor and delivery nurses and our own on set medical advisor, that lend facts, their medical as well as personal thought processes and have let me shadow them. Having that tangible and logical guidance helps me find my footing  and then I get to break off and create how “Dr Hannah Asher functions.” 

The blessing and curse of a TV show is that you never know what’s next. One day you receive a script and your entire backstory that you’ve been using to pull from for three years is now completely altered due to the new information. Sometimes it’s a “gift” that helps to propel things further and sometimes it makes you’re walls go up and you have to do everything possible to make it flow against what your understanding has been. I love a challenge and learning to grow with “Dr Hannah Asher” has been an incredibly fulfilling one. 

GN: Looking back at your breakout roles in Falling Skies and Last Resort, what lessons or experiences from those series have stayed with you throughout your career?

JS: Falling Skies and Last Resort were two incredibly different scenarios and filming experiences, though I did film them close in time. I remember learning so much from both experiences with character development. How ridiculously cool it was to get to play an Overlord Alien one day and then a Navy wife the next. While one was sci-fi and seemed so far-fetched, out of this world, it was also extremely grounding. It was the first role that I really had the opportunity to create outside of the audition room. And while playing “the wife” may seem a somewhat “normal character” I found so much importance in the role, playing someone’s heart and giving context to emotional connections that drive another character to behave in such a convicted and deep way. I was still learning so much as an actor with both of these roles, accomplishing for many “firsts. I can confidently say the lessons learned through both jobs, while on opposite sides of the spectrum, were equally as important and transformative for me as an actor and for my career.

GN: Many fans still adore you as Cinderella from Once Upon a Time. What did that role mean to you personally, and how does it feel to still be associated with such an iconic character?

JS: It’s an honor! It’s pretty insane to get to play such a well known and loved character on a show that made such an impact. Just getting to be on the roster is special, playing Cinderella is a whole new level. I was terrified when I got it. The responsibility of embodying someone that the world has their own vision of, but then embodying it in a new alternative way that the producers were going out on a ledge for, was big. I fully love being a part of this legacy and I loved every second of working on Once Upon A Time. The Cast were phenomenal, the writing, the costumes, FX and the crew…. It was a dream job and a dream character. I love how much people loved it and still do. 

GN: You’ve worked across very different genres, from thrillers like Unstoppable to heartfelt Hallmark films. How do you approach shifting between such contrasting roles? 

JS: I think when you work between different genres or projects with different budgets, time schedules, formulas…. the best way to prepare is to understand the material in front of you and to know the tone of the project. Then lean into the world you’re in. The DP, wardrobe, set dec, hair, makeup, props, locations, director, costars – all help build the world with you in it. You just need to know your purpose, what tone to live in and be willing to break your own habits. 

GN: Your arc on Mad Men earned strong critical attention. What was most memorable about stepping into that world, and working alongside such an acclaimed ensemble?

JS: I was a massive fan of Mad Men well before getting to audition. It was the second show I ever binge watched, back when Netflix still had DVDS and binge watching was becoming a thing. I went in for a two line role and it became a four episode arc. I’ll never forget walking into my first table read, which was the premiere of the final season. I had a seat at the table…. The whole filming process, the directors, actors, the beauty of editing and writing, allowed me to observe filming in a different way. Playing Bonnie Whiteside is one of my favorite characters to date. She was a woman fully in her feminine power in a man’s world.  I’ll forever be in love with her. 

GN: Music has also been an important part of your creative life. How has it influenced your acting career, and do you see the two art forms connecting in your future projects?

JS: Music allows me to express and explore things as me, it gets to be my own journey. When I act, I’m stepping into another life and the road map of the character is written for me. With music, I get to draw the map. Having both outlets is really grounding for me and anytime you get the creative worlds active in your body, it only helps everything else you’re playing with. I’ve been lucky enough to get to play musicians in a few roles, which I absolutely loved getting to do. I’d love to play another character in the music world as well as contribute to the soundtrack. I have a few songs in storage I’ve created ideas around. Maybe I’ll be making those happen in the near future. 

GN: With The Huntsman recently wrapped, what excites you most about this next chapter in your career, and what kinds of stories are you hoping to tell moving forward?

JS: I’m most excited to see how things unfold. I’m very open to what may be next for me. I feel really happy and lucky with the work I’m doing right now, which only makes me want to take more leaps and risks. My wish always in storytelling is to affect people. To make people feel. I like when stories and characters uncover new knowledge and understanding. I also love when they give an outlet to disappear into and just fully entertain. I want to do more of all of it.   

GN: What does the term goodnight mean to you? 

JS: Goodnight is a lovely send off from one moment to the next. A little closing of the day and into the world of the eve. A little nod of honor that we’re here right now, together in this very second and when we depart, I hope you have a safe and beautiful journey ahead of you. I’m on my way and I wish you the best on yours.

Images courtesy of Photographer: Sterling Taylor

Hair and Makeup: Jenna Lee Howell