Erin Karpluk – Rookie Blue

By starrymag | June 25, 2015

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) What are the recent projects that you are working on?

A) We have “Rookie Blue” Season 6 and it will air on ABC starting 10pm on Thursday, June 25th. It is currently airing in Canada on Global. I play one of the new cops of the show, Julie Ward. She is a police officer that is brought into the precinct. A relationship ends up developing between her and Nick Collins, who is played by Peter Mooney. Obviously, a lot of shenanigans ensue, a la “Rookie Blue” style. Also, there are a darker secret to my character that is revealed throughout  the season. I’m doing webseries called “Rift World” as well that started alongside a good friend of mine, Tahmoh Penikett. It’s a really cute webseries and it is one of my favorite projects I’ve ever done because of the nature of it, the style of humor and my character is sarcastic. I loved working with Tahmoh because he is such a well known sci-fi man. We’ve been roommates in the past and have known each other from acting classes. So, I read the script and with Tahmoh on it I said, “I’m in 100,000%!” We just did a short film and it ended up doing well and won some awards in the film festival circuit and ComicCon. They wanted to do a webseries and when I finished “Rookie Blue” they sent me the scripts and they are hysterical! Next to “Being Erica,” it was one of those projects where I could read the script and the words could just tumble out of my mouth. I felt like I really identified with the character. It launches on CBC’s Punchilne on July 14th and there are talks of an international launch.

Q) How was Juliet on “Rookie Blue” originally described to you?

A) I think that the most exciting thing for her, especially for the crew, was that my character is going to be Nick Collins’ love interest and the new police officer. I just kind of rub people the wrong way within the division. She is professional and extremely private. She has the ability to get information out of people.

Q) What is it like working with Peter Mooney?

A) He is a gem to work with and, obviously, he’s a good looking guy. But he’s also very professional and nice. I also worked with him on “Being Erica” when he guest starred so it was a happy reunion. We had long days working together and he was amazing.

Q) What kind of reaction have you been getting to the onscreen chemistry between Nick and Juliet?

A) I haven’t seen the show, but from what I hear from Canadian fans they feel there is chemistry. So, that’s good!

Q) What drew you to part of Juliet Ward?

A) Honestly, I’ve never played a police officer before. I wasn’t 100% familiar with the show. When I got the part, I binge watched it and kind of became an uber fan. It was just really cool to jump in and I felt very honored to be a part of the cast. Everyone is so much fun to work with, particularly going into Season 6 of the show. I think the cast sets the tone for everyone having such a professional set and it feels like a warm, loving family, which is nice if you’re new to a show. I worked with the crew on “Saving Hope” and I had such a great time with the producers. I live in Los Angeles and I love it here, but I obviously love Toronto because of shooting “Being Erica,” “Saving Hope,” and “Flashpoint.” 

Q) Juliet is kind of mysterious and sketchy. Will she get past her hesitation or is this just who she is?

A) I think she acts with such integrity that in her mind there is nothing false about her. She’s a rule follower and I think what she is doing is for the greater good. So, I wouldn’t say she was villainous or sketchy. I would say the truth will be revealed throughout the season as to why she is doing what she is doing. In playing her, I never judge her at all. I thought that she, more than anyone, was abiding by the rules.

Q) Was there anything you added to your role that wasn’t originally scripted for you?

A) There are scenes with the girls that come across as comical and I don’t think that it was said on the page, but I think it was given because of the chemistry between us as actresses. It just tends to come out, because we’re tomboys, as lighter and friendlier. It was nice to see that and that is something you can’t tell until you get on set and see what the dynamic is going to be between the actors. I was happy that Juliet wasn’t just this unfeeling, sketchy character. I hope I brought some humanness to her.

Q) What were some of your most memorable moments from filming?

A) There is one episode where we get locked in a female penitentiary. Andy and Juliet are partnered up that day and Greg Smith was directing the episode. We had to do this thing where a sound bomb went off and we had all these stunt girls in there playing inmates. They were all like six feet tall and upwards of one hundred and seventy pounds. There is a lot of stunt choreography and smoke. There is one big dramatic shot that involved a special camera for slow motion that spun around one hundred and eighty degrees. Missy, who is naturally very athletic, did this backward flip that landed on the ground and they shot it in slow motion. On the day, she was so cool and my character is just basically me kneeling down. Missy gets to do a triple backflip and I can’t do that so they basically just had me kneel down. We had so much fun shooting that scene with all the girls and there is a knife involved and smoke. Also, anything to do with the car with Peter Mooney when he was driving. We had to come in hot to the mark and he is a crazy driver! That was on one of my first days. And any time I had to use a gun because I would never want to be around a gun in real life. We had to take someone down and that was pretty cool.

Q) You are a part of social media. Do you look forward to the instant fan feedback you receive and that to come from the American audience?

A) I can’t wait! Like I said, I haven’t been able to watch the show so I get the social media version of it because they do “Rookie Blue” parties. So, it’s literally moment by moment. It’s the “Rookie Blue” writers, cast, producers and all the fans. You kind of get a play-by-play and you get instant feedback, like you said, about how they feel about it. I’ve gotten a couple, “Whoa!” comments because people get very defensive about Nick and all the women who have hurt him. So, they are like, “You better not hurt him Ward!” And I’m like, “I’m just an actor!” I’m a huge fan of social media. It is a great way to interact with fans and get their feedback. Definitely, I’m curious to see similar feedback from the Americans. We’re doing the “Rookie Blue” party in Los Angeles this Thursday!

Q) Is there anything else you want to be sure to share with fans about this season?

A) To the fans, what they see on camera is probably a good indication of what is going on behind the scenes as far as the fun being had. I’m just grateful that everybody welcomed me to the show and there was no ego. It was just about shooting, working hard and having fun, which is my motto for life. I’m just very grateful and I hope the fans enjoy it!

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) I hope they enjoy it because we had a lot of fun  shooting it.

 

 

Rift World Chronicles website: http://www.riftworldchronicles.com

CBC Punchline website: http://www.cbc.ca/punchline

CBC YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5YhuszBwBRv783fd5hAHaQ