Brooke Lyons – Life Sentence

By: Jamie Steinberg

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

A) I play Elizabeth on The CW’s new family dramedy “Life Sentence.”

Q) How was your character Elizabeth on “Life Sentence” originally described to you?

A) The breakdown was: “Stella’s sister, the type-A oldest child, Elizabeth is an aspiring writer who has often put her dreams aside to take care of her family, and is obsessed with keeping it all together.”

Q) What was it about the series that drew you to be a part of it?

A) The writing. When I read the pilot, a few things stood out to me: this is not a story about happily ever after — rather, it’s a story about after happily ever after, which I found unique and compelling; the writing delves into uncomfortable emotional truths while maintaining a great sense of humor; and the characters feel layered… relatable in their complexity. I felt an instant recognition with Elizabeth. Like her, I am the oldest of three children, am constantly doing a dance with the illusion of control and am a woman committed to giving both family and career everything I’ve got.

Q) Was there anything you added to her that wasn’t in the initial breakdown?

A) Nothing that I consciously set out to add. Though I do think that when any actor speaks the words on the page, she endows her character with ineffable qualities the writers might not have anticipated. It’s part of what I love so much about this creative process. Every individual brings his or her personal perspective and style to the collaboration, and what you end up seeing on the screen is the product of this synergy.

Q) What have you found challenging about this role?

A) I’ve played a lot of characters driven by neuroses, sensuality and power. Over the course of the season, Elizabeth goes from living in crisis mode to being fully present in her life. Her vulnerability really comes to the surface. Opening up to that softness was new and exciting.

Q) Elizabeth dropped her college scholarship and her dream of becoming an author to help take care of Stella. Plus, she had kids early so her parents had a chance at grandkids. Now that Stella is cured, does Elizabeth resent her?

A) That’s a tricky one. No, I wouldn’t say Elizabeth resents Stella. In addition to giving up her dream of writing and having kids early, Elizabeth had a (too) speedy path to emotional maturity because of her circumstances. So, she’s self-aware enough to realize that Stella didn’t askher to give anything up; no one forcedher to pass up a scholarship or have children early. These were choices Elizabeth made. She may regret some of her choices, but she takes responsibility for them.

Q) Will we learn anything else Elizabeth gave up for Stella’s health and happiness?

A) You’ll have to keep watching to find out. [wink]

Q) Did you spend much time with your costars in order to develop that familial bond?

A) Though most of us live in Los Angeles, we filmed the pilot episode in Atlanta and the rest of the season in Vancouver. Being on location is such a fun way to get to know people. We were strangers in a new city so we ended up spending a ton of time together, both on screen and off. The more time we spent together, the more of our chemistry and individual quirks worked themselves into the show, which I love.

Q) What have been some of your favorite behind the scenes moments from filming “Life Sentence?”

A) I don’t know if you know this, but Lucy [Hale], Elliot [Knight] and Carlos [PenaVega] can sing. They’re really incredible singers. And hilariously funny. The routines they improvise behind the scenes are my absolute favorite.

Q) What do you think it is about the show that will make it a fast fan favorite?

A) The characters. The Abbott family is lovably dysfunctional and wonderfully imperfect. They fumble and fall but never stop striving, and most people can relate to that.

Q) You are a part of social media. Have you been enjoying the instant fan feedback you receive to episodes?

A) Social media can be a slippery slope. I love how it allows us to communicate directly with our viewers. Our fans mean the world to us, and it’s gratifying to discuss the story points with those who are interested. I love hearing people’s thoughts and how certain storylines impacted them. That said, I do think it becomes dangerous to put too much value in social media in an era when anyone can be a critic. Trolling leads nowhere good. As long as we’re relating to each other as human beings and not as digital profiles, the world of social media can be an inspiring community and a rewarding experience.

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

A) Thank you from the bottom of my heart for watching. Storytelling is meant to be shared. It is a sacred relationship that exists between artist and viewer, and I am infinitely grateful to you for welcoming me onto your screen and into that partnership.