Catherine Haena Kim – Mistresses

Q) How was your character on “Mistresses” originally described to you?

A) The breakdown that I got to audition with described her as being depressed. They said the first time we would meet her would be in a hospital and there was just one random line at the very end of the description that said she was looser and had a more sensual side. And I looked at all the sides for the first episode, which were her being in the ER, her lying about her neck and her admitting that she tried to commit suicide. I was thinking, “How do I make this ‘looser and more sensual?'” Of course, when I got the script for last week when I revealed I was an escort to put myself through college because my parents couldn’t help, it all finally made sense.

Q) Did you add anything to the role that wasn’t originally scripted for you?

A) Honestly, there are so many twists and turns that I could barely keep up. After a while, I didn’t even know what was going to be truth or not. I know it seems like everything has been revealed, but this is just the tip of the iceberg and there is so much more about to happen!

Q) What has it be like working so closely with Yunjin Kim?

A) It’s funny because she is such a poised elegant woman and I am this bubbly bouncy girl. She has been amazing! I don’t know how else to say that. She has totally taken me under her wing. She’s even taken me out to brunch. I asked her a million questions about acting, how she started and where she is in her career. It’s so interesting because she gets so excited about creating her own projects the way I get excited about having a shower in my dressing room. I realize there is always another step and something to get excited about and look forward to. I have certain fears and apprehensions at this point in my career and I see the things that she worries about and how she handles herself. She is always pulling me aside and giving me little tips. She is amazing. I don’t know what else to say about her! Everyone in the cast and crew has been so welcoming and everyone is so excited to be there.

Q) Anna and Karen seem to have bonded quickly. What do you think it is that has drawn them together?

A) At the very end of season one when Karen is held up at gunpoint by Elizabeth Grey, I think that would be enough for her (and anyone in that situation) to never want to go back to their job ever again. She is so apprehensive at the top of season two about going back into a private practice and then she meets this girl Anna in the hospital and sees how lost and vulnerable she is. She instantly thinks, “I need to help this girl.” It’s an interesting thing because Karen is older than Anna, but she is also trying to figure out where she belongs. So, I think she can relate to Anna in that sense.

Q) Who would you like to have worked with from the cast that you didn’t get to film with?

A) I can’t even imagine what kind of trouble Anna and Josslyn (Jes Mcallan) would get into with a night out on the town!

Q) You are a part of social media. What has it been like for you getting instant fan feedback about the show?

A) Honestly, it’s my second favorite thing about shooting, besides actually shooting! I love the character so being on set is, of course, always fun. When you have people who are just as excited about the show as you are and watch it with you, it’s so crazy to me and such a treat! We sit there and gossip about what is going on together. I love it! I never used Twitter before the show and I think I had an account, but just never used it. I just used Facebook and Instagram with my friends. It’s just so exciting and I love it.

Q) What can you tease is to come for Anna the remainder of this season?

A) In episode seven, all I can say is that Anna causes a lot of trouble for Karen. There is also a love interest involved that even surprised me!

Q) The show has become a guilty pleasure for fans. What do you think it is about the show that draws in viewers?

A) I think it is so amazing that people have such early mornings that they are so devoted that they will actually watch the show when it airs. I’m such a grandma that it takes effort to stay up and watch because I really want to watch it with everyone! I think it’s because it  has a little something for everyone to relate to. Of course, we have the misters of “Mistresses” who couldn’t be more studly, sweet and so nice in life (let alone on the show). I think everyone relates to each woman. They relate to trying to figure out everything in life and trying to figure out whatever it is supposed to mean and getting by with a little help from their friends.