Cindy Busby – When Hope Calls

By starrymag | April 6, 2025

By: Karen Steinberg

 

 

Q) Please tell us where we pick up with Season 2 of “When Hope Calls.”

 

A) Season 2 of “When Hope Calls” picks up five years after Season 1. We reconnect with many of the familiar cast of characters and introduce new ones, including a new Mountie, played by Christopher Russell, and, of course, my character Nora Anderson. She’s the new mystery woman in town looking to connect with family in Brookfield, which she never knew she had. Even if you never saw season one, our writers did a seamless job of getting the audience up to date at the beginning of the episode.

 

Q) How was Nora originally described to you?

 

A) I didn’t get too much information about Nora Anderson when I initially auditioned for the role other than she was “intelligent, attractive, late 30s/early 40s” and that it was a period piece. I knew based on the sides (the lines given for the audition) that she was a lawyer from San Francisco, single and looking for long lost family members in Brookfield.

 

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

 

A) I bring more humor and wittiness to Nora than perhaps was initially thought up. I naturally bring that characteristic to a lot of my characters because I think it helps create a well-rounded person. I appreciate that the production let me incorporate that.

 

Q) Is there something that you’ve found particularly challenging about this role?

 

A) A had a few scenes with a lot of lawyer jargon dialogue and those made me nervous, so I worked extra hard to make sure I did it justice. When I feel confident with the words, I can embody the character’s knowledge and wisdom.

 

Q) Were you looking forward to sharing a scene with someone(s) in particular?

 

A) I was very excited to reconnect with my co-star Christopher Russell, who plays the new Mountie Michael Fletcher in Brookfield. He and I have worked on four other productions prior to “When Hope Calls” and we always talked about being on a series together, so getting to work with a friend on a show is a really amazing perk.

 

Q) What were some of your favorite moments from filming or some scenes you are most proud of the work you put into?

 

A) I really loved the scenes I have with Morgan Kohan, who plays Lillian Walsh. There was a lot of vulnerability between our characters, and it was a real blessing to have such a generous and present scene partner. Morgan has been a beloved character of the show since the very beginning, and I know the fans are going to appreciate them too.

 

Q) How did you all shake off a long day of shooting this sweet series?

 

A) My rescue dog, Suzie, came with me on location for two months while we were shooting, so having her to keep me company was the best way to disconnect from a long work day. Needing to take her out for walks was a great way to shake off the day, while also moving my body.

 

Q) What do you think it is about “When Hope Calls” that makes it such a special show?

 

A) It’s the community of characters in the town of Brookfield that the audience will be enthralled with. A show about connection, heart and coming together when we all need it most. It’ll make you laugh, cry, feel joy and hope and nowadays, we all could use a little more of that.

 

Q) Will we be seeing you in any other projects in the near future?

 

A) I’m hopeful that we’ll get picked up for Season 3 of “When Hope Calls.” I also have a couple of projects I’m working on behind the scenes whether it’s acting, producing or directing.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who are fans and supporters of you and the work you do?

 

A) I’m so grateful to each and every one of you. It means the world to me that you appreciate my work and you’re the reason I get to live out my dream. You’re the best!