Eloise Mumford – Cross

By: Jamie Steinberg

Q) We are seeing you now in the series “Cross.” How was your role of Shannon Whitmer originally described to you? 

A) I knew Shannon was an art lover and an aspiring art curator who goes on a really bad date… but I had no idea the epic journey she would go on when I first was cast! I could never have imagined how twisted and awesomely extreme her story would get. It was most challenging role I’ve ever taken on- and I’m so glad I did.

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

A) The writing was the first thing I was drawn to – Ben Watkins is sublime and I felt lucky to get to say his words onscreen. I also was drawn to the world of Alex Cross, which is legendary thanks to the extensive universe James Patterson created. This show is an authentic expansion of that world, and I’m really proud to be a part of it.

Q) Were you familiar with any of your costars before working with them on the show? 

A) I knew of Aldis [Hodge], Isaiah [Mustafa] and Ryan [Eggold] before we started, but had never met them. They’re just as wonderful in real life as you would hope them to be. We got so lucky with this cast! I have such tremendous respect for everyone, on and off screen.

Q) Shannon goes through quite the transformation during her kidnapping. Talk about working with the hair and makeup team to change your image so drastically. 

A) From day one, Natalie Nelson (who did my hair) and Verity Fiction (who did my makeup) were my absolute creative partners in making Shannon. Natalie worked with four different wigs over the course of Shannon’s journey and we spent so much time together working on finding the absolute best looks. I learned so much from her. And Verity did the incredible work of making me look like Aileen Wornos over the course of the show. Her art is so tremendous. I couldn’t have done this job without these two women. Beyond what you saw on screen, they took tremendously good care of me off screen and were the most tender wonderful supports and friends.

Q) With so many tense and unnerving moments on screen for your character, how did you shake off a long day of shooting?

A) I took a lot of baths (we were filming in the epic cold of Toronto winter too, so they were extra nice), I walked for miles along Lake Ontario while listening to art history podcasts and I ordered a lot of delivery food to eat while watching reality TV.

Q) What scene(s) are you most proud of the work you put into or how it turned out on screen? 

A) I’m really proud of the scenes towards the end of the series, especially all the mouth stuff, as Ryan and I like to call it. That stuff was particularly challenging and pushed us to our limits. The less lines Shannon had, and the more restrained she was, the harder it got – I had to convey so much within such intense physical limits.

Q) You and on-screen captor Ryan Eggold spend a lot of time working together. With such trauma Ramsey inflicted on her, do you think Shannon would feel comfortable opening up to her parents about all she suffered at his hands? 

A) I hope Shannon got a really good therapist – you could have a whole spin-off show that is just her in therapy…

Q) And maybe is she forever turned off from dating apps for now on? 

A) I’d say so!!!! Talk about having trust issues now!

Q) This show is all over social media with praise from fans. What do you think it is about the series that made it such a standout show for so many?

A) I think it’s the combination of an adrenaline pumping thriller with a whole lot of heart. We like to say you come for the mystery and stay for the characters and I think that’s true. The plot is full of thrilling twists and turns and then underneath that all is a story about the power of love and family.

Q) Please tell us about some of the other projects that you have been busy working on lately. 

A) I’ve been working on creating and producing a television show! I can’t say much about it right now, but I’m really, really excited about it.

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

A) Thank you so much. This industry is so full of ups and downs, and I feel really, really lucky to have so many people supporting me through it all. I hope they love this new show- it stretched me in ways I’ve never experienced before and I’m so proud to be a part of it.