Josie Bissett – Pregnant at 17

By: Jamie Steinberg

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

A) I just got back from Korea where I worked on a film with Liam Neeson playing his wife in a film called Operation Chromite. He plays General MacArthur and I play his wife, Jean MacArthur. It’s a small role, but it was a nice experience to be in Korea and, of course, working with Liam Neeson was amazing.

Q) We’ll be seeing you also in the Lifetime film Pregnant at 17. How was your character originally described to you?

A) She is a veterinarian and she wants a baby. She has a miscarriage and her marriage begins to struggle. She finds out her husband (Roark Critchlow) is having an affair, which is heart wrenching for her because she was already going through picking up the pieces of having this miscarriage.

Q) What was it about the movie or the role that made you want to be a part of it?

A) I loved the twist in the movie where she befriends the girl (Zoe De Grand Maison) who is pregnant with her husband’s daughter. I loved that about her. She’s such a strong character to make that choice emotionally. We want her to feel betrayed and we want her to be upset with the person who did it and the person who was a part of it, but my character realizes as the movie progresses and as she gets to know the girl that she realizes how young the girl is. She learns she is pretty much an innocent person in this whole thing. She really becomes her protector and I liked that. I liked that she rose above it and protected the young girl.

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

A) It’s hard to remember because it was so long ago since I got the actual script. I think what I bring to the role what each individual actor brings of themselves to the role – any personal experiences they can tap into or emotional experiences the character had been through. I have been through a miscarriage too so I knew what that was like. Different levels of betrayal we have all had so you can imagine what it feels like. Then, I just love children of all ages. I loved getting to film with the seventeen-year-old and my favorite scene in the entire movie was getting to hold the newborn baby. It just had a wide range of different emotions and strengths that I got to play. I had to pretend I was a veterinarian and I got to do my own stunts in the woods. It was a fun role. It was a lot of work. The hours are long, but you meet so many great people on these shoots because you working so hard for this common goal.

Q) What are some moments you are most looking forward to seeing fans reactions?

A) I think, for me and for any actor, I imagine was someone saying it was a powerful movie for them and in some way or another touched their lives or it was entertaining and they enjoyed it. I think these stories are so much fun to get into that you forget about your own life. The best thing someone can say that they loved diving into it and forgot about their own stuff.

Q) What makes Pregnant at 17 a good fit for the Lifetime network?

A) I think it is one of those films that people can relate to one way in another in their lives. Everyone has felt the emotions of pain, hurt, betrayal and strength. I think all the Lifetime movies give that message, especially the message of such a strong female character.

Q) What do you hope viewers take away from watching the movie?

A) I hope they take away a nice time and enjoy it. I hope they enjoy the story and the character and that they are moved by it. I want them to know there are different directions they can go to in life and realize there are different choices. There are different directions to move. If there are difficult decisions and things that happen, we can make our own choices. I think that’s what my character did. She chose to protect this young girl. Instead of getting upset and mad at the guy, she chose to protect the young girl and I love that.

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

A) I think that I’m grateful for everyone who enjoys watching any of my work. If it wasn’t for fans and people who enjoy our work, we wouldn’t really be existing. I think it is always important to be grateful and kind to those who enjoy watching and be appreciative.