Kristin Booth – Signed, Sealed, Delivered: From Paris with Love

By: Jamie Steinberg

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

A) We just finished our Signed, Sealed, Delivered: From Paris With Love in January. Before that, I was on “Orphan Black,” which is on BBC America.

Q) How was your character, Shane, originally described to you?

A) Originally, Shane was described as a very pragmatic technophile. She was someone who had very, very set ideas about who she was and what she did. She was very career centered. I would say that she was closed off a little emotionally. Throughout the episodes we have shot and the seasons, she has really evolved and been affected by the job and her colleagues.

Q) What have you added to your role that wasn’t originally scripted for you?

A) I think every actor adds things that aren’t scripted because everyone is an individual. Everyone comes in with their own ideas and your own personality is going to effect the character in some ways. My experiences lend to the character. I wouldn’t know specifically what that would be. On the page, she was probably less emotionally involved in things than she ultimately became. Perhaps, it was a little more heart.

Q) What can you tease is in store for Shane in From Paris With Love?

A) I would say there is obviously a big hint with the title that someone who is in Paris may be making an appearance. It’s really interesting because we get to see Shane sort of pushed out of her element and be quite uncomfortable. She is usually so sure of herself and I think we get to see her be a lot more vulnerable, which is really cool because she is this practical woman. She allows herself to be vulnerable when it comes to other people. Throughout the season, prior to, you see her get involved emotionally with the letters and the people involved. This is one of the first times it is really about her vulnerability and her relationship with Oliver.

Q) How would you describe her relationship with Oliver?

A) Well, I would say it is a love/hate relationship or love/frustration relationship. Hate may be too strong a word. I’ve always seen them as similar to the couple from “Moonlighting” – Cybil Shepherd and Bruce Willis. They have this tremendous respect for one another and admiration for one another, but also they completely are opposite sides of the spectrum in some sways. So, they are often butting heads and disagree a lot. There is this underlying, unspoken attraction as well. So, it is a very layered relationship and is so much fun for me as an actress to play and I imagine so much fun for audiences to watch because you are never quite sure how things are going to go between Shane and Oliver. Sometimes it can be amicable and quite sweet and other times it can be quite fiery. Audiences can see a little bit of both in From Paris With Love.

Q) There is a lot of chemistry between Shane and Oliver. Was it instant when you and Eric Mabius began working together?

A) We really didn’t have a lot of time to bond. The first time I met Eric was at the table read of the pilot script. We really didn’t have a lot of time for going to camera. I think Eric is such a great actor and such a cool guy. He was very open to collaboration and working together, figuring out the relationship. It just happened organically. It did happen quickly, which is always nice. We didn’t have much time, but we were able to connect with each other, which is good.

Q) What were some of your favorite moments from filming?

A) Fans can expect a lot of evolution for all four of our Postables in this upcoming movie. You see a lot of changes that happen, progression happen, between the characters. One of my favorites involves Rita (Crystal Lowe) and Norman (Geoff Gustafson). I can’t give away too much, but their relationship seems to take a step toward a little more openness and vulnerability. It will leave audience members wanting more and more to see where Rita and Norman will go. Perhaps not just as colleagues anymore…

Q) Will there be another holiday Signed, Sealed, Delivered film?

A) We headed back to shoot the second film in May. Then, there is one more scheduled for 2015. Hopefully, there will be more.

Q) Season One of the show was successful and it’s created film spinoffs. How does that make you feel?

A) I think the show is very special. I think the cast has a wonderful chemistry together and the writing is fantastic. It’s a unique show for Hallmark in the sense that it is a very character driven ensemble piece. It’s exciting for me to be able to continue to explore the character of Shane and the relationships she has with Rita, Norman and especially with Oliver. I was thrilled to be able to go back and keep developing to figure out where Shane will go.

Q) What would you like to make sure fans know about the film?

A) It’s exciting. I don’t think fans will be disappointed at all. We get to see a lot more of the characters in this upcoming film. There is less focus on the letter per se and the development of characters within the story. I think fans will be very excited to tune in to all three this year and, hopefully, more. I hope they want to keep coming back because we keep delivering (pardon the pun).