Maeve Quinlan – South of Nowhere

Q.  What are some of the recent projects you’ve been working on? 

A.  This year I’ve only been working on “South of Nowhere.”  Last year when I finished South I did an episode of “South Beach” which was a short lived show, down by you, with Vanessa Williams.  I did that and I did “Night Stalker” and this year no, I haven’t.  I have gotten close on a couple things but what is interesting I think with where we are being taken notice of “South of Nowhere,” it’s kind of amazing and great.  Now, I am up for lead parts that  I can’t take them because they are on other shows.  So, contractually I can’t do that, nor do I want to.  So, it sort of narrows the field on what I can do.   “South” has been really great, as you can imagine, I like to work.  After this season in particular, it was really pretty emotionally draining.  For some of us, particularly the last couple episodes that people have watched.  It was really kind of nice to take a break and feel okay about it and not feel like I had to be out doing other things. 

Q.  What is it about your role as Paula that continues to challenge you?

A.  Oh my gosh, where do I begin?  First and simply, she’s so challenging because she’s extremely different from me.  So, tha poses the most amazing challenge.  Beyond the obvious, first of all, I’m very involved with the gay and lesbian community.  Some of my closest friends, in fact my two roommates, are lesbians.  I mean I don’t think you can get much more different from Paula than that!  But, at the same time it’s challenging because I do know my friends stories and I know how difficult it was for them to come out.  Some of them adults really have not come out and I know particularly for my girl and guy friends that did come out, the enormity of what playing this character truthfully really means.  So, that is a challenge, I’m really trying to do it as honestly with integrity as I possibly can.  So, that’s very rewarding because I can’t tell you the amount of letters, emails, and Myspace messages that I get saying thank you so much, I went through the same thing, I’m going through the same thing as Spencer, I wish the show had come out when I was going through this.  So, it’s really challenge from that obvious perspective.  It’s also really challenging as an actor because you have to find something about the character that you like and there are a lot of redeeming qualities about Paula.  The colors and the levels that I can pull from that, you’re going to see that a lot more in this season as well, has been really challenging.  To really humanize her, because she is so black and white, there are certainly moments like when Ashley’s father died.  You see that moment where she hugs Ashley and you see she’s a mom, at the end of the day she’s a mom.  She’s just trying to do what she thinks is right, so it’s challenging because she’s a very complicated on paper.  Although it’s on page very black and white, she’s the most challenging part I’ve ever had in my life.  We all say this on set, it’s not just me, all of us think this parts are just so incredible and the writing is so amazing and the network is so great and so brave.  Each week when we’re shooting we do a table read at the beginning of the week.  It’s like Christmas, we can’t wait to open up the script and see what’s happening.

Q.  Why do you think it is hard for some fans to separate the actress from the character you play?

A.  You assume that but on the one hand I don’t want to be condescending cuz I don’t want people to laugh and say well, do you think Hannibal Lector, you know what I mean?  It’s like, what?  We’re actors.  At the same time I guess I get it.  Because, unless they were were to know how different I am, how are they going to assume it?  I think particularly lately they’re getting that.  I am getting a lot of thank you so much and wow, then they look at the scenes in a whole different perspective and way.  Really it’s great because then they get a really good message behind it.  But, you’re right, sometimes I couldn’t even go on our board because it was like, “I hate her so much” and “I hate that actress.”  I was like, “Oh my God, I’m just trying to do the best possible job I can as this person.”  I guess the compliment in there is that I’m doing it so well I’m fuzzing reality.  So, there is a compliment in there and it’s been really nice lately and people are either learning about me through interviews like this or whatever that this person is a character.  But, it’s a very important character and that’s why I take her so seriously.  We have lighter moments though in this season which have been fun for me to play and you’ll see that coming up.

Q.  There are a lot of teenagers who look to Ashley and Spencer as role models.  Do you think that parents can also look to the show as an example?

A.  I really hope so, it’s an interesting because a couple weeks ago I did an interview with AfterEllen.com and they asked me the same question.  I said I don’t hear from parents, I hear from kids that are going through the exact same situation.  I also hear from adults who went through the situation, gay or lesbian adults.  But, as far as adults I hadn’t heard from parents.  Then, all of a sudden my Myspace got hit with all of these letters saying “I’m a parent and I totally watch this.  I am a straight parent dealing with this and thank you so much.”  It is sort of opening their eyes of all the possibilities of how you can react, no one can be in that parent’s shoes unless you are that parent.  I am certainly not one to give advice but I’m here to portray unfortunately, really more or less as usually a parent and that’s what I’m learning that it is exactly like Paula. Usually it is seemingly the mom, that’s what I get from my letters.  I agree with you and I really am noticing that and to answer your question, I am hearing a lot from parents. What’s really cool is that they’re watching it with their kids.  It’s something that they actually sit down and do together and it promotes a great discussion.  What’s so great is that our demographic is adults that are straight, gay and lesbian parents, it’s great, it’s really great.

Q.  Do you feel that the friendship that you have with Gabrielle outside of the show helps with the believability of your characters on screen?

A.  Yeah, I definitely think so.  On the whole we all get together, which is great, we watch the show together every Friday night.  It’s not just Gabby and I that get together but Gabby and I have a particular closeness.  I think the closeness grew just naturally but we’re both super close with everybody else. We do sleepovers and other things and I’m more like an older sister, certainly not like a motherly figure.  I’m really goofy but I think it definitely does.  This goes for Mandy as well, because you see a lot more of Paula/Ashley interaction this season than you did last season.  Particularly, the last two episodes, the intensity.  We could do the work without it but I think that the friendship and the trust that comes from our friendship definitely carries over onto set.  All we have to do is look into each other’s eyes and we totally trust each other’s instincts or if somebody tries to ad-lib something to just go with it.  The friendship anchors us on set and we have to do some tough stuff, like slapping her across the face last year or pulling Mandy’s hair, we worked all this stuff out together and with the director.  There is a lot of trust because of the friendship off set.

Q.  I know that you’re not a mother, but you do have a pet you adore, and I was wondering if you think the motherly instincts that you use in your portrayal of Paula come from your pet?

A.  I have not played a mother quite like Paula, but I have played other mothers.  I spoil my dog like crazy, I am overly protective, but like that I am like Paula.  I grab that from my dog being my baby.  I have five nieces and nephews and they all live in Ireland and they all come out to see me every year and singly.  They come out sometimes when I’m shooting so you can imagine the exhaustion.  I did notice being a little more overly protective this year because they range in age from twenty-one to six and so when the twenty one and the twenty year old came to visit, I noticed I was being a little bit more overly protective with the twenty year old girl.  So, as far as Paula, I’ve played parents before where I pull more compassion.  With her, I pull more protective things, she thinks she’s doing the right thing always.  She really honestly does, I will put that don’t mess with me, this is my kid, this is my life.  If I am at a dog park and a dog goes to attack my dog, you might a little Paula come out.  I’m very mushy, that’s where it begins and ends, because I’m super, super affectionate.  I sleep with my dog, he goes every where with me, I even sneak him in on set when I can. 

Q.  Since the show is now in season two, are you getting recognized more when you’re out on the street?

A.  Where I noticed it was, I am a big amusement park fan, I love amusement park.  Out here in LA we have a place called Knott’s Berry Farm, during Halloween it’s called Knott’s Scary Farm.  They have this big Halloween haunt thing, I don’t think you can get into the park unless you’re fourteen or fifteen.  That was outrageous, that was wild, that was when the penny really dropped on how big our show because that is our whole demo.  It was unbelievable, kids were waiting in line and they were like, “Oh my God, that’s Paula!”  I was like, “Yeah that’s me here at Knottsberry Farm all dressed up in a Halloween outfit.  Airports, LA is different because everyone is an actor out here, but that’s when it really happened.  We were on Halloween Night, Mandy, Gabby and I were at our co-executive producer’s house and the girls answered the door for the trick-or-treaters.  Actually, Gabby did and the girls were like, “Oh my God, you look like the girl from ‘South of Nowhere’.”  Gabby was like, “Really?”  And she grabbed Mandy and the girls just freaked out.  So, generally speaking LA is benign because there are actors everywhere.

Q.  You’re involved in a lot of charities and are very involved with ovarian cancer and animal abuse charities.  Why are these charities so important to you?

A.  One is the animal thing, it come from my love of dogs and I’ve always had a dog.  It just is something very important to me, in fact, I’m producing a show right now called The Pack.  We just sold the pilot to Animal Planet, I don’t know if it will get picked up.  It’s not about abuse but it is about learning everything you need to know about your dog.  And, it really makes me sad because unfortunately, there are a lot of people who get dogs on a whim and they don’t really look into what kind of breed is right for them if they live in a small apartment.  It’s something that is really close to my heart because I love my dog so much.  They are innocent animals with no voice for themselves so there has to be a voice out there for them.   I foster dogs when I can and my main message is that you really have to take time and exercise and they are a part of your pack.  They come into your home and you really need to make it a priority.  The ovarian cancer is that my mother is now eight years in remission from ovarian cancer.  She’s my best friend and that was a very scary time for all of us so that’s why I’m very involved with that.

Q.  What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

A.  Hanging with Mr. Guinness, hikes, that’s the great thing about where I live.  The hikes, the beach, it seems like we never get enough spare time, I don’t know what the girls say, we’re either working or racing around to audition for things.  I like to be very outdoorsy with my dog, play tennis, go to movies, read.

Q.  Do you have a latest obsession?  Are you into any particular book, music group, sport or activity?

A.  No!  Isn’t that terrible?  My obsession right now is preparing my place right now for my family to visit me for Christmas.  So, my obsession right now is Christmas because I’m hosting Christmas.  I’m going to have to get a hobby before we talk again!  My dog, seriously, it’s my dog.  I’m not joking you, I know it sounds so simple.  But if I am not working or running around I’m usually with my dog and it’s great to explore different places. 

Q.  What would you like to say to the fans and supporters of the show?

A.  I honestly from the most sincere place in me want to say thank you so much. We wouldn’t be where we are with the show if it weren’t for the fans and their loyalty and the fact that we’re making a difference.  To see the reaction means the world to us!   Yes, I’m an actress that plays the part.  My name is Maeve Quinlan and I play Paula Carlin on “South of Nowhere.”