Sammi Hanratty – Seeds of Yesterday

By starrymag | April 12, 2015

By: Lisa Steinberg

 

 

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

A) I’m about to go into pre-production on a film that I will be starring in called Remedy For The Dark Minded.

Q) Please tell us the premise for your film Seeds of Yesterday and about character.

A) It’s a very interesting film. Seeds of Yesterday is the fourth film. It’s kind of the ending for the family from the first film of Flowers In The Attic. The parents have quite a twisted dark secret and they try to cover it up. They try not to be in love because they are brother and sister and knew it was wrong. By this point, they are married with three children. Bart, who is played by James Maslow, has been very affected by the family’s dark history. He is so overwhelmed with the obsession of our grandmother and what he thinks is right, sinful and bad. My character, Cindy, is kind of a shameless flirt who enjoys being with older men. She acts out sexually with men she barely knows to get over the man she has always wanted to be with – her brother Bart.

Q) How were you able to get into character?

A) I just kind of started feeling for Cindy. It was a tragic love story and she was going through this conflict. She was a character that was pretty easy to get into, but the hardest part for me was playing this super flirt – this sexual person. I’ve never played a role like her. That was a bit difficult for me to get into, but once I got my outfits on and the hair and makeup were done it was a lot easier for me to get involved.

Q) What was it like working opposite James Maslow?

A) It was really easy to work with James because he is so good. He’s a cool, great guy. The first week that we were there we were doing pre-production and basically hung out the whole time. So, it was really nice to have an on and off-screen relationship. He actually was like my brother when we were filming in Canada.

Q) What did you add to role that wasn’t originally scripted for you?

A) I pretty much tried to dive in with what they had originally. It’s hard when you are also working on something where people followed the book series. So, it has to be done a certain way. I’d hate to ever disappoint the audience by adding something to Cindy that wasn’t there to begin with in the books.

Q) How were you able to balance between the part in the book and the film?

A) Honestly, I just only read the scripts. I always want to make sure that when I am reading something that has already been turned into a book that I am only reading the script. I don’t want to get side tracked thinking, “Wait a minute. The book said this, but the script said this.” So, it was just easier for me to stick with the script and then later on read the series.

Q) What were some standout scenes for you to film?

A) Every scene that was just James and I were intense and powerful. Like I said, it was very easy to act with him because we both started being our characters on screen. It was my first time playing a role like this so all of my scenes were really interesting. I kiss a lot of people. It was really odd for me because I usually play the girl who doesn’t like anyone or the goody-goody two shoes. I never played the sexy gal.

Q) You are a part of social media. Are you looking forward to the instant fan feedback you will receive when the film premieres?

A) I definitely want to be in contact with as many of the fans as possible. I know how exciting it is for a lot of people because they have followed the book series. I’m really thankful to be a part of that. I’ll probably be tweeting throughout the premiere. I try as much as possible to stay in contact with my fans, especially when things are premiering.

Q) The new season of “Salem” has begun. What can you tease about the new season and where do we pick up with your character?

A) This season is the witch war. Things can go pretty far with a witch war. Mercy  (Elise Eberle) is kind of against everybody. You have Mercy who is dealing with all of her stuff, which gets really intense (especially with the first episode). For my character, Dolly, the only thing that I can reveal is I’m Mercy’s most trusted acolyte. All of my friends from Season One have passed away. Everyone I was close to are all gone, except Mercy. Now, I start to see who Mercy is turning into and I begin to question her when an act of vengeance requires sacrificing someone that I swore to protect.

Q) Who are some of the guest stars or new additions this season?

A) Lucy Lawless is new this season. She is fantastic! She is so great! Stuart Townsend is also a new addition. We have a couple new cast members that are so good. They are such good new cast members! It’s always exciting when you meet people who are kind hearted and extremely talented. I’m really happy that they are a part of this season.

Q) Who have you not worked with yet or that you wish you had more scenes with?

A) I don’t know if Shane [West] and I ever had a scene together. I don’t think we’ve had scenes together. I definitely would have wanted to work with Shane. Who knows with the rest of the season? That would be fun because we are friends off-screen as well. I don’t know what Dolly would be doing with John Alden. I’m not sure it makes sense for the story, but we’ll see!

Q) What do you think it is about the show that has made it a fan favorite and draws in so many viewers?

A) I think it is because of how well it is done, from the outfits to the set dressing. It’s so beautifully made and beautifully shot. The rest of it falls in place with such amazing actors like Janet Montgomery and Elise Eberle who are just so talented. The cast is extremely talented. Also, it’s a Hollywood twist off of history and a lot of the history is there. It really makes you think, “People really did that?” I think it gets the audience excited because it is a sexy, powerful show. The women are also empowered, which was not a thing back then. There are so many fun elements to the show that I think people pick up on easy. It’s a very special show. I think that’s why people adore it when they watch it.

Q) What would you like to say to your fans and supporters?

A) I’m excited for everyone to see the witch war. The witch war is so intense! It’s going to be a wicked season. I’m excited for everyone to see it!