Sarah Jeffery – Shades of Blue

By: Lisa Steinberg

Q) Were you busy working on “Descendants: Wicked World” and “Shades of Blue” all at once?

A) Everything fell into place at the right time. While I was busy, it was never unmanageable. People like Jennifer Lopez who are so busy – I don’t know how she does it. Looking at my plate is kind of a reminder that I don’t have so much. She is very inspiring!

Q) What do you attribute to the great fan reaction and numbers for the show?

A) I think we really hit the jackpot with the cast, the writing and the team as a whole we got really lucky. Everyone put their best foot forward. We worked really hard for this and we’re extremely proud as to how successful it has been so far.

Q) You are a part of social media. Have you enjoyed the instant fan feedback you have received?

A) It’s so crazy! Social media is such a great tool for promoting and it is great because you do get instant reactions from fans. It’s so cool to experience immediate appreciation. It just makes us even happier that they appreciate the work that we’ve done.

Q) How is “Shades of Blue” different from other procedurals on TV?

A) All those shows are procedurals and with those you can tune in whenever you please and each story kind of wraps up. “Shades Of Blue” is a more episodical series where it is best for you to tune in each week. You get to know the characters on a personal level and they each have their own stories. You kind of have to tune in every week to keep up with it.

Q) Please tell us about the evolving storylines we’ll see this season.

A) Cristina, as you saw in the first episode, goes to a private school and is a really good student who goes to a private school and plays the cello. She is very gifted and very driven, but as her mom is away a lot of the time for work she starts to realize she can take her own path and she starts to kind of make some more grownup decisions that I don’t think her mom appreciates very much.

Q) Was there anything about the role that changed from audition?

A) No, not really. It stayed pretty true to the first draft (at least that I saw). She always played the cello, which I thought was very cool because I have never played an instrument, but was something I always wanted to do. I thought it was cool that I could learn the cello for this role.

Q) How has it been learning to play the cello?

A) It was quite cool! Before I left for New York (because I’m originally from Vancouver) I had lessons with a very talented coach. He just kind of covered the basics with me and the proper stance and posture. He taught me how to pull it off without me looking like I had no idea what I was doing. I can’t really play the cello, but I can definitely fake it!

Q) “Shades Of Blue” has a lot of shades of gray. Talk about how that theme will revolve and evolve this season.

A) You have kind of nailed it there. Especially with the precincts and the crew, it’s about what is what is right and wrong not always being clear. Sometimes you have to make decisions that you wouldn’t normally make or you kind of have to make sacrifices in certain areas. Sometimes the right thing isn’t always clear so you have to take a chance. You’ll see that a lot with these characters, especially with Harlee (Jennifer Lopez).

Q) You have this incredibly large, wonderful cast. What have you taken away from working with these amazing costars?

A) There is so much to take away! It was really learning from the best and it is such an ensemble cast that I was just learning and learning. From Jennifer, she handles it all so gracefully. She manages to maintain this crazy busy schedule, but still just do a really fantastic job. That was a reminder to me that no matter what is going on, you can still be committed and give it 100%. You can imagine how tired she is, but she still gives it her all. I really respect that and Ray [Liotta] as well. Ray is so focused and such a character, but he really gives his work 1000%. As you can see in the show, he is quite the character and it is really inspiring to see him completely go for it. It’s been extremely inspiring as an actor to be exposed to that and it makes me even more driven and makes me want to give performances that are as committed.

Q) What is a moment that you feel you can get lost in when watching the show?

A) Yeah! It’s funny because it’s such an ensemble cast, but not all of the cast works together. I don’t think I ever once worked with Warren Kohl. We saw each other, but I work mainly with Jennifer. So, it was nice to see even in the first episode how everything panned out because I’m not really there for the crew stuff. So, I got quite lost in it because it was a story that I didn’t really know. I knew it from the script, but I didn’t know how they’d bring it to life and it’s easy to see how you can get addicted to the storyline.

Q) You are a part of the animated series “Descendants: Wicked World.” What is the most rewarding part of being a part of this project?

A) It’s all been such a rewarding experience. First, I have a family now that I didn’t have before. The cast is just extremely close and it’s nice to know that we always have each other’s back. More importantly, I think we all appreciate what it is has done for kids. It is something that makes them happy and it is something that they love. I think the movie, itself, gives a very strong message. I was actually just at Disneyland and there were kids that were so excited to see Audrey – just seeing them say I made their day – you can’t ask for anything better than that!

Q) What is one accomplishment you are working towards as a goal in 2016?

A) I have been dying to do an action film. I’m a dancer and an athlete so I would love to get to incorporate my abilities in an action movie. Maybe something like Tomb Raider – something with stunts – is something I have been dying to do. Maybe that will happen in 2016.