Tammy Gillis – Unleashing Mr. Darcy

By: Jamie Steinberg

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

A) I shot the movie Unleashing Mr. Darcy right before Christmas. That was a really, really fun project. It is a modern day take on Pride and Prejudice.

Q) Please tell us the premise for Unleashing Mr. Darcy and about your character.

A) My sister is a little lost and gets the opportunity to show her dog at a dog show. There she runs into Mr. Darcy (Ryan Paevey) and they have chemistry together, but they butt heads. I play her sister and I love her and want the best for her. So, I come to New York and go to a dog show with her where I end up seeing the two of them interact. I’m kind of thinking, “I see a little attraction here so I am going to try to help them out.” I’m a huge advocate for Mr. Darcy and am trying to push them together because I can see that she acts a little differently around him than she does with any other guys. Our mother (played by Lini Evans) is really disappointed that her two daughters haven’t gotten married yet. So, she is putting the pressure on us to find men.

Q) How familiar were you with the book that the film is based on before you began shooting?

A) I read Pride and Prejudice and I’ve seen Pride and Prejudice, but I was not aware the film (until I auditioned for it) was based on a book. Teri Wilson, the writer, has an amazing following and it was really cool because she came to set and we got to meet her and talk to her.

Q) Did she give you any insight into your portrayal of the character Jenna?

A) That was something that I asked her. First, I said, “How amazing is all of this?” I also asked if the vision she had in her mind when writing the book is what she was seeing in front of her. Not just the set and all of that, but all of the actors. She was over the moon with the casting and all the choices that production made. She said, “This is even better than I imagined.” She had been watching (because it was partly through the day when I got a chance to speak with her) and she said our take on the characters were bang on. That was really great being able to make her vision come to life. The pressure of having the author on set is always a little scary because you just hope and pray that you are getting it right.

Q) What was the most challenging part of filming the movie for you?

A) The most challenging was the dogs! Dogs will be dogs. They’ll do whatever they want. So, at times we would have scenes that had to be choreographed in a certain way, but while holding the puppy it is licking your face and squirming in your arms. I was so worried they were going to pee on me. It was managing being able to act and do the scene while also being really aware of the dogs. You didn’t want to hurt the dogs or step on them. They were just so cute that sometimes they would throw you out of the scene. When you see the movie, some of the dogs in it are unbelievable! Especially the puppies are so beautiful!

Q) You costar with Cindy Busby as sisters in the film. Was there instant chemistry when the two of you began working together?

A) Cindy and I hit it off like gang busters. We played sisters in the film and we are going to continue being friends. The day before shooting, Francis Fisher (who plays Mr. Darcy’s overbearing aunt) contacted production and sent an email to the female cast members (maybe like ten people) to go and watch a movie at a theater together. It was this really emotionally intense movie about cancer. So, there was about ten of us and Ryan came. He was the only man allowed. The film was so emotional and we were all trying not to have a total melt down and cry. Essentially, we’re all sitting around strangers and we’re so vulnerable. It was really brilliant of Frances because after that we all had such an emotional experience together. So, when we were shooting there weren’t really any barriers to it. Cindy was really great. She had contacted me before that saying she was really excited to work with me, which I thought was really great. When we met in person she said, “I’m a talker. I hope you are a talker. I like to talk. I like to get to know people.” I said, “I love you. I love you already.”

Q) What were some of your most memorable moments from filming?

A) Definitely the puppies! One of the days that was really amazing was the day of the ball. We were in this amazing estate just outside of Vancouver and it had a vineyard and pool. It was this massive mansion that was amazingly beautiful. It was really fun to get all dressed up in our ball gowns. Cindy looked like a little princess. Her dress was so perfect. That was a special day because everyone is dressed up in tuxedos and ball gowns. It was just really beautiful and it was not something we get to do every day.

Q) What do you hope fans take away from watching Unleashing Mr. Darcy?

A) I know for myself I love romantic comedies. I love watching them. They always give me a good feeling. I think that at sort of the base level we all want to be happy, in love and find that person for us. It kind of gives people hope that they are out there. You never know where you are going to find them.

Q) Are you going to be live tweeting with fans during the film?

A) Definitely! I am not sure if Cindy is, but we are trying to arrange to have our own private screening here in Vancouver. I’ll definitely be on social media.

Q) What makes Hallmark such a great fit for the film?

A) Hallmark was the perfect place for it because they are all about (at least I think) evoking emotion in you and it is generally one of hope and positivity. It’s going to kick it up with the dogs. For the Cavalier King Charles dogs in the dog show there were about ten of them and I have this video (that I’ll probably put up after it airs) when they were all lined up at the dog show. They are all wagging their tails and it seems like in unison and it is the cutest thing!

Q) What would you like to say to people who are fans and supporters of you and your work?

A) There is a bunch of other stuff coming up. I directed for the very first time and produced a web series called “The Support Group.” It is a romantic comedy that is set more to people in their early 20’s and it is PG13. It was a fun project and I’m interested in directing and producing more things. I’ve started writing and I’m writing a rom-com and some dramatic features right now. “Support Group” is going on now and we just shared our third episode on YouTube. Then, I have a project coming up, but I don’t know when it will be in theaters yet. It is called Minorca and it is an independent film that was shot in Spain and Winnipeg. That is a one hundred and ninety degree turn from something like Unleashing Mr. Darcy. It’s a dark movie, but I’m proud of the work and the performance I put into it.