Torri Higginson – Transplant

By starrymag | September 15, 2020

By: Sammi Turano

 

 

Q) How would you describe the premise of “Transplant?”

A) It is the first hospital show I have ever worked on, which is amazing because it is such a genre. It is a lovely play on the word transplant. It is set in Canada in Toronto. It is a regular hospital genre, each week has different issues brought up, some are heart wrenching, some are very funny, some are very inspiring. It has the procedural aspect of that hospital show. The underlining is also of the doctor who is from Syria and trying to bring his history and experience and how it translates and how that different experience makes him a good doctor here. He sees things others don’t see because he is coming at it from a different lens as well as how his experiences are effecting him and blocking him from where he is and making him grow.

It is not heavy handed politically in any way, but it is very human. The main cast is extraordinary and fabulous. I am excited and get to be a nurse and every woman in my family was a nurse on my father’s side and a lot of my cousins in Wales are nurses and I am glad to represent those superheroes.

 

Q) What made you want to be a part of the show?

A) I was very drawn to it because it was the same writers and producers from a show I did called “This Life.” They are a joy to work with and it is a lot of the same family from “This Life.” It made me trust the process and, even though it is a smaller role, I don’t care. I love to be a part of this group.

 

Q) How was the character of Claire initially described to you?

A) There wasn’t a whole lot written about her. When I was first told about the part from my agent, I got in touch with the producer who told me they were looking for a person of color to make it a very representative cast. Then, they got back to me afterward and wanted me to consider it. When I said yes they decided to reshift the character since they knew me so well from “This Life.” They wanted her to have a different voice than what they were first thinking of.

She is a very strong, very smart woman. The main cast are doctors and she is a nurse. I love that because nurses work twice as hard for not the same paycheck or kudos. They are there 24/7 and it is such a calling. They do it because that is their purpose. She is strong, no nonsense, she wasn’t buttery or soft and there for the right reasons.

 

Q) What were you told about her backstory? What kind of preparation went into your portrayal?

A) We weren’t given a backstory, but when I got there it was lovely. The creator and writer rewrote it once they knew it was me. They added to the backstory to spark me or get me more involved with her. I don’t want to give too much away because it is a little bit revealed. She is not a big presence the first couple of episodes, but she does become more so on and it sort of reveals her relationships with other doctors. I don’t know what to say without giving spoilers.

 

Q) What were some of the challenges of playing the role?

A) To be honest, I had to deal with my ego a bit. I made a career as an actor in Canad. They have a cast list. One through four means you are working every day and since I am getting older, I wanted to be seven or eleven so I can work a couple days a week, spend time writing, walking me dogs, making jam, etc. When I got this part, it was a very small part and my ego, I struggled with it. I didn’t know how to transition that way. It took me awhile to remember this is what I wanted and the universe gave me exactly what I wanted. That was the biggest challenge. It was interesting. It was my ego. I was surprised to see it get in the way. Once I saw and felt it, I felt the freedom and joy to go to work with no pressure and just play. It was a wonderful learning experience.

 

Q) Were you familiar with any of the cast and crew on the show?

A) Most of the production crew I was very familiar with and one of the actors were on “This Life.” Ayisha [Issa] and I knew each other from “Dark Matter.” Most of the cast was very new to me and it was a thrill to get to know them, especially the main female lead.

 

Q) What were some of your favorite scenes to film?

A) It is hard to say without giving too much away, but there is one scene that comes later on in the season where I get some snogging action and an actress my age doesn’t get that very often. We had to film it outside and it gets very cold in Montreal and my eyes were watering because of the cold. It made me laugh that this sexy moment had a runny nose and eyes.

 

Q) The show initially aired in Canada. What was their reaction to the show?

A) It was the most watched show in Canada, getting over the American shows. I think it was the first time in history. It has a lot to do with the cast representing the country in age, gender and race. It really resonates and I hope it happens with America.

 

Q) What are some things you hope the US audience takes away from the series?

A) I hope they see universal humanity that resonates. That they see themselves and others represented. It is not one voice – it is a lot. And I hope it resonates with lots of ears and hearts.

 

Q) We loved you on “Stargate: Atlantis!” What did you personally take away from your time on the show?

A) I learned so much! It was my biggest teaching moments for cons and the internet. I will always love that character because I have a lot of admiration for her. She taught me a lot about personal responsibility and strength. Joseph [Flanigan] has become a friend and is an extraordinary human. Conventions allow me to meet people from all around the world from different cultures.

 

Q) What other projects are you working on?

A) We are hoping to shoot Season Two and I am figuring out how to get there with my dog, but we have to quarantine for two weeks and can’t go back and forth. Everything is on hold now due to COVID, but we are hoping to open up soon.

 

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

A)Most of my fans are sci-fi fans and don’t be scared of the surgery room. There is science and there is fiction. Come watch! There is science, medical and written drama, so it is fiction!