One of the things I love about the show Good Witch on the Hallmark Channel is that they film in Toronto as opposed to Vancouver. In so doing, this changes the pool of actors from which they draw their guest stars and such, and that is exactly why I noticed the vibrant and talented Carolyne Maraghi. Before seeing her featured on the show this season, I was unaware of her talent (though I discovered I had seen her before without realizing it), and I was incredibly pleased that she recently agreed to answer a few questions about how she got started in the business, memories of her notable works (including Good Witch), and a little bit about her personal outlook on the business.

RH: Why did you decide to become an actress? What kind of training have you had?

CM: From an early age, there was never a doubt in my mind that acting was what I wanted to do. I was lucky to get a recurring role on a TV show when I was just starting out. I learned so much. It was great training because a lot of us were kids just starting out in the business and all the adults were seasoned veteran actors, so we got to learn from the best! I then went on to earn a College degree in Theater Performance, which gave me strong stage training and the confidence to pursue this as a career. I keep training all the time – keeps me on my toes! Over the years, I’ve had the chance to study with incredible teachers and I continue learning so much. My latest training has been in Improv. I’ve been doing it every week for the past three years and it’s impacted the way I approach my work now.

from First Wave

I just learned that one of your earliest works was in the show First Wave. What are your memories of being on that show? 

First Wave was a great experience which I remember very well. It was my first job after theater school. I was playing a mean, gossipy teenager who was bullying a girl at school who turned out to be super human. Let’s say that my character learned her lesson the hard way! Sebastian {Spence} was great. He is such a good actor and was a lot of fun to work with.

A Song From the Heart is listed as one of your notable works. What was most memorable about that film experience?

That was another great experience. I played a member of a school orchestra. The part was originally written for a clarinetist, but since I had been playing trumpet for many years, I decided to audition with my trumpet instead. They ended up changing the character so I could play the role. I was so happy to be able to combine my love of acting and of music! The orchestra scenes were a lot of fun to play and Amy Grant was a delight to work with. I had to cry in one scene and I remember being so nervous at the time! But all went well and everyone was really supportive on set. On our last day of shooting, the producers surprised us with lobster for lunch! That doesn’t usually happen!

Picture Day is another listed as one of your best-known works. What did you enjoy most about appearing in this film?

Interesting you ask because I was playing a trumpet player in this film too! This time playing funk music with a great Canadian band called The Elastocitizens. The band members were also in the movie, being actors in their own right. It was also great to work with the extremely talented Tatiana Maslany. Seeing first hand how she works was very inspiring.

from End of Days, Inc.

End of Days, Inc. seems to be a big role for you. How did you get involved with this film and what was the best part of bringing that character to life?

End of Days was one of the best film experiences I’ve ever had. We were shooting in the middle of winter in Toronto, in an old building that had no insulation and for very long hours, which could have been disastrous, but the film was such an ensemble piece and the cast and crew got along so well, it was a pleasure to get to work every day. We had so much fun and I’ve never laughed so hard on a set! I had to wipe my tears before almost every take! We are all good friends now. The role and genre of this film were also very different for me. It’s a comedy with a supernatural twist. I was playing a character who was very nerdy, a people-pleaser with no backbone who changes so much during the film and ends up stronger than she ever thought she could be. I had a blast and will always remember it fondly!

BTS Workin’ Moms

Though it doesn’t air in the US now, I know you appeared in two episodes of the Canadian show Workin’ Moms. Why do you think this show was so popular? Any chance your character will return for season two?

I would love to come back on that show for Season two! I don’t know what they have in store yet… we’ll see! Catherine Reitman is so funny and her show is just great storytelling. I think the reason why it’s so popular is because it’s cutting edge in the way the story is told. It’s a comedy, but it feels real and deals with the everyday struggles of working moms, which a lot of women and men can relate
to!

Carolyne Maraghi Credit: Copyright 2017 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Shane Mahood

Hallmark viewers are seeing you this season on Good Witch. How did you get involved with this show? What can you tell us about your character without ruining the story?

I auditioned for this show while I was in Los Angeles. I sent an audition tape to the Canadian casting director since it shoots in Toronto, and later learned I got the part. I did some research to learn more about what it means to be a  botanist and how an event like what happens in Good Witch would affect a scientist like my character, Daphne. It’s interesting because there recently was a flower, the Corpse Flower, that bloomed at the New York Botanical Gardens that hadn’t bloomed in nearly eighty years! I read about that and was so fascinated by the phenomenon. It really helped fuel my performance. My character is very ambitious and intriguing at the same time!

BTS Good Witch

Any special behind-the-scenes moments? What was it like working with the cast and crew? What do you enjoy about working for Hallmark as this is your first work with them?

It was my first time working for Hallmark and they were great all around. I had several days of shooting and they did everything they could to make it very smooth for me. Most of my scenes were shot outside in this beautiful botanical garden so we were surrounded by all kinds of amazing trees, plants, and flowers, which made it extra special! It was a delight to work with Catherine Bell; she’s such a generous actor and a pleasure to be around. The producer who was on set, Jonathan Eskenas, was wonderful to work with as well. Overall a great experience! I hope I get to do it again!

BTS Toy Box

Any other recent/upcoming works you can mention?

Sure! I recently finished working on a feature film called Toy Box. It was my first time in the Mojave Desert and it was such an incredible setting. Very humbling when you’re literally in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by sand and hills and no sign of civilization in sight!

I also worked on a really fun, quirky comedy called Good Girls Don’t as well as a very impactful drama about depression and suicide prevention called Beautiful Scars. I’m about to start working on a play in New York City about female jazz musicians set in the 1940’s – I’ll get to play trumpet again in that one! I enjoy the diversity of what I get to play – it’s never the same and certainly never boring!

Any plans to eventually write/direct/produce?

Yes! I produced a film called Harbour Road a few years ago and it was a really eye-opening experience. I’m very proud of that film – part of it was shot in China and the other part in the Niagara wine country region. I’m currently working with a writer to develop a spy web series… I’m really excited about that one and look forward to getting into production!

What do you like to do in your free time?

I love playing music. I practice my trumpet, working on classical, Jazz, R&B, Funk, or whatever I feel like on any given day! I also play around on the piano – I’m not very good by any means, but I enjoy practicing and working on different tunes. I also like to train in Tae Kwon Do – I got my third-degree black belt a few years ago and enjoy training and teaching.

What is your advice to young people–especially girls–who wish to enter the business?

If you really love what you do, give it a good try. Know that there will be lots of ups and downs at any level of your career but that’s OK! It’s not personal and it doesn’t define who you are – it’s just part of the game. I would encourage you to continue training and learning, and also to take part in different aspects of the business, like editing, writing, being a PA on set, producing, etc. It would help to give you a better understanding of what it takes to make it all happen.

Carolyne is one of those enchanting actresses who may not be a household name as such, but she has the supreme honor of being able to make a living doing what she loves–bringing characters to life through whatever medium possible and sharing those characters with people all around the world. It takes a special person with that caliber of talent, warmth of personality, and steadfast drive to bring these characters to life, and there is no doubt in my mind that Carolyne is just that kind of person. She is in the business for the right reasons, and in spite of any ups and downs, she has never given up on her dreams. She continues to persevere in learning and honing her craft, and I can only hope that Hallmark will feature her again soon, whether in season four of Good Witch (fingers crossed the network grants us another season) or possibly even one of their seasonal RomComs that film in the area. Regardless, I do hope that everyone will check out her links below and consider following her where applicable. Additionally, if you have not had the opportunity to see her in Good Witch this season, as the season wraps up tonight (July 2nd), be sure to catch up on her episodes if you can, and watch out for her new things she mentioned for you never know when Carolyne’s lovely presence may pop up on the screen! And if you happen to follow her on social media, you’ll be one of the lucky ones who will be sure to not miss her special appearances!

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