I’ve been following the career of Giles Panton for several years now, but it took me some time to realize that he and Jocelyn Panton were married. Part of that was due to a change in her last name (you will notice her professional name used to be Jocelyn Ott), and the other part is that I’m really slow on those kinds of connections (ask the students I teach). A couple of years ago, I reached out to Jocelyn for an interview, but it just didn’t seem like the proper time for it to be posted. Then 2018 happened, and suddenly, Jocelyn’s career began to advance in the way every actor dreams. Finally, she was booking roles on well-respected shows and supporting leads in movies, and we both knew the right time had come. I often tell my interviewees that these interviews always get published at the appropriate time, and there is no doubt that Jocelyn Panton is one whose star is on the steady ascent. In anticipation of her first Hallmark movie (premiering tomorrow 12/16), I am ecstatic to share her interview with my readers today!
RH: Jocelyn, it is so nice to be able to chat with you at last! I’ve been friends with your husband, Giles, for some time, and now I officially get to chat with you.
JP: Nice to officially meet with you too, Ruth.
With Giles
I actually know of several couples in the business together. I would think there are both benefits and drawbacks to being in this profession together.
It is really helpful to be married to a fellow actor. We are really supportive towards each other both in navigating the industry and in prepping roles together- for auditions and jobs. Especially if I get something last minute and I’d like to work it with a coach and no one’s available, I have Giles. It’s also great pursuing our dreams together! Drawbacks, it can be challenging for us to make plans because at any given time, I can get a call up until 6 or 7 PM the night before (and on rarer occasions even later) for an audition. It can completely change our plans. But it’s nice to know that he always understands and because we are both doing what we love, I feel that it’s worth it.
So, Jocelyn, what inspired you to become an actress?
It was sometime between the ages of four and six. I remember a musical came to town. They were singing and acting and dancing. It touched me to my core and I remember feeling like this was the thing I had to do. It wasn’t until years later (after I completed broadcasting school) that I decided to pursue it professionally. But it was broadcasting school that made me feel that one step closer and believe it was possible.
What kind of training did you receive for acting?
When I was young I did improv at summer camp and theatre in high school. Since I started pursuing it professionally, I’ve trained around Vancouver with many different part schools and coaches. I enjoy training and improving my craft so I’m usually working in some kind of class or with a coach whenever I can.
Photo Credit: Sarah Katsuno
As I was going through your credits, I noticed you had a small role in Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief.
Yes, that was my first gig. I loved being a part of that film. It was so much fun. I remember it was the middle of summer and it was super hot. I didn’t have anything to compare it to as far as being on set. We had a little trailer and it was so tiny, but I remember the time fondly. Over the span of two weeks, I was on set for six sixteen-hour days. I was playing one of the Lotus Land Waitresses. There were three of us I think. We were the waitresses, and we had trailers next to each other. We had a lot of time when we weren’t needed on set so we would hang out and sit on our steps in the sun. We would hang out, chat, play some games, and visit with each other. It was a good bonding experience. I also loved working with the director, Chris Columbus. He’s produced and written a tonne of awesome projects. He was a very friendly and nice guy. But I definitely was having the time of my life.
I always think that having even a tiny part on a feature film like that must be exciting. It must be a neat experience–very different from TV.
Yeah, movies take longer to film. For example, they will spend several days on one scene versus a TV show where they will film several scenes in one day.
But something else is special about this movie. If I hadn’t done this gig, I wouldn’t have met Giles. I became really good friends with somebody on that film, and she is still one of my closest friends. She invited me out somewhere, and Giles was there. We started dating that week.
With Sarah and Brennan Cedar Cove
I noticed you also had a small role in the first season of Cedar Cove. Please refresh our memory about your role.
I had a scene with Brennan Elliott‘s character. His character had been dating Justine {Sarah Smythe}. They had broken up, and he wanted her back. If you remember the episode about the bachelor auction, that’s my episode. Brennan’s character hired me to bid on her boyfriend so that she wouldn’t get him.
Now I remember your role! That was a favorite episode of mine as a matter of fact. So you got to work with one of my favorite actors, Brennan Elliott.
He was awesome. I actually spent the most time with him because of the nature of the role. He’s so much fun, and he’s so nice. So different than the character he played. He’s a really good actor.
I love to hear about actors who are not changed by success. And now you’re getting some success yourself. I know I often how hard it is to keep going to auditions and not book roles.
It can be very hard, but I’m way better now than I used to be with rejection. It’s never easy, but it’s not as big of a deal if I don’t get something. But I think it comes down to the fact that you have to love it enough. If I didn’t love it enough or I was in it just for the money, I probably would have stopped doing it by now. And I’m constantly trying to improve my skills. I’m always trying to figure out how to be a better actor, how to dig deeper in myself. I think it’s a really personal journey because you’ve got to pull a lot out of you as far as emotions go and depending on what character you’re playing. Sometimes you have to be stronger than you really are, and you grow a lot with these characters. In some ways, I feel that some of these characters are different aspects of myself that I explore when I do an audition or book a role or get a scene in class.
Well, it sounds like you’ve already got your own perspective on acting somewhat figured out. You were saying that these roles are extensions of who you are. I think it sometimes takes a while for actors to figure out what works for them and what doesn’t.
Photo by Kristine Cofsky Photography
Yeah, everybody is different, and everybody’s experiences are different too. I don’t think there’s really a formula. I tried to learn someone else’ formula, but there isn’t one–you gotta figure out what is best for yourself. I keep learning and learning, and the second I think I’ve figured it out, I realize that there’s more to it. And so I have to keep learning and delve deeper into myself.
When I started acting in 2009, while I didn’t book a ton of things, I booked a couple of things right away. And I thought that was how it was going to be. But then I didn’t book anything for quite a while after that.
I read this article by Sarah Paulson from American Horror Story. In the article, she says that if she had been successful right away, she wouldn’t have learned how to become a harder worker. And because of that, she is even a better actor than she would have been. While she may still have been successful, maybe she would have been a more boring actor. And I think she’s really good. And it was encouraging to read that because maybe if I had kept booking regularly like I did at first, I probably wouldn’t have been able to get close to what my potential is.
The really cool thing is that 2018 has been an awesome year for you in terms of booking things. Please tell us about the thriller {Killer Ending} you and Giles were in together, even though you didn’t share any scenes.
Picture Credit: Chad Rook
That was pretty cool. I don’t know how often that happens that any couple gets to have that opportunity in the business. I’ve been acting for nine years, and Giles has been in the industry for at least fifteen, and this is the first time that happened and then now again with A Gingerbread Romance– for the second time in one year!
It was great to see you both. And you got to play a newscaster, which was kind of interesting considering your background.
True. After all, I did go to broadcasting school.
And then you just were in Legends of Tomorrow. Tell us about that experience and what it was like playing your role.
as Marilyn Monroe Legends of Tomorrow
This was probably my most favourite character I’ve had the opportunity to play on set. I got to play Marilyn Monroe. I had so much fun with the audition and when I found out I booked the part, I was ecstatic and felt so honoured to play her. I’ve watched bios and some of her films, and think she was such a beautiful person both inside and out. And it is such an honour to be cast in an iconic role as her.
Of course, the most exciting thing for us Hallmark fans is you are in your first Hallmark movie, which is also your first Christmas movie, A Gingerbread Romance. Please tell us about your role and how that fits into the overall experience of the movie.
With Tia Mowry A Gingerbread Romance
Well, this is another one that I got to be in with Giles so there’s that, but also getting to work with one of my childhood favourites, Tia Mowry, was a really great experience. I play the character of Wendy, Tia’s character’s (Taylor) best friend and neighbor. I’m her cheerleader, supporter and like to see my friend following her life’s path. It makes me so happy to see her happy and that’s the biggest thing I want for her. Whether that means she’s following her career passion, helping her win something (hint hint 😉 or finding the man of her dreams, I’m there to cheer her on.
Any special memories from filming A Gingerbread Romance?
With Duane Henry A Gingerbread Romance
Walking on to a fully decked out magical Christmas set several months before Christmas was definitely a unique experience, getting to drive to set and work with my husband, and hanging out with Tia and getting to know the rest of the cast between takes was a lot of fun. Also, the fact that this was my first Hallmark movie, first Christmas movie, and first supporting lead role- there were a lot of firsts here so I think this movie will always be special to me.
Any other upcoming works you can mention?
on set Best Friend’s Betrayal
Yes! There is Best Friend’s Betrayal, a Lifetime thriller that’s coming out in January that I’m in. Also the 80’s reboot of Critters, I’m not sure if you remember that film, but I got a nice role in that with some fun moments so I’m looking forward to that coming out as well.
What are your favorite holiday traditions?
With Giles
We’ve only been married for three and a half years, so we are still making ours and that alone–finding a new tradition for the 2 of us is really special. We just got our first stockings and wreath so that feels really nice. But all my life, my mom, who is an amazing cook and baker, has made all these different types of Christmas cookies- those are probably my favourite to eat, but also I’m starting to make them myself and that and the smell in my home is one of my favourite things about Christmas- that and turkey dinner- emphasis on the stuffing!
Thank you so much for your time, Jocelyn. I cannot tell you how excited I am to see A Gingerbread Romance and everything else. Your Legends of Tomorrow episode is still on my DVR as we speak.
Ruth, thank you for your support over the years for both Giles and me. It has meant so much. And I hope everyone likes the movie tomorrow night!
It is a rare thing to see happy couples who are working side-by-side in the film/television industry–or maybe that is just what the tabloids would have you believe–but I am blessed to be able to know several couples in the business who are pursuing their passions, laboring together, and supporting each other all the way. In the case of Giles and Jocelyn, I can’t think of two better representations of true love, unadulterated support, and genuine companionship. In fact, I don’t typically use a quote to describe people in my interviews, but I can’t help but refer to an old proverb that so perfectly exemplifies the life these two are building together. “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17). Indeed, Giles and Jocelyn are better people and actors because they are life partners.
However, lest I forget, this interview is about Giles’ better half, Jocelyn. And it thrills me to no end to witness the unparalleled success she has been experiencing. I’ve been cheering for all along–as have many Hallmarkies–but finally, she is beginning to see her intensive work come to fruition with a degree of success that is never guaranteed in this sometimes fickle business. In many sectors of this industry, Jocelyn has worked in relative obscurity for quite some time, and yet, she has remained true to herself, her goals, her principles, and her dreams. She has experienced both the positive aspects of the industry as well as the more challenging aspects, and through it all, she has never wavered in her commitment to her purpose upon this earth. And thankfully she has had a partner who has encouraged her through it all. (Yeah, I guess Giles has proven to be an okay guy. Sure, he’s a keeper!💕)
I hope that everyone in the U.S. tunes into the Hallmark Channel tomorrow night (12/16) for Jocelyn’s Hallmark movie début in A Gingerbread Romance. (Oh, Giles is in that one too, in case anyone is interested.) Canadian viewers will be able to watch the W Network on December 22nd for the Canadian premiere of this film. Additionally, I would invite everyone to visit Jocelyn’s links below and follow her where applicable. She is not overly active on social media, but she is always updating the various places you can see her movies, shows, and more. And I believe she almost always responds to the fans. While I have not officially met Jocelyn in person (maybe I will see her the next time I travel to Vancouver), I know that she is an amazing woman, an incredible actress, and one of the sweetest ladies on the face of the earth. And after all, she must be a pretty tremendous lady to be able to put up with the antics of Giles! (I mean give the woman a medal! Okay, just kidding! 😁 He’s pretty great too.) As 2019 and beyond approaches, I can only hope that this will be another crackerjack year for Jocelyn as networks recognize and utilize her exceptional abilities in a variety of dynamic projects. And I, for one, am thoroughly honored to be able to know and support an astounding actress like her!
FOLLOW JOCELYN
A Gingerbread Romance
