As one who has savored the Hallmark Channel original show Chesapeake Shores from its inception, I am always interested when a new character pops up, and this is the season when Chessies have been introduced to Emma Rogers. Being unfamiliar with the actress who is bringing this character to life, I did a little research on Lanie McAuley. As a result, I reached out to this multi-talented, young woman, and she agreed to an interview. In anticipation of season four, episode four–the episode which airs today (September 15th) on the Hallmark Channel and Super Channel Heart & Home–I am thrilled to share this conversation with my readers today!
RH: Please tell us about how you got started in acting/commercials.
LM: I did my first commercial when I was one! My Mom got my older brother into acting, and I was tagging along to casting one day. They needed a baby for a different commercial, and I took really easily to new people, so I booked it on the spot. That job turned into a few more, and I worked pretty consistently throughout my childhood. I loved it. I liked being a kid in an adult world, and I often got to keep the toys before they were in stores, so that was a huge perk.
How did you transition from commercial work into film/TV?
I auditioned for some film/TV through high school and booked a couple of roles, but while in business school, that’s when I decided I wanted to take acting more seriously. The same week I graduated, I started taking scene study classes and trained regularly for the next few years.
Mandisa Photo
I understand you were also involved in music and dance as you were growing up. What do you enjoy about these performing arts?
I’ve always loved being on stage. Connecting with an audience is one of the best feelings in the world. I was fortunate to have so much experience with this from a young age; it’s definitely served me as a performer. Having both music and dance commitments growing up meant following a very strict schedule and understanding how much work went into each craft. For me, the rush of performing makes the hours of hard work worth it. I don’t think I’ll ever fall out of love with that feeling.
I believe you also took a hiatus from acting to go to business school. What is it that drew you back to film/TV?
Mandisa Photo
While I was in business school, I was pretty unhappy honestly. I’d always wanted to attend university, and because I was a studious high schooler, I thought “this is something I have to do.” But I knew by my second year the business world wasn’t where I belonged, and I was itching to get back to more creative ventures. I did join my first pop band during college and was in a dance company for one year as well – it helped keep me sane. Ultimately, I decided to finish my degree and immerse myself in acting classes and auditions once I graduated.
Once you returned to acting, you guest-starred on Motive and Travelers amongst other roles. What was your experience like on both of those iconic Vancouver shows?
Some of my best friends have had roles on both shows, so it’s kind of cool that we get to share that experience! Both sets were very professional. I remember wrapping a workday super early on Motive and marveling at what a well-oiled machine that set had been. I think when a show runs for multiple seasons, they start to find a groove and everyone works together efficiently. It’s really nice to work on a set like that.
You’ve also done some voice work. What do you appreciate about voiceover, and what is the most challenging about that kind of work?
My favorite thing about voiceover work is the opportunity to embody characters you wouldn’t get the chance to on-camera due to physical limitations and typecasting. It allows you to flex your most creative muscles, and it’s so much fun. Like yeah, I’ll be an alien! What does that sound like, to me? I also started voice work as a kid, so that was my first experience working professionally in a vocal booth. I learned a lot about my voice and audio recording in general. The most challenging thing is making sure you bring the same energy to voiceover as you would to an on-camera role. You don’t get to dial it in just because no one can see you! One of the biggest lessons I learned early on is to act with your whole body as if you’re on camera; that always shines through in the performance.
Chesapeake Shores
Hallmark fans have finally had the opportunity to see you in Chesapeake Shores. Since this was your first official Hallmark production, what did you know about the network before booking this role?
Being from Vancouver where so many Hallmark projects are filmed, I knew that the fans are dedicated. In the past few weeks, it’s been cool to interact with Chessies on Twitter. They’re so tuned-in to each individual character arc, and I love hearing their reactions (and predictions) to plotlines in the show. I’ve felt a warm welcome… even if some fans are concerned about my character’s potential effect on the Trabby dynamic!
With Kirsten and Jesse
Please tease a little about your character Emma. Without spoiling anything, what can we expect from her? What was your experience like working on this show and with the cast and crew?
You can definitely expect more musical performances from Emma – it’s been a privilege playing a character where I get to sing. Emma’s at a point of discovering who she is and what she wants out of life. She has musical talent without a lot of direction, so Trace is able to be a mentor to her.
Chesapeake Shores
My experience on set was very positive; just like the fans, the cast and crew were extremely welcoming to me. It was great getting to know Jesse {Metcalfe} and chatting about the music we love in real life, too.
It looks like you also made your first Christmas film with Hallmark this year. What can you tell us about your role in Write Before Christmas and why Hallmark fans are going to love it?
behind-the-scenes
Write Before Christmas
Wow, it was my first Christmas film! I think it’s a rite of passage. My character, Angie, is in the military, and catches the eye of Private Carter Winthrop (Madison Smith). When I did ADR for the film, I got to see a sneak peek and had the biggest smile on my face. It just gave me that magical holiday feeling. The first thing I did was call my Dad (who loves Hallmark Christmas films especially) and tell him he was going to love this one.
Any other upcoming roles you can mention?
Right now, Write Before Christmas is my only project on the horizon as I’ve been focusing on recording my debut EP.
How do you keep up as an actress and singer? How do you split your time between these two artistic endeavors?
It’s busy! Auditions come in on an ongoing basis, so I’m always self-taping between writing and recording music. Sometimes I’m more immersed in one full-time – like when I was in Parksville, BC filming Chesapeake Shores. And this past month I’ve been in the studio every week recording my EP. It seems to ebb and flow between the two. I feel really lucky to be able to do the things I love every day in two different industries and call it “work.”
When you are not working, what do you like to do for fun?
I love animals and try to volunteer with rescues when I have the time. For the past six weeks, I’ve been fostering a pair of Catahoula puppies who’ve stolen my heart! In a perfect world, I’d have about ten dogs. Right now, my only full-time pup is my Goldendoodle Teddy, who travels with me everywhere… I love taking him on hikes. And living in Nashville where there’s great live music happening every night, I like to go to shows and support other artists as much as I can.
View More: http://jackieo.pass.us/lanie
I want to applaud the Hallmark network for consistently introducing us to a vast array of actors, musicians, writers, directors, and more. Very rarely (if ever) am I disappointed in the person they choose to cast in a particular role, even if I ultimately don’t care for the character that person plays. In the case of Lanie, I simply adore this new personality, Emma, and while she may ultimately come between Trace and Abby, as Mick continues to state in this week’s previews, I am convinced that if Trace and Abby are meant to be, nothing can keep them apart. No Emma Rogers or Jay Ross can thwart what is intended. Therefore, instead of worrying about the fate of that union, I have chosen to celebrate the woman and the talent that is Lanie McAuley! And her dedication, expertise, humility, and kindness impress me to no end. I greatly anticipate her character arc, and I look forward to seeing her in her first Christmas movie later this fall!
If you are not watching Chesapeake Shores, I hope you will consider tuning in to the Hallmark Channel or Super Channel Heart & Home for the next three Sundays (September 15th, September 22nd, and September 29th) for the show that has captivated our hearts and imaginations for four seasons (we are hoping it’s not the last!!). Additionally, while you are anticipating the performance of the vivacious and engaging Lanie in this show and her upcoming Christmas movie, be sure to check out all her links below and consider following her where applicable. (It looks like she is hard at work on her new EP, and I believe a single might be dropping this week–on September 19th, if I understand correctly!) If there’s one new Hallmark actress and musician with whom I am enthralled, it is decidedly Lanie, and it boggles the imagination to consider what the near and distant future holds for incredible artists such as her!
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