Even when I am watching a show or a movie “for fun,” I cannot help but have my phone available, lest I uncover a talented person with whom I am unfamiliar. That is exactly what happened with Joey Coleman. I noticed him on Murdoch Mysteries last season, and I knew I wanted to reach out in order to feature him here on my site. Even though we chatted promptly after I contacted him last year, due to a variety of circumstances beyond my control, Joey has been stuck in limbo, patiently awaiting the posting of our informative, fun interview. In light of the massive show dropping next month with which he is involved, I am honored to share our chat with my readers today.
Photo by Clayton Cooper
RH: Joey, it’s so nice to chat with you today. Thanks for making the time.
JC: Ruth, it’s my pleasure. Thank you for reaching out.
When I was in LA this past summer, Marcus {Rosner} actually asked about you. He wanted to make sure you had contacted me. I’m just sorry you had to wait so long for the interview.
That’s okay, Ruth. I appreciate that you wanted to interview me. And Marcus is a great friend. When you first reached out for an interview, I actually asked Marcus about you, and he said I should do an interview with you.
Murdoch Mysteries
Marcus is a great guy, and I’m glad he told you that. He spoke very highly of you this summer when we chatted.
Good to know. He spoke highly of you as well.
That’s great to hear. So I was glad to see you on Murdoch Mysteries last season. That was season twelve, and my mom and I really enjoyed it. And actually, that’s the reason I reached out to you. I saw you in an episode and realized I’d seen you elsewhere as well.
Oh, that’s nice to hear.
And we also saw you on Good Witch last season, I do believe.
Brandon Hart Photography
Yes, that’s correct. I was on season five, episode seven of Good Witch. I hope everyone who watched it enjoyed it last season. I was sure excited about it.
I realize you’re also on another Canadian show that’s currently in its first season–Nurses. We can’t get that here in the U.S. yet, but I hope we will one day.
Oh, yeah, there’s a lot of great people involved with Nurses.
You know, I usually know more about what is happening with Canadian shows than the ones in the U.S. I have so many friends on shows up there in Canada, and all too often, I have to wait to see them. But I guess it’s a similar problem with all the movies that are filmed up in Canada, and usually you guys have to wait to see those.
Very true. Well, let me say that I’m honored that you reached out. It’s nice to be noticed.
So, Joey, how did you get started in acting?
Brandon Hart Photography
It’s been a long time now. I first expressed an interest to my parents, and they made sure to let me know that school was my number one priority. But my mom definitely took me to a lot of auditions for commercials, movies, and TV shows in Montreal, which is where I grew up. Then in high school, my older brother was doing theater, and he was always a hero of mine. I kind of filled in the theater role after he graduated, I took over doing the English plays at my French high school. After I graduated from high school, I did a three-year theater program. Then I went to Bishop’s University, where I graduated with honors and received a Bachelor of Arts in Drama. After that, I went to Vancouver Film School for a year. So as far as my acting career goes, with the exception of a couple of toy commercials when I was a kid, my acting career really only started since Vancouver Film School finished. From that time on, I’ve been jumping into it headfirst.
I don’t think I realized you had been acting that long. That interesting that you started doing a few things as a kid. So are you based in Toronto?
J&J Photography
Yes. I grew up in Montreal, and then moved to Vancouver for film school. After film school, I stayed there for maybe two or three years. And then for a few different reasons and to be closer to my mom and a girl I knew from theater school, I decided to move out here to Toronto. But besides those two women in my life, I feel like the move here socially as far as friendships has been way better. It has been way better for my career as well. I’ve really made a good relationship with casting directors here. I think I started off in Toronto with more confidence than when I started in Vancouver.
I have friends who have done similar things…either moving from Toronto to Vancouver or vice versa. I think everyone has to find their path and see what works for them in this business. So I’m glad things are working out for you in Toronto, Joey.
Thank you, Ruth.
I realize you did a few commercials when you were a kid, but what do you consider your first “real” TV/film credit?
Supernatural
My first real TV/film credit was probably Supernatural. I can’t believe that show is coming to an end after fifteen seasons. It is one of those long-running Vancouver shows. I got to work with Jensen Ackles, playing opposite him. I was playing a deputy in a small town that was a very corrupt town. So I arrested him for another family. While I had him in custody, he did the classic trick of knocking over the pens. When I went to pick up the pens, he beat me up and took the keys.
That show…it is almost hard to imagine Vancouver without Supernatural. But I don’t blame them at all. Go out while you’re still doing well and don’t wait for interest to wane. And I’ve never heard anything even remotely negative about working on that show.
They were great. You know, they’ve been together for so long–that crew and those actors–it was just a very well-oiled machine. They all treated me really nicely for the one day I was on set. I am very lucky I got to be on that show before it ended.
Supernatural
I know you’ve been on some other CW shows as well.
Yes, I have been. I was on Legends Of Tomorrow and The 100…they like putting me in a uniform.
I’ve heard that CW shows are really all pretty great shows to be on.
Yeah, it’s great that a lot of their stuff films in Vancouver, and that’s where I started off my career. So it was nice to be able to jump onto those shows even though I got killed off pretty often. In fact, even my mom said, “When are they gonna stop killing you?”
The 100 — “A Lie Guarded” — Image HU404b_0091 — Pictured (L-R): Richard Harmon as Murphy and Lindsey Morgan as Raven — Credit: Bettina Strauss/The CW — é 2017 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved
{laughs} Oh yeah, I’ve heard that from many people I’ve interviewed. It seems like supporting actors get killed off a lot on those shows. It’s just the nature of these CW shows. Very often, unless you’re brought on there for more than one episode, there is a good chance you are going to get killed off. But I know that being on a CW show is always good for your career.
You know, all these shows have such an incredible fan base.
I think your first Hallmark movie was The Wedding March, isn’t that correct?
Yes, I believe that is correct. I made a Lifetime movie before that one. But my first Hallmark was The Wedding March. I played the younger version of Duke, the best friend of the lead. I played drums growing up, and that was something I got to do in The Wedding March. I was hoping I would actually get to really play them, but they had a whole pre-recorded thing, so I had to pretend to be playing them.
The Wedding March
behind-the-scenes
Before you made this movie, did you know about Hallmark?
Oh, yeah. Everything from the Hallmark cards to the network. Of course, it’s such a classic network. I’ve known Marcus for quite some time and some other friends that have done things on the network. So it had definitely been on my radar.
I only ask because since you don’t get the Hallmark Channel in Canada, sometimes people are not as aware of the network as they are in the U.S. But thankfully, other networks broadcast their movies and shows more than they used to. You were actually in the first of what has become quite a series of movies. There are five movies in The Wedding March series now.
Yes, I know! It’s really something. I have another friend who has been in most, if not all of them…Emily Tennant.
Oh, yeah, she’s great! I’ve interviewed her in the past. I’ve been so happy to follow her career over the past few years. You were also in one of my favorite shows, Designated Survivor.
Designated Survivor
Oh, yeah, that was quite the experience here in Toronto. I was ecstatic to be cast in it. I knew I was going to be working opposite Kiefer Sutherland, which was just a dream. I have admired him ever since I saw him in Stand By Me when I was a kid. It was such an incredible experience. I was in an orange jumpsuit for my costume since my character was in jail. My character killed the First Lady, his wife.
Before we shot anything, I was in costume in the trailer. We broke for lunch before I actually got to shoot anything. So I went to the lunchroom and went to find a table like it was my first day of high school. Like, “Who am I gonna sit with?” Kiefer Sutherland came up to me at the table and said, “Hey, Joey? Kiefer. Nice to meet you.” I was like, “Yes, I know who you are, sir.” He wasn’t entirely happy with the way that scene was originally written, and he said that he had his own version of the scene written as well. He wanted to know if I was okay with filming both versions–the one that I had memorized that was the writer’s version and his own version. Obviously, I was game. I was willing to do both. It just meant more time to play. We shot both versions. They both start off very similar, and in the end, they veer in different ways for his character. I was sitting on my toes waiting around to see which version they decided to use. They used the writer’s version, not his. But it was such a great experience. He’s a super nice guy. I was really hoping to come back on that one.
Designated Survivor
That series was one my mom and I really loved. We were sad when it got canceled. Then Netflix picked it up for ten more episodes. And then it got canceled again!
I know people were really excited when Netflix picked it up. It definitely has a good fan base as well. Oh, and let me add that the difference between his version and the writer’s version…his version was that he gets mad at me and he’s so upset that he lost his wife, but he wants to commute my sentence down to one year because he knows it was a mistake. So I would have been released from jail in his version. The one that was aired was the writer’s version in which I’m in jail for life.
That story is just amazing about Kiefer. I know he’s an incredible actor and producer as well. He can kind of do it all.
Yeah, you could tell that he definitely wore many hats on set. Actor, producer, in conversations with the director all the time.
J&J Photography
I definitely remember your character because I was not expecting the death of the First Lady. I tend to stay away from spoilers, so that took me quite by surprise. You were also in an episode of Anne With An E, isn’t that right?
Yes, that was my first Toronto credit. Once I moved back out here, that was the first thing I booked. I played a police officer.
While I’m well aware of the show, I haven’t watched a lot of it. I’ve interviewed plenty of the young people who are involved. I know it’s a very popular show. I know they had three pretty successful seasons.
It was fun to be a part of that show. But I know you mentioned Nurses, which is one of the most recent things I shot. I had the same director for the episode of Anne and Nurses. Ken Girotti.
Well, that’s cool. So people can watch you in Designated Survivor and Anne With An E which are both on Netflix.
That is correct.
Murdoch Mysteries
I know we mentioned Murdoch Mysteries, and I’m sure you were aware of that show before you guest-starred on it.
Oh yeah. For Toronto, it’s one of the longest-running shows. Kind of what Supernatural is to Vancouver. In fact, you know how they sometimes “recycle” actors from past seasons of Supernatural. They do that sometimes with Murdoch Mysteries too. I know actors who played two different roles over the course of the show. My girlfriend also had been in a full season of the show. So I was very aware of it. It was a fun one to shoot. It was definitely an emotional one as well.
Well, we are huge fans of Murdoch Mysteries, and it’s great you go to be on it.
It sounds like you have definitely seen my partner, Katy Breir, who played one of the dancers, Lydia Hall. She was on several episodes of season ten.
With Katy at the Canadian Screen Awards 2018
Oh yeah, I remember her!
She popped out of the cake during one of the episodes.
Very memorable role. So I know Nurses season one has just been airing in Canada. You’re on one of the episodes.
Yes, I had a lot of fun on that one. I got to do my first fake vomiting scene. That’s hard to watch, but also interesting to watch.
Well, you can bet I’m breathlessly awaiting the time when that show makes its way to the U.S.
I’m sure it will, Ruth. Lots of great Canadian talent in that one. Sandy Sidhu, Natasha Calis, Tiera Skovbye.
Back to Good Witch, please remind us of your character and what happened in that episode.
Brandon Hart Photography
Well, in Good Witch, I got to fulfill my lifelong dream of being an NHL player. I’m a big hockey fan, but I cannot skate well in real life. So it was fun to get to play one on a TV show. I’m sure my long hair helped with that one. I got to work with James Denton, and he was the nicest and so friendly. He was very communicative and really lovely.
So if people want to, they can look you up and refresh their memories. Do you have anything else coming up that you can mention?
Well, as a matter of fact, I do. I am in Mrs. America with Cate Blanchett. That series drops April 15th on FX. It was a blast to work with her.
The Unauthorized Melrose Place Story
How cool, Joey! Anything else?
There are some independent productions that will be around. I did do a little photoshoot for X-Men: Dark Phoenix. I played Jean Grey’s uncle, but unfortunately, I didn’t make the final cut.
At least you got the opportunity to work on it briefly.
Oh yeah. It was a great experience, and it also was shot in Montreal. A dream of mine is to go and shoot something for a month in Montreal. I could see my family and friends. You could also see me on Lifetime. You can see me on The Unauthorized Melrose Place Story. I know it first aired back in 2015. That was the first big thing that I did. It was a big ensemble cast, and I was one of the leads. I played Doug Savant, the actor, but I also got to play the character he played on Melrose Place. That show featured the first gay character on television, so I did a lot of history and research on that role.
The Unauthorized Melrose Place Story
Lifetime often replays those movies. So I’ll keep my eyes open for that.
If you see it on Lifetime, I recommend recording it. You would probably recognize other actors from Vancouver. Rebecca Dalton is in that movie as well as many, many others.
That sounds great, Joey. I’ll have to keep my eyes open for that one. So when you’re not acting, what do you like to do in your free time?
Kevin Clark Photography
Well, I work as a bartender. That’s what I do on the side. It certainly pays well, and the tips are great. Besides that, I do watch a lot of movies and TV. I love going for hikes. I love the outdoors. I do miss the nature in Vancouver. I love going for road trips and traveling when money allows. I also work as a reader for one of the big casting directors here, Lewis Kay Casting. That’s a lot of fun because I get to work in the art of acting and give all my energy and focus to the person who’s in front of the camera. Being part of the casting process is always kind of neat. It’s interesting to see who I think I did a good audition as compared to the casting director or the producer.
Hallmark needs to pick you up for some of their destination movies. They’ve filmed all over the world just about.
I wouldn’t turn that down. I’d love to do a movie like that with Hallmark. I’d love to do anything with Hallmark.
Thank you, Joey, for your time and patience with me. I’m very happy to have learned more about you. I’m looking forward to everything you’ve got coming up, and fingers crossed we see you in another Hallmark movie or show soon!
Lovely to chat with you, Ruth. I so appreciate you taking the time and having the interest in me. I hope everyone will watch Mrs. America when it drops, and I hope more will be coming in the future for me as well! I very much appreciate all the fans and their wonderful support.
With Katy
As an active journalist who is also raising a daughter and helping my parents, I do admit that I sometimes fall considerably behind in the posting of interviews. And in the case of Joey, not only has he been waiting a while, but he never overwhelmed me with any pressure to post our interview. In fact, he kept supporting me in my efforts during this time and regularly reaching out to me about an array of matters. Because of his sweet demeanor, I found myself thinking about him quite often and wondering when the best time was to post this interview. In this business, timing is everything. Seeing how he has a significant premiere coming next month, I am convinced that the timing couldn’t be any better for him. As the TV/film industry has been expanding more into Ontario, which is Joey’s neck of the woods, I am thrilled that he has been given multiple occasions to be featured in shows and movies. Even though he has been working within this profession since he was a child, it has only been within the past several years that his career has begun to progress in the way that it has, and I tend to think he is on the precipice of a massive upswing in his position. His talent, dedication, fortitude, and generosity are all qualities that are propelling these amazing opportunities his way, and I can hardly wait to see what will be coming in his near and distant future. In the meantime, be sure that you check out his links below and make plans now to watch his upcoming works and even consider looking up his past works. He’s not the first actor who has come to my attention because of Marcus (Chris McNally is another), and I doubt he will be the last. As far as I’m concerned, recommendations within the film community are the best kinds of testimonials, and I believe Joey is everything Marcus told me and exceedingly more. From the bottom of my heart, I earnestly implore everyone to support this young man now because I believe we have an actor on our hands whose heart is as kind and as authentic as we could ever hope or imagine!
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