Without a doubt, I was a massive fan of the Flower Shop Mysteries films that starred Brennan Elliott and Brooke Shields. Even though this series is no longer making new episodes, one of the most important takeaways from that series was my introduction to the wonderful world of Kate Drummond. I first interviewed her a few years ago, and even then, she and I had an undeniable connection. Time passed, and I always intended to update our interview, and as soon as I made plans to do so, my schedule became so full that I placed her interview on a shelf for far too long. Thankfully, Kate was gracious enough to work with me to share our interview (with a few crucial updates) in time for the Lifetime Network premiere of her movie Secrets In A Small Town. I am thrilled to be able to share Kate with my readers today!

Photo by Helen Tansey

RH: Kate, it so nice to get to chat with you again. I know we’ve both been so busy.
KD: It’s so great to chat with you again too, Ruth! I’m glad to see how well you’re doing with your writing! Lots of great interviews!

Thanks, Kate. I think the last time we chatted, Wynonna Earp was just getting ready to start.
Oh, wow, that has been quite a while then. I think that was the first season too! The show just wrapped its third season.

And it has been such a massive show.
Has it ever! And recently winning the People’s Choice Award for Best Sci-Fi was such a huge honour for this entire cast and crew. Playing Agent Lucado in the show, has been an absolute highlight of my career. Holy smokes, it seems like forever ago that I auditioned for the role! Originally, I thought it was just a small role for one episode… but there was something super intriguing about the project. Demons. Guns. Westerns. I mean, I had to audition! So I book this role, having no idea what I was in for and before long, the role kept growing and growing. It became what Agent Lucado came to be. What a ride! I definitely didn’t anticipate the fandom and the culture of that show. In fact, I don’t think the show themselves did either. The writers are so on point on that show, and the cast is incredible. They’ve been able to navigate important topics with ease and this cool style that embraces it all so effortlessly. It’s exactly what television needed.

And the fans are known as Earpers, right? I hear there is quite the fight to bring Wynonna Earp back for a fourth season.

At Wondercon

Yes, the Earpers are pretty special. And I don’t call it a fandom; I call it our “fam-dom” because truly the fans of the show are family. They love and support us all, and they love this show as much as we do. With the recent uncertainty surrounding Season four, the Earpers really stepped up with this #FightForWynonna movement that really has blown me away. They have done everything from petitions to letters to networks, to t-shirts, to actual billboards in NYC Times Square with pleas to save the show! My face was on a billboard in Times Square! I mean, add that to the list of “The Coolest Things to Ever Happen to Kate Drummond”!!! I can’t say enough about everyone involved… Melanie Scrofano just leads this show like she was born to do it. She’s a legend and a serious inspiration to us all. Emily Andras is a brilliant freaking writer and I’m so thankful to her for giving me one of the greatest opportunities of my career. I could go on and on about everyone…. But really, I think you get the point! {laughs}

I know what you mean. I haven’t seen every episode, but what I’ve seen has been amazing. Sci-fi has become a genre I’ve come to embrace.
Oh, Sci-fi is an incredible genre. I love it as an audience member and as an actress. It’s so fantastical! It gives you permission to push the envelope of creativity. I mean, you can just create new worlds, new lingo, new ways of being… it’s so much fun. And you can always die, and then by some sci-fi technology that hasn’t been invented yet, maybe you come back to life!

Love On Ice with Andrew Walker

Now, the last time Hallmark audiences saw you in one of their movies was Love On Ice.
That’s right. I haven’t even been able to see that movie yet, but I hear that my character, Leslie Adams, is the coach that nobody wants…ever! I guess I’m getting typecast as the villain these days!

You played your part so well!
Thank you! I channeled a few coaches that I had growing up! I wonder if they’d know it was them if they read this interview. {laughs)}

I know some people have criticized the movie because they claim it’s a knock-off of another movie. but I think a lot of that criticism has gone away now. I truly enjoyed it. I mean, I love Andrew Walker anyway.

With Brooke Shields

People like to criticize everything. But more importantly, Andrew Walker! That movie was the first time I had the chance to work with him and we just got on like a house on fire. Such a nice guy. And, of course, the movie was directed by Bradley Walsh, who has directed me in every single Hallmark movie that I’ve done. All the Flower Shop Mystery movies with Brooke, and my first Hallmark movie ever, with Billy Baldwin, Lead With Your Heart. I would follow Brad to the ends of the earth to work with him. I’m such a fan. He’s a great director, super collaborative. And fun.

Lead With Your Heart

But yes, Love On Ice was the last Hallmark movie I have done. I shot Love on Ice in the winter, along with Wynonna Earp, and a few months after, my beloved dog, Jackson, passed away. I was so heartbroken. I took a hiatus and moved out to a ranch in Alberta for about six months, with the intention of just writing and healing. I was taking a break from acting. But two weeks after I got there, I booked a guest star on Heartland which was shooting just twenty minutes away from the ranch! Serendipity, I guess!

I was just gonna say that. I’m actually still getting caught up on Heartland. Of course, we don’t see the current seasons when Canada does. So I’m already behind. You guest-starred on Heartland in what season?

Heartland

I was in season eleven. It was a really interesting experience for me. As I said, I was in Alberta, on this mental and spiritual hiatus. When I lost Jackson, I was like, “Okay, I’m tuckered.” I had decided I was gonna go live on the ranch in a bunkhouse. It was really simple means with a wood stove and all that. My goal was to write a feature film while I was in the mountains, surrounded by horses (which I’m still working on!!!). I ended up just going and grieving, sleeping, healing, and learning a lot about myself. I also found this real love and connection with horses, which was an experience I needed to have. I now understand as I look back that going to the ranch was not about writing a script or accomplishing anything. It was about a healing connection and getting grounded again.

Heartland

So, yeah, I shot Heartland while I was out there. My agent had asked if I was up for it and I decided to read for the role. I booked it, and when I went to set, part of me was excited and the other part of me was so anxious about it. I had forgotten how to breathe in my life. Everything had shifted for me. I remember that I had a really tough first day. It was that kind of day that actors talk about where you literally feel like you want to run away. Chris Potter was my director, and he worked diligently with me. I mean, he did not give up even though I was struggling. I don’t think any of them knew the circumstances I was dealing with and I didn’t want to bring my personal stuff to set. Thankfully, he was really patient, and I finally sunk into the character known as Paula Westfield, who is similar to the coach from Love On Ice. I ended up having the best time on Heartland. Everything is a learning experience. We all have our days

And then you eventually moved back to home to Toronto, right? And didn’t you do a fundraiser for a charitable organization on the way back?

I couldn’t stay on hiatus forever, even though I did really love living on the ranch. At the time, I partnered with the Extra Life Gaming Marathon in Toronto that raises money for the Children’s Miracle Network. As I was driving back across the country, as an incentive to raise money for the charity, I created personalized thank you videos to post on social media for every $50 donation. Within less than ten days, I (we) had raised over $10,000 for Sick Kids Foundation. That was a lot of videos! It was unreal.
It was tough when I arrived back in Toronto. I was living here for the first time without my best friend and even though it had been months, I still had all this sadness. I knew I could write, journal, get counseling…I know people roll their eyes and say, “It was just a dog.” But Jackson was my best friend for thirteen years. I knew I needed a very specific role to help me heal. I wanted a gritty, raw indie film about a mother losing somebody or some plot that would give me a place to vent, release, let it all out. Like Carrie Fisher said, “Take your broken heart and turn it into art.” That’s what I wanted..that opportunity.
And it came. I was offered the lead role in a movie called Nowhere (which has since been renamed Secrets in a Small Town). I was told, “In two weeks, you’re going to camera.” The script was exactly what I’d been asking for, and needing. I’m happy to say that after a successful festival run through the States and Canada, Secrets in a Small Town will be premiering on Lifetime in the USA, on April 13th, 2019!

Nowhere

Kate, it is always such an inspiration to talk with you. I think we have that connection since we both have a teaching background. I think that women especially can look at you and see what you’ve done and the way that things have happened in your life. You could have easily gotten discouraged, and you could have given up in the midst of all that pain. Some people would have. But you didn’t. I think they should do a movie about your story.
That could be really something! Could I star in it? Is that weird?

Think of all the times that you and I have had discouragements along the way in our careers, and there have been those who said we could never do it. And then we prove them wrong.

Oh, yes, it’s like that agent in Toronto that when I first came to an agent meeting. He said to me in a super condescending way, “You’re too old to dream of being a movie star, sweetheart.” And look what I’ve been able to accomplish now. I’m so glad I didn’t listen to him. It is a moment of such personal pride that I didn’t get deterred by someone else’s opinion.

Nowhere

It’s not to say that the faith doesn’t waver. I think two weeks before I got the call for this film Nowhere, I was at a point where I was like, “Oh my gosh, what am I gonna do?” I knew I couldn’t write fast enough, and I remember I actually considered looking to see if any schools were hiring. Maybe I’d quit acting and go back to teaching. But then it was like the Universe intervened and said, “Woah, hold your horses there, woman. You just be a little more patient. We’re lining something up for you!” I’m glad I listened!

I think we all can relate.
It’s so universal. I think we all have those moments, especially if you’re forging a path that’s unknown. It’s easy to say, “Maybe I’ll turn back. I’m close enough to home base that I can go back home.” But there’s this force behind you saying, “No, you need to keep going.” I always feel that as long as I’m still going that way, I can kind of meander or take a stumble backwards as long as I’m still heading forward.

How do you stay motivated and inspired during those times?

Nowhere

I think the most important thing is to be a good person and work hard at what you love. Also, surround yourself with positive, inspiring people–especially women in the industry. You’ve got to love yourself, and I don’t mean that in the “ego” way. Embrace the wrinkles and the gray hair and the body changes that happen when you hit forty. I think that’s our job, and the rest…we just have no control. Like my dad would always say, “Let go and let God.” Whatever one may believe about the Higher Power, there’s always the question of, “If I jump, will the net appear?” Every time I look back, I can see how the net has always appeared. It may have appeared at the last minute, but it always appears. I just have to keep reminding myself of that.

I think you’ve also had such great experiences with men in the industry, at least from what I can tell.
Absolutely, I have been blessed.

Dark Matter

In fact, when I last interviewed Jeff Teravainen, he told me a story about you landing a role on Dark Matter. You’ve gone into greater detail about the situation than he did, but he sure had wonderful things to say about you.
It’s nice to have those kinds of friends in your life like Jeff. I adore him and he’s super supportive of me.

It’s nice to know that there are such supportive people out there. Especially in this industry. I have seen women get way too competitive in this industry sometimes. Is that true for you too?

Nowhere

Are you kidding me? Of course, that’s all too true. But let me tell you a story that I love. When I was filming the movie, Nowhere, I was slammed for time. Shooting fourteen to sixteen hour days and going home to prep for the next day. My co-star, Rya Kihlstedt, and I both had the exact same audition that we had to put on tape. We actually worked on the part together. We spent three hours on a Saturday afternoon, rearranging the hotel room so we’d have the best lighting. We helped each other in the most collaborative, unselfish way. It was so incredible. I knew then that women like Rya are exactly who I want to surround myself with. We saw each other as teammates with a common goal instead of competitors. It was the same with Brooke when we worked on Flower Shop Mysteries. You just tap into a common good and you’re set. Friends for life.

Secrets In A Small Town

I know that all too often, women get into that pettiness and knocking each other down, but I do not want to buy into that mentality at all and I only surround myself with positive and empowering women.

Kate, I cannot thank you enough for taking the time to really chat with me today. Do you have anything else coming up that you can mention?
Yes! Lots of things are in the works. Secrets in a Small Town is airing in April on Lifetime, and also I have a movie called Saving Alex that should be coming out this year. I can’t wait to tell you more about this one. It is another one of those movies that impacted me greatly, and will likely have the same effect on the audience. Currently, I’m working on an amazing new television series, but I’m sworn to secrecy! Possibly a 2019 release as well? And one of the most important updates is that I rescued a sweet dog from Mexico and her name is Zelda. I swear that Jackson sent her to me because she is absolutely the best. My heart is so full.
I’m heading to New Orleans for the first time in June for a convention called Earp Expo, that celebrates all things Wynonna Earp. Maybe I’ll see some of the readers there! Let’s just say 2019 is gearing up to be one heck of a year and I’m so over the moon grateful!

Photo by Helen Tansey

To even begin to add anything to the phenomenon that Kate is and the authentic fashion in which she has shared herself in this interview is probably more of a detriment than a help, but because of who I am, let me “brag” about this astounding woman just a little bit. If you do your research, you will ascertain the immense obstacles she has overcome over the past few years to enjoy the place where she is now. To be honest, her story is almost a Hallmark drama waiting to be written. She followed her passions, and although she experienced things that could only be detailed in a raw, gritty Lifetime tale, the conclusion is pure Hallmark magic. While she has had her moments of understandable grief, significant disappointment, and unimaginable pain that would probably cause some to shudder and resolve to return to the safe life once relished, this zealous artist and woman continues to pursue her dreams and goals with a surreal vibrancy and an undying exuberance that has enabled her to defy the odds and truly create a life that inspires people all around the globe. Her joy and positivity are infectious, and there is nothing artificial or contrived about her. She has been open with the severity and depth of her emotions, and you never have to wonder what she actually thinks or feels. While I have never had the honor of meeting her in person, I know that what you see is what you get with her..and then some, but only in the best way! (I mean, she was remarkably patient with me when I did not post this interview in a timely fashion, and to be honest, I think I was harder on myself concerning the situation than she ever was. And that, dear readers, speaks volumes!)
I hope that everyone who is able to do so will tune in Saturday, April 13th to the Lifetime Channel for the premiere of Secrets In A Small Town. (I’m not sure when it will premiere on network TV in Canada.) Additionally, I would invite everyone to check out all of Kate’s links below and follow her where applicable. I know I regularly ask my readers to follow people on social media, but Kate is ONE person who is a MUST-FOLLOW due to her genuinely vivacious persona and philanthropic nature. (I would invite Hallmark readers to look up Kate’s past work with the network as well!) I have no idea what exactly is in store for Kate as she eagerly and breathlessly awaits the next stage of her journey in the entertainment universe, but there is one thing I can affirm with absolute certainty. If Kate Drummond’s name appears in the credits, it is guaranteed top-notch, quality programming in which she will treat us to a performance that authentically connects with the viewers. Long may Kate’s blossoming career continue, and I anxiously await the completion of her feature film, whatever it happens to be! (Oh, and if Hallmark could cast her in another movie, I would be more ecstatic than I could imagine at this moment and time!)
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