We’re on the same page and we have the same work ethic. I don’t know if that was because the casting director is amazing-because she is-or if it was just luck because we all just get each other. The chemistry on this show was there from the very beginning. The characters surprise you with the things that they do and the things that they say but, at the same time, the way the characters are written and fleshed out, you feel like you are getting to know them very quickly. Our writers are very gifted in that respect because we’re not improv-ing any of that stuff everything is on the page and it flows beautifully. JS: As an actor, it’s so much easier to prepare and to remember the lines when it feels naturally conversational. Susin Nielsen chalked a lot of that up to the relationship between the writers and the cast. The dialogue and conversations these characters have are very believable. It’s beautifully written and tugs at the heartstrings. The goal was to make the audience laugh and cry in every episode. There is a lot of tough subject matter in these episodes, but it’s a great juxtaposition. There are a lot of sad moments.Īnd then the cases that we deal with are really sad. She is so desperate to get her family back. It’s a heartbreaking time for her she misses her kids a lot, she has screwed up her life and sometimes feels like she’s never going to get it back on track. It’s an entertaining show in that there are a lot of fun, shocking moments and some laughs, but the reality is these people are going through hard times, especially Abby. When we meet Abby, her daughter, Sofia, is so embarrassed by her mother’s behaviour, and the larger themes of the show are dysfunctional relationships. I remember having this conversation with my husband where I said, ‘I just hope people like her.’ And he said, ‘Yeah, but if you go that route, you’re never going to approach it with honesty.’ I thought, ‘That’s completely right.’ It shouldn’t matter, and I should stick to making her as honest as possible, even if it means that, sometimes, she’s unlikeable and her behaviour is a little ugly.Ĭomedic moments aside, Family Law doesn’t shy away from tough conversations and scenes. I think, in the beginning, I was concerned that she wouldn’t be likable. Making a lead character tough to cheer for is a tall order.
Some of her behaviour is a little unlikable, and I thought, ‘How can I make this person more acceptable to the audience in her actions and the things that she says?’ I’m grateful that they appreciated that and agreed with me that that was the route to go with her. In the audition process, I tried to stand out by making it funny and making Abby a little quirky in how she was written. Luckily, the people around me on the show, including Susin Nielsen, really like the idea of going for the humour in scenes. I don’t get to do a ton of comedy, so when I do I like to have a lot of fun with it. Now, all we really want is a Season 3.Īre comedic performances in your background? From the eye rolls to physical comedy, your performance is a joy to watch. We are open to public opinion now and it’s not just a show that we made in secret for us. Now, obviously, because it’s now on the air, things are a little bit more real. We have felt supported, and the writers have felt supported by them and it’s great. It shows that the network has a lot of faith in the show and is very behind it. That’s a pretty unique position to be in. We’re getting near the end of Season 1 of Family Law, and a second season has already been shot and in the can.
We spoke to Jewel Staite about filming Family Law and crafting a complicated character like Abby. As a condition of her probation to return to her legal duties, Abby works at the firm owned by her estranged father, Harry (Victor Garber), alongside half-brother Daniel (Zach Smadu) and half-sister Lucy (Genelle Williams), leading to plenty of drama and laughs. A recovering alcoholic, Abby has moved out of her family’s house and moved back in with her mother. When we first meet Abby, she is at her lowest point. projects like Blindspot, The Magicians, The Killing, Wonderfalls and, of course, Firefly-was nervous about how viewers would take to the show and her character, Abby. Staite-who has starred on Canadian projects like The Detectives, Motive and Stargate: Atlantis and U.S. Having a second season already completed is rare in television and led to some nerves for Jewel Staite. ET on Global, a second season has already been filmed and in the can we’re just waiting to find out when they’ll be broadcast. With Episode 7 set to air this Friday at 9 p.m. The folks at Family Law are in a pretty sweet position.
0 kommentar(er)
