DANIKA FREDERICK TALKS BLOOD

Interviewed by Culture Coast Talks editor Daniel John. Interview transcripts might have been edited for length and clarity.

You actually never planned on being an actress?

That is correct, I never planned on being an actress! I studied microbiology in university and had been accepted to do my doctorate, when I decided to become an actress. But performing has always been in my blood and I did dance professionally for a few years, that was actually how I was introduced to the world of television and film, I was a dancer on a show called 'Derek Miller's Guilt Free Zone', but I was very much immersed in science and academia.

When was it that the acting bug came to bite you?

The acting bug came to bite me in 2017 when I realized I wasn't happy doing what I was doing, acting very much found me. It was such a fluke! I was up late one night in 2016 when I saw a Facebook post looking for a photo double for the actress Taylor Hickson. I submitted some photos and they asked if I could go to set the very next day. I went and realized that I wanted to be there for the rest of my life. At that point, I submitted my cheerleading-photo directly to the casting directors that I had the emails for, asking if they had any stand-in or background work which is absolutely not how that works and they never responded. A few months later I got my first ever audition for the role of Claire White in 'I Still See You'. The email for it was actually in my junk folder but something had compelled me to check in on my junk that night. I went for the audition, got a callback, and booked the role and I never looked back!

For someone who to some degree fell into it, you are racking up quite the résumé, working with the likes of Janice Cooke and Sean Penn, not to mention the entire cast and crew of ‘Blood’. What would you deem acting milestones?

Thank you so much! That's very kind of you to say, because from in the inside it doesn't always feel that way, for every booking there are hundred "no's". I would definitely say working on 'I Still See You' was a milestone. Not only because it was my first audition and role, but because it was proof to myself that I could do something creative that made me happy and actually make a career out of it. And the next milestone would have to be this project, 'Blood', because it had been a year and a half since I had worked when I booked this and I was sure I wasn't going to work again. It is just how this industry is but I had moved away from all of my friends and family and had dropped out of school and I was so scared I had made a mistake. This role was such a lifeline and again, proof I was good enough. But honestly, every role I have done has been a milestone, 'First Person Shooter' was my first lead, 'Safehaven' was a my first television series, 'The Hillsdale Adoption Scam' was my first big network lead, which lead to my first press day.

What is the biggest lessons you’ve learned while putting yourself out there in the face of "one booking for every hundred no’s"?

The biggest lesson that I've learned is to put your head down and keep working, it's so easy and harmful to compare yourself to others. I believe you should always be learning as well. Find a class and or a coach that works best for you. Everyone learns differently, so that can take some trial and error. It is equally as important to take care of yourself as well. You are not only an actor, so find things that make you happy and fulfill you that you can do alongside acting.

Any standout moment from 'Blood' you can share?

Yes! My very last day on set we had a scene where I did not have any lines. It was Skeet talking to the CFS agent and I was supposed to be in the background, as we were coming up the stairs, Brad told us that they had rewritten the scene, and I now had a bunch of lines and he wanted me to improv. I had never at that point done improv and I was terrified. It was definitely a learning experience. I'm happy to report I have now studied improv at Groundlings, but still have work to do!

What was it like taking your first breath as Shelly?

I find my best work comes when I really focus on the relationships of the characters, when I was doing my makeup for my audition for the Shelly role, my friend, who read for me, and I just talked about Shelly's relationship to Patrick, Jess, the kids, when Patrick and Shelly's affair started, how it started, where it started, the conversation around Shelly's Pregnancy and Macy, Shelly's guilt and her conflicting emotions towards Jess and the circumstances and so on. I made sure I was very specific and clear, and there was no doubt in my mind about how Shelly felt about the people around her. Taking my first breath as Shelly was so surreal and euphoric, honestly. Being on set again after doubting that I would be again. And getting to work with powerhouses like Skeet and Michelle, and getting to play such a complex character was such a blessing.

With a future so bright, what kinda roles do you feel drawn to now. Are there any dream roles for you?

Again, that is so kind of you to say! I so appreciate that. I would love to do something post–apocalyptic like 'Fear the Walking Dead' or 'The Last of Us' or a period drama or a western, being cast in '1923' would be a dream come true. I also play with knives and nunchucks for fun, so I would love to be cast in an action-role. Anything physically demanding.

I heard you’ve been having sore hips from wearing a prosthetic belly?

Yes, the baby bump was definitely a little bit uncomfortable at times after a twelve hour day. I sympathize with all those momma's out there! Next for me is the release of 'Safehaven' this summer! I had the absolute honour of playing Nikki, who is the most fun character I've ever played. I'm very excited for everyone to meet her.