Caroline Dhavernas On ‘Easy Living,’ SXSW [VIDEO EXCLUSIVE]

Caroline Dhavernas, known by many for her portrayal of Jane Tyler on Wonderfalls and Dr. Alana Bloom in Hannibal, now stars in the 2017 drama-thriller film Easy Living. In an exclusive interview with UInterview, she discusses what it was like to play her character, and how she prepared for the role.

Caroline Dhavernas Video Interview On ‘Easy Living’

Directed by Adam Keleman, Easy Living chronicles the life of Sherry (Dhavernas), a self-destructive makeup saleswoman, who turns to a romantic prospect and business opportunity in the hopes of turning a new leaf.

“[Sherry’s] at a point in her life where she’s trying to structure her life and make smart choices,” Dahvernas described. “She lives in this motel, she ends up in bars, she ends up with different men every night in her motel room.”

Upon seeing the movie for the first time, the actress said, “it really kind of struck me that ‘dude you’re not doing the right thing! You should just embrace the chaos that you are, and join the circus or something.'”

“She’s also a recovering alcoholic, so she’s filled with nuances and vulnerabilities, and for an actor that’s always fun to play with,” the 38-year-old actress added.

In preparing for the role, the Canadian actress divulged that she didn’t really do that much. “Most of the times you just feel it, wing it. I guess I’m a very instinctual actor. We started with two days of improv, which was amazing, because I got to know her better, and try stuff,” she said.

This film employs subtlety and doesn’t knock its audiences over the head with its core message.

“We’re not really naming a lot of things, it’s all underneath, and that’s what I like about this movie,” Dhavernas said. “We know there’s so much going on that’s not being said. And I think that’s kind of beautiful. We’re not trying to make sure the audience knows — we’re trusting them to feel everything with us.”

This type of nuanced filming is exemplified in one of her favorite scenes. “One of the most beautiful ones is the scene with my daughter in her bedroom. She was so light and she has everything underneath too and what she’s feeling,” the actress noted.

Dhavernas has also been working on a black-comedy TV series called Mary Kills People. The Canadian series was directed, edited and produced by women, which prompted numerous reporters to ask the actress what is was like to work with a women-filled team.

“I just say, ‘it’s just the same. They’re talented people. They don’t act in a different way because they’re women.'” the actress said. “I think we should celebrate the fact that women made this happen, but at the same time, I wish we didn’t have to talk about it.”

Easy Living debuted at SXSW on March 12, 2017, to positive reviews.