Staying In

Yesterday, Being Erica creator Jana Sinyor shared her inspiration for the show and the qualities that make Erica so great. But Erica wouldn’t be Erica without the show’s very talented leading lady, Erin Karpluk. Staying In’s Being Erica U.S. Premiere Week continues with a Q&A with the actress. In a chat earlier this month, Karpluk discussed what it’s like switching places with Dr. Tom, going back in time and whether she’d like to step behind the camera. We also talked about her role on another charming show, The CW’s Life Unexpected.

Being Erica season two premieres Jan. 20 at 10 p.m. on SoapNet. Catch up on season one on Hulu. And don’t forget to check out Erin Karpluk on The View this Wednesday, Jan. 20!

Note: While season two has already aired in Canada, this Q&A is intended for U.S. viewers who have not seen season two yet. Please put a spoiler warning if you are going to leave a comment about something that happened in season two. Readers, please be aware that there may be spoilers in the comments section.

First of all, congrats on winning the Gemini Award. What was it like to be recognized for the show?

It was great. We were nominated for nine and it was cool to be there, representing the show. I was there with all my producers. It was a really, really exciting experience. A little bit overwhelming.

When you first read the Being Erica script, what made you decide this was the TV show for you?

You know what I loved about it was the fact that she was so flawed. I find sometimes that even if a character on TV is flawed, they’re not really flawed. It’s kind of beautified, whereas Erica is just very human is the only way I can think of to describe it. And very relatable. I was also excited to do the show because it’s shot in Toronto, which is on the other side of the country for me. That was kind of one of the reasons why I wanted the show, as well. And the story. The time travel element… I think anyone can relate to wanting to go back in time and relive regrets. Certainly go back to that period in high school because I’m roughly the same age as Erica. To go back and listen to Guns N’ Roses again and Nirvana and Pearl Jam.

The show’s gotten a great response here in the U.S.. Have you gotten a taste of the reception? And why do you think people are responding to it so strongly?

I think some of the feedback that I’m getting is people are responding because of, again, how relatable the show is and the fact that regardless of who you are – your sex or your age or your class – everybody makes mistakes. Everyone has regrets. Even a lot of men. A lot of my girlfriends, they’ll get their boyfriends or their husbands to watch the show to support me in it, but then the next week, the guys will be like, “Hey, babe, you going to watch that ‘Erica’ show?” Everyone’s getting into to it, so that’s exciting.

The show is very universal even though it’s about this woman who’s Canadian. It’s filmed in Canada. Do you even think of the show as a Canadian show?

To be honest, I don’t. I think it’s kind of a universal show. It is set in Toronto and we use references about being in Toronto and her being Canadian, but it could be set anywhere, I’ve always found. It doesn’t strike me as being Canadian! Certain shows are very indicative to where they’re filmed, but this one just seems like it could be set anywhere.

The second season is about to start here in the U.S. How would describe Erica’s evolution from the first season to the second season?

To start off the first season, she’s in a dead-end job. She’s dumped by her boyfriend. She goes into anaphylactic shock. It seems like it can’t get any worse for her and then throughout the course of the first season, she gets a boyfriend. She gets a job at River Rock publishing. By the end of the last episode of the first season, things are really good with her family. The only thing that’s kind of awry is her relationship with Dr. Tom. Proceeding into the second season, I think that all those questions about Dr. Tom will be answered for the audience, but then a billion more are posed. Season two, what I really credit the writers and producers for doing, is everything’s really unexpected in the show. It’s the same show, but it’s a little sexier. It’s a little edgier. What I like about it is that Erica, she’s more accountable and worldly and uses all of her experiences from the first season and begins to apply them in the second season and starts helping other people, not only herself. There’s new characters that are introduced. Like I said before, it’s the same show, but it’s different. We get more into the time travel element. I think it’s a stronger season.

The focus of the second season is definitely expanded. And Erica definitely has more confidence and direction this season. What’s it like to play her as someone who’s a little bit more together?

It’s good, but I also like that it’s not like she’s like, “OK. I’ve seen a therapist and now I’m fixed. I’m perfect.” Because there’s still episodes where she thinks she has it all figured out, as we do in life, and then you realize that, in fact, you were going down the wrong path again. It was nice to play her not so all over the place and having accountability because I think that just playing that one note would get very tiresome not only for me, but for the audience, of course. It’s nice to see her being more accountable and helping other people too. And kind of exploring the different spheres and the different relationships that she has, her friends and her family, her work relationships, her relationship with Dr. Tom.

Speaking of Dr. Tom, in the season premiere, Erica is kind of helping Dr. Tom, so the tables have kind of turned in the patient-therapist relationship. What was that like to play?

It was great and really interesting because Michael Riley, who plays Dr. Tom, is such a fantastic actor. It was just captivating to watch him do what Erica’s been doing for the first season. Just to see him back in his element and to see more of him not just as — Because it seems like with their relationship, he always holds the cards. He always has the power and she needs something from him, so it was interesting to reverse those roles both as the characters and as the actors playing it. And he’s so lovely. You get to see his vulnerability and I think that it’ll help the audience identify more with him, to understand where he comes from.

There’s a lot of theories floating around about who Dr. Tom is and what he means to Erica. How do you see their relationship? Is it professional, a friendship or more of a father/daughter one?

I would agree with the first two. It’s professional and it is a friendship. I think that they have a mutual respect for each other as human beings and the plight of being a human being in this life. I don’t know about father/daughter, but I do think teacher/student or mentor. There is a nice chemistry between them and a dynamic. I don’t think that it’s sexual, but I wouldn’t necessarily say that it’s paternal. It’s one of much mutual respect, even though it’s tough love when it comes to Dr. Tom. He certainly likes to make Erica go through it the hard way.

In the season premiere, we also meet a new character, Kai. What’s the relationship like between Erica and Kai going forward in the season?

It’s hard to say without giving too much away. That might be one of those relationships where Erica uses her experience to help someone else.

Is it safe to say there’s a bit of a love triangle brewing?

You’ll have to stay tuned.

The show has thrown a lot at you, from different looks to really dramatic stories to more comedic stuff. You pull it all off very well, but has there ever been something where you just paused and you were like, “I don’t think I can do this one”?

The writers are so great. I trust them and I have no problem making — The easiest things for me are the things like Erica impersonates Celine Dion. And I’m a terrible singer, so unfortunately, Erica has to be a terrible singer too. But those kind of things, even though they’re horrifying for me personally, when I’m playing them, they’re very fun. The Leo episode was very challenging because of the weight of it. I also have a brother. But it was a very important story to tell. And then also, her relationship with Cassidy. I’ve never kissed another girl in my life. I remember running up to one of our producers and saying, “What? What are you talking about?” But it was actually fine. If you close your eyes, it’s kind of the same thing.

You said in an interview that they’re making you sing and dance a lot this season. You really weren’t kidding! I really enjoy those scenes.

Did you? Because I was going to say, I apologize to everyone in advance for that.

I love them. I love when you get to do karaoke.

That was fun.

I really loved the kaoroke in the first season in the episode where she goes back to her twelfth birthday.

Right, the “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.”

Yes. And all the Dirty Dancing music.

That’s hilarious. You know what’s funny about that is that Paula [Brancati], who plays Jenny, is actually a professional singer and we always seem to have the scenes where I’m singing. I get so nervous. I’m like, “Paula, I’m terrible.” You should see her behind the camera. She’s cringing. So it’s fun. I’m glad you enjoy them.

For those trips back in time, do you enjoy putting on those ’90s outfits and changing your hair up or is that just more time in the wardrobe, hair and makeup trailers for you?

No, I spend gazillions of hours in hair and makeup, but we have so much fun. Louis is his name. We actually have a blast in there and look forward to it. I think that’s one of the things I have the most fun with. The only thing I don’t like is that they fill in my eyebrows and I feel like I have caterpillars on my face. It takes me a while to get used to those every time we do those scenes. And by day three of being in a babydoll dress with my 90210 hair, I’m ready to let it go. Definitely ready to let it go.

Do you have a favorite episode or one that’s particularly memorable?

In season two, my favorite episode would be episode five, where Erica gets the groundhog day. Kind of the Bill Murray do-over day. That was by far, personally as an actor shooting, my favorite episode we’ve ever done.

Would you want to write or direct an episode?

Good question. I’d love to direct. I don’t know, because of the amount I’m in the show, if I could do it because I wouldn’t be available for location scouts and stuff. But if I could, I would love to direct. The writing I wouldn’t want to botch up though. I’m going to leave that to the capable hands of Jana.

You also have a role on a new CW series, Life Unexpected. Who do you play on that show?

I play a character named Alice. I am the boss of Shiri Appleby and Kerr Smith. They play Cate and Ryan, who are radio personalities. I play their boss at the radio station. It’s an hour-long comedy-drama, as well.

When will we see your character first appear?

I was shooting Being Erica and they were already shooting their season and they came up with this character. I think I’m in maybe episode four. You’d think I would know. Four or five. I’m probably in five or six of the episodes. It’s a much smaller part though than Being Erica, obviously.

If both shows are picked up for another season, will you be splitting your time between them? Will you be coming back to Life Unexpected?

If timing-wise it works out, but my obligation is with Being Erica.

How is it filming Life Unexpected, which is an American show being shot in Canada? How does it compare with filming Being Erica?

And it shoots in Vancouver and Being Erica shoots in Toronto. It’s just so different. Being Erica, you’re the one that’s telling the story. I’m the one that gets to go in and tell the story. In Life Unexpected, I just go on and I’m very much a supporting part, so it’s kind of nice because I have more free time. If I can give you a metaphor, it’s like a train in motion and if you’re the lead actor, you’re driving the train or the ship. And if you’re a supporting part, you just kind of jump on the side for a day, do your thing and jump off the train. I actually find it easier to be the lead, which is maybe odd. But I’ve always found it easier to be the one telling the story. It’s a little bit more stressful being a supporting character, I find.

Check back tomorrow for my Q&A with Michael Riley, who plays Erica’s mysterious therapist Dr. Tom.