December 05 , 2014
On The Rise: Ruth Connell On Her Career, Role On ‘Supernatural’ & Much More!
Originally published on the blog Icon vs. Icon: All Things Pop Culture on December 4, 2014
(Ruth Connell appears in the movie The Cursed Man based on the novel by Keith Rommel)
As a child, Ruth Connell spent her days on her family’s farm in the middle of nowhere dreaming of one day becoming an actress. As time went by she continued toward her goal; no matter how impractical it may have seemed. Today, with years are hard work and dedication under her belt, this inspiring young actress has made those dreams become a reality. An accomplished actress in the UK, Connell will soon be a very familiar face to science fiction fans as she bursts onto the American scene in the critically acclaimed, long running and hugely successful “Supernatural,” airing Tuesdays in The CW. The show follows brothers Sam and Dean Winchester as they travel throughout America hunting for supernatural creatures, their main adversaries through out are Demons. Ruth takes on a pivotal role with the character of Rowena, who is poised to make a big impact on the series this season.Jason Price of Icon Vs. Icon recently caught up with Ruth Connell to discuss her amazing journey as an actor, her work on stage and scene, making the transition from the UK to life in Hollywood, her time on ‘Supernatural’ and what the future might hold for her in the years to come!
How did you get started on your journey in the entertainment industry and what made you know acting was something you wanted to pursue as a career?
When I was 4 years old, my cousin Ruby wanted to go to dancing lessons. I was sent along to keep her company! I had a natural aptitude for dancing and I was eventually picked for Scottish Ballet where they do classes for young dancers that you have to audition for. I got involved and they put me in some of their productions. Eventually, I was Clara in “The Nutcracker.” I remember walking out on to the stage and feeling like it was my living room. It was Clara’s living room but I felt so at home. I loved being in the company of The Scottish Ballet. I am an only child, so I think, for me, it was that instant thing of having camaraderie and having people around you. I grew up on a farm in the middle of nowhere and was an only child, so I really did love being in the company. That is really what started me on my journey. I thought maybe I could get into acting by doing musical theater, a side-step into acting. Eventually, it became an overriding feeling that I really wanted to commit to being just an actor. I went to drama college when I was 24 years old, so I was a very old and mature student!
I wanted to ask you about the work you did with The Avenue Theater Company in Greenwich. What can you tell us about it and how it impacted your career?
I was used to working a lot as a dancer. When I was at drama college, I booked some theater jobs. When I graduated from drama college, I was picked as the Critic’s Choice, which was great, but all of a sudden, nothing happened! That happens to actors, where all of a sudden there are six months where there is no audition. I hated that feeling! I couldn’t stand it, so me and my friends, Joanne Morton and Joseph Raishbrook, created this theater company so we could be in something, direct something or produce something for ourselves and for all of our friends to be in. I didn’t realize quite how much I had bitten off more than I could chew with a cast of 13 and a girl from London Fashion College. It was pretty much all put on my credit card at the time!
You have some great things happening at the moment. One of the biggest is your role on the hit series, “Supernatural.” How did you get involved with the project and made you know it was a role you wanted to pursue?
My friend sent me the breakdown and said, “I think you should try and get seen for this!” When I read it, I just thought, “This is written for me!” I did say to a friend, “If I can’t get seen for this, there is no point in my being in America.” It was just so up my street. I was pretty determined at that point in time that I would do whatever it took to get seen for it. I wasn’t sure if I could get an audition. I had been working steadily and I knew I had a bit of a breakthrough last year but I had to go home for six months. I was back in LA and I wasn’t sure if I was going to get an audition. I hadn’t been in the room for a TV job in about 18 months. I just couldn’t seem to get in the room. I decided, at that point, to put all of my Scottish clips on tape, I sent it to the casting director’s office and the casting office in Canada. I knew I had to get seen for it! At the end of the day, they came back to me with an audition in the normal way!
What did you bring to this character that wasn’t on the written page?
I didn’t even realize how Scottish I was until I came to LA! When I was in Scotland, I was like, “I not the most Scottish person, I’m a child of the universe … ” and then you travel 5,000 miles. You quickly realize how much you have been influenced by the place you grew up in, the sensibilities you have and the language. They are a couple of instances in the script where I have made tiny suggestions, where things could be more Scottish. These are things I see as second nature because it is where I am from, so I hope I brought some real authenticity to Rowena. She is really funny on the page and hopefully I bring my own little twinkle!
Aside from featuring a lot of great talent, one of the cool things about “Supernatural” is how everyone involved seems so invested and excited about the project. What was the vibe like on set and what have you picked up from working with the cast?
It has been truly fantastic. When you hear people talking about how the cast is a family and how great things are, it’s not lip service. You can’t fake that stuff for 10 years. There really is an amazing atmosphere and there is a lot of care that goes into each show. The producers of the show have always listened to the fans of the show on social media and were one of the first shows to respond and take onboard what the fans were feeling. They keep in touch with their fan base and are really making the show for the fans. It does feel like you are family and I think that is a really cool thing. There is such an atmosphere of respect on the set. Everyone has been in it for a long time and there are no egos or anyone trying to prove their worth. Everyone is pretty secure in what they are doing. As a newcomer on the American television scene, I realize how lucky I am to have landed in that kind of environment where there is so little stress and everyone is really engaged with what they are doing.
Whether it is on stage, television or film, what is your process for bringing a new character to life?
I am a bit of a magpie when it comes to process. I am one of those actors that still goes to class. That is one of the great things about coming to LA. Coming from Britain, we had different ways of approaching things. I have done a couple of turns with The Groundlings and that is something I wouldn’t ever have dared to do in Britain. I have really enjoyed doing that and worked with a really cool teacher named Diana Castle. I did a lot more imagination work. When I am looking at parts, I use my instincts mainly but then I ask myself all of the actor questions. I come from a dance background and I can usually feel the character in my body, if that makes sense. I was aware when I saw the episode of “Supernatural” last night that I had made a strong physical choice when Rowena glides in with her hands in the air.
You have quite a few projects in the works. What should we be on the lookout for in the near future?
I am so excited about “Supernatural” and how that is going to roll out. I can’t say for how long but I am still looking forward to that!
Is there a role or genre you are anxious to take on at this point in your career?
I think of myself as this serious theater actress but usually, with everything I do, there is a little twist of humor in it. I realize that now, looking back. I am really drawn to really dark drama, independent and French films. There is so much amazing television around now with really strong writing and it is really inspiring seeing women in their 30s or older really doing it. It seems that we are breaking through and people are happy to watch women as they mature with the strength and power that they have. Hopefully, I can evolve into being one of those women! I would love to be one of those leading actresses in a few years who are taking that forward. On another note, I also lived “Flash Gordon.”