In our second Q&A feature for “Ravenswood”, this week we feature actress Britne Oldford.
The Canadian/American actress who was trained in music, dance and theatre, Britne made her television debut back in 2008 for the TV series, “The Latest Buzz” and would later be cast for the TV series “Skins” and “American Horror Story”.
And eventually landing the role of Remy Beaumont in ABC Family’s “Ravenswood”, a spinoff of the popular hit drama series “Pretty Little Liars”.
A series that takes place in the fictional town of Ravenswood, Pennsylvania, the series revolves around five strangers whose lives become intertwined by a deadly curse that has plagued Ravenswood for generations. And now all five work together to solve the mysterious curse.
The series connection to “Pretty Little Liars” is through the character Caleb Rivers (portrayed by Tyler Blackburn), who goes to Ravenswood to help his girlfriend Hanna Marin (portrayed by Ashley Benson). While en route to Ravenswood, he meets Miranda Collins (portrayed by Nicole Gale Anderson), who is going to Ravenswood to find her last remaining relative. And while she visits her uncle’s home, something freakish happens and she ends up rescuing Hanna.
Hanna asks Caleb to stay in Ravenswood to help Miranda and for some unknown reason, he finds a tombstone with his name and picture in the town cemetery, and it’s enough for him to stay in Ravenswood a little longer.
In the series, Britne Oldford’s character Remy is an employee at the Ravenswood newspaper, “Ravenswood Gazette”. Her father is the editor-in-chief and she helps Caleb find the death record of his lookalike. She is also the girlfriend of Luke Matheson (portrayed by Brett Dier) and is the first person to discover the theory of the Ravenswood curse.
To help promote “Ravenswood”, Britne Oldford recently took part in an ABC Media Q&A. Here is a transcript of the media Q&A:
Moderator   Will the relationship between Remy and Luke continue to evolve or will Remy focus more on the curse?
Britne   I think that the curse is all consuming at the moment, and will continue to be. But the relationships with everyone do evolve and do grow, so I think that that’s definitely something that we’ll see in later episodes.
Moderator   Will viewers continue to learn about the curse in the winter finale, and what the pact actually is?
Britne   We find out a lot more information about the pact and, perhaps, potential people who are involved in the mid-season or the winter finale.
Moderator   Could you describe your character for those who may not be watching?
Britne   Remy Beaumont is a very bright, determined, I think fairly stubborn at times, young woman who’s always seeking justice and wants to find out the truth behind everything that’s going on in her town.
Moderator   What would you say drew you to this role?
Britne   What drew me to the role of Remy, and the show in general, is that I do love supernatural things and shows – especially growing up. She was a strong female, and I think that there needs to be more strong female roles out there, especially for everyone, for every age group, but young women, and I thought that she could possibly be a role model and that’s why I was drawn to her.
Moderator   Will we also see any more development with Remy’s relationship with her family?
Britne   Yes! All of the characters family relationships develop gradually throughout the season. There isn’t too much that happens in the fifth episode with regards to that, but you’ll definitely see more.
Moderator   Is there anything that you’ve brought to the role that may not necessarily have been in the script?
Britne   I think that what I’ve brought to the role would be just a level of composure that wasn’t necessarily specified with the character of Remy. But otherwise, she’s been pretty straightforward.
Moderator   What is it like working so closely with Brett Dier?
Britne   Working with Brett is always so lovely. He’s an absolute riot on set, and we’re really good friends so it’s always a good time.
Moderator   What’s the best encounter you’ve had with fans in New Orleans?
Britne   We go to the movies a lot, and the people who work there have seen us go very often – so they recognize us, and have kind of taken a liking to us. So it’s just great being able to talk with them, have some R&R and talk about just anything in a very casual setting.
Moderator   What is your favorite part of watching the show as a fan?
Britne   I get so engulfed in it even though I read all of the scripts, and I’m there filming it. I love watching all of the spooks. Also, knowing that the fans are watching and that they’re having an even more intense experience than I am.
Moderator   If you could compare Ravenswood to any other supernatural show, what would it be?
Britne   I have to compare it to Scooby Doo, but just because there’s a younger group of people with these mysteries and what have you. I think that it’s very different because there is a group of young teenagers in a town having their relationships grow, and seeing the characters evolve as people as well as trying to figure out what’s going on with this curse, and how it’s affecting them. There are a lot of ensemble teen TV shows out there that do not have supernatural aspects to it, or undertones, so I think that’s how it’s different.
Moderator   Has Remy always been a sleepwalker, or is this something that has started because of the curse?
Britne   Ah ha! You will definitely be finding that out very soon.
Moderator   How did you get your start in acting?
Britne   I got started in acting professionally only when I was about 17. I was born and raised in Toronto, and I went to an art school there called Earl Haig Secondary School, which I loved, and I was a drama major so I was studying theatre very heavily. I thought I would be doing theatre for pretty much the rest of my life, being happy doing it back home, but I went to an open call for Skins, which was the first big show that I was on, or big project in general, and from then on I’ve been doing this whole thing.
Moderator   How did you feel when you found out that you got the role?
Britne   Oh, I was thrilled! I was so happy when I found out that I got the role of Remy, because I was originally going out for Miranda, and it got down to Nicole and I, and I knew she was going to get it. She had the look, she had it — I just knew. And I was going along for the ride, and just having a great time that day, and then the following day I was at the airport and got a call from my management and my agent and they were like, “There’s good news and bad news.†and I was like, “Oh. Well, of course the bad news is that I didn’t get it.†And they were like, “Good news. They’re offering you a different role.â€Â So I was thrilled that I got a job, first off, and then when they told me about Remy, I was so pleased. I was so pleased.â€
Moderator   What is your dynamic like on set with Tyler, Nicole, Merritt and Brett?
Britne   We’re all pretty funny, and crazy loud people. So when we’re all on set together it’s a total riot! Fortunately, we get things done, but the dynamic between everyone is very different, but we all care about each other very much.
Moderator   How do you feel about the interactive social media of the series and live tweeting the episodes?
Britne   I think that it’s awesome to be a part of this whole family and to really be able to connect with the fans because they are a huge reason why we’re on the air. They’re really the backbone of bringing the show to life and keeping it going, as well as our careers as artists outside of the show. So it’s a huge deal, and I’m so grateful to have them and to be able to share with them.
Moderator   Is there anything that you can hint or tease about the mystery happening between Collins and Mrs. Grunwald?
Britne   There is a lot of mystery on them. Honestly, I have no idea. I know that they have a definite connection, and they are working together, but in regards to what they are working towards? I don’t know!
Moderator   Is Remy’s personal style and fashion similar to your personal style or is a bit different?
Britne   My personal style is definitely way different than Remy’s; way, way, way different. I wear too much black, I always have ever since I was a kid. But it’s funny, though, because I have noticed that some of her style has been creeping into mine, especially color-wise. I’m realizing that I can mix and match really crazy things and it look interesting, if not good. So yes, our styles are definitely different —she’s quite preppy and kind of quirky, and I’m kind of more quirky and dark.
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