Photo Credit: Photographer – Mollie Pie, Producer & Creative Director – Eric Tam, Hair & Makeup – Racquelle Nembhard
With a career spanning decade, Kathleen Robertson has built a reputation for bringing depth, complexity and authenticity to every role she takes on. From memorable performances in Beverly Hills, 90210 and Boss to her latest turns in Reacher and Tracker, she continues to embrace new challenges while expanding her work behind the camera as a writer, producer and showrunner.
Now, Robertson is stepping into an exciting new chapter with Blessed Sacrament, the upcoming CBC series she created, executive produces, showruns and stars in, inspired in part by her Hamilton roots and family connections. We caught up with the multi-talented Canadian actress to talk about playing complicated women, the creative freedom of telling her own stories, the projects that have shaped her career and what her ideal day looks like when the cameras stop rolling.
1.You’ve had such an interesting career, from Beverly Hills, 90210 and Murder in the First to Northern Rescue and The Expanse. After all these years, what continues to excite you about stepping into a new character?
Every job is truly a unique individual experience. Every show and film and set is its own energetic thing. I’m always excited whether I’m doing an independent film or a role on an existing hit show or a pilot. I’m usually drawn to either the writing or playing a role that I’ve never played before or working with a director or an actor that I admire.
2.You’re joining Reacher for Season 4, one of television’s hugely popular series. You play Elsbeth Sampson, the wife of powerful Senator John Sampson. What drew you to Elsbeth, and what can you tell us about the woman behind the polished exterior? Do we get to see different sides of her as the season unfolds?
People are absolutely obsessed with this show. Elsbeth is a force. I’m a sucker for complicated powerful women. Her marriage to John is interesting and based in love something that we don’t see very often in regards to political relationships. It was really fun to get the opportunity to be a part of this season. Alan is a joy to work with. He was born to play Reacher.
3. You’re also back as Maxine on Tracker, and we understand you’re currently filming more of the series. What do you enjoy about returning to a character you’ve already established, and is there anything about Maxine or her story that you’re particularly excited for viewers to see?
Tracker is also a show that people adore. The fans of that show are incredible. Maxine is a fun character for me. The majority of my scenes are with Fiona who is hilarious and so much fun to work with. We have way too many laughs. The show filmed in Vancouver and now has moved to Los Angeles for this new season.
Photo Credit: Photographer – Mollie Pie, Producer & Creative Director – Eric Tam, Hair & Makeup – Racquelle Nembhard
4. You’ve worked across so many different genres over the years, from family drama and crime to science fiction and now action. Is there a particular type of character you especially love to play, or is it more about finding something in a role that challenges or surprises you?
I definitely like to joke that I’m an actor that likes to sit in rooms and talk. I was very relieved I don’t have to do any action stuff on Reacher or Tracker. I am also not a fan of special effects makeup or elaborate costumes. My happy place as an actor is heavy page count scenes with a lot of complex emotional territory to get through
5.You’ve also expanded from acting into writing, producing and showrunning, including creating and showrunning Swimming with Sharks. How has being involved on the creative side changed the way you approach acting — and perhaps the kinds of stories and characters you’re drawn to?
It’s been a fascinating process for me. When I did the Showrunner Training Program at the Writers Guild of America in Los Angeles, I would sit in the back with my sweatpants and my hoodie and my glasses on so nobody took note that I was an actor. I would hear people talk about actors and the complexities of interfacing with them and it was so interesting. It’s two totally different creative jobs. One is entirely public and one is entirely private and navigating that has been incredibly fulfilling for me. I still love to go and act on other people’s shows because being a creator showrunner is all encompassing.
6.After spending decades in the industry, what have you learned about building a career that continues to evolve rather than simply repeating what has worked in the past?
Work ethic is everything. I just put my blinders on every day and get to work. If you can write, write. That way you don’t have to wait for somebody to give you permission to be creative.
Photo Credit: Photographer – Mollie Pie, Producer & Creative Director – Eric Tam, Hair & Makeup – Racquelle Nembhard
7.You’re returning to Canadian television with the upcoming CBC series Blessed Sacrament, which you created and on which you serve as showrunner, executive producer and star. What was it about this story — and the character of Brie — that made you want to bring it to life?
Six Feet Under is my favorite show of all time and I’ve always wanted to write a show about a complicated family in the hometown where I grew up of Hamilton, Ontario, which is a steel city kind of like the Canadian Pittsburgh. Brie is a nurse who works at a hospital that her grandfather founded alongside her two sisters and her mother who runs it. I have two older sisters, who both work in the medical field, and their stories were part of the inspiration for this idea.
8.Looking back at your career, is there a particular role or project that changed you personally or professionally in a way that audiences might not necessarily realize?
Boss. This was a series that I did in Chicago. Gus Van Sant directed it and I starred opposite Kelsey Grammer. It was the most incredible role for me as an actor. If you haven’t seen it, find it and watch it. It’s a brilliant show. The show really was a turning point for me creatively. It made me realize that as much as I love to act, I really wanted to write and produce and be a showrunner. When you work on things where the creative bar is very high, it just inspires you to reach that level.
Photo Credit: Photographer – Mollie Pie, Producer & Creative Director – Eric Tam, Hair & Makeup – Racquelle Nembhard
9.And finally, when you’re not working, what does Kathleen Robertson’s ideal day look like? Has your idea of what makes a great life changed as your career — and life — have evolved?
My ideal day goes like this…Sleep in no appointments or zooms on the calendar. Make coffee sit outside and look at the water, cuddle my kids, chill with my husband, go for a walk with my dogs. Eat a chocolate croissant. Have a bath. Maybe go out on the boat for a little bit and swim in the lake. Watch my kids fishing. Get a massage. Have some laughs with friends. Eat a ridiculous dinner involving pasta and lots of cheese. Watch a documentary in bed while my husband rubs my feet. Have another bath. Go to bed. Sleep nine hours. LOL. Rinse and repeat.
With Blessed Sacrament, Kathleen Robertson is bringing a deeply personal story to the screen, drawing on her Hamilton roots and her own creative vision. It’s an exciting next chapter for a talent who continues to carve her own path in the industry.