Britne Oldford - The Interview (Ravenswood)

Britne Oldford stars as Remy Beaumont on ABC Family's new TV series, Ravenswood, in which a deadly curse forces five strangers to work together to solve the mystery that has been plaguing the town for generations.

SHAKEFIRE (SF): Could you describe your character for those who may not be watching?
Britne Oldford (BO): 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.

SF: What would you say drew you to this role?
BO: 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.

SF: Is Remy’s personal style and fashion similar to your personal style or is a bit different?
BO: 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.

SF: Will the relationship between Remy and Luke continue to evolve or will Remy focus more on the curse?
BO: 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.

SF: Will we also see any more development with Remy’s relationship with her family?
BO: 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.

SF: What is it like working so closely with Brett Dier?
BO: 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.

SF: What is your dynamic like on set with Tyler, Nicole, Merritt and Brett?
BO: 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.

SF: Has Remy always been a sleepwalker, or is this something that has started because of the curse?
BO: Ah ha! You will definitely be finding that out very soon.

SF: Is there anything that you can hint or tease about the mystery happening between Collins and Mrs. Grunwald?
BO: 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!

SF: Will viewers continue to learn about the curse in the winter finale, and what the pact actually is?
BO: 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.

SF: Is there anything that you’ve brought to the role that may not necessarily have been in the script?
BO: 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.

SF: What’s the best encounter you’ve had with fans in New Orleans?
BO: 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.

SF: What is your favorite part of watching the show as a fan?
BO: 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.

SF: How do you feel about the interactive social media of the series and live tweeting the episodes?
BO: 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.

SF: If you could compare Ravenswood to any other supernatural show, what would it be?
BO: 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.

SF: How did you get your start in acting?
BO: 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.

SF: How did you feel when you found out that you got the role?
BO: 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.” 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.”