Natasha Calis Is In A League Of Her Own
Natasha Calis knows what she’s doing. Acquainted with the camera since a young age, Calis has starred in numerous films and TV series, making her mark among well known names in the entertainment industry. Now, a sophisticated Calis is once again demonstrating her incredible acting chops, starring in Nurses, NBC’s new series. Putting her heart and soul into this role, Calis is Ashley Collins, a young nurse whose wit and kindness makes her stand out. Calis told Jejune all about her acting career, what it’s like playing a nurse why we should admire and respect healthcare workers, now more than ever. To learn more about Natasha Calis, please read below.
Where are you based?
Vancouver, Canada.
What inspired you to pursue acting? Who are some of your biggest influences?
Starting at a young age, Matilda was a movie that really inspired me. I wanted to be her and play that role when I was younger. I loved studying the movie and Mara Wilson's portrayal of the character. Some other big influences of mine and actors that I really admire are Nicole Kidman, Meryl Streep, Francis McDormand, and Viola Davis.
From starring in “The Possession” and “Can’t Come Out to Play” opposite Samantha Morton and Michael Shannon, your experience on TV and film is impressive! What is your most memorable role to date?
Thank you! I'd have to say one of my most memorable roles would have to be The Possession. I learned so much about myself as an actor and my range while filming that movie and it was overall just the most incredible experience.
You were thirteen when The Possession was released and you played Em, a girl that is possessed by an evil spirit. How did it feel to take on such a daunting role and being on the set of a horror movie at such a young age?
You would walk onto that set and would not have known it was a horror movie. The vibe of the set was so amazing and the cast/crew were all so amazing. As far as playing Em, it was the most physically and emotionally challenging role to date but also my favorite. I love being challenged and I grew so much as an actor playing her.
Before deciding on a project, what do you look for in a character?
Depth. I want to be able to sink my teeth into a role.
Speaking of roles, Jejune is so excited to hear about your NBC series, Nurses. Could you describe what this new show is about?
Nurses follows five rookie nurses finding their footing in a fast paced downtown Toronto hospital. All new to the job, we watch them in their discoveries that there is so much more emotion involved in the job than anyone could've prepared for.
You play nurse Ashley Collins, one of the leading ladies. What drew you to this role and how did you prepare it?
I loved Ashley's depth and complexity. There is so much more to her than meets the eye and that was really fun for me to play with. We had a week of medical training before we started filming which was really helpful and insightful.
How do you and Ashley differ? In what ways are you similar?
I relate to Ashley the most in how loyal she is to the people she cares about. Once she lets you in, you've got a friend in her for life and I think we're similar in that aspect. Different in almost every other way.
We can guess who Nurses focuses on - the title of the series gives it away. What can we expect from Nurses that differs from previous medical dramas, such as Greys Anatomy and The Good Doctor, where the leads are doctors?
There is a lot of heart and soul in this show. So much real emotion has gone into our characters in portraying nurses as truthfully as possible. There is such a deep level of care, compassion, and empathy in nursing and I think we do a good job of showcasing that.
How can the series influence the way we think about nurses and how they are represented in TV and film?
I think people will step back after watching our show with a newfound respect for nurses and the emotional and mental toll the job can have on people.
How does it feel playing a nurse at this time?
Incredibly important and such an honor. It's about time there's a medical drama that centers on nurses and I'm so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of telling those stories.
In addition to playing a nurse you are also working with Operation Happy Nurse. Can you tell us a little bit about this organization and why it was important for you to partner with?
Operation Happy Nurse is a certified non-profit that is dedicated to helping the mental, physical, and overall well-being of nurses. I really wanted to do my part in raising awareness of the mental tolls that are so prevalent and not often talked about in the profession. Operation Happy Nurse is an incredible community and I wanted to do my part in spreading the word and promoting it.
You have been speaking with real nurses lately. Can you tell us a little bit about what that has been like? How will that impact your role?
It’s truly given me a deeper understanding of the job and the challenges both emotionally and physically that come along with it. Hearing stories of the circumstances frontline workers have been put in during this pandemic and how tolling it’s been on them has made me appreciate and respect them even more than I thought possible. They are true heroes.
How are you staying positive during lockdown?
Trying to keep myself busy with little things that I love doing. Painting, reading, going for walks with my dog, running the sea wall in Vancouver. FaceTime is also a huge game changer. Keeps me connected to important people in my life that I can't see during this time.
What is your motto in life?
Everything happens for a reason.
To keep up with Natasha Calis, please follow her on the listed platforms.
Instagram: @natashacalis
Twitter: @natashacalis
Photography by Noah Asanias
