Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Burden of Truth’s Sera-Lys McArthur

Canadian-born actress Sera-Lys McArthur has experienced a lot of success on the stage and screen. She’s become a household name in her home country, thanks to recurring roles in Arctic Air and Hard Rock Medical, and she’s quickly making a name for herself in the States with projects like Friends from College and Robbery.

This spring, she joined the cast of the CW’s Burden of Truth as Kodie Chartrand, the childhood best friend of the lead character, Joanna Chang. It’s a breakout role for Sera-Lys, and she told us all about it!

Career

PC: How did you discover your passion for the arts and storytelling?
Sera-Lys: Thank you for asking me that! It has been a really long time since I’ve thought about this. My grandmother was a beautifully artistic and musical person. I spent a lot of time with her in my early years, and so I think that definitely sent me off in that direction. I always loved playing make-believe when I was a child. I had all sorts of scenarios going, often including my cousins, my mom, or my pets in the casting. I would reenact scenes from movies I had seen or storybooks that had been read to me. I always wanted to be the girl in the story. I guess that desire never went away and eventually developed into a passion. By the time I hit sophomore year of high school, it was clear to me that I wanted to pursue an education, career, and life in the arts. It’s what gave me inspiration, energy and made me feel happiest and most alive.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Sera-Lys: John N. Smith, the director of the first miniseries that ever cast me, back when I was only thirteen years old. It was called Revenge of the Land, and I worked with John again several years later on another very special project, The Englishman’s Boy. Both are CBC miniseries that were shot in my home province of Saskatchewan, Canada. US and international audiences are likely more aware of a different film John had directed called Dangerous Minds, starring Michelle Pfeiffer.

I walked into what was my second-ever audition, with no experience or training under my belt whatsoever, and both he and the casting director got very excited because I bore a strong resemblance to the actress already cast to play my character’s mother. Then John said, “Calm down, calm down. Can she act?” So I performed my audition. John pensively asked me if I had ever acted before. I replied, “No, but I am signed up for a workshop next week.” And he smiled and said to make sure I took that workshop. I wasn’t really sure how to take that, but I received a call from my mom while I was at the workshop, and she said I’d got the part! John was such a nurturing director, and I had such an awesome time on set. I honestly never thought anything in life could be as awesome and enjoyable as being an actor on set was. So basically, he introduced me to what I honestly consider to be my vocation. He’s almost like an art father.

PC: You’re an actress and producer. How has your work behind the scenes made you a stronger actress and vice versa?
Sera-Lys: Delving into producing has taught me a lot more about what all goes into creating film, television, and theater productions. I have a lot more respect for the work that the creatives and crew do now because I understand more about each of their jobs and departments. I also understand more about budgets, timelines, and how difficult it is to finance and execute a production. So as an actress, I am a lot more appreciative of all that goes into helping actors do their jobs. Actors do need to be in their own bubbles, so to speak, so that they can stay focused, energized and prepare technically and emotionally. So I like that now I can get out of that bubble sometimes and learn more about what goes into creating the rest of the project.

PC: You started working at the age of thirteen. What’s one thing you know now that you wish you knew when you started in this industry?
Sera-Lys: Really, that you should take other people’s opinions with a grain of salt. That doesn’t mean to not listen and learn from experienced people whom you respect, but if someone tells you something discouraging, don’t take it at face value. Think about why they’re saying what they are saying. Also remember that the industry is constantly changing and evolving, so what they are saying may have been true at one time or place but may not be true for you. Believing in yourself is paramount. If the industry looks like it doesn’t presently have a place for you in it, then carve one out for yourself.

Burden of Truth

PC: You’re starring in Season 3 of Burden of Truth. Tell us about the series, your character, and what drew you to the project.
Sera-Lys: Yes, I am, and it’s very exciting! Burden of Truth is a legal drama starring Kristin Kreuk and Peter Mooney, which first airs in Canada on CBC and then hits US airways a couple of months later on the CW. I play Kodie Chartrand, the girlhood best friend of the lead character, Joanna Chang. Kodie and Joanna had lost touch for about twenty years and are reunited in the first episode of the season. Kodie is a single mother of two daughters and abruptly has her children apprehended. Joanna started out as a corporate lawyer and has branched out into other legal areas, but her decision to help her friend will make this season her first foray into family law, an arena she is not comfortable in. I was drawn to the project because the character really rang true to me. She reminded me of people I had grown up around. I was raised by a single mother, and so I know firsthand how difficult it can be. I also saw how much love Kodie had for her children and her friend “Jojo,” and I was sure it would be awesome to explore those relationships on a television series. I was definitely right about all that. Plus, she’s a total wild card, which is very fun to portray!

PC: Were there any nerves heading into this project, given the fact that you’re joining an established cast with a few seasons under their belt?
Sera-Lys: Oh yes, definitely! I knew one actor, Meegwun Fairbrother, who plays Owen, the police chief, but everyone else was new to me. Everyone was very warm, nice, and extremely welcoming and supportive. But yes, it definitely felt like being the new kid at school. Establishing this character who has a history with the other lead characters but hasn’t been seen on the show before had its challenges as well. Each script would let us know a little bit more about her and I was learning it at the same time as everyone else. A lot of instincts came into play. It was all very exciting, and I am so glad to have joined the close-knit Burden of Truth on-set family.

PC: What can you tease about Kodie’s arc this season?
Sera-Lys: At this point in the season, four episodes in, Kodie does not yet even know who is targeting her or why. Stay tuned!

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Sera-Lys: Russian Doll

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Sera-Lys: Roman Holiday

PC: Favorite book?
Sera-Lys: Monkey Beach by Eden Robinson

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Sera-Lys: Stephen Sondheim’s A Little Night Music

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Sera-Lys: Desmond Dekker

PC: Who would play you in the story of your life?
Sera-Lys: Ooh, that’s a good one! I’m going to go with Star Slade, the talented young actress who plays one of the lead characters, Luna Spence, on Burden of Truth.

To keep up with Sera-Lys, follow her on Twitter and Instagram. Catch new episodes of Burden of Truth every Thursday at 9/8c on the CW.

Photo Credit: Devaka Seneviratne