Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Proven Innocent’s Catherine Lidstone

Catherine Lidstone was born to be a performer. Whether she’s in front of the camera or in the studio, Catherine is absolutely crushing it. Every Friday, she can be seen starring opposite Rachelle LeFevre and Kelsey Grammer in Proven Innocent. In the series, she plays Isabel Sanchez, a young and driven professional who will do just about anything to reach her goals. When Catherine isn’t on set, she can be found writing, producing, and singing her own original music, including her brand-new single, “Benefactor.” Pop Culturalist caught up with Catherine to catch about her exciting career.

Proven Innocent Questions

PC: Tell us about Proven Innocent, your character, and what drew you to this project.
Catherine: Proven Innocent is a legal drama about a wrongfully convicted felon turned lawyer (Rachelle LeFevre) who makes it her life mission (post-prison) to exonerate the wrongfully convicted, much to the chagrin of the State’s Attorney (Kelsey Grammer) who fought to have her locked up in the first place. What I loved about my character, Isabel Sanchez, is that she’s a confident, young Northwestern Law graduate who’s driven, bold, and intelligent. She’s a ballsy gal whose professional drive steers her career. As she enters the world of politics and intrigue, the question becomes, “how far is she willing to go to achieve her goal of becoming second chair in the biggest case of the year?”

PC: What similarities and differences do you share with Isabel?
Catherine: Isabel and I undoubtedly share the priority of the cultivation of the mind, a mutual professional drive, and similar work ethic. She is a girl that goes above and beyond the call of duty to get the job done. Where we differ is that she’s willing to bend the rules to do it, a move that may just bring her to checkmate.

PC: What’s been the most challenging part about playing Isabel?
Catherine: Playing a young attorney requires a lexicon I previously was not privy to. It’s been a learning curve picking up legal jargon and studying court proceedings, but a journey I’m grateful to be on.

PC: Which of Isabel’s relationships is your favorite to explore and why? If the series is picked up for a second season, who would you want to see Isabel interacting with more?
Catherine: Isabel’s relationship with Gore Bellows (Kelsey Grammer) is a paternal and professional relationship. She looks up to him and understands she has much to learn from his track record and political success. I also really enjoyed filming the arc between Isabel and Levi Scott (Riley Smith) and am excited to see where it leads Ms. Sanchez and the Scotts in season two.

Photo Credit: FOX Publicity

Career Questions

PC: How did you discover your passion for acting and music? Is there one that you gravitate more towards?
Catherine: I discovered my interest for acting at the age of three, according to my mother, when I pointed at the television and said I was going to be in there one day. My passion grew in middle school, as I got involved in drama club and community theater productions, especially musicals. I remember sitting in my living room in New England watching The Sound of Music and teaching myself to sing by imitating the character of Liesl. I love both acting and music deeply. Whenever I’m not acting, I’m writing, singing, producing, and performing, and vice versa.

PC: Tell us about your new single, “Benefactor”. What was the inspiration behind the song?
Catherine: “Benefactor” is a song about being at the depths of yourself and asking if there is something greater. I had reached a seemingly rote part of my career where I wasn’t advancing to where I wanted to be, and the song itself was a cry for divine intervention in my life.

PC: Are you planning to release more singles this year? Possibly a larger body of work?
Catherine: Two more singles are already on the way for spring and summer 2019, and a larger body of work by year’s end. Stay tuned!

PC: You’re also in Dwight in Shining Armor. What can you tell us about that project?
Catherine: Dwight in Shining Armor was a joy to film. It’s a medieval fantasy meets modern day adventure series, and I had the amazing opportunity to invent my own language and play a mythical creature. Dwight airs on BYUtv Monday nights at 7:30 pm!

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Catherine: The Simpsons

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Catherine: Anything Audrey or Katharine Hepburn are in.

PC: Favorite book?
Catherine: Atlas Shrugged

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Catherine: It’s a tough call between The Sound of Music and My Fair Lady!

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Catherine: The full soundtrack to Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, which was my favorite Bollywood film growing up. It’s still the biggest box-office hit in India! Also, anything by Buena Vista Social Club, or the Ella & Louis album.

PC: Last show you binge-watched?
Catherine: Barry

PC: Hidden talent?
Catherine: I’m somewhat of a linguist. I love learning foreign languages! Also, dance is my secret weapon.

To keep up with Catherine, follow her on Twitter and Instagram, and catch Proven Innocent every Friday at 9/8c on Fox.

Photo Credit: Katie Levine