((Photo credit to Shimon))
“Star to Watch” award-winning actress Andrea Stefancikova is on screens large and small. Her film ‘American Badger‘ is set to be released in the US on June 15, 2021, while she can also be seen in NBC’s hit series ‘Debris‘, and enjoys a recurring role in the award-winning action drama, ‘Promiseland.’ Fans have also seen her in ‘Kidnapped in Romania’ alongside Michael Madsen and earned a “Star to Watch” award at the Whistler Film Festival.
Learning her story was amazing. She actually had an experience of being kidnapped in Istanbul at the age of 19, before immigrating to Canada. Her past includes struggles with being in relationships with some of Hollywood’s hottest stars and addiction. Hoping to be a driver for change, she has been very vocal about issues in the film industry such as accent discrimination, Mental illness, drug abuse, and sexism. And yet, these experiences allowed her to grow as a professional actor and truly connect with this role in ‘American Badger.’
It’s obvious that Andrea does not sit still. She is now producing music videos for 604Records, and is developing two features, she teaches acting workshop for dancers, and is working on her memoir. Get up close with Andrea and hear stories from the sets of ‘American Badger,’ ‘Debris,’ and CW’s ‘Supernatural.’
Colleen Bement: Thanks for taking out the time to chat with us. You have a big movie premiere coming up with ‘American Badger‘ this June 15th. Congratulations! My first question for you is, what was it like to film such a physical role? What did you have to do to prepare for it?
Andrea Stefancikova: Great question. When I book a role, I make a commitment. A role is a role. To a certain degree, it’s always physical as much as it is psychological. When I first read the script, before I auditioned for the role, I became well aware of all it entailed. I was intrigued by the material and ready to dig in and do what I’d need to and there was a lot to Velvet/Marcella. I also knew that I needed to humanize her given she is a sex worker as these people are often misunderstood and sort of the underdog of our society. I also knew we were filming two different stories, Dean/Badger’s story, which is ‘American Badger’, and Velvet’s story, which is called ‘American Velvet’ and will be out by the end of this year I hope. The two films are completely different in genre and storylines. It’s a brilliant idea that the Director, Kirk had and he accomplished it.
It’s an exciting process to prepare for a role. I love it, and it’s not always easy. I did a lot of research to start with, really got to know the script and the character from the page first. I wrote a biography for her and created everything to make her a round character and then I slowly integrated into this creation and became Velvet.
Pretty scary when you know what she is about. I went deep and I did have a character hangover that I had to get rid of with professional help, but it was worth it because I am proud of my work.
CB: What was the atmosphere like on the set of “American Badger?”
AS: Pre-Covid, so less awkward haha. It was a warm and supportive set for the most part. There were as many women as there were men, which was rare and very nice. The producers were all female. Kirk gave me a lot of room to improv and time for certain scenes and time to myself when I needed it. Then there was the action aspect to the film. Lots of squibs and noise. And the violence, which was handled professionally and respectfully on set. We were filming for a long time, so I was grateful for such an amazing crew. it was a wonderful experience.
CB: You’re great in your role on NBC’s “Debris.” What can you share about your experiences on the set?
AS: Thank you. I was beside myself when I booked the role of Irina, the obscure character, a smart and calculated Russian secret agent who has a mysterious past with Maddox (Norbert Leo Butz) and she is completely unpredictable until the very end. There are a couple of episodes that haven’t aired yet and I am excited to share with everyone.
This is my first sci-fi show and it is Joel Wyman’s show, whose work I am very familiar with. It’s a big deal and a treat for me.
It was my second or third set since the pandemic, so that makes the experience different than what we were used to prior. There is a certain air of cautiousness and uncertainty that doesn’t go away. It was very strict in this regard which was a relief. But everyone was welcoming, friendly, and warm. Norbert is a gem, such a beautiful person. We are both sober and really connected right off the bat and had a lot of fun working together. I got to work with a few different directors, Steven Adelson, who was fantastic, Brad Anderson super chill, and finally Eagle Egillson whom I have known for a long time but haven’t worked with until now. The cinematographers were exceptional. Fingers crossed the show gets picked up and so does Irina 🙂
CB: What’s new on your horizon?
AS: I started producing music videos for 604Records with Greendale productions, so two will be released soon and we are doing another one in June. I am developing two features with two different teams of creatives. Not a lot I can share on that yet, but one is a lesbian drama and the other one is a coming of age crime thriller, both films are based on true stories.
I am teaching a couple of classes atm, and an acting workshop for dancers coming up in July.
I am planning to pick up my memoir again and go through it, see if I want to make some changes.
All in all, I feel artistically fulfilled and very grateful to be in this position.
CB: A lot of our readers are “Supernatural” fans and you were in a season 14 episode. Would you happen to have any stories from the set?
AS: It was like working among family. You could tell most of these people have known each other for years. It was wonderful, and so friendly!
Philip Sgriccia directed the episode. My stuff didn’t get to be filmed until super late at night and I remember I was tired and also more nervous because I was tired. We were on my coverage and all of a sudden Phil rushed up to me and asked if I had an accent. I said yes, I slipped up. My heart skipped a beat. And he said, I want that! I love it. You should always speak in your own accent, it’s way nicer and it’s so subtle, makes you unique. That was really nice and unexpected.
Mark Pellegrino is a nice, down to earth man and a great actor to work with.
CB: I’ve read that you’ve had an “interesting past” and I’m sure your fans would love to hear about it. Tell us about your story of coming from Czechoslovakia to Vancouver.
AS: That’s a long story and a sad one. Immigration isn’t easy at any age, but I was 16, peak of puberty, an emotional teenager. I was popular back home, very social like my parents, had lots of friends, was a good student, had my first boyfriend, doing dance classes, going to concerts and parties on the weekends and suddenly that was all gone. And I became an outcast. I had no friends, a couple a bit later, kids at that age can be cruel. They made fun of my brother and me, my whole family, I won’t go into detail, but they bullied us and asked me to go “back to Russia” to a point that I quit school and sort of ran away from home, or just spent time with older kids I had met after dance classes downtown, who weren’t necessarily the best influence on me sadly, and I didn’t graduate till way later.
Immigration was hard on our family. It’s humbling and at times humiliating, but what doesn’t break you makes you stronger, and I believe it did. Or it did a bit of both. It broke me and then later made me stronger. I am a fighter and it made work even harder and be reckless in finding my way, but I did it. I have embraced everything I have gone through since then to be who and where I am now.
I have written a memoir that focuses on my life from the years of immigration to my early twenties. Lots happened then. I don’t think I will publish it this year, but when I do, many might find it interesting, shocking, and brave.
CB: What is your favorite thing to do in your spare time?
AS: I exercise, do a lot of yoga. Love walks and hikes with my dog Harlie, read books, watch movies, listen to music. I like to cook and host friends at our house, going to concerts, but of course, that is on hold right now with the pandemic. I love to travel and explore, and mostly be with people I love.
‘American Badger’ comes out June 15, 2021.
Written by Colleen Bement
Hi, I’m Lynn, and I Make.
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