(Tennille Read, photo credit to Dane Clark)
Tennille Read finds herself dealing with the paranormal in SyFy’s hot new series “SurrealEstate.” Opposite “Schitt’s Creek” favorites Tim Rozon and Sarah Levy, the actress shares about her time on both sets. Already loved for her role as Bianca in “Workin’ Moms,’ Tennille found stage success right out of theater school, then moved into film and TV with roles in “Heroes Reborn,” “Shadowhunters,” “Good Witch,” “Condor,” “Bajillionaires,” and “Hudson & Rex.” She has a Best Supporting Actor win from the Hollywood North Film Awards for “I Lost My Mind.”
In her downtime, she paints and finds balance through yoga, meditation, and journaling. Find out more about her time on the sets of these fun shows and more in our interview.
Colleen Bement: Congratulations on your role in the exciting new series “SurrealEstate.” It is right up the alley of our readers. Did you ever imagine that you would be dealing with the supernatural?
Tennille Read: Thank you! It’s a terrific show to be a part of. Honestly, I hadn’t imagined I’d be dealing with the supernatural because I’m so easily spooked by scary movies. But when I auditioned for “Surreal Estate” I was immediately drawn in – compelled by the writing and characters – and I knew it was something unique that I wanted to be a part of.
The show’s amazing creator and showrunner George Olson, along with the show’s other incredible writers, created a world where I feel empathetic towards the ghosts. I think that’s a special note to play on in this genre. There are layers of humor and heart in each storyline and every character (dead and alive). Don’t get me wrong, “SurrealEstate” has its share of scares and chilling screams (many of which my character goes through), but for me, if the show stands out because of the themes it explores and the journeys the characters go on – they are relatable, relevant and deeply moving – more and more as the season plays out.
CB: Tell us about your character Megan Donovan on “SurrealEstate.”
TR: Megan Donovan has an interesting arc in season one. I thoroughly enjoyed walking in her shoes (or running – when she’s been spooked!). In the pilot we learn that she’s a med student, engaged to a lawyer who is never around, and she lives in an old house she inherited from her grandfather. She’s smart, pragmatic, and logical, so when she starts seeing and hearing inexplicable things in the shadows of her house, she’s really thrown off – she begins questioning her world and what she knows to be true. She also meets Luke Roman, someone who is eager to sell her house, who seems so logical and pragmatic like her, but who works with the supernatural, which for Megan, is a topic she finds completely, illogically impossible. There’s no empirical sense to it! So, she struggles with that. And along those lines, later in the season, we see her struggle with the feelings she develops for him. I mean, how can she fall for someone whose line of work is the very thing she can’t wrap her head around. It was satisfying to explore that tension with what she knows, and how she feels, as she goes deeper and deeper down the rabbit hole.
CB: What has life on the set been like filming the series?
TR: We shot “SurrealEstate” early on in the pandemic, and so everyone was masked, everything was being wiped down and disinfected (repeatedly), I’m trying to remember everyone’s names (even though only half their faces are visible), while reacting to exploding fireplaces and ghosts that weren’t really there. Everything about it was “surreal!” But we were all in the same boat. Everyone was patient and supportive, and there wasn’t any obstacle that couldn’t be remedied with a little humor which everyone brought to the table.
CB: You’re also known and loved for your character of Bianca on “Workin’ Moms.” So many of my readers, as well as myself, can relate to some of the stories told on that show. What do you miss the most from being on “Workin’ Moms?”
TR: The fans of “Workin’ Moms” are fabulous, and people will stop me in the street to talk about the show. It’s so great. I was in four of its seasons and I’ll miss the zaniness of it all. The cast is really special, and I found myself befriending some of them who I didn’t even act with directly – our storylines didn’t really overlap. But when that happens you just know you’re all in the right place.
I also just love that the show never hides the fact that it takes place in Toronto, which is my hometown that I’m very proud of. I’ll miss those early morning bike rides through the quiet neighborhoods of the city to get to basecamp which is only 20 minutes away. It’s rare that something I’m shooting is that close to home.
CB: I remember your spot on “Schitt’s Creek.” Would you happen to have any stories from your time on the set of that fabulous show?
TR: I mean, those matching green and white striped golf shirts are pretty unforgettable! It was a dream to get to work on “Schitt’s Creek” and act with Eugene Levy. He is a living legend in my family. I was definitely a bit star-struck when I first got to set. There was a point early on in the day when I realized my face hurt from smiling – out of excitement, nervousness, all of the above. I’ve never had to check in with my face as much as I did that day. We’d be just about to roll, and I’d have to double down and intentionally ground myself to be in character because I was enjoying his performance and his company, so much. Had I known that years later I’d be working with his daughter Sarah Levy on “SurrealEstate,” I don’t think I would’ve been able to stop grinning that day at all. They are lovely people.
CB: Do you have another project in the works that you are allowed to share? Film? Theater?
TR: Nothing that I can share at the moment!
CB: I love your Instagram. It gives your fans a bit of a day-in-the-life. I just have to ask…what is your adorable dog’s name?
TR: Thanks! I’m a visual person so Instagram has a way of scratching that itch for me. My dog’s name is Barrington. He’s a four-year-old Boston Terrier and he’s so adorable he has his own Instagram account: @bonjourbarrington
CB: What do you do to stay sane in this crazy world? Yoga? Meditation?
TR: Finding clarity and balance in my day-to-day life is a priority for me. I switch things up and do activities like yoga, journaling, and meditation over periods of time. I also try to be in nature and either hike or walk – that’s very restorative for me. The one thing that I can always depend on to help clear my mind is jogging. I’m an avid runner – which I suppose helps in this series when we do multiple takes of Megan running from exploding fireplaces.
Written by Colleen Bement
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