Page 18 - Real Style June 2018

ALL HAIL THE QUEEN
CANADIAN STAR RACHEL SKARSTEN TALKS REIGN AND IMPOSTERS
BY FATIMA SYED
With her girl next door demeanour and friendly
smile, there’s something truly Canadian about RACHEL SKARSTEN. The 33-year-old star, who hails from Toronto, is best known for playing Queen Elizabeth I on The CW’s historical drama series Reign. Although the show wrapped up with Season 4 last year, the actress is now enjoying her own reign, with new roles, in addition to her fond memories on the show. For the bubbly, down-to-earth beauty, this means walking away from her royal onscreen experience with a host of fond memories.
“Reign itself was an opportunity to be so immersed in a character, to become someone so completely different from myself. I was actually playing someone who lived and breathed and was
so instrumental in the history of the world,” Skarsten tells
us. History books aside, the
star also formed an instant connection with her cast mates, who included Canadian actress Megan Follows and Australian star Adelaide Kane.
“Megan is a Canadian legend. I learned more from observing Megan and being directed by
Megan than I have from any other actor,” Skarsten says. Meanwhile, 27-year-old Reign leading lady Kane quickly became a friend and beloved colleague of Skarsten’s. “The minute it was announced in the press that I booked the job; she sent me a message on Twitter and welcomed me. She’s one of those people where if you have a little cough, the next day there will be a gift basket of soup and NyQuil on your doorstep. She’s one of the most thoughtful, generous people I think I have ever met,” Skarsten enthuses.
Although her life may seem star-studded and glamorous now, Skarsten comes from humble beginnings. Her father, a Norwegian-born doctor, passed away when she was
just nine years old. In a twist of fate, his early death led this
screen star to her present day life. Skarsten’s father had been involved with Crossroads, a Christian organization that ran the 100 Huntley Street daily gospel show. A few years after his passing, the show did a tribute episode for him, and invited Skarsten and her family on set. Aged 12, Skarsten sang a song on the show, which
was noticed by a talent agent who happened to be changing channels and tuned in. The agent contacted the show, which contacted Skarsten’s mom. Much like the plot of Reign, the rest, as they say, is history.
“My mom just said
‘Do you want to do this?’ When I actually went for an audition and booked it, it
was a Honeycomb \[cereal\] commercial. I made $3,000 or
18 Real Style June 2018
PHOTOS, LEFT: INSTARIMAGES, RIGHT: CBS TELEVISION, BRAVO, WARNER BROS. TV