Page 28 - Real Style Winter 2016 / 2017

With more than 30 years in the lm and television industry, Wendy Crewson has become something of a Canadian entertain-
ment legend. Since her debut on the silver screen in 1980, she has starred in blockbusters such as Air Force One (alongside Harrison Ford) and The Vow (with Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams). She has also won multiple Geminis, including one for Best Performance for her role in At the End of the Day: The Sue Rodriguez Story, as well as a Canadian Screen Award. Crewson recently
joined Canada’s Walk of
Fame with her very own star.
This issue’s cover girl, Crewson was born in Ham- ilton, Ontario, and raised in Winnipeg. With more than 100 screen credits to her name, she’s perhaps most well-known for her role as Dr. Dana Kinney on the hit medical drama series Sav- ing Hope. Up next, see her in Mark Raso’s lm Ko- dachrome, slated for a 2017 release and featuring co-stars Elizabeth Olsen, Ed Harris and Jason Sudeikis. Crew- son took time from her busy lming schedule to chat with Real Style about winning, her famous co-stars and her dream role.
Real Style: What have been some of your most rewarding moments as a Canadian actress?
Wendy Crewson: Certainly my most reward- ing moments have been the opportunity to portray real Canadians, heroines and lead- ers—women whose courage and strength have lifted us all. Sue Rodriguez [At the End of the Day: The Sue Rodriguez Story], who started our national conversation on physician-assist- ed suicide. Louise Arbour [Hunt for Justice]. Jane Doe [The Many Trials of One Jane Doe].
RS: You’ve played Dr. Dana Kinney on
Saving Hope since 2012. How has your character evolved since then?
WC: Dana has battled cancer and it has changed her. She has recerti ed as a trauma surgeon this past year. She wanted to make sure her life mattered, that she contributed in the most meaningful of ways. Saving lives is what she wants to do and the most direct reali- zation of that is on the front lines of emergen- cy care. There’s even a hint at romance, which I lobbied for, because I want to see women my age on screen living lives as full and meaning- ful as my own.
RS: You’re set to star in the lm Ko- dachrome next year, alongside Elizabeth Olsen and Jason Sudeikis. How was this experience?
WC: Jason is one of the funniest guys I’ve worked with. Very low-key and relaxed, but with a sly wit. It made the set a terri c place. And Elizabeth Olsen was a breath of fresh air. A gorgeous Hollywood actress who didn’t give a hoot about appearing cool. Which of course makes her the coolest girl in the busi- ness.
RS: You’ve worked with major stars like Rachel McAdams, Channing Tatum and Harrison Ford. Do you have a memorable co-star?
WC: Well, bingo. You’ve just named three of the most memorable. I had worked with Rachel years ago in a Canadian indie, Perfect Pie, and was completely astound- ed by her beauty, kindness and exquisite talent. Her rise to megawatt stardom wasn’t surprising to me in the least. Channing was adorable.
And Harrison: The absolute best. Ever.
RS: Last year, you received a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame. How did you react to the news?
WC: Complete and utter disbelief. I thought my agent was kidding. Like it was the set up to some punch line. And then sheer terror that I would have to get up and give a thank you speech and say something meaningful while wearing a tight dress and mile-high shoes.
RS: You still live in Toronto—what do you enjoy about living here?
WC: Toronto’s got big city advantages with a neighbourhood vibe. Gorgeous diversity and a huge artist community. And a forest hike is
28 Real Style Winter 2016/2017
RS: Tell us about your role as Brenda Mer- ritt on Slasher.
WC: Brenda Merritt is a great character and very different from Dana. She’s a hard-living dame, who has been through hell and has come out swinging. I love her tough shell, though at the same time she’s incredibly protective of her granddaughter. Gotta love a gal that carries a gun just in case. I rst met writer/showrunner Aaron Martin on Saving Hope and have been a big fan ever since.
Photos, Left: academy.ca, right: ctv, abc, coLumbia Pictures