Kimberly-Sue Murray is an award-winning actress and producer born in Chandler, Eastern Quebec and currently based in Toronto, Canada. Her first big break came when she was cast as Seelie Queen Amara in the acclaimed and widely popular supernatural drama television series ‘Shadowhunters’ (Freeform/Netflix). Kimberly-Sue has amassed a significant body of work in several films and television productions including ‘The Art of Falling in Love’ (UPTV/Super Channel), Twisted (Lifetime), and My Perfect Romance (Netflix). She was also awarded the Brian Linehan Actor Award for her work in the short film ‘She Came Knocking’, which she co-wrote, produced and starred in. Kimberly-Sue now stars as Danika Dubov alongside Ian Somerhalder in the highly anticipated sci-fi horror series V-WARS. We caught up with her to discuss her career and future projects.
Hi Kimberly, thank you for granting the interview. Congratulations on your career to date. You’re currently starring as Danika in the highly anticipated sci-fi horror series V WARS on Netflix. What appealed to you about the role?
Hello! Pleasure is all mine.
Danika is this thirsty, power-driven, smart and often selfish woman turned vampire. She isn’t one to wallow in self-pity but to turn whatever situation to her advantage. You can see how resourceful she is through the series. She’s also very primal and sexual, which was fun to explore. Being a vampire only heightens all of these traits. She finds her tribe, led by Michael Fayne, and the relationship that develops between them is so beautiful and tender. Their bond is definitely what is appealing to me.
You have been performing since you were nine-years-old, focused on a career in the industry. You attended the prestigious Canadian Film Centre’s (CFC) Acting Conservatory, a six-month intensive acting incubator focusing on promoting emerging talent. Please share your experience with the CFC and how it’s helped shape your career
I was new to Toronto and like moving to any new city it takes time to break into the scene. Larissa Giroux, the talent manager at the CFC at the time, scouted me and I auditioned for the program and got in. I had no idea how prestigious it was. The CFC believes in mentorship and networking opportunities, so that’s what we did for six months. We met local casting directors, producers, directors, writers, etc. We worked with different acting coaches such as Lindy Davies and my personal favorite Larry Moss. By the time I graduated from the program, I signed with one of the top agents in the city and had no trouble getting auditions. Many roles came my way because of relationships I had nurtured from my time there. I’m eternally grateful for having the CFC in my corner.
You were awarded the Brian Linehan Actor Award for your work in the short film ‘She Came Knocking’, which you co-wrote, produced and starred in. Please tell readers about this film, your character and how the production came about
John Ainslie (my co-writer and director) and I met through the CFC and always wanted to work together, so we made it happen. We came up with the idea over coffee and developed the idea together. My partner, Ian Macmillan, is a phenomenal cinematographer and came on board. We shot it for very little money with the help of all our friends.
It’s a thriller about a female Uber driver who thinks she witnesses domestic violence and when the police fail to follow up, she takes things into her own hands. It explores our responsibility as bystanders in society. It did really well in the festival run and won Best Short and the Canadian Film Fest. The following year, I was awarded the Brain Linehan Actor Award for my work in the film. I’m pretty sure you can find it online somewhere if anyone is interested in watching it.
Is producing just as important for you as being in front of the camera?
To be honest, I started producing out of necessity because I wasn’t working as much as I wanted or playing the roles I was interested in. I learned by doing it, but I can’t say that I have the skillset to produce anything bigger than a short film. However, I love being involved in the inception and development of ideas and I love seeing a project through from start to finish. I look up to actors who have used their status in the industry to create their own work, like Olivia Wilde, Jessica Biel, Lena Dunham, and Brit Marling. They are my heroes and I will follow in their footsteps if I ever get that kind of leverage.
You’ve garnered a significant body of work, including The Art of Falling in Love (UPTV/Super Channel), Twisted (Lifetime) and My Perfect Romance (NETFLIX). Looking back at your work, what would you say have been the most memorable moments?
Working with Guillermo Del Toro on Crimson Peak was definitely a memorable moment. I had auditioned for a bigger part but didn’t get it. Guillermo offered me a small one-liner role, which one does NOT turn down… because, you know, GUILLERMO! I shot six days on this massive American set and I got to be a fly on the wall and watch Jessica Chastain, Tom Hiddleston, Mia Wasikowska work, as well as Guillermo Del Toro. What a wonderful learning experience! My one-line ended up being off-screen and you only ever see the tip of my hat in the entire film, but I don’t care. The memories are still with me.
Aside from your career, you support The World Wildlife Fund (WWF). How did you get involved in this?
Every year the WWF organizes the CN Tower Climb to raise funds and I teamed up with my hair salon, Hair Artisans (the owner Rebecca Sutherland is responsible for my gorgeous red locks). Next year, I’m attending the Heroes of the Shadow World convention in NYC with my Shadowhunters castmates and I’m donating a percentage of my earnings to WWF.
What other projects should we look forward to seeing you in?
I have a Canadian series, which hasn’t been announced yet, premiering in the Spring of next year, so stay tuned!
Where can our readers find out more about you?
Instagram! hahaha, I’m very active on Instagram. It’s my social media platform of choice. I’m very passionate about photography so there’s a nice balance between my personal life, my work life, and my photography. It’s all on there!
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