Helen Johns was born and raised in the UK and found her love for acting at the early age of three. She pursued her passion for the performing arts by attending the prestigious Mountview Academy of Dramatic Arts in London and, after graduating, was cast in a stage production of The Rover, a 17th century Restoration comedy by renowned playwright Aphra Behn. She continued fulfilling her love for the art, making the transition to film and television by landing a role in the drama series THE LISTENER (CTV/NBC). Helen has now built a significant body of work, featuring in several film and television productions. We spoke to her about her career, including her role in the popular television series ‘Anne with an E’.
Hi, Helen! Thank you for granting the interview. Congratulations on your role in the TV series ‘Anne with an E’. Firstly, please tell us how you got the role?
I’ve done quite a lot of TV work in Canada, and the casting director for the show – Stephanie Gorin – thought I might be right for the role. I was living in London at that point, so I did a taped audition from home. The scene involved Mrs. Barry complaining to Mr. Barry about the arrival of an orphan to Avonlea, with Diana interjecting, Minnie May causing trouble and the maid coming in and out. So, much like many of the scenes, we do on the show. I guess the production team liked what I did!
What should fans expect from your character in season three?
Well, Anne turns 16 this season, so the trials and tribulations of her and her friends are a bit different now. They are looking to their futures and trying to decide where they fit in the world. Careers? University? Marriage? There’s a lot at stake. And those who are familiar with the Barry family dynamic can imagine how Mrs. Barry feels about that…
You’ve amassed a body of work in both film and television since your years at Mountview Academy of Dramatic Arts in the UK? To date, what has been your career highlight and why?
Becoming a regular character on Anne has been a highlight. I love being part of the show, and the family that we have now become. Getting my first TV job was so cool too. It was my first ever TV audition, for a Canadian show called The Listener. I had a really fun time doing a lovely little scene, and the writers liked what I did so they added some other scenes for me later in the season.
You’re about to star in the new FX series Mrs. America with award-winning actress Cate Blanchett and the animated feature ‘Charlotte.’ Please tell us more about these roles
Yes, I was able to work on this in-between filming season three of Anne with an E. Both projects are out in 2020. Mrs. America is going to be great. It’s about the efforts to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment in the 1970s, so a completely different period piece. Charlotte is set in the 30s/40s and is a true story about a German-Jewish painter Charlotte Salomon. It’s a very moving film.
You’re very busy at present. Do you have anything else in the pipeline we can look forward to?
I’ve got a series of audiobooks coming up, so keep your ears on Audible…
So where can we keep up to date with your activities?
You can follow me on Instagram at @helenjohns00
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