Actress Megan Hutchings stars in BET’s new and highly-‐anticipated legal drama series In Contempt set to make its season premiere on April 10th, 2018
Created by Terri Kopp (Law & Order, In Justice and Rebel), In Contempt is set in the fast-‐paced world of a legal aid office in New York City and follows Gwen Sullivan (Erica Ash), an opinionated attorney whose passion for her job and clients make her arguably the most talented public defender in her district. Gwen contends with complicated cases and office distractions that include Charlie (Chritsian Keyes), the undeserving but still newly appointed supervisor who also happens to be her ex; and Earl (Richard Lawson), her stern and hard-‐to-‐please former father, a former judge.
Megan plays the role of Tracy Campbell, Gwen’s best friend and roommate. She is a sassy lawyer from the South who isn’t afraid to bend or break the rules to get what she wants. Tracy is daring and seductive with deep and dark secrets that lead the viewers to realize she isn’t who she claims to be. In Contempt also stars Ronnie Rowe Jr., Hamza Haq and André Dae Kim.
Megan also stars in the new CBC original comedy series Crawford about a dysfunctional family with three children whose home gets invaded by racoons. Crawford is currently streaming online and will make its broadcast premiere this Summer 2018.
Born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Megan Hutchings started her journey in the world of acting studying with coach David Rotenberg of The Professional Actors Lab at the age of 18. Soon after, Megan landed a recurring role on the W Network‘s The Smart Woman’s Survival Guide. Since then she has starred in major television and film productions including The Listener (CTV), Beauty and the Beast (The CW), The Good Witch (Hallmark Channel), The LA Complex (The CW), Nostrum, A Surrogate’s Terror and The Hazing Secret. Most recently, Megan played the recurring role of Jane in the hit television series Reign (The CW).
Outside of the film and television industry, Megan is a strong advocate for animal welfare, rescues and shelters. She is the founder of the non-‐profit organization Dreams of Rescue where she creates personalized dream catchers with all proceeds donated to a shelter or a rescue. She is also a volunteer for Save Our Scruff, a non-‐profit dog rescue and rehome charity located in Toronto and Southern Ontario and Farmhouse Garden Animal Home, a former cattle ranch that has been turned into a farm sanctuary located in Uxbridge, Ontario.
Megan is an avid yogi, a fitness enthusiast, a vegan and enjoys long walks with her dogs Chloe and Henry.
Check out this amazing interview with Megan below!
Hi, Megan! Thank you for granting the interview. We are excited about “In Contempt.” We especially love that it’s set in New York City. Tell us about your role and character.
Tracy is really bold. She goes after what and who she wants without much hesitation. She lives outside of the lines that society has drawn for women and doesn’t apologize for it. She isn’t afraid to admit that she likes sex and men and sort of does and says as she pleases. She uses her sexuality and beauty to her advantage and has fun doing it! She comes from a complicated and hurtful past that sometimes causes her to make questionable choices. Because of her past, she might sort of mask who she truly is and I found that very human.
Did you do any research for your role?
Tracy is from the South so I watched Southern woman in the media to get an idea of how they carry themselves. I watched news anchors, beauty pageants contestants and lawyers. I also watched a bit of Elle Woods (ha!). I worked with a dialect coach on the accent as well.
Terri Kopp was a public defender in New York so she was a huge resource. She was really generous with her time and knowledge and made her self super available to all of the cast. She was kind enough to draw out diagrams for use of the courtroom, she sent us tons of articles and little clips to get an idea of the fast-paced world these people are working in. I watched many documentaries and news clips as I could. I wanted Tracy to have the fun, playful, sexy Southern thing but also be intelligent and believable as a public defender.
The series is created by Terri Kopp (Law & Order, In Justice and Rebel), so you know we’re jumping for joy! Terri is phenomenal. Tell us about the casting for your role. How were you chosen?
Terri really is amazing. She is such a powerful, strong, creative woman but she’s also so gentle and patient during the creative process. She really gave us a lot of freedom even though this is her baby. She always made me feel supported and good enough – which isn’t always the case on set.
I had an initial in room audition with Jason Knight (love him!) and then I had to tape (which was in my cousin’s bedroom with a bunch of screaming kids downstairs) and then I finally had a Skype meeting with Terri and Farhad the director (also amazing) while I was on vacation on Greece! I was so panicked because the of the time difference, there was zero lighting in my Airbnb and I couldn’t find any suitable clothes in my vacation wardrobe. I thought for sure I had blown it but got a phone call the next day that I had booked the role! I was so excited and grateful to Terri and Farhad for being so kind and patient over Skype.
Tracy is going to face some tension in the series with her ex and her dad, a former judge. Any juicy details you can share, like what to watch for?
Hmmmm . . . I don’t want to give too much away. I’d say pay attention to the little details ?
You also star in the new CBC original comedy series “Crawford” about a dysfunctional family with three children whose home gets invaded by raccoons. OK, we have to laugh because raccoons are feisty, so we know there must be bloopers! There must be! Can we get Mike Clattenburg to hand those over to us?
I’d like to see them too. The whole process of filming Crawford was hilarious and fun – it didn’t feel like work at all!
You were born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, and started your journey in the world of acting, studying with coach David Rotenberg of The Professional Actors Lab at the age of 18. Soon after, you landed a recurring role on the W Network’s “The Smart Woman’s Survival Guide.” Since then you have starred in major television and film productions including “The Listener” (CTV), “Beauty and the Beast” (The CW), “The Good Witch” (Hallmark Channel), “The LA Complex” (The CW), “Nostrum, A Surrogate’s Terror” and “The Hazing Secret.” Most recently, you played the recurring role of Jane in the hit television series “Reign” (The CW). Impressive portfolio! Is there a role you would like to play?
I’d love to play something really gritty. I loved Abbie Cornish’s character in Candy. It would be really cool to play something like Jennifer Lawrence did in Silverlining or Margot in I, Tonya.
You’re a founder of the non-profit organization “Dreams of Rescue,” where you create personalized dream catchers with all proceeds donated to a shelter or a rescue. Tell us more.
Well, the dream is to have my own big rescue one day. I hope to own a large piece of land where I can bring all the animals but for now, I needed a way to give back to what I’m passionate about within my means. I’ve always loved making the dream catchers and I’ve always donated to rescues/shelters whether it be money or time so I thought combining the two would make sense!
Thus far, what has been the best experience working in the industry?
I think just meeting such creative, kind, cool people. There’s a lot of good people in our world who want to support and encourage you. I wouldn’t be where I am without the love of teachers, directors, cast mates, crewmates, my amazing agent Adam Stutt, family and friends. It’s a competitive business full of rejection but it’s cool to be a witness to all the love and good.
Do you have any upcoming projects that we haven’t mentioned?
I have some things in the works right now but you will just have to wait and see! ?
Complete this sentence, if I had an opportunity to do anything I want________.
I would end all animal suffering. 🙂
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Megan Hutchings on IMDB page.
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