‘Working Moms’ Nikki Duval Talks Season 6, Working With Catherine Reitman, And Upcoming Projects

Nikki Duvall is a Canadian actress and assistant director best known for her role as Rosie in Workin Moms. If you love the Netflix series you will know that Nikki Duval is the lovable and slightly awkward assistant with a naughty side hustle. 

With Season 6 currently being filmed, we chatted to Nikki about how she got into acting, what she really thinks of Catherine Reitman and how she keeps her natural red hair looking so gorgeous. 

How did you first get into acting?

N: “I’m mostly known for my film and tv work but I’m actually a theatre kid at heart. I looooved being onstage all throughout my youth. I was just this ball of tween-teenage angst and emotion desperate for an outlet to express myself! I grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba with middle class, hard-working parents, so the idea of being in the arts, let alone pursuing acting professionally, felt very far fetched. 

Even in my fantasy daydreams of acting, I couldn’t imagine it ever becoming a reality. Little did I know, when I took theatre in University, how quickly that would all change. I just realized that I belonged in that world no matter what, and I went for it. Each step I made, led to another opportunity and with each step, the clearer it was to me that my daydreams were becoming a reality. I got into The National Theatre School of Canada in Montreal and it was there where my vision of my future as an actor was solidified.

It was actually possible. After graduating, my agent threw me into the world of film and tv, and YES: There is a difference between the two! Believe me. I was definitely a not so subtle theatre actor on camera at first lol. I would get ALOT of notes to tone it down, but now I love being on set more than anything and I’ve been very lucky with the opportunities I’ve been given.”

Which do you prefer to work on a series or film?

N: “I would say Both! They both have their own unique experiences. With a series, it’s definitely more fast-paced. Which is a great way to do comedy. You can be quick and light and have so much fun with the scripts. I also absolutely love being able to revisit a role year after year. Rosie (from Workin Moms), for instance, is just such a fun person to come back to. 

I get so excited to see the storylines and what the writers have created each year! When I work on a film, I do love the sense that you get the full story, you get to know your characters full journey from the start to end of the film. And I do think there is usually more breath in a film, you get more time on scenes which allows you to explore and go deeper into that world.”

I’m a huge fan of Workin’ Moms what was it like being on set with such an incredible cast?

N: “It’s honestly, the best! The scripts themselves are wildly hilarious which just makes my job so much easier! My only selfish qualm is that I wish I got to play with the whole main cast! I love Dani Kind, Juno Rinaldi, Jessalyn Wanlim, Ryan Belleville, Sarah McVie! (To name a few) They are all such powerhouse comedians and I am in continued awe of their work, season after season.

When it comes to those I do shoot with, I feel deeply lucky and appreciative. Shout out to Kevin Vidal, Peter Keleghan and, of course, Catherine Reitman who make me laugh daily. We get to improv and be silly and vulnerable and make this beast of a show come to life together. It’s very rewarding.”

How did it feel when you found out you got the part of Rosie and worked with Catherine Reitman?

N: “I first met Catherine during a callback for Workin Moms here in Toronto and I’ll never forget it-she told me: that I had beautiful hair and eyes. From that moment I was hooked. I was like “Okay! So kind! Marry me please!” We had so much fun in the room doing the scenes and improvising a bit afterwards. I just knew I needed to work with this woman. 

I was actually up for another part on the show and I thought my chance was gone, but when I found out I got the part of Rosie, of course, I was over the moon! It was my first recurring role on a show-I just couldn’t believe it! Working with Catherine has been inspiring. She is a master at her craft. She juggles being the lead actor, head writer, creator, showrunner and director effortlessly. She’s also a hilariously talented improviser. Which is intimidating and an absolute dream to watch.”

Will we see more of Rosie in season 6?

N: “Yes! Your awkward (yet charming) girl is back for season 6! We start shooting very soon-I can’t wait to get started.”

Can you give us any hints as to what to expect in the next season?

N: “Unfortunately, I am sworn to secrecy. Can’t give away the goods! But I will say that after our virtual read through of all the scripts I think this is our best season yet!”

In the film Escaping the Madhouse you had a very convincing Irish accent- how did you practice and perfect it?

N: “First of all, thank you. That is a very generous compliment. I’m not sure if I perfected it! Lol When I got the audition-it said that they wanted either an Irish or Scottish accent. I do a terrible Scottish accent and I believe I had one evening to learn the sides so I just went for it! Strong and wrong! When I found out I booked the part I assumed I would be having a dialect coach on set. But apparently, they thought my accent was so convincing that they thought I was from Ireland., which made me laugh.

 I wanted to portray an accurate dialect- so I sourced a few Irish people with different dialects and asked them to say my lines in their voice. After that, I decided on a region my character would have been from but adjusted her accent because she had been living in America for some time. I would practice a lot off set but found it very helpful to continue the accent between shots, eventually, it became second nature to me.”

Your hair always looks beautiful, are you a natural redhead and what do you do to look after it?

N: “Another lovely compliment! Thank you! Yes, I am a natural redhead. And I don’t do much to my hair. Thankfully we have amazing hairstylists onset that makes my hair glow every day. I am very proud of my red-headed genes that I get from my grandmother. (Shout out to Ruth!) Interestingly enough though as a child/teenager-even early adult- I hated my red hair. I got bullied a lot for it and I was always insecure about being different. I even dyed my hair black for many years. It’s wild to think of now because I identify very strongly as a redhead. I am so happy that I’ve embraced my true self. As we all should! Don’t listen to the haters y’all!”

What do you have planned for your career for the rest of the year?

N: “I’ve actually just recently wrapped a new series called STRAYS that premieres September 14th on CBC and CBCGem. It’s a workplace comedy set in Hamilton, Ontario in an animal shelter. I’ve joined the main cast, who are a bunch of misfits forced together to care for these animals. The title truly speaks to both the animals and employees lol. I think the scripts are absolutely hilarious and the whole cast and crew were a delight to work with. I can’t wait for it to premiere!”

Where can we follow your amazing journey?

N: “You can follow me on Instagram @nikkiduval. I definitely post career-related stuff but also you can find me stuck in my apartment updating you on things like how much my plants (my children) have grown over the past year. It’s worth the follow for sure.”

Interview Written and Conducted by: Natalie Dixon

Photography Credit- Stephen Tracey

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Natalie Dixon– UK Entertainment Editor – Natalie started her journalism career studying at the prestigious Conde Nast College in London Uk. Conde Nast is the Publication brand that owns Vogue, Tatler and GQ. Natalie loves her home comforts; give her a bar of a chocolate and a Netflix murder documentary and she will be happy.