One of the best shows of the year!
The TV show that everyone is talking about right now is the new Amazon Prime Video series ‘CROSS’. The cast is stellar, with one of the leading actresses being the ever so talented Jennifer Wigmore.
We had the absolute pleasure of speaking with Jennifer about her role in ‘Y: The Last Man’, her undeniable painting skills, and more!
When did you first realize that you wanted to pursue a career in acting?
J: “My father was an actor and a theatre director, so I have always been surrounded by artists and makers from a very young age. I think I always knew I was an artist of some stripe and dabbled with all kinds of art forms… still do. I consider myself a multidisciplinary polymath! So, to answer your question, yes, I have known from the beginning that I would be an artist in some way shape or form.”
Congratulations on your role in ‘CROSS’! What was that filming experience like for you? Any highlights?
J: “Building a complicated, rounded and fun character who is the foil to CROSS in many ways, was a dream come true and a career highlight. Our showrunner Ben Watkins and our lead actor Aldis Hodge set the tone for a playful, inclusive and collaborative set. It was a joy to go to work and we really are like a family on set and off.”
Do you think you have anything in common with your character April Anderson?
J: “I hope I have many things in common with April. She’s a woman who has broken through the glass ceiling in a male-dominated profession and who has ambitions for herself and expectations of others to do their best. While Anderson and Cross butt heads a lot, I think ultimately she knows he is exceptional at his job, even if she has to wrap his knuckles for breaking the rules.”
For those who haven’t binge-watched the entire premiere season just yet, what can viewers expect from the first season?
J: “I think fans can expect a lot of twists and some very unexpected turns. They will not know what’s coming. Our writers are masters at keeping you on the edge of your seat and unfolding the multiple stories in ways that will have you binge-watching this show.”
If you had to choose, which of your previous roles would you say you connected with or enjoyed the most?
J: “I think I have been very fortunate to play a myriad of women who are well rounded and complicated. I very much enjoyed the freedom of playing Regina Oliver in Y: The Last Man. A character who was very different from me in her belief system and absolutely unapologetic about it. That was really fun. But I believe it’s my job to connect with all my characters in some way, they are all part of me and it’s important to make them real people who have complex emotions and reasons for why they are like they are.”
Can you tell us more about The Association of Acting Coaches and Educators and how it came to be?
J: “During the #MeToo movement, I worked with a grassroots group called Got Your Back. We helped female identifying artists finally voice the systemic abuses they were facing in the entertainment industry. Those stories also included their experiences with acting coaches and training programs. The industry has a problem, and there were no minimum standards or best practices guiding acting coaches. AACE started by gathering together concerned industry partners, knowledgeable and dedicated educators, grassroots community groups and students. We created a code of Code of Conduct, and Member guide to help bring oversight and best practices to the sector. But at the core of AACE is education. Educating the educators. Creating a community where coaches can learn, share and grow together. AACE members have made a
positive commitment to work together to educate, support each other and create safer work
environments for both students and coaches.”
We have got to talk about your insane art skills! How did you cultivate your talent and how do
you find inspiration for your pieces?
J: “Oh, why thank you. When I turned 40, I quit acting for 10 years and pulled a full Joni Mitchell and became a painter. I certainly consider all my artistic pursuits as an extension of myself. They all stem from the same place, from my artists heart, whether that be writing, painting or acting. And as for inspiration… that is EVERYWHERE, you just have to be open to see it.”
Where can we follow your amazing journey?
J: “CROSS premiered on Amazon Prime on November 14th. You can find me on my website at
jenniferwigmore.com or on Instagram at @jenniferwigmore and @jenniferwigmoreart.”
Make sure to watch Jennifer in ‘CROSS’, streaming now on Prime Video!
Photo Credit: Kristina Ruddick
Je’Kayla Crawford– Founder and Director– Je’Kayla has been a journalist for years and decided to start a publication of her own, New Scene Magazine, back in October 2020. When not helping her team and working on their print issues, you can find her watching a movie on Netflix or baking using a viral TikTok recipe.
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