Rachel Nichols’ film and television credits are varied – not only does she star in the critically-acclaimed drama “Continuum,” which was nominated for three 2014 Canadian Screen Awards and kicks off a new season on Sunday, March 16th at 9pm on Showcase, but she’s also been a regular on hit shows like “Criminal Minds” and “Alias” as well as appeared on the big screen in such flicks as “Alex Cross” with Tyler Perry and Matthew Fox, “Conan the Barbarian,” and “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra.”
She just wrapped up the movie “Tokarev” with Danny Glover and Nicolas Cage.
This Maine-born actress is enjoying living with her Canadian fiancé in Vancouver, honing her hockey fan skills and balancing her film and television work. What did she tell us about the difference between American and Canadian men?
CraveOnline: Tell us about your work on “Continuum”?
Rachel Nichols: We started shooting Season 3 in December and I saw the premiere yesterday at ComicCon, which was really exciting. At the end of Season 2 we left a devastated Kiera after [she had been] abandoned by Alec. Without giving too much away, Kiera has to go back and confront Alec and does that at the beginning of Season 3.
And we hear you’ve been also working on a few film projects?
After we finished shooting the show I went to Mobile, Alabama and filmed “Tokarev,” which is making the festival circuit. We had a great time.
Which medium do you prefer: TV acting or movie acting?
I like to mix it up. I like the speed and turnaround of TV. TV is very fast-paced and you get a lot done because you have to. You can wait years for a movie to come out, especially if there’s a lot of post-work. I like to alternate between the two – it keeps things fresh.
Any thoughts on working behind the camera?
I get asked that a lot, and the more I’m asked that the more I’m inclined to say yes. Every time I work with a strong female director I tell myself, “I could do this.” But do I want to? It scares me but one day I’ll be willing to try it.
You’re so busy working, what do you do when you have time off?
Right now I’m planning my wedding. [My fiancé and I] do a lot of relaxing – we try and work out and be outdoorsy. We like to bike in the summer where we live in Vancouver. Also we really like to veg on the sofa and catch up on “House of Cards.”
So you’re living in Vancouver – what do you think?
I do now. I’ve given up my LA apartment and I love Vancouver. I really do. When I was living in LA and going to school in New York I was worried about where I’d raise my kids, but Vancouver is the perfect place. It’s beautiful. We live in North Van and love the area.
And you’re engaged to a Canadian? Are Canadian men different from American?
I find it hard to come up with any stark differences (laughs). All men love sports, which is good because I love sports. But most American men are into football and for Canadian men it’s hockey. It’s new for me becoming a hockey fan, but I’m becoming more and more Canadian by the day.
