SPECIAL REPORT: Tech’s New Stages

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Eighteen months ago, West Hollywood actress Ruth Connell was struggling to get auditions, let alone roles. But everything changed when she was cast as powerful witch Rowena in the popular CW television series “Supernatural,” quickly becoming a fan favorite with viewers. Connell, who was born in Scotland, spoke with the Business Journal about how she’s using social media to boost her profile and business prospects.

Grew up on her family’s farm in “the middle of nowhere” in Scotland.

Was a huge fan of U.S. TV shows and moved to Los Angeles to be part of that world.

Played Captain Hook on the L.A. stage in acclaimed 2013 play “Peter Pan: The Boy Who Hated Mothers.”

Watched 14 episodes of “Supernatural” back to back over a weekend as preparation to audition for the show.

Question: How has this job changed your life?

Answer: It’s wonderful to be a solvent actress. I’m getting paid to do what I love and have trained hard to do. When I read for “Supernatural,” it was my first U.S. TV audition in over two years. It was with lovely casting director Robert Ulrich, who doesn’t just audition actors from the top-tier agencies, and I wanted to make that chance count. I’ve had a few near breakthroughs in my career, this felt like make or break and it’s gone as splendidly as I could have hoped for. The people I work for seem happy with my contribution and I get messages from our fans from all over the world. It thoroughly boggles my mind. 

How have streaming content and social media helped you grow that fan base?

Our show has been on for 11 seasons and we have fans who have watched it from the start and others who have discovered it much more recently, largely thanks to “Supernatural” having now appeared on Netflix. Social mediawise, I’ve gone from pretty much zero to almost 300,000 followers in 18 months. I love that William Shatner even tweets about my character, Rowena, and checks in on me occasionally to see how I’m doing. I’m always updating my social media and love interacting with our fans online. It pays dividends in terms of opportunities in that I’m attending a convention next month in New Zealand just as a result of some Twitter interaction.

How can a television series regular like yourself use their fame to make extra income?

I’m still trying to work that one out fully! Via convention appearances is an obvious answer, with genre shows especially. Also, through my involvement with the merchandising company Creation Stands, there is now a Rowena T-shirt. One of the nicest parts about being involved with the merchandising is that I’m able to help support the breast cancer charity My Hope Chest through donating part of the profits and raising awareness of the practical support they offer women.

How much do you think about the business aspect of your showbiz career?

The business aspect of my career is important to me. I see it as part of what needs to be done well so that I can have as many and great artistic opportunities as possible. I’ve produced a few plays and short films. I hope to direct and produce more in the future once I have gained greater experience in front of the camera.

You live in Los Angeles but your show is filmed in Canada. Why do you, and so many other local performers, have to travel there for work?

Partly because the U.S. dollar goes a lot further in Canada by the time you exchange the sums it would take to make a season of a TV show or a movie. There are also labor-based tax incentives in British Columbia where we shoot. That and there’s lots of space and great crews. I brought a bit of Canada home with me by buying my favorite picture – a painting of a cow that had Canadian maple leaf material woven into it. I find that uplifting and humorous.

What is the biggest challenge facing actresses in Los Angeles today?

Oh, Lordy! That we have lived in a patriarchal society for a couple thousand years. Things are shifting as I hope are our own glass ceilings. I’m trying to overcome it by working on myself and my own attitudes and confidence. Life is an inside job. In a theater company I used to run my only stipulation was that there were just as many parts for women as men. Not more than, just the same as – equal.

What advice would you offer anyone going into the entertainment business?

Have as strong a support system around you as possible, however you build it. Some have families, some have friends, some have a shrink. Whatever works.

How has “Supernatural” survived and thrived for 11 seasons while so many other shows have fallen by the wayside?

I feel that the conventions and the relationship the actors have with the fans has been a big factor. There is a fantastic production team who continue to write imaginative, varied episodes with more than a splash of humor. The producers’ and writers’ great attitudes filter down through the ecosystem. I’m just privileged to have joined in on the ride.

Your character was seemingly killed off in a recent shock episode. Is this really the end of Rowena?

They say no one is ever really dead on “Supernatural.” No one is safe either. I can’t say anything. But it’s nice that a bring-back Rowena campaign has been trending on Twitter.

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