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No stranger to the big and small screens, Laura Regan is a talented actress with a diverse and impressive resume. Laura will soon be seen starring as a LEAD in the upcoming Fox series, Minority Report, which is based off of the 2002 Steven Spielberg hit film of the same name starring Tom Cruise. Laura will play Agatha, the precognitive with the strongest ability to see the future, played in the film by Samantha Morton. Agatha, who is Dash and Arthur’s reclusive foster sister, complicates matters by just wanting Dash to return home. The series is slated to air this fall on Fox.
On the film front, Regan had her feature film debut in M. Night Shyamalan’s Unbreakable with Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson before her leading debut in the thriller Wes Craven Presents: They for Dimension Films, proving from the start that she can hold her own alongside some of Hollywood’s most respected actors. She has gone on to co-star in notable films such as: James Wan’s feature Dead Silence (Universal Pictures) opposite Ryan Kwanten, Hollow Man 2 (Sony Pictures) opposite Christian Slater (20th Century Fox), Tony Goldwyn’s Someone Like You opposite Hugh Jackman, Ashley Judd, and Greg Kinnear, and My Little Eye (Focus Features) alongside Bradley Cooper. Recently, Laura starred as the lead role of Dagny Taggart, originally played by Taylor Schilling (“Orange is the New Black”), in the feature film Atlas Shrugged: Who is John Galt, as she fights the increasingly authoritative government. The film, released on September 12, 2014, was the third and final installment of the franchise, based on Ayn Rand’s iconic 1957 dystopian novel “Atlas Shrugged”.
In addition to her remarkable roles in film, Laura was recently seen recurring on the award-winning series Mad Men. She has also starred in the title role in the NBC television movie Saving Jessica Lynch, based on the unforgettable real-life event that made headlines around the world. Additional TV guest roles include shows such as NCIS: Los Angeles, Constantine, Castle, The Closer, Bones, Nikita, Burn Notice, and Without a Trace.
Aside from being a talented actress, Laura loves to do whatever she can to help the planet. She passionately supports the Sierra Club, EarthJustice, Doctors without Borders, and the NRDC.
Laura currently resides in Los Angeles with her husband and two children.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”23145″ img_size=”large”][vc_column_text]
Hi Laura, Tell us a little about yourself We’re sure you have been asked this million times but how did you get in the industry?
The short version is, I worked for my place in this business. The more detailed version: I didn’t know anyone who was remotely connected to a professional actor. I moved to New York, took acting classes and went to every appropriate open audition I found in Backstage magazine. I had a commercial and modeling agent, but even that didn’t help me get auditions. I bought a list of managers from a headshot photo printing place and I wrote letters to all of them, waited a long time. Out of the call backs, one was great. The same week I was introduced to an agent who this manager knew and they both decided to take me on. The first audition they sent me to was for Unbreakable, and I got the job. I guess that’s when I was officially “in” the industry!
Did you always know you wanted to act?
No, I wanted to be a ballet dancer and was dancing seriously until I was fifteen, when I dislocated my knee. It was not until I took an acting class during university that I realized how much I had missed having a creative outlet.
Tell us about your upcoming leading role in Minority Report?
My character, Agatha, is precognitive – she can see certain elements of the future, especially murders that will be happening anywhere around her. At the beginning of the series, she is living in seclusion to protect herself from the trauma of these haunting visions. She feels that society exploited her and her brothers in the Pre-Crime program. She is also worried about her brothers in DC and there are people who are looking for her. People who know more about her gift, so she won’t stay secluded for long. She is complicated person, and we will get to see lots of facets of her personality.
What will Minority Report be about?
It is a futuristic crime drama with science fiction elements. It is about a guy who is haunted by visions of future crimes and desperately has to try to stop them. His precognitive ability makes him akin to a superhero, but he is also very much a normal guy trying to fit in.
You recently played the role of Dagny Taggart in Atlas Shrugged: Part III (Who is John Galt?). Tell us about it?
This was a great role for me, Dagny is an American literary heroine. It was great to play such a strong and decisive character.
You worked before with big names as Hugh Jackman and Ashley Judd, how was it?
“Someone Like You” was only my second film and I was very nervous to work with all these well known actors. They were great! Hugh Jackman was especially lovely to me, making sure I knew what was going on, helping me find my way around the set. He could tell I was very green!
What about your role as Jennifer Crane in Mad Men?
It was awesome to be a part of this era defining show. I only wish Jennifer had accompanied Harry to more of the SDCP parties!
What has been your favorite role so far?
I honestly think playing Agatha on Minority Report is my favorite. There is such a rich backstory for me. She was a drug baby who was cured but then had the side effect of being precognitive. Then she lived in service to the Pre-Crime program, floating in a milk bath, sedated, waiting for these haunting visions of future crimes. She was then released in a kind of pre-cog witness protection program. She could literally go anywhere from here!
What’s the best part of being an actress?
For me, it is the actual work. Getting to bring scenes to life. The thrill of making a character come alive.
Do you prefer to work on Movies or TV Series?
The medium does not really matter to me, I just like a complex role that I can sink my teeth into. I suppose the key difference is that with a film you know the whole story and your character’s arc before you shoot. Whereas with TV, you wait to see where the writers take you. With my new series, it is a great opportunity to take my character on a nice, long, open ended journey!
Name one your strengths?
I am empathetic; I can usually see things from someone else’s perspective.
Who has made the biggest impact on your life so far, and why?
My kids. Even though they have only been around for 4 years and 1 year, being a parent has changed me more than any other single experience. I learn from them every day, and they remind me to slow down and appreciate all the little things.
Any advice to young upcoming talent?
Always be a student. You can always learn more about the craft of acting, and more about life – which will enrich your acting.
3 things you can’t live without?
A full water canteen, moisturizer, more water.
Can you describe a typical day in your life?
There is NO typical day! That is one of the great and crazy things about being an actor. If I am at work it starts with hair and makeup, getting into wardrobe, rehearsing, warming up my voice in my trailer, shooting scenes, snacking at craft service, chatting with other actors and crew, shooting more scenes til the day is done. If I am not at work, I am reading scripts, learning lines, analyzing a role, maybe auditioning, doing a ballet or pilates class. The mom stuff is every day: feeding my kids, playing silly games with them, trying to get sunscreen on them, etc, etc!
Any loves other than acting?
Ballet.
Something people don’t know about you?
I’m horribly indecisive.
Favorite Quote: “Try to be rainbow in someone’s cloud” – Maya Angelou
Favorite music: Anything with clever, intricate lyrics.
Favorite Travel destination: Nova Scotia, Canada – my native land and SO green and beautiful!
Favorite Food: Carbs
Favorite Drink: Watermelon juice / Almond Milk Chai Tea Latte
Favorite Song: Twinkle Twinkle as sung by my 1 year old, who says “Twinkle, twinkle little star, like a dinosaur..
Where we can follow you?
Twitter: @TheLauraRegan
Instagram: @thelauraregan
Facebook: /Laura-Regan/387604844711652
[/vc_column_text][vc_separator][vc_column_text]Photo credit: Russell Baer[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
