Check out our interview with CW’s “Burden of Truth” actress, producer and model Sera-Lys McArthur.
Sera-Lys is a proud member of the Nakota/Assiniboine Nation and was raised by her German-Canadian single mother in southern Saskatchewan. She was most recently seen in season 4 of the Starz’ hit series “Outlander.”
Sera-Lys can be seen on “Burden of Truth” playing the role of ‘Kodie Chartrand’ is brought in as a new recurring role introduced this season. ‘Kodie’ is the childhood best friend of the lead character, ‘Joanna Chang,’ played by Kirstin Kreuk.
Follow Sera-Lys at @seralysmcarthur
Describe yourself in 3 words?
Resourceful, driven and fun!
Who is your role model?
Tantoo Cardinal of ABC’s Stumptown. Her work has been very well known among the Indigenous community for a long time; she is what we would call a veteran actress. She approaches her career with the same tenacity and resilience that I hope to pursue mine with. Her work continuously grows and deepens. She commits to her character portrayals so fully that she makes a huge impression on the projects she’s a part of, even if she’s in as little as one scene. She also makes a big impact in the community and is a role model. She’s unapologetically herself, all the time. I am lucky to have worked with her a few times. The more I get to know her, the more respect I have for her.
How did you get started into acting?
I had joined a kids modeling agency in the small city I am from, Regina, Saskatchewan, because I thought it would be fun. There was a miniseries that came to film nearby and they were looking for a 12-year-old mixed Native American and Caucasian girl to play a dramatic supporting role. The agency sent me on the audition, and I guess I didn’t blow it, because they offered me the role!
How has this changed your life?
I don’t even know who I would be right now if I had never started acting. Working on set was such a wonderful experience, I knew I wanted to keep trying to do it as often as I could. Acting gives me a lot of emotional catharsis in my life and I feel truly fulfilled by it. It’s also very challenging. I’ve gone to some really cool places and met some awesome people while pursuing my career. I’ve even chosen to develop some very fun and enriching hobbies that would be transferable as special skills. It’s given me confidence in so many areas.
What is the best and worst part of being an actress?
Trying to stay positive and motivated in between gigs, especially when you don’t know when or if the next job is coming. It can be a real head trip sometimes.
Tell us about your work in “Burden of Truth?”
I am very proud of my work on this season, and excited to be able to share it with others. It’s a very well written role and I connected to the character on a deep level. I am very grateful to have been chosen to play this role, because I really dig “Kodie.” It’s a very emotional journey and delves into motherhood and friendship in a way that I haven’t had the pleasure of portraying until now.
What is the series about?
The show follows a fierce female lawyer, Joanna Chang (Kristin Kreuk), as she takes on seemingly impossible legal battles which also have extremely high personal stakes for her and the people she loves.
And about your character Kodie Chartrand?
This is the 3rd season, and my character, Kodie Chartrand, is introduced as Joanna’s long lost childhood best friend who has just re-entered her life. Kodie is a single mother of two young girls and also a recovering addict. Life hasn’t been easy for her, but she is very resilient and determined to be a good parent. She is fun, loving, impulsive, emotional and very tough.
What we can expect of Season 3?
Joanna and her boyfriend Billy (Peter Mooney) have started a new boutique law firm together and they are finding it stressful. When they go to their high school reunion, Joanna is reunited with her old friend whom she hasn’t seen in 20 years, Kodie. When Kodie’s kids are apprehended, Joanna enters the new arena of family law to help out her friend. But there is a lot more at stake than first meets the eye. The audience will learn a lot more about the main characters’ histories this season.
What other projects you have been part of?
I had a really awesome guest spot on Season 4 Episode 12 of Outlander (STARZ). The episode was called “Providence” and my character is a Mohawk healer named Johiehon. I had a fun comedic role opposite Cobie Smulders on Episode 203 of Netflix’s Friends From College. I am the female lead in an indie heist film called Robbery which is available on Amazon Prime Video. I have a few more films that are in post production that I am excited about getting released soon: Monkey Beach, The First Encounter, and Don’t Say Its Name. I also had recurring roles on two other Canadian series: Arctic Air (CBC) and Hard Rock Medical (TVO/ APTN).
What is the most rewarding part of your work?
When young aspiring actors ask me for advice. Especially when those young people are from a multicultural ethnic background like me. It makes me happy that they see me as a role model and that my work encourages them to follow their passion.
What kind of roles do you like or would like to play and why?
I love action roles! I would love to play a role which involved horseback riding, archery, sword fighting, or maybe all of the above. I would also really like to do more comedic roles.
What is your favorite healthy food?
Avocado.
And your favorite cheat food?
Gluten-free pizza with goat cheese, chicken, Italian sausage, banana peppers and pineapple.
How would you explain your fashion style?
I like cute, feminine outfits, a little on the boho side, with statement pieces. I definitely like to stand out, in a classy/ funky way.
How would your best friend describe you?
Caring, adventurous and fun.
What’s next for Sera-Lys McArthur in 2020?
I will be the lead producer on an exciting short film called Kiskosimakan (Whistling) by Cree screenwriter and director Thirza Cuthand. We will be working with Darius Films and filming in and around Toronto, Canada.
What is your own definition of happiness?
Feeling excited to wake up in the morning because I am fulfilled by what I am doing, who I am with and where I am. I am feeling pretty happy these days.
What is your idea of a perfect Sunday?
Waking up and taking the dog out to get a cappuccino and macaroons and then walking through Manhattan’s Central Park. Eating a delicious brunch. Watching a Broadway matinee, followed by a nice dinner, some smoky mezcal and some live jazz music.
If you could meet someone living or dead, who would it be and why?
Tina Turner! But I would really hope I could also see her perform at this meeting. She’s so iconic. I used to listen to her all the time when I was little. I still jam out to “Proud Mary” harder than any other song!
Best advice ever given?
Don’t take your reviews personally because if you believe the critics when they say you’re great, then you also have to believe them when they say you’re not.
Name 3 things you can’t live without?
A toothbrush, my suitcase and my passport.
Where do you see yourself and your career in 5 years from now?
Hopefully as the lead in a series, playing a strong female character with an awesome career, like a lawyer, detective, or assassin.
Favorite song? Why?
Right now it’s “Gotta Get Up” by Harry Nilsson. I’ve been a Harry Nilsson fan for a long time now, but I have this song in my head all the time right now specifically because I am amidst watching Russian Doll on Netflix.
What music do you like?
I like squeaky clean British pop, female singer/songwriters from the 70’s-90’s, jammin’ tribal hip-hop dance music, 90’s rap, Dixieland and New Orleans-style combo jazz, and musical theatre.
What do you think of Social Media?
I really enjoy it. I haven’t mastered it yet, and I am eager to learn even more about it. It’s really awesome for staying in touch with people who I don’t get to see on a regular basis anymore. Especially during this pandemic shutdown, it has been a real link to other people. I am a very social person, and so it’s basically been a lifeline to sanity for me lately. It can definitely get overwhelming sometimes, when people get overly excited about political issues and get too aggressive. But all in all, it’s worth the tradeoff. I just disengage when things get too heated. It’s been a really great way to connect with fans. It helps keep my morale high when I receive personal tweets and memes telling me how my work has affected viewers. It reminds me why I love telling stories.
Where we can follow you?
Twitter and Instagram: @seralysmcarthur
Facebook: facebook.com/seralysfan
My website: seralysmcarthur.com
Quote: “You never know unless you ask… and when you ask, sometimes it’s free” **I actually said this once and my friend reminded me of it later ????
Favorite Quote by someone other than me: “In 1492 […] Native North American people discovered Columbus. Poor thing, he was lost, he thought he was in India.” -Buffy Sainte-Marie
Favorite Singer/Artist: Buffy Sainte-Marie
Movie: Cabaret
Travel Destination: It’s a tie between Mexico and Scotland.
Sports Team: Toronto Raptors
Tv Show: Outlander
Book: The Call of the Rift: Flight by Jae Waller
Photo credit – Richard Louissaint
