'Sullivan's Crossing' star Morgan Kohan reflects on the 'pressure' of leading hit show: 'You definitely question yourself'

Yahoo

a day ago

Toronto-based actor Morgan Kohan quickly stole the hearts of Sullivan's Crossing fans playing lead Maggie Sullivan in the hit show. Originally from British Columbia, Kohan's initial love of dance transitioned to acting for the talented star, who's become one of Canada's most beloved stars.
Kohan spoke to Yahoo Canada about how she navigated her career, from a musical theatre program and audition for student films, to leading an internationally successful series. In addition to reflecting on other projects she's worked on, including When Hope Calls and Murdoch Mysteries.Video Transcript
I feel like I've definitely found my footing more so now, after a couple of seasons.
But that first one was like, you know, you definitely question yourself too often, I have feelings about this.
I feel like this is the right decision or, or it should go this way, but people don't know me and maybe don't, aren't going to listen in the same kind of way and when to speak up and when not to, and um yeah, it was, it's, yeah, it's an interesting thing.
It definitely was an interesting time, yeah.
I know you kind of started as a dancer, and that was kind of like a particular passion for you, and then you ended up later coming to Toronto and doing a musical theater program, but what really made you say, yeah, you know, and I think this is something I want to pursue, like as a job, as a career.
I don't know.
I think it just always kind of felt right.
It kind of, um, I feel like that path kind of opened in a way as I went from dance to the schooling, and the schooling that I did was all theater-based, um.
Which was incredible, but it was funny because um, I have not since auditioned for theater, like never once after graduating.
I think there was just something that I knew, like something that I, I felt, um, I don't know, like, yeah, eventually film and TV would maybe be more, my fit.
So I don't know that there was ever like a clear moment, but it just kind of felt.
Like the path kind of opened and it just felt right.
When you were kind of getting started and you were starting to go to auditions and you were trying to do that, what was it like to just, just navigate that landscape?
Cause I know it can be a little tricky.
I mean, I, I had no idea what I was doing.
No idea, especially because like with, I mean, I think anybody starting, you can't, yeah, you just got to figure it out.
You gotta fail really hard a lot.
Um, but I enjoyed it.
Like I remember, um.
Like I did a ton of student films.
That was how I originally, you know, before I had an agent, I'd just be on.
It used to be like Mandi.com and you'd find your own breakdowns and, um, taking like the TTC out to Peel and then a bus to like some random person's house to audition in, which now you're like, What were you doing?
Um.
But it was fun, and I remember, like, you know, you get so excited about, um, a callback for, yeah, that one line in a student film kind of thing, like it was just the best.
So, I, um, yeah, I don't know.
I remember having a lot of fun with it, but also it was definitely that balance of, um, of, I mean, I feel for anybody's employers at that time too.
You're trying to hold a job and also get out to Brampton in the middle of the day and then back to your job for a night or whatever it was.
Yeah.
Do you remember your first time like on a professional set and what that was?
My first union job was Murdoch Mysteries.
Um, and I can remember it very clearly.
Well, because the second day I was on set was the day that Trump was elected the first time.
So it was, like, it was quite a vibe.
I was like, I don't think this is a normal set right now, but, um, yeah, it was crazy.
So I can very clearly remember that day.
That show was like a machine at this point, probably at that point because they'd been on for so long, they were really kind of dialed into what needs to happen.
What was it like?
I know under the circumstances, a little bit of a weird time to happen to be there, but, but what was it like to just at least see how that was operating?
Amazing.
Like, it was just so cool.
Um, yeah, 'cause it really is a machine, and that was 2016, so, oh God, how many years ago is that?
Like a minute, and there were, it was already like so smooth at that point.
I can only imagine what it's like now, too.
But yeah, I remember, like, from wardrobe being on set and walking around, everything was like all dressed and it was so calm, too, I think, because everybody just knew what they were doing, and it was like, you know, it was a Monday for them or whatever.
When you started landing Murdoch Mysteries and started doing, you know, an episode here, an episode there, um, did you feel that momentum starting to build for you?
Did that feel good that you were like, OK, I'm getting a role here?
Well, an episode here.
What was your kind of mindset like then?
I mean, even the smallest thing, like a commercial or anything, anything is so exciting.
Because it really is, I think, especially at the beginning, it's so hard to get started and to get into the union, to then start booking the roles and, and get casting familiar with you and trusting you that you can, um, you know, if you were to be hired, that you're not gonna let them down on the day kind of thing.
Um, but no, I, I was very excited.
I, it took, a little bit, as it probably should, off the top, to um kind of get my feet and, and slowly build up.
But yeah, I think I've, I've been very lucky in the progression that I've had.
Its felt like a nice ride, um, because you have Sullivan's Crossing, you have One Calls the Heart, you have all these things.
Um, but what did it feel like when you got to kind of land those roles to be like, oh, I'm like really high up here on the call sheet, like this is my thing.
When Holk Calls, when I first booked that, that was, um, originally just a guest star on One Calls the Heart with a potential for a spinoff, but it was not, not a shoe-in; like it wasn't a real thing.
So we did the episode, and it was great, or it was two episodes, and um, they're just kind of waiting, and then when it actually happened, its like, wait.
Are you sure?
Are you sure this is a real thing?
Are you sure you want me?
Because yeah, it was from a guest star to number one on a show that was crazy, um.
Yeah, it was incredible, like so incredible.
I'm very, very grateful for that show and the opportunity that that, like, yeah, love me too.
It has everythingthat's like Hallmarks very specific look, feel, attitude.
Like you kind of know what it is before you even hear anyone say anything; you can kind of get it.
What was it like to kind of step into that aesthetic and that kind of show in particular?
I mean, it was lovely.
I think our first season, like the the first season, which was a good chunk of years ago now, um.
Yeah, it was exciting also because we had like they built the town on location, so it wasn't like we were jumping around.
Um, it was really exciting too, yeah, because it was a period piece.
So we had all of our wardrobe built for us, um.
And yeah, I mean, I think I really did approach it in that way.
Being aware of the channel that it's on and what people want from it, but also I always try to keep things like, to what I would like to do with the role too, and try to keep it as grounded and as real for me as I possibly can, kind of thing, um, and I think I was very lucky of them allowing me to do that too, you know.
Sullivan's Crossing.
I mean, I even remember like when the show was announced and just seeing Chad Michael Murray and Scott Patterson on that poster, everyone was like, hold on a second, what is happening?
What was it like to enter that world?
But specifically when you had two people that you knew, everyone was going to be really excited about, like all over the world.
It was very exciting.
I think it equally hm, I think there was almost pressure in both ways.
Like it almost took the pressure off because all of the focus was on those two, because everybody knew them and were excited about them.
But then also there is the self pressure really of anything.
Um, and yeah, of like wanting to hold my own within that, you know, and being relatively unknown, not a lot of people are necessarily familiar with me, so I think, yeah, it was both, like made it easier and harder.
Chad especially has always been so in my corner and so supportive, and if ever people were kind of, um, focusing on him when it came to decisions or talks or anything, he'd be like, well, this is Morgan's show, or this is our show kind of thing.
Like he really is so wonderful at keeping me a part of it too, because it is a balance.
I mean, I feel like I've definitely found my footing more so now, after a couple seasons, but that first one was like, you know, you definitely question yourself too of I have feelings about this.
I feel like this is the right decision or, or, or it should go this way, but people don't know me and maybe don't, aren't gonna listen in the same kind of way and.
When to speak up and when not to.
And, um, yeah, it was, it's an interesting thing.
It definitely was an interesting time, yeah.
I have to dive into the finale from Sullivan's Crossing because that last moment I was like, no way we went here.
What did you kind of think when you read that final moment of the season?
I think I started laughing.
Like in a great way, like, oh yes.
Because it's just like, yeah, you know something's coming, and I like I did know that Liam would eventually show up at the beginning, we didn't quite know when.
Um, how soon he'd show up.
Uh, but yeah, my favorite, my favorite part, like, I mean, it's what, like three lines, but it's, hey Red, like that's so familial or familiar and like intimate in a way too.
Like it says so much just in that.
I love it.
How do you think your relationship is like changed to Maggie in particular being able to play her for so long?
I've gotten more protective over her cause I feel like why I know her so much more now, um.
Yeah, I think just more protective if anything.
I think one of the great things from this season, and something that I was curious about heading into this season, because like, she's a doctor and she feels really passionately about her career, which we've established kind of from the beginning of the show.
She takes it really seriously, and this concept of her moving to the Crossing and potentially leaving her career behind, but really showing that like, she comes to the place to understand she doesn't necessarily have to completely compromise.
I liked it because I liked that she wasn't like, I'm just gonna leave my career behind and go live with Cal and it's gonna be great, cause as much as that's like a really aspirational story for many, I'm like I still want her to like work and be like a doctor.
Um what was it like to be able to kind of get to that place with her as well for season 3?
I mean, great, I think that's where she needs to end up, um.
Yeah, because I, I feel the same way when I see those storylines.
I'm like, yeah, it's cute, but also like me, I'm like, no, they love their job, they love what they're doing.
Like, sure, that's beautiful and romantic and picturesque and whatever, but you're leaving a part of yourself, and that very much is a part of her.
So I'm very happy that this is.
You know, where she's at now, and yeah, found some, some footing there.
When you look back at your career, is there a job or a role, and it can be ones that we talked about or other ones that you think was just particularly important to you or sticks with you, whether the role was big or small, but something that you think really impacted you.
The one that sticks out for me actually is I did a couple episodes on a show, Ransom.
It was definitely earlier on for me, um, but it was more, uh, one of the directors I worked with.
It's, I think, more the people I work with that really impact me.
Um.
Yeah, he was just Bruce McDonald.
He was, um, just like a legend and the sweetest.
Kind, calm, and trusting.
If I'd ask a question about something, you'd be like, well, what do you think?
And not in like a rude way or like you should know this, but more in a supportive like, well, what are your thoughts behind this?
Like how would you like to approach it?
And I remember, um, yeah, it was sweet.
I remember the one episode we did after there was one big scene, um.
And he very casually was like, well, I'm gonna be really cheering for you when you win your first Oscar, and that will forever, like I'll never forget him saying that to me.
And yeah, like years ago.
So it's more that it's the people, I think, that I've worked with and then how I feel around that role than necessarily what the role is.
In terms of, you know, being able to access roles, I think in the past few years because so many US productions have started filming in Canada.
There's been a lot of conversations about, like, what roles are actually accessible for like Canadian talent that are here.
And, you know, it's always that balance of there's more productions, but sometimes getting the better roles doesn't necessarily mean those are coming to Canadians because it's filming in Toronto or Vancouver or wherever.
Um, have you seen an evolution in just like potential roles for you?
Have you, have you seen that kind of go?
I mean, because I'm on Sullivan's, it does limit what I can go for, but I definitely have seen with my friends, um, who are auditioning for some of the shows that come up here, getting really close and then finding out that it keeps going to Americans.
And even the size of the role, like even small, tiny roles.
So I definitely think it is both.
Like, there are more productions, but I, yeah, I, I wish there was a way for it to be a little bit more, um, Uh, what's the word, um.
open and accessible to see how many roles really are going to Canadians, and what that size is, and how much effort there really is in casting Canadians when it's up here.
Because I don't know.
I, I love going to class, so I keep going to class as soon as I'm not working, and the work that I see in class and the people and the level, the skill, like it is so incredible.
Like I know there's such incredible actors here, and yet so many of them aren't working or are nowhere close to the kinds of roles that they should be booking, and it can be so disheartening to see that too.
And you're like, I see it, like literally in front of me, you are incredible, and yet.
So yeah, I don't know.
You still go to class even when you booked some roles too.
Oh yeah, I love it.
It's like, I don't know, I see it like the gym.
You're never gonna be there.
I will never, there's never a place to stop learning.
And Sullivan's is wonderful, but it's one character, and I want to be able to expand and get better and fail miserably in class with characters I may never book.
And so then when ones that are closer come, I have a little bit more experience and feel a little bit more flexible with it.
And it just, like, it keeps the love alive too.
I find going to class.
Is there something that you have kind of like a bookmark in your brain that you're like, oh, I'd love to go into like this genre or do this thing, anything you have on your kind of bucket list.
I love a good dramedy, like I'd love to try a little bit more in the comedy world, um.
But I also love to do action.
I'd love, like, uh, I love drama.
I love the dark kind of shows that come up.
I love fantasy.
I like theres so much out there where I like, I don't have one specific thing, but I'm just excited about the possibility of everything.