Published: December 26, 2008 11:50 PM EST
By: Isaac Davis Jr., MBA (Juniorscave.com)
JC Interview Exclusive: Erin Cardillo
Erin Cardillo
Perhaps most notable for her wacky role as Esme Vanderheusen in the hit NBC Series, Passion (2005-2008) Erin Cardillo is embarking on new challenges. The talented actress has not stopped working since her series ended in August 2008. She is currently being seen on a recurring role on the Disney Channel spin-off, The Suite Life on Deck as Emma Tutweiller. Although Erin is keeping busy these days, she still found the time to speak with the magazine. We are thrilled to present this exclusive spotlight. Enjoy!
Isaac: Hi Erin, I wanted to first wish you a Happy Holiday Season. Let's get started with the interview. You are most notable for your portrayal of Esme Vanderheusen in the hit NBC Series, Passion. Where you sad to see the show end?
Erin: I was sad to see it end. Esme was such a blast to play. I felt like I was walking into a playground everyday because the directors let me be creative with her. She was a gift. And the cast and crew were so wonderful. It was like a little family breaking up. I'd only been around for two of the nine years, so I'm sure it was even harder for the people who'd been there since the beginning.
Isaac: I enjoyed the energy of your character Esme on the show. How did you prepared for this type of role?
Erin: To tell you the truth, I don't know where Esme came from. I think when I got the audition, I wasn't sure what they wanted her to be, so I just went in and had fun. I kind of thought of her as a character in a Noel Coward play, so I guess my theatrical training came into play... but not consciously.
Isaac: One of the best parts to your character was the comic relief that Esme provided to the show. You also had some cool one-liners. Which one-line was your favorite and why?
Erin: It's been so long, I'm not sure I remember most of them, but off the top of my head. I think was talking to Fancy after she'd been crying about her relationship with Luis and I told her to clean up, saying "You know, I can't think around the unattractive".
Isaac: Hehe. That was a good one-liner Erin.
Isaac: Who was your favorite actor to work with on-screen in Passion and why?
Erin: There are two people who tie for my favorite. Ben Masters, who played Julian. We had so much fun together being absolutely ridiculous. Ben such a talented guy, but he was never afraid to go too far, or be too silly, which I love. And Emily Harper who played Fancy. I loved the way they wrote our scenes. She was a great straight man, to Esme's wackiness. And she's a lovely person.
Isaac: Did you have any inputs into how the character would play out on the show? If so, how?
Erin: I didn't really have any input into her story line, but they let me play a lot within the scenes. Also, I think they saw me reveling in Esme's long speeches - she was a fast talker and loved to ramble - so over time I would get more and more stuff where I was talking to myself. And then they gave me a mute niece, so I'd literally have scenes where it was just me talking and she was nodding and stuff. Very silly.
Isaac: Indeed!
Isaac: What was your favorite storyline for your character on the show and why?
Erin: Well, when I became a regular they gave me the storyline where anyone I dated would end up dead. I had a run where I'd literally have a new boy every week and then he'd die in some bizarre way. It was a lot of fun because in soaps sometimes you end up playing the same scenes in different forms with the same people for months at a time because the storylines have to stretch, but during this time I was getting to work with a lot of different people and move through stories quickly.
Isaac: If the series were to ever return in the near future, would you reprise your role? Why or Why not?
Erin: I'm not sure. Esme was very special to me and I think she had a great run. It would depend on a lot of things.
Isaac: You now have a recurring role on the Disney Channel spin-off, The Suite Life on Deck as Emma Tutweiller. How did this role come about? Are you having fun working on a Disney Channel series?
Erin: I auditioned. That's it. And it's been great. I've done seven episodes so far and the show is scheduled to go back into production soon. I'm not sure how much they plan to bring Miss Tutweiller back, but I hope a little. She is a joy to play and working on a Disney Channel series has been wonderful. They are really keeping sitcom alive where a lot of other channels are switching to the single camera comedy format. Sitcom in front of a live audience is my favorite thing to do, so I love it.
Isaac: What do you find difference between this character and your previous one you played on Passion?
Erin: The characters are extreme opposites. Esme was extremely loose (tongued and otherwise) and Emma is extremely uptight.
Isaac: What is next for Erin Cardillo? What are some up and coming projects that you are working on currently?
Erin: Well, I just did a leading role in a feature film co-starring John Heard and Brendan Sexton III. It's a noir thriller called, "The Truth is Always Complicated" and I'm very excited to see how it turns out. Fingers crossed we get distribution! I'm also, doing some writing, and shopping a TV project around currently, so I'm hoping some of that pan out. To keep updated, check out my website. www.erincardillo.com
AND thanks so much for the interview. All the Best!
