PopHorror Let's Get Scared
Heather Doerksen is a versatile actress, who can transform herself into any type of character. She’s played in several different films and TV series over the years including Netflix’s Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, CW’s Charmed, and SYFY’s Van Helsing (final season premiering now). Learn about how she became an actress, her favorite characters, what’s like to work on these popular shows, and more!
PopHorror – Hi Heather! How’s 2021 treating you so far?
Heather Doerksen – Well, it’s not 2020 anymore so thumbs up for that!
PopHorror – So true! Before getting into acting, you originally planned on becoming an environmental biologist. What was the inspiration behind this big career change?
Heather Doerksen – A motivational acting teacher got me into acting (beyond just high school drama class). He said, “picture what makes your heart sing, and ask yourself what’s stopping you from doing it, and ask yourself how you can start”. I imagined myself at 80 years old looking back and didn’t want to regret at least TRYING this acting thing.
PopHorror – I’m glad you gave it a shot! You’ve done box-office feature films and hit TV series. Do you prefer working on films or shows or enjoy them both?
Heather Doerksen – I enjoy both experiences. With TV, you’ve got a longer journey to create a character, whereas, with film, you’ve only got the length of the film so you need to lay it all out there in a shorter amount of time.
PopHorror – Your work on TV is quite impressive. Do you have a favorite series or a favorite character you’ve played?
Heather Doerksen – I liked playing Donna from Project Blue Book. The town gossip who just can’t keep her nose out of her neighbor’s business. It was a fun mix of comedy and drama.
PopHorror – I need to check that one out! One of my most recent favorite shows is hands down The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. You played Gryla. What was that role like for you and are you sad that the show ended?
Heather Doerksen – I loved Gryla. I loved how dangerous she was, how she detested being around people, but how she had a soft spot for the Spellmans and ended up helping them defeat the Pagans. I was sad to hear the show ended. It was quite a surprise to everyone. Such a popular show canceled was just a shocker. But we move on!!
PopHorror – Most definitely! One of the other shows that you’re currently working on is CW’s Charmed. Can you tell us about your character, Aladria?
Heather Doerksen – Aladria is a celestial being that beams in with her partner Mo to help the Charmed Ones bring order back to a chaotic world by banishing monsters into the Tomb of Chaos.
PopHorror – How do you think this reboot compares to the original?
Heather Doerksen – I think it’s so hard to compare the two. The same premise but completely different flavours in terms of tone and casting and writing. I loved the original, by the way. And I’ve worked with Shannen Doherty in the past who was super cool, down to earth, and grounded.
PopHorror – That’s awesome! You’re also reprising your recurring role in the fifth and final season of SYFY’s vampire drama series Van Helsing. Can you tell us about your character, Michaela?
Heather Doerksen – Michaela is one of the brides of Dracula. I love that Dracula is a woman (played by Tricia Helfer). My character is driven by a pull to extinguish mortals and bring about the eternal night. She will stop at nothing to achieve that.
PopHorror – Without giving away any spoilers, what can we expect from your character this season?
Heather Doerksen – You can expect to see many different sides (and many different looks) of Michaela to come out. And you will also see Michaela’s role in the birth of the Dark One.
PopHorror – Hell yeah! Are you sad that this is the last season? I’m always so bummed when shows end.
Heather Doerksen – I am definitely sad this is the last season but shows need to find a way to conclude, otherwise they risk burnout. I think it’s ending at the perfect time. Also… I thought Michaela was super duper dead last season, so I was just happy for a few extra episodes to play her again this final season!
PopHorror – So very true! You’ve played so many mythical characters: witches, celestial creatures, and so on. Which one has been the most fun?
Heather Doerksen – Playing these characters, there’s a lot of freedom because they can be larger than life, and more stylized. I really enjoyed playing Michaela this last season, the journey she goes through, although she was quite dark and so that was a bit tough sometimes. But that challenge and that discomfort are what makes me better at my craft I think.
PopHorror – You’re also a voice actor. Can you tell us about some of your roles with this?
Heather Doerksen – Some of my favourite roles have been Snowblazer in Dreamworks’ Dinotrux. She was wacky and all over the place. I also have loved playing Hegan, the pterosaur from Disney’s Gigantosaurus who helps the 4 little dinosaurs on their adventures (and is not very good at landings).
PopHorror – Love it! You’ve dabbled in horror, fantasy, and more. I remember your character quite well in Uninvited as well. =) Do you have a favorite genre to work in?
Heather Doerksen – Because I do creatures and character roles quite a bit, I have been cast in a lot of sci-fi, horror, and fantasy. When I got cast in a Hallmark movie (All of My Heart with Lacey Chabert) I was stunned! Turns out I make a pretty decent sassy bestie too. I enjoy all genres and actually started off in comedy with my friends when we graduated from college, so I enjoy chances to flex my comedy muscles too. But horror has a special way of bringing subversive topics to life in really creepy ways.
PopHorror – Although I love horror and fantasy, I’m a sucker for Hallmark movies as well, so I’ll have to check that one out! In your bio, it says that your superpower is looking in a fridge/pantry and being able to make something delicious from seemingly ‘nothing’. I’ve got to ask what’s the best creation you’ve ever made?
Heather Doerksen – The dish that always ends up on the table when there’s literally nothing left in the fridge is red lentil daal. Chop an onion, and caramelize, add fragrant spices, add red lentils and canned tomato, then water. Eat on top of rice. I can also recall waking up at a friend’s house in my college years and baking biscuits for everyone from scratch with no recipe with some flour and baking powder from the pantry. Warm biscuits with butter the morning after a lot of cheap beer? Simple and satisfying.
PopHorror – Mmm, sounds delicious. You have no sense of smell and lost it inexplicably at the age of 15. If you don’t mind me asking, how did this happen?
Heather Doerksen – This truly was a weird phenomenon that just happens to some people. I’ve looked into it and there’s no reason. My sense of smell just gradually went away over a period of 5 years or so. I can’t smell a single thing.
PopHorror – Wow that’s crazy! Anything else you’d like to talk about? Other projects?
Heather Doerksen – I’ve got a cartoon coming out this year that I can’t yet talk about, but stay tuned! And I’m also going to be appearing in Disney’s Gabby Duran and the Unsittables this summer.
PopHorror – Thanks for chatting with PopHorror and I look forward to all your upcoming projects!
