Canadian actress Kandyse McClure chatted about starring in the drama series “Virgin River” on Netflix, where she plays the role of Kaia Bryant.

The synopsis is: Newly married, Mel (Alexandra Breckenridge) and Jack (Martin Henderson) pursue their dream of adopting a baby, while old loves smolder and new threats challenge Virgin River.

Experience in ‘Virgin River’

On her experience in “Virgin River,” she said, “It has been great! I wish I could not be so effusive about it, but that’s sort of how it feels. My grandmother used to say, ‘you’ve landed with your ass in the butter.’ That’s what it feels like.”

Playing Kaia Bryant in the show

A native of South Africa, Kandyse is drawn to playing Kaia Bryant for several reasons. “I like that she is flawed, but that she has a can-do and will-try kind of attitude,” she admitted.

“Kaia really believes that she can’t fail no matter what it is. I really appreciate that about her,” she expressed.

Lessons learned from the ‘Virgin River’ screenplay

On the lessons learned from the screenplay, Kandyse reflected, “Kaia is this great kind of vessel that I got to put into. We met each other at very similar times in our lives.”

“We both had come out of difficult periods with a failed relationship, and we are moving to a new place to rediscover ourselves. Kaia has really taught me a lot about courage and braver where she has it so profoundly, running into fires. That’s easy for her,” she elaborated.

“Kaia is still kind of new at the relationship, the love, and the softness. So, I love that, especially the fearlessness about approaching love and the roller coaster of that with the same bravery that she does her work,” she explained.

Working with Benjamin Hollingsworth

On working with Benjamin Hiollingsworth, she said, “Ben is craft-focused in a lot of ways. He really challenges every scene that he is in. He is always looking for the best of it.”

“So, he keeps me on my toes, and I crack jokes about him, and that keeps the playing field even. We’re supposed to be friends. We’re kind of co-workers and buddies. So there is a lot of banter between us,” she elaborated.

Tim Matheson

Kandyse had great words about veteran actor Tim Matheson. “While I don’t often get to see Tim, I adore him. He is such a gentleman, and so craft-oriented in the work. It is always great to work with people like that, who are so focused on their craft,” she said.

Stage of her life

On the title of the current chapter of her life, Kandyse revealed, “In Full Bloom. “It’s like a garden in summertime… in full bloom,” she explained.

The digital age

On being an actress in the digital age, at a time when streaming, technology and social media are so prevalent, she said, “Well, it’s all so seamlessly integrated now.”

“The digital age just gives you more opportunities to be out there. Also, to have contact with the people who watch your work… and to romanticize and make art of the rest of your life,” she said.

“People want to know you not only in their living rooms — within the context of the narrative story that you tell — but also in your personal life and the things that you enjoy and the way you see the world,” she noted.

“I’m getting to know that part of me a little bit more. This morning, I saw an AI version of myself and I don’t know how I feel about that exactly,” she added.

Advice for young and emerging actors

For young and aspiring actors, Kandyse said, “Your job is to know yourselves most profoundly. Also, to know what your particular gift is.”

“Don’t ever be a second rate version of something you think the industry wants because they absolutely have no idea. Your job is to be the clearest signal of you,” she underscored.

Career-defining moments

On her career-defining moments, she shared, “I was very lucky very early on in my career where I got to work on amazing shows and learn from so many people and I got to be on a set consistently for over a decade.”

“Then, I went through a period of feeling a bit lost because I had lived my life in my 20s on sets and in imaginary worlds,” she noted. “So, I needed to go in my own life and understand the depth in my own interiority.”

“I went around and did that and I got myself into quite a bit of trouble,” she said with a sweet laugh. “Taking risks taught me what was valuable to me.”

“I also hadn’t been acting for several years,” she noted. “I moved to a different country and was doing other things. The process of rebuilding myself after that loss, the end of that relationship and moving from that country, was one of the most profound fertile grounds of my life.”

“I am grateful for those experiences now,” she added.

Superpower of choice

If she were to have any superpower, it would be “teleportation,” which would allow her “to be in another place instantly.”

Success

Regarding her definition of success, Kandyse said, “Success means being able to take care of myself and my family. That really is it.”

“To make sure that we can live in safety, and to have the things that we need. Also, that no matter what happens —the highs and the lows — that I am recognizable to the people that I love,” she explained.

Message for her fans

For her fans, she stated, “There is a common phrase in South Africa called ‘Ubuntu.’ In Zulu, it is a real organizing philosophy, which means ‘I am because we are.’ It really situates the individual within the collective, and I really do feel that about my career.”

“I am here because of the fans, they continue to show up, they watch my work, they participate, they comment, they cheer me on, and they even criticize me, which is great too. I appreciate the challenge and their honest feedback,” she elaborated.

“I have so much gratitude for the fans. I am because you are,” she added.

Closing thoughts on ‘Virgin River’

Kandyse remarked, “I always want to learn more about my character, Kaia. We’ve got to see another side of her… in a relationship in Season 7.”

“In the future, I want greater depth about her past, where she came from, and her tender edges. I want to know a little bit more about her interior life,” she concluded.

To learn more about Canadian actress Kandyse McClure, follow her on Instagram.