It’s with great pleasure that I welcome actor Savannah Basley here for an interview. We talk about latest role as Angela on the SyFy Channel’s Reginald The Vampire, how she first got into acting, racial representation on screen, and much more. Come join us!
Interview with Savannah Basley
How did you first get into acting, Savannah?
I was born in Fort Riley, Kansas, my dad was in the military and I was raised in Canada because my mother is Canadian. I’ve always been a very theatrical child and I always loved to dance and sing around the house. I grew up in a very small Canadian town where my sister and I were the only people of color.
My mother is white and my father is black, so being bi-racial in a small community had its challenges. I was bullied and used theater and watching movies as escapism from my reality. I always escaped into these other worlds and watched the behind-the-scenes episodes of the magic of movie-making and it drew me in. The idea that I could be anything and everything as an actress conjured freedom in that thought.
What acting roles might we have you seen you in?
My first film role was in the acclaimed short film White Lock (2015), which earned the Special Jury Prize at the Amsterdam Film Festival. My television career ignited with a role on Sony/Crackle’s The Art of More, where I portrayed Elizabeth Mason opposite Christian Cooke and Kate Bosworth.
Other roles I’ve had were on Tales from the Hood (Universal), Coroner (CW), Utopia Falls (Hulu), and the beloved series Wynonna Earp (SyFy) as Cleo Clanton. I’ve co-starred in the popular series on SyFy called Reginald The Vampire and SurrealEstate.
Have you always loved sci-fi? Can you share some of your earliest influences in this genre?
I’ve always had a big imagination and was drawn to this genre. I was obsessed with Donny Darko in high school and Fifth Element was a movie I couldn’t stop watching, it was always on repeat in my house.
How did the audition for Angela in Reginald The Vampire come about?
My agent and I have a great relationship; she always knew where my interests lay. She found this role for me and I auditioned; the rest is history.
Please tell us a bit about the character of Angela, including what you love most about playing her!
Angela is unapologetically herself; what I love most about her is her confidence. You either love her or hate her but you can’t help but respect her. The confidence she has is what I love most about playing her.
How have cultural icons like Buffy and Aaliyah impacted your portrayal of Angela?
I’ve always been a fan of punk rock music and emo bands and have drawn from their fashion styles. I’m also a big fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer so it was only natural for me to draw inspiration from that popular series. The theatrics of Panic! At the Disco concerts and performances, and Gwen Stefani’s music video for “What You Waiting For?” are huge inspirations for me, too.
In what ways has playing Angela impacted your own life?
Seeing fan reactions to Angela and how much they love her validates the work that I’m doing. You don’t always get to see fan reactions when they’re home watching the show but when you meet them in person it’s so rewarding.
As a bi-racial actor in the sci-fi and horror genres, how you feel about the state of representation in these genres today?
Racial representation on screen contributes to the fact that there is a black and brown audience and fanbase in the sci-fi genre and it’s important for this group of people to be represented on TV — so that they feel they have a place in this genre and subculture.
When a group isn’t represented in a genre it makes them feel that they aren’t supposed to enjoy it. I do see this evolving with more TV shows to create original characters that are people of color.
The acting industry is demanding — How do you maintain your mental health amidst the pressures, and what advice do you have for other women pursuing acting?
I recommend therapy and I love going and talking through my feelings. Having a good support system around me is always important — it doesn’t always have to be family but great friends and people close to you are important to lean on for support.
One last question! Any future projects you can tell us about?
SurrealEstate is coming back for the third season and I am excited for its return!
Connect with Savannah Basley online
Find Savannah at @ThatBasleyKid on Instagram. You can also find out more about her current and past acting roles on IMDB.
Thank you so much for your time! I’m really excited to connect with your readers.
— Savannah Basley
Thank you for being here, Savannah!
Storytelling is something that Savannah has connected with since she was a kid. I like that she has pursued her dream, focuses on roles in her favorite genres, and that she brings representation and depth of character to the screen, inspired by her own experiences.
Are you a science fiction fan? What cultural icons or films have resonated with you over the years? What draws you to certain TV shows and keeps you coming back for more?