Interview with Sammi Hanratty – Exclusive

Actress Sammi Hanratty stars as Dolly in WGNA’s hit series Salem. The series returned for the highly anticipated second season this April and we spoke with Sammi about what viewers and fans can expect from the upcoming new episodes.

Read on for our exclusive interview with Sammi Hanratty below:

To start off, can you talk a little about how you got into acting and entertainment? Has anyone influenced or inspired you as an actor?

When I was 2, I wanted to start when I was watching Shirley Temple. My mom said no, but when I turned 6 she allowed me to meet with an agent and it kind of went from there. Judy Garland has also inspired me.

As your resume continues to grow, is there anyone you would love to work with someday, if you could pick anyone?

Jennifer Lawrence and Saoirse Ronan.

You can currently be seen as part of WGNA’s hit series “Salem”. What can you tell viewers about what to expect from your role and what attracted you to “Salem” in particular?

Dolly in this season has this newfound love for Isaac and she has to deal with last season where all of her friends has been hung. She’s been working with Mercy, but she’s questioning Mercy’s desires. I originally read the pilot and thought it was so good and so well written, it excited me and I wanted to be a part of it so badly.

The exciting second season premiered this April. What can you tease about what fans of the series can expect in the weeks ahead?

Now that Mary had burned Mercy, Mercy has a lot in store for Mary and intends to do it through torturing Isaac.

What are you most excited for the fans to see?

I’m most excited for the fans to see where the relationship between Mercy and Dolly goes. It gets really good.

How has it been working with the cast this time around?

It’s so awesome to be able to work on a set with such crazy talented people. I’m either working with Iddo, who plays Isaac, who is phenomenally talented. From the moment I saw Salem I was like “Omg he is so good”. I get to work with Elise Eberle who brings Mercy to life in such a creepy crazy way, she’s just so amazing. Anywhere from Iddo, Elise, Janet. Janet brings Mary to life, a 100%. To be able to work with her is just so beautiful. I get to watch the show as a fan, and to work on it as an actor.

Have there been any challenges you’ve faced while filming this role?

I think the only challenges are when it was really cold. There’s really not much. The corsets are sometimes a bit hard to work in because they’re very tight, so it’s hard to breathe.

How has the fan support been so far? Do you enjoy interacting with them on social media?

I do, I wouldn’t be anything without the fans, acting wise. I’m so thankful for my fans, for them sticking by my side for all the projects I work for. I realize how great people are. Everyone gets hate, and as I’ve gotten older I posted more photos that some people think are risqué. I’ve been loving myself more, and I wanted to celebrate that, so I’ve been posting more photos in different photo shoots I’ve done. Anytime I get this hate on my social media, I have at least 3 or 4 fans that are backing me up. I do appreciate the fact that people who don’t know me are standing up for me, and I think that’s so kind and beautiful. I try to preach as much positivity as I can, even to people who post negativity.

Can you talk about your charitable work and what inspired you to get involved?

I love working with smile train. I grew up doing Flying Samaritans, watching my dad do it. My dad would fly dentists and doctors to Mexico, and they would do free dental work in Mexico. Before we had the planes, we grew up somewhat poor. My dad was in school, and I had 4 sisters and it was hard. My parents always preached to me that no matter what you have, to always give back to others. I love to give back. I have four fake teeth in the back of my mouth and so I know the importance of a smile. Smile Train goes in and try to educate people what a cleft is, how to fix it, and what to do. Some doctors come in and work for free. Such a small thing can really change someone’s life.

What’s next for you? Is there anything else that you’re working on?

Going to India this summer with Smile Train, working with them. After I might be doing a film in August. I’ve been really fortunate with work this year; I’m just excited to see what will come.

For more information on Smile Train, please visit their official website http://www.smiletrain.org/.

Thanks so much to Sammi Hanratty for taking the time to chat with us!

Be sure to catch up with Sammi by following her updates on Twitter @SammiHanratty1.

Follow new episodes of Salem on WGNA.