In this exclusive interview, Survived the Shows sits down with Jorja Cadence to discuss her latest role in the thrilling Lifetime movie A Kidnapping in Amish Country. Known for her dynamic performances, Jorja takes on the complex character of Lena, a devoted Amish mother whose past unexpectedly catches up with her. From portraying a traditional Amish lifestyle to diving into high-stakes drama, Jorja opens up about what drew her to this role, the depth of her character, and the captivating aspects of filming in a unique setting. Fans of suspense and Amish-themed stories are in for a treat as she shares behind-the-scenes stories and memorable moments from the set. Dive into Jorja Cadence‘s world and uncover the secrets behind A Kidnapping in Amish Country. Check out the full interview below!
Can you tell us a bit about your character in A Kidnapping in Amish Country?
Lena is a devoted mother and wife who was born and raised in a traditional Amish community. After a brief stint living amongst The English (non-Amish folk), Lena finds herself in muddy waters. She decides to return to her faith, seeking solace and safety. She starts a family and experiences peace for a few years, until suddenly her checkered past comes back to haunt her. This is where the movie kicks off and it is a RIDE.
What initially attracted you to your role in A Kidnapping in Amish Country?
Lena may come across as a little naive to begin with, but she’s actually a fighter who will stop at nothing to protect her loved ones. I was drawn to her strength and fearlessness. Of course, I was also really excited to unpack a character who heralds from a world so different to my own. Lena grew up amongst the Lancaster Amish in Pennsylvania, whereas I grew up on the other side of the world in an Australian beach town. It’s always fun to play a character so different to you on paper, and it’s a welcome challenge to find the ways in which you can connect and relate to them. For me, that was Lena’s bold thinking and love for her family.
What do you think makes this movie so special and captivating and what do you hope audiences take away from watching A Kidnapping in Amish Country?
I’m a big fan of Lifetime thrillers in general, but I especially love the Amish ones. Something about the mix of old-school and modern is so captivating. I think the audience will enjoy how traditional the Amish sequences in this movie feel. The costumes, the dolls, the beards… everything feels (and is) authentic. There’s even a horse-drawn buggy! There’s also an amazing non-binary character, which is rare to see in tv movies. Skye forever!
I hope audiences take away a broader, more flexible definition of family and community. I also just really hope people watching love the twists and turns! It’s not a Lifetime movie without twists and turns!
What was it like working with the rest of the cast on set?
We had a ball on set. The chemistry between Elise, Ben and I was off the charts. It felt like we’d all been friends for years despite having only been introduced at the beginning of the shoot. We’d spend our downtime joking around, singing, dancing and having fun. Sometimes the cast and crew would play frisbee at lunch. It really was a lively vibe on set, which helped balance out the tension inherent in the movie we were making.
Special shout out to Ryelyn Cressman, who plays Miriam. She kept us constantly smiling with her 4-year-old charm and dazzling One Direction dance moves!
What can you tease about your character Journey?
For a woman in her mid-20s, Lena’s journey is already quite complicated by the time the story begins. Then, when her daughter is kidnapped, Lena’s worst fear becomes reality and she sets off on a harrowing search to get her back. There’s a lot of running, a lot of tears, and of course some badass moments. When it comes to her daughter’s safety, nothing will hold Lena back.
What was your favorite scene or moment while filming A Kidnapping in Amish Country?
I loved filming all the scenes that were set in Amish country. The location we used was truly beautiful. It was a real heritage village outside Hamilton, Canada, with gorgeous old houses surrounded by trees. We weren’t allowed to eat or drink inside, so whenever we had a break the cast and crew would chill out on the grounds. We experienced a full moon and a lot of lush Summer sunsets together. It was really special.
What can you share about your experience in the tv shows Rabbit Hole & Sex/Life?
I had so much fun shooting both of these shows. ‘Rabbit Hole’ was a massive production with an extremely talented cast and crew. The first time I met Charles Dance he bellowed “Hellooooo Jorjaaaaa” from across the room in a very Tywin Lannister voice. It was amazing.
My favourite moment shooting ‘Sex/Life’ was the car crash scene in season two, episode five. Mike Vogel and I got strapped into a car on a rotisserie rig, which basically tossed us around like lettuce in a salad spinner. Fake silicone glass was shot through the windows to simulate the accident. It was really high-tech and cool. I was already a big fan of the show by the time I joined the cast so it was a real honour to be part of season two. I loved every second!
Change of subject, What have been some of the most memorable projects you have worked on throughout your career, and why?
Working on Sofia Coppola’s ‘Priscilla’ had a profound impact on me as an actor. There’s nothing like working with an auteur like Sofia. Every single aspect of the film felt like it had so much thought put into it – from the way scenes were shot to the watch worn on a character’s wrist. The costumes, hair, make-up and production design were so accurate that each day felt like I was walking back in time to the 1960s. There was also a really clear, collaborative energy on that set which isn’t always the case in this industry and made the shoot feel so special.
At Survived the Shows, we are big fans of Christmas rom-coms. What is your all-time favorite?
You and me both! There are so many good ones, but my all-time favourite is ‘The Holiday’. This year I’m really looking forward to the new Chad Michael Murray movie for Netflix, plus Hallmark’s sequel to “Three Wise Men and a Baby” – the first one was such a banger!
Can you tease something about your next projects?
I’m in the middle of filming a new miniseries for a Canadian streaming service. That’s as much as I can say at the moment, but stay tuned! I’ve always got something cooking.
“A Kidnapping in Amish Country” starring Jorja Cadence will premiere on Saturday, November 2nd on Lifetime Channel.
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Desirèe
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