Markian Tarasiuk and Katherine Mcnamara will star in “True Justice: Family Ties” a new, original movie premiering Friday, January 12th on Hallmark Movie & Misteries. We at Survived The Shows had the pleasure of chatting with Markian Tarasiuk, about his experience on the movie “True Justice: Family Ties” and a lot more.
What drew you to the character of Eli in “True Justice: Family Ties”? How did you prepare for this role?
I was drawn into Eli’s steadfast commitment to truth and justice – no matter the emotional cost. Eli enters this movie with high emotion – as he is dealing with the death of his ex-girlfriend. But despite a conviction happening to her murder, Eli holds firm in his belief of uncovering all the evidence to make sure the right person is brought to justice. It’s a really admirable quality. I prepared for this role by reading into exoneration cases and how the legal system works with appeals. It’s a super interesting world with a lot of lawyers doing incredible work all in pursuit of justice and the truth! I am super thrilled to be playing someone who holds those values and goals.
Can you share some insights into Eli’s personality and how he fits into the storyline of the movie?
Eli is the “outsider” to the legal team in this movie (at least at the start). I don’t want to spoil much, but the viewers will easily see why. Eli is more pragmatic than the rest of the crew and I believe is a lot of the glue that holds the team together as they sift through evidence and build a case. He’s smart and brings a level of tenacity and charm to the team.
What were some of the challenges you faced while portraying Eli, and how did you overcome them?
I think the challenge came in Eli’s emotional journey with this case. He has an obvious personal stake in this case but also has to be rational and look at the case objectively. I had a tough time balancing his emotional state vs the task at hand. Our director Jonathan Wright was very good in helping me navigate this balance and at the end of the day, I just had to play it truthful scene by scene and hope that the performance comes across in a way that is nuanced, and complex, yet makes sense.
The movie revolves around proving the innocence of a character. How does Eli contribute to this pursuit of justice?
He contributes by lending his knowledge to Casey’s pursuit of exonerating her brother. I describe our young legal team as a sort of “scooby doo” gang – where each character brings their specific skills to the table to create a well-rounded legal team. Eli’s in-depth knowledge of the law and how the system works comes in handy.
What was your favorite aspect of working on this Hallmark Movies & Mysteries project?
It always comes down to the people. This one was filled with an incredible cast, producing team and director. It felt like coming home to a certain degree because this was my third movie shot in Ottawa, Ontario. So I got to work with a lot of the same people I have in the past, and they are truly the best out there. I also loved the dynamic Kat and I had in this project and she was just so fun to act against.
Did you find any personal connections or similarities between yourself and the character of Eli?
I see myself as Eli and I like to think that’s why I was cast. He very much is me. How he handles himself emotionally and professionally is scary similar, so my in to the character was easy on this one.
How does the dynamic between Eli and the law school student and her friends unfold throughout the movie?
It changes and shifts a few times. There are twists and turns and pieces of information that may be held back, so the relationships and our feelings towards each other keep shifting. But I think that’s what makes this movie engaging. I believe this to be a really refreshing Hallmark Mystery that dips its toes into a more complex world of emotion and stakes. But in the end, we all come together despite our differences, and beautiful new friendships are created.
Could you tease any memorable or exciting moments viewers can look forward to in relation to your character, Eli?
“It’s not lying, it’s just not telling the whole truth”
What do you hope audiences take away from “True Justice: Family Ties” after watching your portrayal of Eli?
Justice and the truth will always prevail. I think this is an idea everyone can get on board with and why it’s such a satisfying genre to watch. And in this case, this is a group of people coming together and helping in their specific ways towards that common goal. Though I mentioned that this may be a bit of a darker tone than what Hallmark viewers are used to seeing, it still has all the values that the brand upholds. It’s a very satisfying ending and hopefully, audiences really enjoy the ride.
Lastly, what can you tease about your next projects?
I just finished directing my first feature film! I can’t talk about it right now, but follow me on instagram @marktaras to get updates. I’m extremely excited. The project was three years in the making and I can’t wait to share it when it’s ready.
‘True Justice: Family Ties‘ with Markian Tarasiuk will premiere on Friday , January 12th on Hallmark Movies & Misteries.
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Desirèe
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