In this exclusive Survived the Shows interview, Felicia Simone opens up about playing Suzette in Hallmark’s limited series Providence Falls. She explains how she prepared emotionally for the part, reveals the on-set rituals that kept performances fresh, and teases a pivotal moment in episode 3 that changes everything.
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“I see a lot of myself in Suzette,” Felicia tells us. “After reading the script, her arc goes a lot deeper — there’s a guilt and a choice that surprised me.”
Who Is Suzette? A Character Deep Dive
Felicia describes Suzette as Cora McLeod’s trusted best friend — at first a lighthearted “tea-gatherer” in a love triangle, but quickly revealed to be a far more layered character. After reading the full script, Felicia says Suzette’s arc forced her to wrestle with guilt and difficult choices that only become clear as episode three unfolds.
Why the cliffhanger matters
The cliffhanger in episode two was written to reframe how viewers see Suzette. Felicia purposely kept her expressions unreadable in that moment to allow audiences to debate motive and emotion — an intentional choice that pays off in the following episode.
Preparing the Role: Process & Collaboration
Felicia prepared by having in-depth conversations with directors Lucy and Siobhan and with executive producer Joanna. She grounded Suzette in personal choices and asked: “What would I do in that situation?” This process helped her access small, truthful moments rather than overt theatrics.
Practical tips for actors
- Talk early with the director about the arc.
- Pinpoint one personal memory to anchor emotional beats.
- Conserve energy on set — dial in only when the camera rolls.
On-Set Chemistry & Small Rituals
Building a genuine best-friend vibe with Katie (Cora) started before cameras rolled — read-through dinners, messaging and shared banter established trust. Felicia singles out an unexpected ritual: Lucy sometimes played music between takes to reset the energy and help the cast stay present.
“Lucy would play music between takes — it put us in the mood and made scenes more alive.” — Felicia Simone
Keeping Performances Fresh During Long Shoots
Long hours and multiple takes can drain any actor. Felicia relies on chemistry, small improvisations, and staying present with co-actors to make each take feel like the first. She praises the freedom the directors gave to explore choices on set.
On improv & long takes
When co-stars improv, Felicia responds in the moment — those unscripted exchanges can become the best, most cinematic beats of a scene.
Felicia’s Career Path & Creator Ambitions
Before acting full-time Felicia studied pharmacy — a background she says taught discipline and structure. Inspired by creators like Issa Rae, she’s producing a TV adaptation of her web series The Dating App Chronicles, a dramedy about millennial dating in a new city (six episodes, ~25 mins each).
Dream roles
Felicia says she’d love to explore horror or a musical one day — and continues to develop projects where she can both act and produce.
Resources
- Exclusive: Jonathan Stoddard Interview
- Exclusive: Clayton James Interview
- Eat Pray Lie Imdb
- Exclusive: Tahmoh Penikett Interview
- Hallmark 9-Movie Collection DVD : Love of the Irish, Savoring Paris, A Greek Recipe for Romance, Two Scoops of Italy, My Argentine Heart, The Perfect Setting, A Safari Romance, Caribbean Summer, A Costa Rican Wedding
- Storymatic Synapsis – Creative Writing Prompts for Adults and Young Writers – Storytelling Game
If you enjoyed this BTS look, subscribe to Survived the Shows, leave a comment with your favorite Providence Falls moment, and check the resources above for gear and books recommended by working actors and creators.
