Veronica Long interview

You play Nora Esposito in Blue Skies. She's a pragmatic detective with a great sense of humor. Could you tell us more about Nora's role? Was she inspired by anyone in particular?

You know, someone that kept coming to mind when we started shooting the first few episodes was Jennifer Carpenter’s character, Deb, in Dexter. Blue Skies is a very different show, tonally, but Jennifer kind of became my north star for how to approach the character. I was always drawn to how Jennifer Carpenter approached playing a detective- she wasn’t afraid to bring a lot of herself to the role — her deep empathy and care — and she wasn’t afraid to make the cases really personal to her character. I mean a lot of that is in the writing, but I liked that Deb was really invested in helping other people get the justice they deserved. I wanted to approach Nora’s work as a detective with the same level of care and empathy towards others and imbue her with a deep love and respect for her job.

You started out in theatre after training at prestigious schools, and then moved to Los Angeles, where you worked as an Uber driver. Did any passengers inspire you to the extent that you considered them as potential characters for a comedy or thriller?

I love this question so much! (Laughs) Oh boy, I had the best time as an uber driver. I’m the kind of person who has big aspirations but is also very happy where I am and I remember thinking “Driving Uber is so fun, I could spend the rest of my life doing this.” (Laughs) But yes, that’s because the passengers were so fun and unique and every ride felt like a mini adventure. I’m already someone that people feel they can open up to and being an Uber driver opened that up even more. People know there’s a low likelihood of seeing you again so people felt free to share the craziest things with me and just get really honest about their life really quickly. It was kind of a free therapy session for both parties. (Laughs) I actually did want to write a show about it! Some nights already felt like they were ripped right from a movie between the flow of eccentric personalities and people opening up about their recent breakups or whatnot.

In addition to Blue Skies, you have also appeared in Billy the Kid and The Wrong Paris. Do you have any amusing anecdotes about the roles you have played that you would like to share with your fans?

I have a terrible memory unfortunately. (Laughs) But from Billy The Kid, we were a really tight cast and one night we all brought tents and food and camped overnight on the set. We were shooting in the mountains in Calgary, Canada on a really beautiful location right by a rushing river so it was kind of too good to not take advantage of. The set coordinator even left the portable set bathrooms open so we could use them that weekend. Which was so nice of them! Anyway, we had a campfire and played games and just a lot of non-stop laughter and fun. We played spike ball in the dark which I was particularly terrible at. (Laughs) Although I think I’d be just as terrible in the day. The local stunt team even came out and joined us. We heard cayotes in the distance. Got scared. Laughed it off. (Laughs) We had a really beautiful moment where we were all laying down on the grass side by side and looking up at the stars. It was one of those nights with your fellow cast mates that you don’t forget.

A turning point in your career was your move to Vancouver. What prompted this move, and how did you react to the change?

I moved to Vancouver because I heard there was a lot of work up here. And it’s true! So my cousin flew out to LA and we made a whole road trip up to Vancouver. I packed my car to the gills and I remember looking over at my cousin in the passenger’s seat and I couldn’t see her because there were so many bags stacked on top of her. That’s how full the car was. (Laughs) So before we took off, I sold my guitar to make room. It’s LA so we found a nice woman selling tamales on the side of the road and we traded the guitar for a bag of 15 tamales. (Laughs) But back to Vancouver, the change was tricky. I didn’t have any friends here when I arrived, so I had to bribe some people to be my friend. (Laughs) Just joking. I only had to bribe one person. No, I got lucky that I got along great with my first Vancouver Apartment-mate - I just found her apartment through craigslist and she’s still one of my closest friends. But moving to a new country comes with a lot of challenges especially when you’re in your 20’s and simultaneously learning how to be an adult. Canada has it’s own set of rules and I moved when I was 24 so without an older Canadian mentor, at times I felt like I was in a boat without a paddle. (Laughs)

Among the roles you have played, is there one that best represents your personality? Is there a role that you would like to reprise, one that you feel still has a lot to offer?

I honestly think Nora in Blue Skies is weirdly the closest to my personality even though I’m not a detective obviously. She’s the closest to my heart. In terms of a role that I’d like to reprise, I’d honestly love to reprise Heather from The Wrong Paris. I loved playing her with every fiber of my being. I love those characters that are a little loco and eccentric and live in their own world, unapologetically. But I have a feeling she will come back into my life - maybe as a sketch character or something. We shall see!

Who is Veronica Long in everyday life? Do you have any hobbies or favourite foods?

I don’t have a hobby. Can you recommend one? I’m only halfway joking. (Laughs) Honestly, my hobby is just hanging out with friends and family. That brings me so much joy. Just put me in a room with people and I’m happy. I love all foods! I’m a taste tester. I wish I could be a food critic so I could taste everything. The best is going to a restaurant with friends and ordering a bunch of dishes so we can all try everything. But my favorite dish might be Mexican mole. Chiles and chocolate over chicken? Sign me up. Saying that out loud doesn’t sound so appetizing… but it’s actually delicious.

What future projects are you working on besides those mentioned here? Can you give your fans a sneak peek?

There may or may not be a season 2 of Blue Skies. I actually don’t know yet. But this is me manifesting it! (Laughs).

Instagram: @vee.long
Photo credit: Alrightbali