Emmy-nominated actress Chrissy Metz (“This Is Us”) chatted about starring in the new film “Faith in the Flames: The Nichole Jolly Story,” which will premiere on Saturday, July 19th on Lifetime.
Eleanor Roosevelt once said: “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” This quote applies to Chrissy Metz.
This movie was inspired by the true story of a courageous EMS provider who put her life at risk to save and evacuate the residents trapped in a town consumed by a raging wildfire in Paradise, California.
Experience filming this movie
On her experience filming this movie, Metz said, “Truth be told, I didn’t think I could do it. This is a very emotionally and physically demanding role, and I told them ‘I might not be the right girl for the job.’ I love to portray real women, especially heroic women that might not be recognition in that way, so I decided to do it for Nichole.”
Playing her character Nurse Nichole
Metz portrays Nichole Jolly, a nurse at the town’s hospital, who begins her day as usual, only to face an unimaginable crisis when a wildfire rapidly engulfs the town. “It was an honor to play her,” Metz said. “Nichole has so much grace, humility, and love for her patients and her career.”
On playing Nurse Nichole, Metz said, “Nichole is a very different woman than I am,” Metz admitted. “I don’t know if I can handle myself in those kinds of situations. She doubled down and made sure that all of her patients were safe and sound before she even thought about herself.”
Nichole is torn between her duty to protect her patients and her desperate need to find her husband Nick (played by Colin Moss) and children.
She subsequently discovers an unyielding strength within herself to save not only her family but countless residents from the encroaching flames.
“Nichole is very disciplined and focused on the task at hand, and I found that to be so impressive,” she said. “A nurse’s mentality is very different from an actor’s mentality. Nichole is all about saving lives, so I was very intimidated.”
The movie pays homage to the indomitable human spirit and the unsung heroes who emerge in the face of tragedy. It was directed by Jozua Malherbe from a script by Kelly Fullerton. “I wanted to portray this in a real way that is going to affect people and it will keep the audience at the edge of their seats,” she said.
“I was challenged and I think I stepped up to the occasion. I hope Nichole liked my performance too,” she added.
Working with Colin Moss
On collaborating with Colin Moss as her on-screen husband, she said, “I loved working with Colin. He is so lovely, and so easy to work with. Colin and the two kids did such a great job. I believe this was the first project for the two boys. The whole cast was so wonderful to work with.”
Lessons learned from this screenplay
On the lessons learned from this screenplay. she reflected, “Even when you don’t think you are going to make it through something, you need to have faith. It’s difficult but you have to rely on that sometimes. I keep getting reminded of that no matter what I do.”
‘Stay Awake’ film
Metz also recalled her experience in the coming of age film “Stay Awake.” “That was a very special project,” she said. “Jamie Sisley wrote and directed it based on his life. We became fast friends. I think he is a brilliant writer and director, and it was a privilege to portray Michelle.”
Emmy nomination for ‘This Is Us’
In 2017, she was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for “Best Supporting Actress” for playing Kate Pearson in “This Is Us.” “That was very surreal,” she said.
“I was in Los Angeles as a talent agent for nine years, and I was so grateful that I got to see how the industry worked. I just didn’t expect it. ‘This Is Us’ is such a family-driven show so we all got to celebrate together as cheesy as it sounds,” she elaborated.
“It was cool to be recognized for a role that we hadn’t seen on television before,” she said. “Bringing Kate’s story to life and the dynamics with her mother was great. Growing up, I just didn’t see women like me on TV.”
“I am just glad that the nomination meant for more visibility for people like me,” she acknowledged.
“The awards, recognition and accolades are always the cherry on top because just to have a job is incredible, and to stay on the air for that long was wonderful too,” she added.
Stage of her life
On the title of the current chapter of her life, she revealed, “Grace.”
Success
Regarding her definition of the word success, Metz said, “Peace and happiness.” “Peace is something we all strive for and we tend to think we can purchase it through materialistic avenues,” she said. “Peace cannot be bought; it’s an inside job.”
Closing thoughts on the new Lifetime movie
For fans and viewers, she remarked, “I just hope that viewers feel inspired. I hope it inspires them to not give up before the miracle.”
“It’s crazy to me that I have fans and that people know me by first name. I have consistently have people root for me, stand up for me, and see me in themselves. We are all the same, and that’s what people relate to,” Metz acknowledged.
To learn more about Chrissy Metz, follow her on Instagram.
