Checking in with MELISSA ROXBURGH
Fortunately for Melissa Roxburgh, her previous series role gave her some on-the-job training for her current one.
As the NBC drama “Manifest” concludes its very successful first year Monday, Feb. 18, the actress is grateful for what she learned last season as a regular on The CW’s short-lived “Valor.” Maybe it didn’t prep her for all the emotional ups and downs of playing Michaela Stone, one of the passengers who returned from a flight missing for more than five years, but it helped her with some of the necessities for also portraying a police detective.
“We have an awesome stunt coordinator on the (‘Manifest’) set, Greg Harvey, and he’s been superhelpful in telling me where I look really stupid,” the friendly Roxburgh muses, “but I’ll also give credit to ‘Valor.’ I got taught a lot on that show, and since it was about the Army, they really put us through training there on how to look respectful and proper. I brought a lot of that with me to this show.
“I’m sure there are some scenes where I still look a little ridiculous,” allows Roxburgh, “and though it can feel uncomfortable, it’s also been a lot of fun to learn how to do it all.”
Roxburgh admits that being recognized by “Manifest” viewers while she’s out and about is a new experience that she’s adjusting to.
“It’s so subtle” in her case, she maintains. “There are moments where I forget that it’s a possibility and I walk outside in my pajamas or whatever, but overall, it’s nice that people appreciate the show and are watching it. To hear them come up to me and say that, it just lights a fire to keep going and keep giving them more episodes.”
Birthdate: Dec. 10, 1992
Birthplace: Vancouver, B.C.
Current residences: New York and Los Angeles
Marital status: Single
Other television credits include: “Valor,” “Travelers,” “DC’s Legends of Tomorrow,” “Sorority Murder,” “Supernatural,” “The Tomorrow People,” “Rita,” “Arrow,” “Big Time Movie.”
Movie credits include: “In God I Trust,” “Star Trek: Beyond,” “Lost Solace,” “The Marine 4: Moving Target,” “Leprechaun Origins,” “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days,” “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules.”
On fan reaction to her “Manifest” character: “She’s still going to have those moments where she falls short or slides back or messes up and has to try again, but the response to the character has been really positive. And I’m lucky for that.”
Favorite movie: “I’ve got a couple, but the one that always comes to mind – and that constantly makes me cry – is ‘Never Let Me Go’ with Andrew Garfield and Keira Knightley. It just gets me. And another one that came up recently for me is ‘Martha Marcy May Marlene,’ with Elizabeth Olsen. I just think it’s so dark and interesting. Those are the kinds of movies I gravitate toward.”
Favorite television series you’re not on: “I was obsessed with ‘The Handmaid’s Tale.’ That was the last show I got into.”
Favorite singer: “Hosier. I went to a concert of his and I tried to meet him, but it went poorly. The security guard shut me down.”