Parting Shot

Katherine Heigl

Sometimes actors chase great parts, and other times they just manifest. That’s what happened to Katherine Heigl with Firefly Lane, the Netflix series based on Kristin Hannah’s bestselling book, premiering February 3rd. “It was one of those graceful moments where it kind of landed in my lap. It was exactly what I was looking for at that time.” The story follows the unlikely 40-year friendship of Tully (Heigl) and Kate (Sarah Chalke) and shows that sometimes friendships can also be great love stories. Heigl mused, “Do I have that?” and then realized that she actually does. “It’s unusual, but it’s with my mother. I mean, she still bosses me around and tells me what to do, but we have kind of gracefully moved into a respectful adult relationship where she’s my person.” The series adds to Heigl’s emotional body of work. “I love a good cry and a story that can elicit empathy and connection.” In the end, it’s the emotional stories that can help bring people together, particularly in difficult times, Heigl says. “It just makes you feel less alone because we all have our own stories and heartbreaks.”

Did the show's tagline, “the greatest love story of all can be between friends,” resonate with you?

Deeply. I think we forgot how SIGNIFICANT AND IMPORTANT OUR NON-ROMANTIC LOVES ARE. I MOVE THROUGH THIS WORLD BETTER BECAUSE OF THOSE PEOPLE.

Were you a fan of Hannah before?

I’M A HUGE FAN! SHE SENT ME AN ADVANCE COPY OF HER NEXT NOVEL AND TO ME THAT IS THE PINNACLE OF SUCCESS.

The story tracks your character over decades, with lots of fashion to match. What’s your favorite?

DEFINITELY THE ’80S. THERE’S THIS VINTAGE JUMPSUIT, I WAS REALLY DIGGING THE BIGGER SHOULDER PADS.

Why was it important for your character to be a brunette?

WE DEFINITELY TOOK SOME LIBERTIES WITH THE STORY, BUT WHAT WAS MOST IMPORTANT TO ME WAS THAT PART BE CONSISTENT WITH THE BOOK. TULLY WAS A BRUNETTE AND KATE WAS A BLONDE. THAT’S WHAT I ALSO LOVE ABOUT MY JOB , NOT JUST STORYTELLING, BUT GETTING TO SLIP INTO SOMEBODY ELSE’S SKIN. I ALWAYS KIND OF APPROACH MY WORK FROM THAT PLACE. WHO IS THIS PERSON, WHAT’S THEIR LOOK?

How have you been holding up during the pandemic?

WE’RE REALLY FORTUNATE. WE’RE ALREADY IN A VERY ISOLATED PLACE WHEN I’M HOME [IN UTAH]. I TEND TO STAY HOME. IT’S NOT A TON TERRIBLY DIFFERENT FOR US, ASIDE FROM THE REMOTE LEARNING.

“I think we forgot how significant and important our non-romantic loves are.”