5×5 With The Hook: Arwen Humphreys.

There are certain actors that just captivate you whenever they’re onscreen; the camera loves them and they, it.

Whenever the storyline brings Arwen Humphreys’ Margaret Brackenreid back to Murdoch Mysteries, she lights up the screen. Seriously, we shut all the lights off, that’s how bright she shines. When it comes to the acting game, this chick is absolutely magnetic. How magnetic, you ask? Well, in the beginning her biggest champion was her fictional husband, Thomas Craig, but since then she’s attracted the attention of MM’s rabid fan base, that’s for sure.

The fans have demanded more of “Mrs. B” on MM, so much so they even started a petition. The average person is extremely apathetic (most humans don’t even vote), so this is ridiculously-impressive. The show’s production company, Shaftesbury, responded and over MM’s ten seasons we’ve gotten top know Mrs. B much better. This devotion has not gone unnoticed by the lady herself.

“Anytime I’m on set I think there are different reasons as to why I’m there and one of them is the fans.”

Arwen has made Margaret a strong, devoted, wife and mother – who isn’t beyond shagging her inspector hubby in his office after hours.

I’ll be back tonight, Thomas, and we’ll see if we can’t find some creative uses for all those lovely devices Det. Murdoch is always making…

As for the modern gal behind the turn-of-the-century woman, she loves dogs, her craft (she was born to act) and long walks on the beach. While staring at rainbows and unicorns.

Okay, so that went off the rails a bit. let’s get back on track, shall we?

Arwen’s been at the acting game for a couple of decades now – and she’s rocked it to its core – but before that, rumor has it she had a promising career as a criminal mastermind. Sadly, there wasn’t much money in smuggling polar bears into Mexico, so the underworld’s loss became the CBC’s gain. But there’s more to this young lady than failed schemes and shaking up the acting world.

Okay, so so Arwen isn’t quite this magnetic, but you get the idea…

Hailing from a comedic background, Arwen did a lot of improv, sketch comedy and she even did the standup thing three times. (Which is three times more than I’ve ever been tempted to do it.) She loves TV as much as her fans and is fascinated by the craft of screenwriting, though she has yet to take the plunge herself. Then again, who knows what the future holds for this multi-talented actress?

On a personal note, even casual readers know that Murdoch Mysteries holds a special place in my family’s collective heart, as it was my late-father-in-law’s Jack Fisher’s favorite show, one that sustained him as he battled emphysema. I’ve only been fortunate enough to meet a few cast members (I almost ran Thomas Craig over with two luggage carts in the lobby once), but Arwen was one of them. I have to say, she is as stunning and charming in the modern age as she is in turn-of-the-century Toronto.

But enough of the preliminaries, let’s get to the main event.

 

ONE)  If you could actually live in turn-of-the-century Toronto would you, or are you a modern-age gal through and through?

Prior to working on Murdoch, I would’ve definitely seen myself as a turn of the century gal, but now I’m definitely into corset-free, jean living.

TWO)  You’ve done stand-up 3 times; are you an Amy Schumer type of comic or do you work “clean”?

Clean on stage, but privately I truly believe in a well-placed and not-so-well-placed swear.

THREE)  Many iconic male movie roles (James Bond, Ghostbusters) may be given to women in the future; could you see yourself as a female Murdoch type of character?

Oh most definitely! I’d love to play Murdoch! “Murdoch vision” is so much fun!

If you’re a fan, you know what “Murdoch vision” is. If not, then why are you still reading this?

FOUR)  If you could be any type of insect, what would you be?

Butterfly. They’re my spirit creature.

FIVE)  Which Beatle are you? (Are you a madcap Ringo or a philosophical John?)

Outwardly, madcap Ringo. Inwardly, quiet George.

I can totally see this. Mrs. B is a scamp but Arwen appears to be one of those “still waters run deep” type of folks.

And that concludes another 5×5 with a citizen of the Murdoch Mysteries universe, friends. I’m going to keep chipping away until I mentally scar interview everyone from MM, so stay tuned. I want to thank Arwen for being so gracious and entertaining – virtually and otherwise – and of course, thank you to all of you for showing up.

See you in the lobby, kids…