The last year has been a comeback of sorts for Meg Tilly.
American-Canadian actress Tilly (don't get her confused with her fellow actress sister Jennifer) is currently working hard on the hit Canadian TV drama "Bomb Girls," in which she plays the strict Lorna Corbett. It's been almost 30 years since Tilly emerged onto the acting scene with her Oscar-nominated role in "Agnes Of God" and a big part in "The Big Chill."
Before "Bomb Girls," Tilly was busy raising her three children in British Columbia, taking a hiatus from acting (with the exception of a small role in B.C.-shot "Caprica"), but now she's back in a big way.
The second season of "Bomb Girls" premieres on Wednesday, January 2 at 8 p.m. on Global.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Summer, driving home from the organic farms, windows open, wind in my hair, the back of the car filled with flats of fresh taut sweet blueberries, succulent strawberries, raspberries that were allowed to ripen on the vine, so they have that tender fragile quality that causes them to squish into a juicy smear on the fingers if you try to take more than one at a time. Fresh cobs of pale corn, vine ripened tomatoes. And I always buy enough to feed a small village, because that is half the fun. Coming home carrying the fruits of victory to share with my son and his wife and anyone else who ventures into the house looking hungry, doesn't matter if I know them or not.
To have all this abundance in the car, my husband at the wheel, letting me have my fun, loving me for it, not forcing me to be restrained, understanding why being able to do this is so important to me.
And always, on the way home, I have a basket on my lap, of whatever was the sweetest that day. And we eat as much as we want. Never wait until we get home to wash the day's dust off of them. The slight grit is all part of the experience. The smell of the tall summer grass in the fields blurring past, reminding me of summers from my childhood and a wild strawberry patch we found. How my sisters and I waited so patiently for those berries to ripen and when they did, we had a miniature feast. Tiny berries, the size of a child's smallest fingernail, and there was only enough for five each, no more than a mouthful, but boy were they good!
What is your greatest fear?
To fail my kids, to fail myself.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Actually, I'm past the age of deploring things in myself. Did too much of that when I was younger. Now I'm working on accepting all shades and colours of me, the light and the dark. I am who I am.
What is your greatest extravagance?
Having the freedom to share the good fortune I've created out of my lucky, lucky life with the people I love.
On what occasion do you lie?
When I was young, I used to lie all the time. Then one day, I was at the Loft Studio, and Peggy Furey was giving feedback on a scene someone else had just done. "The thing about Chrissie," Peggy said. "Is that she lies all the time. All the time. About little things. Inconsequential things. So you have to ask yourself, why does she lie so much? What is the big lie she's covering? Once you figure out what the big lie is, this scene will start to make sense to you."
And I sat there in that small theatre with the rest of the class, feeling the flush start in my cheeks and radiate out, grateful it was dark, so no one could see. Because I was a liar too, little lies, slipping out like water, covering the bigger lie of my life.
I've worked very hard not to lie and when I find myself wanting to reach for a lie instead of a truth, I sit myself down and look at my life and try to figure out what it is I'm not facing.
What drew you to acting?
It was a total fluke. I got injured and had to leave the ballet world. I had danced in the movie "Fame" and was eligible for a SAG card. I'd watched the actors shooting and acting seemed a whole lot easier than the demands of ballet. All you had to do was pretend to be someone you were? Well, I'd been doing that my whole life. Someone wanted to pay me for it? Even better!
What is one thing you'd change about your industry?
The sexual predatory behaviour that some men in power feel is their right. I think this happens in every industry. There should be workshops offered to young people on how to identify and avoid abusive situations. To learn how to say NO -- and to enforce it. Everyone should have the right to make choices regarding their own body, their dignity and have the ability to work in an atmosphere of mutual respect.
When and where were you happiest?
Now.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Getting to now.
Who are your heroes in real life?
Me and a million others. Always, there is someone, something to inspire me. It's just a matter of allowing oneself to see the kindnesses and acts of bravery that are ever-present all around us.
How would you like to die?
Peacefully, of old age in my sleep with having lived a full, healthy life with all my mental and physical capacities still functioning reasonably well.
Meg Tilly likes to blog for us as well -- check out her posts!
What other notable Canadians would you like to see answer these 11 questions? Are you interested in taking part? Contact us with your suggestions.