As a break out star on WGN's record breaking series "Outsiders, actress/playwright/ GLAAD Award Nominee Tina Alexis Allen is a force to be reckoned with in this clash-ofcultures drama rooted in coal mining Kentucky.

 

 

- You work nearly 30 years in the business. When did you first discover your passion for the world of Entertainment?

- I had a very successful career in fashion right out of college but ultimately, I felt something was missing. I think it was my need for somewhere that allowed me to use so much unexpressed pain and rage and passion inside of me. On what looked like a shocking move to everyone I knew including me, I walked away from my fashion career and took my first acting class. A late start but I never looked back.

 

 

- The first time i looked Outsiders is just some weeks ago. How did you get cast for the role as Shurn?

- I had heard they were developing a TV series based on an Appalachian family, and I told my agent to keep an eye out because I had just played an Appalachian woman Off-Broadway and was quite drawn to that world. When the time came for casting, my agent got me an audition for what turned out to be one of the best experiences of my life.

 

- How would you describe Shurn's role in the family?

- Shurn’s role inside the family is to speak truth, at all costs; to fight for what is just and fair. She has nothing to lose and fears nothing after the loss of her son. Shurn turns that tragedy into a crusade to end the violence that is destroying the Ferrell clan and took her son. Most certainly, Shurn is Big Foster’s (David Morse) nemesis as she holds him responsible for her boy’s death.

 

- Could you share some funny, remarkable, weird stories regarding the filming of your scenes?

- There’s an episode called “Healing” where Gillian Alexy’s character is on the verge of death. So, the family prays on our knees outside her home for what felt like an eternity on the dirt ground and so I nicknamed the episode “Kneeling.” After a couple hours, even knee pads don’t help the pain! Ah, the glamorous life of an actor!

 

- The series was surprisingly canceled after the second season. how was the ending received by the actors?

- With great disappointment as the cast assumed we were heading back for Season Three. Actually, I think it came as quite a shock. WGN was sold to another company so it was simply a matter of circumstances, not a reflection of the show.

 

- When I look at your list of movies and series there is many you worked in. Do you still have a dream of a movie or series you would love to play?

- Oh yes, I’d like to play the President of the United States.

 

- What was your personal highlight as actress so far?

- There are a few but Shurn ranks right up there because it was such a freeing role - Shurn didn’t care what she looked like, how she spoke, what she had or didn’t have, she only cared about fighting for a peaceful and safe world for her family.

 

- What does the future hold for you? Anything you would like to plug to our readers?  - After Outsiders ended, I wrote a childhood memoir, Hiding Out, a memoir of Drugs, Deception and Double Lives (HarperCollins) It’s a no holes barred look at my complicated childhood - one of those, “you wouldn’t believe it if it weren’t true” stories. I am developing Hiding Out as a TV series that I hope to get on air. Your readers can find it on Amazon in most countries.

 

- Is there anything else you would like to let your fans know?

- I am the youngest of 13 children, I played college basketball on scholarship. I love playing a wide range of characters and even I wrote and acted in a one “man” show Off-Broadway playing a man - my father! You can see me portraying “Sir John” on Instagram @TinaAlexisAllen.

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https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1017514/

www.tinaalexisallen.com

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