Welcome back to the Velvet Runway and our “Inspiring Women” series, with this exclusive interview with actress Jessica Morris, star of the movie “Danger in the Spotlight”.

Jessica Morris stars as Martha in the movie “Danger in the Spotlight” which is airing now on the Lifetime Movie Network (LMN).  With her sobriety threatened and the fear of losing custody of her daughter, Martha begins to work as a caretaker for a crash victim to investigate the mysterious crime.

Jessica, who is best known for her role as Jennifer Rappaport on “One Life to Live“, will also bring her talent to the upcoming Lifetime original movie  “A Mothers Terror”, the story of a woman who is abducted for seven years as a small child, and twenty-five years later, after her kidnapper is released from prison, must face the anguish of her own daughter’s disappearance.

Morris is no stranger to the network, as she also starred in the“The Wrong” franchise, a thriller television film series, comprising more than 25 movies,  produced between 2016 and 2021. The Series includes “The Wrong Fiancé”, “The Wrong Teacher”, “The Wrong Man”, “The Wrong Student”, “The Wrong Mommy”, “The Wrong Estate Agent” and “The Wrong Roommate”.

interview with actress Jessica Morris

She also starred in “Pool Boy Nightmare”, a twisted tale of revenge, released in September 2020, and in various horror films including: “Living Among Us” (Andrew Keegan, John Heard, William Sandler, and Thomas Ian Nicholas), “The 6th Friend” (Dominique Swain) and “Art of the Dead” (Tara Reid and Richard Grieco) 

In addition to her many Lifetime credits, she has also been in the Netflix series “The Upshaws’, alongside Wanda Sykes, Mike Epps, and Kim Fields as well as “Party of Five”.  She also appeared in the hit film “Role Models” alongside Paul Rudd, Seann William Scott, and Christopher Mintz-Plasse,

She co-starred in Season 2 of Amazon Prime’s Daytime Emmy Award-winning “The Bay”, and was one of the leads in Amazon Prime’s Daytime Emmy nominated series “Ladies of the Lake” where her performance earned her a nomination for Best Lead Actress in Drama at the Indie Series Awards.

She also starred alongside an all-star cast in the hit web-series “Beacon Hill”, which was nominated for a Daytime Emmy in the Outstanding New Approaches -Drama Series category

Things are not slowing down for Morris, as she recently wrapped up production on the film “Web of Deceit”, which she co-wrote and starred in alongside her “One Life to Live” co-star Melissa Archer. Morris stars as Brianna, an English teacher who is lured into a secret relationship with one of her students. Things take a turn for the worse when she discovers the student is obsessive and mentally disturbed. 

Take a read of our interview with actress Jessica Morris and find out what inspires her and more about her role in “Danger in the Spotlight”

Exclusive Interview with actress, Jessica Morris

interview with actress Jessica Morris

Thank you so much for joining us, Jessica! Can you tell us a little more about your ‘backstory’?

Thanks for having me. I’m originally from Florida. I drove out to Los Angeles when I was 19 years old. I didn’t know anyone out here, but I was dedicated to throwing myself into the entertainment business and developing a life as an actor.

What first inspired you to consider an acting career and how did you first get your start?

As a shy child, acting was a way for me to express myself. I fell in love with it from the first time I was on stage. I decided to make the move out West after I graduated. I quickly got an agent and  hit the ground running. I booked the lead in a horror film and a couple of smaller television roles, and then I got my start as a series regular on ABC’s “One Life to Live.”

Who or what was your greatest inspiration in pursuing a career in acting?

My inspiration was just to live my life doing what I love most. I’ve always been a very creative person and found that acting is what fulfills my spirit.

Can you tell us a little more about your role in “Danger in the Spotlight”, and your character in the movie?

I play the lead role of Martha. She is a recovering alcoholic who is trying to get her life back on track. But the night before a custody hearing for her daughter, she blacks out and  wakes up at the scene of a car crash that appears to be her fault. The woman in the other car is unconscious and because Martha doesn’t want to jeopardize losing her daughter, she flees the scene of the crime. She pursues the other woman to try and find out what happened that night and there are many horrific truths that she finally uncovers.

What was it that attracted you to this role?

I love that this character is not the typical protagonist. She has many flaws and is far from perfect. I found Martha to be a very multi- faceted role that I was quite excited to portray.

How is the role of Martha similar, or different, from roles you’ve played in the past?

Martha starts out a bit broken but has a rather strong arc and becomes very different by the end of the  movie.

What was your favorite part of filming this movie?

Working with director David Martin Porras was such a treat. His enthusiasm for his project was extremely evident every single day.  He gave fantastic direction and kept the energy on set very dialed in.

You have been in many thriller/horror films. What is it that most attracts you to this genre?

These types of movies really take you out of the ordinary and allow you to stretch your imagination.

How do you rise above the pressures of the industry when it comes to the acceptance of certain jobs and staying true to your image?

It is not easy. Sometimes you just want to take whatever comes your way because you love to work so much. But it is very important to set some standards for yourself.

What tips would you give to other women in your industry to help them to avoid “burn out”?

It is crucial to have other creative outlets. If you are sitting around waiting for auditions or bookings, you can become frustrated and your work and mental health may suffer. Write, paint, dance…find ways to keep your creative juices flowing.

This series is all about representing and empowering dynamic women everywhere; can you recall a particular moment in the last year that influenced your growth and evolution as a woman?

Seeing the first script that I ever wrote go into production and watching it come to life was very empowering for me. It inspired me to keep pushing my career to new heights.

The Covid-19 pandemic has affected nearly every aspect of our lives today. Can you tell us what are the biggest challenges you are facing in your career during this pandemic? And how are you overcoming them?

It was challenging for everyone when the industry shut down. Now that things are slowly opening back up, I’m just so grateful and appreciate all the safety precautions that are being adhered to on set.

On a more personal level, can you share your strategies about how to stay calm and sane during these difficult times? Are there any self-care routines, practices, or treatments that you do to help you stay grounded?

Getting out in nature is huge for my well-being. Fresh air, sunshine and physical activity keep me from getting depressed or from feeling too cooped up.

What do you want to be known for in your life and career?

I hope that my determination, passion, and persistence will be noticed and will hopefully inspire others to keep striving and  going after their dreams.

What has been the biggest challenge/ hurdle you have faced so far?

Honestly, there are many highs and lows as an actress. During the low times, I have needed to find other ways to make ends meet. Over the years, trying to juggle other “survival jobs” while auditioning and working as an actress has been challenging at times.

What has been your biggest milestone / achievement so far?

Every day that I work as an actor, I feel that is an achievement and I never take it for granted.

What are your aspirations for the future? Where would you like to see yourself 5 years from now and are there any imminent plans that you’d like to share?

I would like to get my dream series written and sold. I would like to play one of the leads and have the series become very successful and touch many people’s lives.

What advice do you have for other women, who are aspiring to launch a creative career?

Stay  in your own lane and don’t let others distract you from reaching your full potential.

I hope you enjoyed this inspiring interview with actress Jessica Morris, and don’t forget to check out our other inspiring women features.

You can find Jessica on Twitter and follow her on Instagram

Photo Credit: @Eric Blackmon