On Saturday 4th April, Jorie Blake Rosen will be seen playing Emma in the TV movie Rescued by Faith: The Connie and Larry Van Oosten Story when it premieres on Lifetime in the USA, with Nancy Travis and Mike Pniewski as her on-screen grandparents Connie and Larry. It has been announced that Jorie will play Trudy in the upcoming Apple TV series Brothers alongside Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson, with her previous projects including playing Nikki in the psychological thriller series Before (which starred Billy Crystal as child psychologist Eli), and she had guest roles in Home Economics and Big Shot. Jorie has filmed a lead role in a future feature film release, and alongside her acting, she writes and releases her own music, with her debut single and music video Make Your Own Music releasing when she was eight years old. Chatting with us, Jorie told us about playing Emma in the Lifetime release of Rescued by Faith: The Connie and Larry Van Oosten Story, being announced for Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson’s upcoming Apple TV series Brothers, her time filming Before with Billy Crystal and releasing her own music.

Can you tell us about the new TV movie Rescued by Faith: The Connie and Larry Van Oosten Story, which is releasing on Lifetime in the USA on Saturday 4th April?

I’m so excited about this movie! It’s called Rescued by Faith: The Connie and Larry Van Oosten Story, and it’s an emotional true-story movie that’s premiering on Lifetime April 4th.

The story is about this couple, Connie and Larry, and one day they get woken up by this masked stranger in their home and get kidnapped. They’re taken and held in a secret place, and they don’t know what’s going to happen next. But through all of that, they really lean on their faith and love for each other to stay strong. It’s so intense but also so inspiring.

I think audiences are going to get really into the drama and the real-life courage it shows. I’m so proud to be part of something that makes you feel all the feelings – scary ones and hopeful ones too!

What was it like getting into character as Emma and was there anything that drew you to the project?

Getting into character as Emma was interesting because she experiences such intense emotions. I wanted to make sure I portrayed her in a way that felt real and authentic. I spent a lot of time thinking about how she would react in each situation – what her fears and hopes would be, and how her faith helped her stay strong. That really helped me connect with her on a deeper level.

What drew me to the project was the story itself. It’s based on real events, and it’s about courage, hope, and the power of family and faith – which I think are important themes, especially for young people. I also love the connection Emma has with her family and grandparents. I am super close with my grandparents, and they play a big role in my life.

How was it filming opposite Nancy Travis as your on-screen grandmother Connie and with the rest of the cast?

Filming with Nancy Travis was honestly amazing. She’s so experienced and really makes you feel comfortable on set, which helped me feel confident in my scenes. I loved watching how she brings Connie to life – she has this way of making the character feel so warm and real, and it inspired me to bring my best to every take.

The rest of the cast was wonderful too. Everyone was supportive and encouraging, which made it easier to get into those intense or emotional scenes. Even though some of the story is scary, the atmosphere on set was fun and collaborative, so I could focus on my character and really enjoy the experience.

It has been announced that you will be playing Trudy in the upcoming Apple TV series Brothers, starring Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson; what was it like on set of the series?

Working on Brothers was such a cool experience. Being on set with Matthew and Woody – two actors I’ve admired for so long – was inspiring and a little surreal! They both bring so much energy, humour, and professionalism to every scene, and even when we were just rehearsing, it felt like you could learn something from them every minute.

Their chemistry is amazing, and it really helped me feel more confident and comfortable while filming. Trudy was a fun character to bring to life. I think it’s going to be a really great show.

How was it taking on the recurring role of Nikki in the psychological thriller series Before and how would you describe your character?

Working on Before was an incredible challenge and one of the most intense things I’ve done so far. It’s such a deep and mysterious psychological thriller, and the tone of the show is different from something lighthearted – it’s moody, emotional, and every scene feels important because it builds this unsettling atmosphere.

My character, Nikki, is really interesting to play because she isn’t the main focus of the story, but she pops up at key moments that help shape the mystery. She’s complex – she isn’t perfect and has some intense psychological issues going on. It was fun discovering who she is and diving into a role that was new for me.

What did you enjoy most about working on Before, and how was it meeting Billy Crystal, who starred as child psychologist Eli?

What I enjoyed most about working on Before was how immersive and challenging it was. The story is intense and emotional, so every scene required me to think carefully about my character’s reactions and motivations. I loved being able to explore that side of acting and really dig into Nikki’s emotions. It was such a unique experience compared to other projects I’ve done.

Meeting Billy Crystal was honestly amazing. He’s such a legend and was so kind. On set, he made everyone feel comfortable and welcome. He has this way of balancing humour and depth that makes his characters feel so real, and it was inspiring to watch him work up close. Overall, it was such a fun and memorable experience being part of a project with him and the rest of the cast.

In 2022, you had guest roles in Home Economics (as Geraldine Ferraro) and Big Shot (as Little Emma), what were both series like to be part of?

Both shows were such fun experiences, but in really different ways! On Home Economics, the set had this really warm, family-friendly vibe, and I loved being part of a comedy where timing and chemistry were so important. It was amazing to see how the cast work together to make the humour feel natural.

Big Shot was a completely different energy – it’s more dramatic, with sports and emotional moments, so I had to really focus on being in the moment and reacting authentically in each scene. The crew and cast were super supportive on this set and very welcoming.

As a music artist, you write and release your own songs; can you tell us about your music releases, and do you have a songwriting process?

Music is something that’s personal for me. It’s a way I can express emotions or tell stories that I might not always get to explore in acting. I fell in love with songwriting during COVID at the age of eight years old. I think it was a way for me to express my creativity during that hard time. I had no idea it was going to turn into something, but I wrote my first song and was encouraged by some producers and mentors to produce it. I released a few songs during that time period, but as I have gotten older my style has changed, and I am now rediscovering my voice.

As for my songwriting process, it usually starts with an idea or a feeling. Sometimes it’s a melody that pops into my head; other times, it’s lyrics that I want to get out. Then I work on shaping it into a song, figuring out the words, the rhythm, and how it all comes together. I like being involved in every step, from writing to recording, because it makes the songs feel authentic to me. Music and acting kind of go hand in hand for me – both let me tell stories, just in different ways. I am currently working on some new songs that I hopefully will produce soon.

What do you remember from recording your debut single Make Your Own Music and filming the music video at the age of eight?

I remember it being such an exciting experience! I was really young, so everything felt huge and a little overwhelming at first – the recording studio, the cameras, all the people working on the set – but it was also incredibly fun. I loved getting to perform a song that I had a hand in creating, and seeing it come to life in the music video was amazing.

Even at eight, I think I understood that this was something special, and it sparked my love for music and performing. Looking back, it’s really cool to see how far I’ve come since then, but I’ll always remember that first experience as being full of energy, creativity, and excitement. It was the moment I realised that music is something I want to keep sharing and exploring.

Where does your love of acting and music come from and how did you get started in the industry?

I think my love for both acting and music has been part of me for as long as I can remember. I have always loved telling stories and being different characters. I started in musical theatre at three years old, and around eight years old is when I started auditioning for more professional projects.

Both acting and music challenge me in different ways, but they also inspire me and push me to grow creatively – which is why I keep pursuing both.

Do you have any favourite films and TV shows to watch?

I love watching all kinds of shows and movies, and I think it’s one of the best ways to learn as an actor. I really enjoy YA shows because they’re fun, easy to watch, and super relatable – they’re just entertaining and a great way to relax while still noticing how characters are written and portrayed.

Then there are shows like Bridgerton and Ginny & Georgia, which I also love but for different reasons. I enjoy observing the acting, the storytelling, and the production – there’s so much to learn from the performances and the way scenes are constructed.

I also really admire legendary actors like Meryl Streep, Diane Keaton and Elizabeth Taylor. Watching them is like a masterclass in acting – the way they bring depth and nuance to their characters is incredible. Lately, I’ve been taking a deep dive into Natalie Portman’s work. I find it inspiring how she balances such a professional acting career with her education, and I hope to have a career where I can continue growing both professionally and personally.

How do you like to spend your free time?

In my free time, I like to do a mix of creative activities and fun things with friends. I love reading because it’s a way to explore new worlds. I also spend a lot of time writing songs and playing piano, which helps me express myself and experiment with different ideas.

I really enjoy going to theatre shows and concerts whenever I can – seeing live performances is so inspiring and reminds me why I love performing. I also love travelling, as it gives me new experiences and perspectives that I can bring into my work. And, of course, I love hanging out with friends, having fun, and just enjoying the moment. I like to balance creativity, learning, and making memories with people I care about – it keeps life exciting and meaningful.

How do you typically prepare for new auditions and roles?

When I prepare for auditions and new roles, I like to really get to know the character first – who they are, how they think, how they feel, and what motivates them. I read the script multiple times and try to imagine myself in their world, which helps me make choices that feel authentic. I also practice a lot, whether it’s rehearsing lines, experimenting with different emotions, or working on my voice and expressions. I think being prepared, but also open and present, helps me give the most truthful performance I can.

What are you hoping this year brings for you and do you have any upcoming projects that you can talk about?

This year, I’m especially excited about a lead role in a feature film that I’ve been working on. It’s been my favourite and most transformative role so far because it really challenged me as an actress and helped me grow in ways I didn’t expect. I’m hoping the film will premiere later this year, and I can’t wait for audiences to see it.

Being part of a project like this has been such an amazing experience, and it’s reminded me how much I love taking on roles that push me to explore new emotions and bring characters to life in a meaningful way. It’s a role I’ll always remember in my career.

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