Erika Prevost

Saint-Pierre marks another significant milestone in your acting career. What initially drew you to the role of Patty Montclair-Ito, and how did you prepare to portray a rookie officer navigating such a complex environment?

Patty’s enthusiasm and passion for her job is what made me fall in love with her immediately! The writing is so good that it really does a lot of the work for you, but the main thing I kept in mind while preparing is how much FUN she is having. She’s like a kid in a candy shop – no matter how serious or high stakes the scene is, there’s always a kind of thrill that Patty carries, so I wanted to make sure that was alive and truthful. She’s such a ball of light in what is often a tense and dark environment. 

The series explores the intricate dynamics of crime on a remote French archipelago. How did the unique setting of Saint-Pierre influence your performance and connection to the story? 

It was really cool getting to actually shoot in Saint-Pierre and explore the island on which all these characters live! Saint-Pierre in real life is such a slow paced town, there’s not much going on, nobody’s in a rush. And I think being in that kind of environment where there’s so much space and so little noise allowed me to be more present with myself and the world around me.

You’ve played a variety of roles across genres, from dance dramas to horror films and crime series. How does working on Saint-Pierre compare to your past projects, and what challenges or surprises did it bring? 

In past projects I’ve often come into an already established show, whether it was the 4th season of The Boys or an existing franchise like Bring It On. It’s so exciting to be part of such iconic worlds, but one of the coolest thing about working on Saint-Pierre was being able to create the world from scratch with the whole team! It’s the very first season so there are no precedents, no rules to follow – we are figuring out the rules as we go, which can be challenging but also so much fun! 

Your background as a dancer has been a big part of your career journey. How has your dance training influenced your approach to acting, particularly in physicality and emotional expression? 

I love this question! Yes, dance was my first love and it’s woven into everything I do. The fact that I have so much physical awareness and was already a performer definitely helped me a lot when I started acting. I actually still use dance and movement as part of my prep almost all the time, even with characters that don’t dance. It’s just a way for me to get the text into my body and get out of my head. Dance brings out the playfulness and confidence in me so it’s always a great launching point!

Representation in the arts is something you’re passionate about. How does your identity as a Japanese-Canadian artist influence the roles you choose and the stories you want to tell? 

For the longest time I didn’t even know what I was missing. It’s only in the past 2-3 years when the industry started to shift and I started getting specifically Japanese or Japanese-American roles in a culturally accurate context that I saw how much I could connect to a character. Even being able to use my language brings out a different part of me that I hadn’t explored with English text, it’s actually really cool! I’m excited to play specifically Japanese characters and I hope more of those opportunities come my way! It also inspired me to start writing and creating the kind of characters I want to play in a context I would like to see them exist in. 

Beyond acting, you’ve created a community for artists with Snacks & Play. What inspired you to start this initiative, and how has it impacted your creative journey? 

Snacks & Play has my whole heart, I love this community so much!! It was my best friend Jennifer Hui and I that started this initiative at the beginning of 2024 when the film industry was slow due to the strikes. We wanted to create a safe space where actors could come together to exchange and support each other through our individual journey pursuing this career path. We all bring a snack and then we play – whether it’s a cold read of some scenes, conversation about process, or watching a movie, the motto is just “show up as you are”. I’ve been so inspired by every single person that I have had the chance to share this space with and it’s definitely made me more brave in my work. 

Mental health awareness is an important cause for you. How do you balance the pressures of the entertainment industry while maintaining your own wellness and advocating for others?

This is a tough one! I’m definitely not consistent yet and balance is still a work in progress, but community and faith helps me a lot! One thing I’ve learned is to share with others – when it’s going well, share; when you’re having a hard time, share. Finding a community in which you feel safe to show up as you are releases so much of the pressure and helped me take myself a little less seriously. Faith gives me the reassurance that at the end of the day, I will always be okay. And the moments where I can let go and trust that what’s meant for me can’t pass me by, it becomes a bit more peaceful and the process becomes more enjoyable. Oh and I also speak to this Japanese monk that reminds me how blessed I am all the time and helps me realign my perspective to a healthier one whenever I feel lost.

In Saint-Pierre, Patty Montclair-Ito plays a key role in unraveling secrets on the island. Without giving away spoilers, is there a particular moment or theme in the series that resonated deeply with you as an actor or person? 

I love Patty so much! She’s so passionate about her work, looks up to Arch so much and just wants to prove herself everyday – those are all things I can relate to deeply both as an actor and a human. Without spoiling anything, there’s a pretty big learning curve for Patty in the very last episode of the season – she’s so driven but this moment forces her to slow down, something Erika maybe needs to learn a little too haha. 

From your early role in Polaroid to working on major productions like The Boys and Dare Me, your career has spanned diverse experiences. What’s been your most rewarding moment in the industry so far, and why? 

My most rewarding moment was actually just a few months ago when I was in LA for a chemistry read. It’s nothing tangible, but it was just the confidence I was able to carry in that room. Because getting a job requires a higher-up’s “approval”, it’s so easy to feel small or that you’re there to be liked, but in that moment I felt calm, present, and just myself. And that is such a win – to be able to show up truthfully with the deep knowing that I am enough!! That will always be the most rewarding thing and I’m finding more and more of those moments! 

As someone who’s already accomplished so much, what’s next for you? Are there any dream roles or personal creative projects you’re particularly excited to explore? 

I really wanna do a GOOOD indie film – a character that fights through hardships and doesn’t give up even when all odds are against her, someone who carries pain but through the course of the film learns to embrace it and finds her light again. The context can be so many things but yeah, some sort of fighter! Also a big dream of mine is to produce my own series! I’m currently developing a show with my director partner Graeme Campbell, and getting that off the ground is something I’m working towards and am really excited about!