‘The Bridge’ puts new spin on police force politics
Interviewee: Inga Cadranel
By: Constance Droganes (entertainment writer, CTV.ca)
Date: March 2, 2010
Source: CTV News
Note: This is an interview with INGA CADRANEL who plays Jill on THE BRIDGE.
There are cop dramas that go by the book. Then there is “The Bridge,” a new CTV police-force series that jacks up the TV-viewing intensity.
Debuting on Friday, March 5 at 9 p.m. on CTV, the two-hour series premiere begins as a frustrated beat cop (Frank Leo) sees his mentor framed by corrupt police brass.
His mentor’s subsequent suicide forces this officer into the treacherous world of police-force politics, intrigue and violence.
“This is a very gritty show that doesn’t pussyfoot around,” says Canadian costar Inga Cadranel, 31.
The series is based on the personal accounts of former Toronto police union head Craig Bromell. That authentic, insider’s point of view helps “The Bridge” reach beyond traditional cop-show formulas, says Cadranel.
“This is no ordinary procedural shows about cops solving a case,” says the Gemini-nominated Toronto actress.
“The storylines centre around unions and politics, all the inner workings of the police force itself,” says Cadranel.
Best-known for her work in the TV comedies “Rent-a-Goalie” and “Jeff Ltd.,” Cadranel portrays a strong-willed detective moving up the ranks of a fictitious Canadian police department in “The Bridge.”
Cadranel’s attitude and believability as a female officer instantly impressed Bromell and his real-life police friends.
“It’s hard to find that realistic mix in an actress. I was lucky to pull it off. But, it wasn’t always easy,” says Cadranel.
The mother of a four-year-old son, Cadranel’s greatest challenge on “The Bridge” came whenever the show spotlighted crimes against children.
In one episode a six-year-old is killed in a Regent Park apartment complex in Toronto.
“I had to watch my partner pretend to pick this kid’s hair fibres out of a wall. It was terrible because I knew the moment was based on real events,” says Cadranel.
Throughout the shoot Cadranel could hear babies crying outside the apartment buildings.
“The whole moment hit me hard,” says Cadranel. “Separating myself from these murdered children took a great deal out of me.”
Cadranel is memorably defiant in “The Bridge”
Born into a showbiz family, Cadranel’s parents, Maja Ardal and Jeff Braunstein, are stage actors, directors and writers.
Her brother, Paul Braunstein, is also an actor.
“When we were growing up we had all these crazy, in-your-face guys around the house. For us it was like, ‘Ugh! Actors again,'” she laughs.
As an act of rebellion, Cadranel stayed clear of the family business until high school.
“In was in my blood. I knew this was my calling,” says Cadranel.
Now married to “Heartland” star Gabriel Hogan, who also grew up in an acting family, the model-pretty actress launched her career in Toronto theatre in the mid-1990s.
She has since appeared in television series such as “The Eleventh Hour,” “Relic Hunter” and “ReGenesis.”
Cadranel also appeared in Mickey Rourke’s 2008 crime drama, “Killshot.”
CBS has also picked up “The Bridge” as part of their lineup. Cadranel’ and cast could see their careers explode in the U.S. market should the show do well.
“It’s so hard to predict these things,” says Cadranel.
“This show is super intense and takes many chances. That is a risky thing to do with audiences,” she says. “We’ll just have to wait and see how the public responds.”