Pamela Roylance (Sarah Carter) Exclusive Interview!
1. Hi Pamela, Thanks for being interviewed for PrairieFans.com!
It has been 30 years now since Little House first aired on TV. What
do you think of it's success after so many years? Would you have
thought it would still be as popular today as it was many years ago?
It's interesting that when I joined the show, I didn't think of it
being something that would be so popular 30 years down the road. But
a few years after it was cancelled, I think I knew it would last
just as the books have. I didn't think about it having such
worldwide appeal, however.
2. As an actress, what was it like to be on a Little House? What
were your feelings like about coming on to a show that has already
had years of success? Was it scary?
I felt honored to be cast as Sarah, and to join a show I had admired
as a viewer for so many years. I used to come home from teaching
school in Portland, put dinner in the oven, and watch LH reruns
while the dinner was cooking. I'd think, "That's the kind of show
I'd like to do. Why can't I get on a show like that?" And I'd think
in terms of getting on the show as a regular, not as a guest or
co-star. Hence, I didn't think I'd ever be a regular on LH because
it was already cast with its regulars, and was in its 6th or 7th
season by that time.
I had some natural concerns about joining an existing "family." They
were a well oiled machine. In my mind they might not be interested
in newcomers treading on their territory. After all, they had done
all the work by then. They had made the show what it was, and is,
today. We were walking into something that worked well. I felt
extremely lucky, but wondered how we would be received. If any of
the existing cast members had any reservations about us, they didn't
voice it or show it in anyway. There were just open arms, lots of
smiles and an immediate welcoming into the fold. The fun started the
day we went to work and didn't end until we wrapped.
3. While growing up or before you joined Little House, have you
ever read the books by Laura Ingalls Wilder?
Yes, indeed I did read the LH books as a child. They were a
meaningful memory of my grade school years. I was entirely caught up
in them. Sometimes we would read, and sometimes the teacher would
read them to us. What stayed with me for years was the description
of the holiday foods, and how Almanzo could eat so much.
4.
What can you remember most about working with the cast and crew of
Little House? Anybody in particular you enjoyed working with?
I enjoyed every single person I met on the set of LH. There wasn't a
cast, crew or production member who wasn't a pleasure to work with.
Mike Landon, and Kent and Susan McCray were amazing from the very
first auditions. I owe my being cast on the show to Susan, who saw
something in me that she thought Mike was looking for in Sarah
Carter.
Mike was funny and fun...he was patient and smart. He knew how to
help you relax in the scene. It always impressed me that he could
answer every question I would have before I needed to ask it, as he
explained what he wanted me to do in the scene.
Melissa Gilbert, Leslie Landon and I had a lot of enjoyable times
together on the set. Melissa was so great about helping us feel
comfortable when we started. Stan, Lindsay and David were constant
fun. From the day we auditioned for the network to the last day of
shooting, Stan was the ideal actor to work opposite. Victor French
and Stan and I had wonderful times on and off the set. I was pretty
much an on-camera novice at that point. I probably learned more from
Victor than anyone. He generously taught me about acting for the
camera, and had a polite way of being discreet about it in front of
others. He was always attentive to the actor's feelings and moods.
Dean Butler was so great to be around. He had, and has, a way of
making anyone feel comfortable. His manners, his courtesy, his
professionalism are all impeccable. He made impression on me because
he was such a good person, and reminded me of what I wanted to
develop in myself.
5. What, if any, affect did your role as Sarah Carter have on
your career over the years? Did it help you land roles in other
projects? Are you still associated with or recognized from being on
Little House?
Today, I don't know that too many people recognize me from LH until
I mention I played Sarah. I do think a lot of the work I got after
LH came from having played that role. I think it works in my favor
in today's casting office as well. Experience is never a drawback.
6. Do you have a favorite episode of Little House? Why is it your
favorite?
My personal favorite episode of LH a New Beginning was The Last
Summer. It was such an honor to work with Vera Miles. I read the
script and cried. I saw the episode and cried. I still cry when
Jason speaks his last line.
7. What was it like to wear clothes from the pioneer era? Was it
comfortable?
I love shooting period pieces. The clothes are part of the fun. We
had some tremendously hot days that summer, in those long, heavy
skirts, but it was always worth it.
8. If a Little House TV Reunion was to be made what do you think
Mrs. Carter would be up to?
If they did a reunion of LH, I'm guessing Mrs. Carter would be
enjoying her grandchildren by now. She'd be helping her son who had
taken over the newspaper...most likely Jeb.
9.
Finally, How are things going for you these days? Are you currently
acting? Any projects in the works you wouldn't mind sharing with us?
These days? Well, for the past 8 years I've been dual careered
between acting and public speaking/seminar teaching. But, now I'm
focused on the acting again and activity is starting to generate in
that arena. I shot a Bayer Aspirin commercial last winter that may
start airing again here soon. I have a Purina Cat Chow commercial
currently running. I shot an AARP commercial, which should air on
cable later this month. It's a direct response ad, so if people see
it and pick up the phone to call AARP and inquire about, there's a
good possibility the response will help the spot to go national
network.
And finally, I just shot an episode of Christine Lahti's new series,
called "Jack and Bobby." Ed Begley, Jr. and I play the parents of
Missy, one of the cast regulars. Ed is a Reverend and I'm his "June
Cleaver" style wife. There is a possibility these roles will mature
into recurring characters if all goes well. Our episode is titled:
"A Man of Faith." It was the third episode they shot, so will
probably air three weeks after the pilot airs on Sunday Sept. 12th,
at 9pm on the WB.
10. Thanks again for taking the time out of your busy schedule to
answer our questions. Do you have anything you would like to say to
all the Little House fans around the world?
Many thanks to all of the LH fans around the world who have kept the
show alive. Your support has been wonderful.
Bless you all,
Pamela Roylance
Webmasters Note: Interview was done on September 03, 2004.
