The Rig star Emily Hampshire on new psychological horror Mom

Schitt’s Creek star Emily Hampshire tells us all about The Rig and postnatal hell in new horror movie Mom.

What drew you to the script of supernatural horror film Mom?

The idea of postpartum depression being the monster in your head was really interesting to me. I like doing serious subjects that are attacked by comedy or another genre.

You get the message across without having to hammer someone on the head with it. When researching this part, I spoke to people who’ve been through post-natal depression and it does seem like a horror movie. It’s so terrifying and people don’t talk about it.

© Blue Finch Film Releasing

How is the film’s supernatural element used as a way into a difficult topic?

I feel that’s the way to really get to hearts and minds. If you just do a movie about postpartum depression and don’t have anything attached to it, then it’s a documentary. I’m not really into any specific genre other than if I find the story and the way it’s being told interesting.

If I see a drama, it needs to have some humour in it. I found this script really interesting. It was also such a small cast – a lot of the time I was just alone in a house with a screaming baby!

Is there a great responsibility in taking a role like this?

Yes, especially because I’m not a mother and I want to represent that properly. It’s a horror movie, it should be entertaining and scary, but I think the thing that really related to me was one woman who said that when you’re pregnant, you’re the celebrity, but then the minute you have the baby, you’re nothing.

I was also talking to someone who said his wife had postnatal depression and he didn’t even know it. I think talking about it is important because it just festers this shame if you don’t, and it’s not a shameful thing. It’s real.

You’ve played a lot of characters who are mothers?

They’ve told me through type-casting that I should never be a mother because every one I’ve played is always terrible, abusive, or a mother of a ghost baby! I don’t have kids and I think the universe is telling me I shouldn’t!

© Blue Finch

The film premiered in Glasgow – you call Scotland your second home?

I do The Rig for five months of the year and I love the people I work with so much, like Iain Glen and Martin Compston. There’s something that feels similar to Canadians in the way that we don’t take ourselves very seriously and make fun of each other as a term of affection. That’s what feels like home to me. I feel like I should’ve been Scottish.

Scotland to me is, like in the story of the three bears, the perfect middle bear. In Canada, we’re always in the shadow of America and we keep ourselves down. If you’re successful in Canada, you don’t get a big head. Whereas in America, it’s a little too much the other way where you think you’re really important. Scotland is like the perfect one where you celebrate your own, but don’t take yourselves too seriously.

How much do you enjoy being part of cast of The Rig?

We all really like each other so much. That’s usually not the case, we’re so lucky on that set. I just wish I could do that show forever. Whenever I’m shooting I end up in the best shape of my life by the end because we’re walking thousands and thousands of steps a day just getting to set.

© Jane Barlow / PA

How often do people stop you in the street about Schitt’s Creek?

Everywhere but Canada, where we shot it! I flew over to Scotland and the airline stewardess left me a sweet note saying how much she loved Schitt’s and it’s always so great and surprising it’s still there. With streaming, it never ends because someone can newly discover your show.

I feel very lucky I got to play a character and be in a show that people love. People think I’m better than I actually am. I’m nothing like my character Stevie. She’s chill and cool.

Mom is available to watch on digital streaming platforms.