Amanda Righetti is a Utah-born, Nevada-raised actress and producer, best known for starring in The Mentalist and Colony.
Starting her career at the age of 14, Amanda was a young model before making waves as Hailey Nichol in The O.C. Having impressed with her talent and determination, she later moved on to roles in North Shore and Reunion, in addition to a string of other TV shows and major motion pictures.
On August 5, Amanda will be on our screens once more, starring as Jenna Thompson in Hallmark Channel’s new original movie Love at the Shore. If heartfelt romance is your thing, then you’re going to adore this tale of unexpected love.
We recently had the opportunity to question Amanda on her role in Love at the Shore, defying the ‘never work with children or animals’ proverb, her best piece of wisdom and much more.
You’ll be back on our screens on August 5, starring in Hallmark Channel’s Love at the Shore. What can you tell us about the show and your role?
I play Jenna Thompson, a novelist and single mother of two. Jenna takes her two children to a beach home rental for the summer to finish her book, and unexpectedly falls in love.
What attracted you to the character of Jenna, and the script, in the first place?
“Love At The Shore” is completely opposite in genre and character compared to “Colony” which was part of the appeal for me. It was an opportunity to do something a little lighter and more fun than the projects I have been doing the past couple of years.
Are there any similarities between yourself and Jenna?
Jenna thrives off of being in control of her life and being self sufficient. I recognize and relate to those aspects of her personality, as well as the nurturing, protective instincts as a parent.
Peter Porte plays Lucas, who certainly shakes up Jenna’s world a little. What was he like to work with?
Peter is a great guy and we had a lot of fun working together. He’s very easy going and relaxed, which helped keep the atmosphere on set light and fun.
You also got to work with Luke Loveless and Reagan Shumate who play your kids, as well as Happy the Dog. There’s an old saying which says that you should never work with children or animals, but it looks as though you had a brilliant time! What were they like to work with?
Luke and Reagan were adorable and really came across like siblings. They fit right into those roles with each other. Happy the Dog was very well behaved, and we had a wonderful animal wrangler that trained him well. All in all, we proved the old adage wrong. Working with an animal and children was a treat. They were all troopers!
You’re best known for your role as Grace Van Pelt on The Mentalist. What was it like to be a part of the long running series and see your character develop over that time?
I feel very blessed to have been a part of such a long running and well received show. Van Pelt was given the opportunity to grow as a character over the course of the series, and I appreciate that the writers carved that growth out for her over the course of the story line. She came into her own, grew up and into who she was, and I was right there with her as she did.
You also play Maddie in Colony, which has been renewed for a third season. The show ended on a cliffhanger for your character, and whilst you probably can’t tell us if you’ll be appearing in the next season, what’s it been like portraying Maddie so far?
Maddie has been such a wonderful character to play. I really enjoy her unpredictable nature. Sometimes she surprises herself in the decisions she makes, and as an actor it gives me interesting colors to play. It’s exciting when scenes and characters have different layered facets, and being given the creative freedom to explore the colors, makes it a joy to be a part of.
You’ve appeared in a number of shows of different genres, from rom-coms to sci-fi to drama-mystery. What kind of role would you like to tackle next?
Whatever is next, I would like it to be different than what I have come from.
We love how you post Wednesday Wisdom quotes on social media. What’s your best piece of wisdom to live by?
The serenity prayer is a daily favorite of mine.
How do you like to relax in your spare time?
Lately, spontaneity contributes the most to relaxing in my spare time.
Do you have any other projects that you’d like to tell us about?
I’m currently working on an independent feature that I hope to talk more about in the next couple of months.
Thank you to Amanda Righetti for her time! Make sure you catch Love at the Shore when it premieres on the Hallmark Channel on August 5.