As the release of the highly anticipated film adaptation of Karen Kingsbury’s novel Someone Like You hits the silver screen, audiences are eager to delve into the heart-wrenching yet uplifting story of love, loss and self-discovery. At the centre of this emotional journey is Canadian actress Sarah Fisher, who takes on the challenging dual roles of Andi Allen and London Quinn.

I had the pleasure of (virtually) sitting down with Sarah to discuss her experience bringing these characters to life and the overarching theme of hope that permeates the film. Although divided by technology, Sarah’s bubbly and joyous personality burst through my monitor with an energy that radiated positivity and optimism, ingredients in short supply these days that were very welcomed to our chat and surely those around her.

Sarah’s journey into acting was somewhat serendipitous, stemming from her background as a singer and a chance encounter during a gap year after high school. “I thought I’d use it to pursue music, but somehow shifted to acting on a whim when a friend asked if I wanted to try it,” Sarah recalls. “I gave it a shot at Armstrong Acting Studios, where I was encouraged to seek representation based on my performance grades there.” This leap of faith led her to her breakout role as Becky Baker on Degrassi: The Next Generation, a show that is largely acclaimed as being a Canadian talent incubator. “Everyone on the show is family. It was like no time had passed when I saw them this past Christmas. I couldn’t have asked for a better way to start in this industry and fall head over heels in love with it.”

In Someone Like You, Sarah faces the unique challenge of portraying identical twins with distinct personalities, “How do I take on these two roles of two women that are identical twins but still such different women, while united by this same beautiful sparkle?” Sarah reflects. It’s a testament to her talent and versatility as an actress that she seamlessly embodies both Andi and London, infusing each character with depth and authenticity and delivering on the vision of author Karen Kingsbury. “Karen was such a beautiful person to work with,” Sarah comments. “It was such an honour and pleasure to bring her very unique, three-dimensional characters to life.”

Working alongside Tyler Russell on his directorial debut, Sarah found a supportive and collaborative environment on set. “I adore Tyler,” she says. “He is so brilliant and talented with such a clear idea of his vision. His delivery was so gentle and supportive every single day.” Sarah also highlights the importance of the film’s message of love and hope, emphasizing the interconnectedness of family and the resilience of the human spirit. “This is a story about love, but not just about the love between Andi and Dawson,” she explains. “It’s about the love between families – London’s family and Andi’s family. It’s about finding light in darkness, even in the heaviest and hardest moments.”

As Someone Like You prepares to captivate audiences nationwide, Sarah Fisher’s performance promises to inspire and uplift. It reminds us that even in the most grim, challenging of times there will always be a beacon in the night.

An unrelated however very important footnote:

Beyond her work on screen, Sarah is also an ambassador for Carley’s Angels, a cause close to her heart. Named after Sarah’s friend Carley Allison, who passed away from cancer, Carley’s Angels is a charitable organization that sells merchandise raising funds to aid those battling the illness to have more access to integrative treatment. The organization partners with our community and world class cancer centres to fund equitable and accessible programs and to put the human touch back in cancer care. In honour of the Allison family’s forever angel, the organization aims to break down every barrier with innovative and targeted programs.

Photography credit: Movie stills provided by Taro PR , headshots by David Higgs, styling by Kirsten McGovern, Hair by Sophie Rose and Makeup by Daphne Chantell