Q&A: Erin Karpluk talks Being Erica season three

When CBC's Being Erica concluded its second season in December, its plucky protagonist faced nothing but new obstacles and opportunity.

Career-wise, she had been let go from River Rock Publishing and was about to embark on her own publishing venture with colleague Julianne. Relationship-wise, she broke off her romance with long-time friend Ethan, and said so long to fellow time-traveling therapy patient Kai.

But the uncertainty of Erica's future really came to a head when presented with a mystical hallway of doors, with only her gut to help decide which to enter.

I caught up with Erin Karpluk -- Erica herself -- at last week's CBC Fall TV Preview to get the scoop on season three, which began shooting in Toronto earlier this month.


“It’s so weird because it’s kind of like how [Erica] started off the pilot a little bit," Karpluk says of her character's position in season three. "And while she has evolved and grown as an individual it’s like life is kind of cyclical and there she is and she seems to be back in the bottom of the rabbit hole. Which is kind of nice because it kind of opens up a lot of different places for the show to go."

While the series will continue to focus on Erica's friendships, family, and possible romances, Karpluk says it will delve a lot more into time travel next season.

She recently shot the reveal of what's behind the door, and says it's pivotal to how the story develops.

"So the show takes on a little bit of a spin, a different turn," she says. "It gets a little bit darker and not to say there isn’t still a lot of laughs and humour in it, it’s growing and changing and it’s a better season. It’s by far our strongest season."

While the return of Kai (Sebastian Pigott) has been confirmed, Karpluk would only give me a playful "Maybe" as to whether we'd see Ethan (Tyron Leitso) again.

She did, however, tout the addition of new cast member Adam Fergus, whose character both "befriends Erica and is a thorn in her side," according to a press release. Intriguing.

In addition to securing its spot on CBC's lineup, Being Erica has recently seen ratings success in the States on Disney's SOAPNet.

Karpluk credits the show's central theme for its crossover appeal.

"The one feedback that I continue to get from people is that, regardless of where you're at in your life -- if you’re male or your female, if you’re older or your younger – everyone relates to the idea of having regrets," she says. "Because we all have them. So there’s maybe something identifiable to Erica’s journey that other people can relate to."

The third season of Being Erica will continue to shoot in Toronto through summer, and premiere September 22 on CBC.

[Unrelated, but must be noted: Karpluk was wearing the cutest pair of black pumps which I failed to photograph. She's also just kind of delightful in person!]