A multi-talented performer on musical stages and screens both big and small, Charlottesville’s Schuyler Fisk stars as Amanda Moore-Hillier in the Hallmark+ original series “The Chicken Sisters,” based off the New York Times bestselling novel of the same name by KJ Dell’Antonia. The eight-episode family drama centers around four women at the heart of a heated restaurant rivalry. The first two episodes are now available on the recently launched Hallmark+ streaming service, with new episodes premiering every Thursday through October 24. As the story of feuding fried chicken purveyors unfolds on screen, we put the seasoned singer-songwriter and actress in the HotSeat.
Name: Schuyler Fisk
Age: How dare you
Hometown: Here
Pronouns: she/her
Job(s): Actress, musician
What’s something about your job that people would be surprised to learn? We have spit buckets for scenes when we’re supposed to be eating food. We usually never actually swallow it.
What is acting/performing to you? My dream job
Why is supporting performing arts education important? Creative minds, artists, and performers make our lives and communities better, more interesting, and more joy-filled.
Favorite city to perform/work in: I really enjoyed filming “The Chicken Sisters” in beautiful Vancouver, BC, during the summer. My favorite place I’ve ever toured playing music is most definitely Tokyo, Japan.
Favorite movie and/or show: Father of the Bride (with Steve Martin) / “Homeland” (on Showtime)
Favorite musician/musical group: Colin Killalea / Klauss
Favorite book: Many Lives, Many Masters and all of Dr. Brian Weiss’s other books, too.
What are you currently watching? “The Chicken Sisters” on Hallmark+ (and you should be too!) and also “The Perfect Couple” on Netflix—really sticks with you!
What are you currently listening to? Vampire
Weekend’s latest release, Only God Was Above Us.
Go-to karaoke song:
“Any Man of Mine” by Shania Twain
Best advice you ever got: “You meet the same people on the way up that you meet on the way down.”
—My mom
Proudest accomplishment: My children
Celebrity crush: Harrison Ford in the Indiana Jones movies
Who’d play you in a movie? Genevieve Angelson
Who is your hero? Teachers
Best part of living here: My friends and community.
Worst part of living here: No direct flights to L.A. or Austin
Favorite Charlottesville restaurant: Birdhouse
Favorite Charlottesville venue: Jazz at Miller’s on a Thursday night if I can stay up late enough.
Favorite Charlottesville landmark/attraction:
The Sugar Hollow trail to
Blue Hole
Bodo’s order: A Cleo Salad with a scoop of egg salad
on top.
Describe a perfect day:
A morning snuggle with
my kids.
A latte and gluten free muffin at Cou Cou Rachou.
An acupuncture session with the most beautiful healer, Kyung Lee.
Vintage shopping at Low.
A taco from Barbie’s
Burrito Barn.
Some recording with my
guy, Colin Killalea, at White Star Sound studio.
A visit to our friend, Bill Curtis, and a glass of wine at his amazing bottle shop, Tastings of Charlottesville.
Dinner at Birdhouse.
If you could be reincarnated as a person or thing, what would you be? I just hope I’m reunited with people I love in this life.
If you had three wishes, what would you wish for? Not DT.
Are there any superstitions you abide by? If I’m traveling, I always hold hands with my traveling companion for take-off and landing. If I’m flying alone, I hold my own hand.
Most embarrassing moment: Shooting at the wrong basket in a middle- school basketball game.
Best Halloween costume you’ve worn: I love making my own Halloween costumes and I’m proud of so many of them. The one that’s coming to mind right now is a fantastic chicken costume I made.
Do you have any pets? Yes! Mills, our perfect dog.
Subject that causes you to rant: Ha ha. Those little vessels that people put around their house for decoration but serve no purpose. That and bad customer service.
Best journey you ever went on: Motherhood
Next journey: I’m looking forward to the journey of ALL of us to the voting booths coming up in November. REGISTER TO VOTE PLEASE.
Most used app on your phone: The Notes app
Favorite curse word: Biscuits! (Learned that one from my 4-year-old.)
Favorite word: Manifest
Hottest take/most unpopular opinion: Not a fan of orange wine.
What have you forgotten today? I forget to take my vitamins every day.