IN CONVERSATION WITH JILL WAGNER
interview by JANA LETONJA
Actress, producer and TV personality, Jill Wagner’s career successfully stretches between acting, producing and hosting endeavors. In 2023, she partnered with renowned producer/writer/director Taylor Sheridan as executive producer and actress in Paramount Plus’ female-led series ‘Lioness’. She became a widely recognized talent within the Hallmark and Great American Channel platforms, where her roles became some of the network's highest-rated films and series. As a host, Jill has hosted ABC’s hit reality game show ‘Wipeout’ for seven seasons. Besides acting and hosting, she has also dedicated her life to giving back. She supports the efforts of Special Operations Warrior foundation, Toys For Tots, American Cancer Society and others.
Your acting career spans a diverse range of roles across different genres. You played 'Kate Argent', a prominent character in "Teen Wolf." How did portraying a fan-favorite antagonist impact your career and future acting opportunities?
I have always been cast in "The Girl Next Door" roles, so playing the antagonist on ‘Teen Wolf’ was refreshing. I think any time an actor gets to show a different side, it is rewarding for the artist. I welcomed the challenge, and it did nothing but help me hone my craft.
Your work on several Hallmark Channel and Great American Family films has made you become a widely recognized talent. How does that style of acting resonate with you?
I think of these romantic comedies as modern-day fairytales. In a world with so much heaviness, it's nice to have a role that takes you out of it for a bit. My grandmother was the first to ask me to make a movie like this. She was a fan of the genre, and I'll continue doing them in her honor as long as possible. So many people have come up to me and told me stories of how these films kept things light during a heavy time in their lives, and that means the world to me.
As a series regular on ‘Lioness’, you play the character of Bobby, and she seems to be in a unique position. How would you describe her role within the team dynamic of the show and how you see yourself in this role, especially considering the show's focus on strong female characters?
I love Bobby. Taylor wrote this role specifically for me and told me it would challenge me as an actress. He was my acting coach in my 20s, so I am honored that he believed I could pull it off. Bobby is the opposite of anything I have played, but is an integral part of her team. She embodies so many of the female leaders within the military that I have met. They are mission-focused, strong, and intelligent women. I am proud to attempt to portray those that I admire so much.
You're also executive producing the female-led ‘Lioness’ series, where you're working alongside Nicole Kidman and Zoe Saldaña. How has your experience on ‘Lioness’ influenced your view on women's roles in the entertainment industry?
Women's roles in this particular genre have been greatly unrepresented. My desire to shine a light on women in the military isn't because I want to take the light from men. I admire all service members, but I haven't seen an admirable portrayal of our female military of this caliber on screen. Taylor Sheridan was the only person I ever felt could write this series. Being an EP on ‘Lioness’ has taught me so much. This show is bigger than anything I have ever been a part of. It's incredible to have Paramount and 101 Studios get behind a female-led show. It's a dream come true.
Can you tell us about a time when your perspective as an actor directly influenced your decision as an executive producer?
It's interesting to wear both hats. To see things as a producer and know the challenges you have behind the curtain certainly makes me feel more compassionate as an actor. I find myself thinking about the budget and making our days far more than not. Taylor is teaching me the machine's inner workings, which is fascinating. What a gift.
If you could have dinner with your character Bobby, what would you talk about?
I think we would talk about how much she can bench press and how many steaks she has to eat a day. Bobby is a beast.
And if Bobby could give Jill Wagner one piece of advice, what would it be?
Enjoy your life because the way in which you know it can be over in a second.
In what ways has your fitness journey for portraying Bobby impacted your everyday life?
I trained to become Bobby for 2 years. I was pregnant when I found out we were greenlit, had my baby, got in shape, and then got pregnant again before our shoot. I called Taylor and told him he would have to recast Bobby because I was pregnant. He told me he wanted to push our shoot to hold out for Zoe because of her schedule, and it was one of the happiest days of my life. He gave me time to have my second child and a few months to get back in shape, for the second time.
Becoming Bobby physically has been the hardest transformation I have had as an actress. As a woman, I didn't have the testosterone to get the physic that I needed Bobby to have. I had to eat my way there, tons of protein. Diet was 100 percent of the journey, as well as fitness. I trained with three trainers who helped me learn this new way of life. It wasn't easy, but at 45, I did it. I want to inspire all women who want to get in better shape. If you want it, your body can do it. You also have to know your limits. We all have different goals and limitations. I wanted the body of a crossfit athlete, but my body didn't want to do that, so I changed my goal.
You've hosted a variety of television programs, from ‘Wolf Watch’ to the more recent ‘Handcrafted America’, and your own ABC reality game show ‘Wipeout’. How do you balance the different energy and skill sets required for hosting versus acting?
Hosting requires a totally different skill set. In some ways, it's much harder for me than playing any given role. If you are to give your opinion as a host, you can't hide behind a writer. It's you, and you are judged. I feel entirely more vulnerable hosting than I do acting. However, I love both fields.
Can you share some of your favorite moments as a host?
I loved hosting ‘Wipeout’ as we were outside, the course was fun to watch and I got to laugh all day. The people were interesting and I have always loved seeing someone succeed at a goal. It was a good time in my life. I also loved my first hosting job called ‘Punk'd’. It was right in my wheelhouse of things I liked to do. My audition for that was Ashton Kutcher taking me to The Coffee Bean in LA and telling me to wreak havoc. No rules. He just let me go. I only asked him to get me out of jail if I got arrested. By the time the audition was over, I had a line of people waiting for coffee out the door because I told them the creamer had been recalled and that I needed to get some from the next-door grocery store. I used their tip jar money, which I gave back, to buy it. I also asked if I could make the coffees as I used to be a famous barista back in NC, even though I never made a coffee in my life. I think I almost broke their machines. Ashton was hiding in the corner of the coffee shop, got a laugh out of it, and I booked the job.
Given your experience across so many formats - drama, comedy, reality TV, and more - what do you feel is next for you creatively?
That's a great question. As I have gotten older, I find myself not planning as much. I let life take me where needed, and I just try to hang on. My next project is a TV show called ‘Homestead’ for Angel Studios. I play a pregnant therapist who doesn't believe in God. It's a far departure from Bobby but exciting in its own way. I can't say what I will be doing in 5 years or even what I wish to be doing. I just know I want to enjoy my family and friends, and feel fulfilled creatively, whatever that means at that time in my life. I go where God leads me.
Are there any genres or projects you haven't explored yet but would like to?
I want to explore faith-based concepts. I am interested in thought provoking scripts that don't beat you into belief, but allow you to think about what you want to believe and why.
photographer MANFRED BAUMANN
