"Love in action"
Lorianna De Giorgio

Established actors Stuart Hughes and Megan Follows know the secret behind a successful marriage both on and off the film set: whenever you can, work together.

The Leaside-based couple, who spend half their time in Los Angeles, believe working together, whether it's on film, TV or in plays, adds to the longevity of their real-life marriage.

"We're able to bring a shorthand and subtle intimacy (to a particular production) that can be quickly accessed," Hughes says over the phone from their home in L.A., which they share with their two teenage children.

The pair have starred in a number of productions in their 14-year union, most recently the made-for-TV film, Booky's Crush, the third chapter in the family-friendly movie series based on the books by Bernice Thurman Hunter.

Like the previous Booky films, Booky Makes Her Mark (2006) and Booky and the Secret Santa (2007), the upcoming production stars Hughes and Follows as Tom and Francie Thomson, the parents of Beatrice "Booky" Thomson, a precocious 11-year-old played by actor, Rachel Marcus.

The two-hour film premieres Feb. 15 on CBC TV.

"I love the feel of it … the family quality to it," says Hughes, who along with acting is a founding member of Toronto-based Soulpepper Theatre Company.

"(You) see people under pressure … it lacks a certain saccharine quality to it," he continues.

Follows, whose family is often referred to as "The Fighting Follows" as her parents and three siblings are all actors enjoys the fact that while the series is set in 1930s Toronto, it's no longer a period piece given the current state of the world's economy.

"Those worries and fears (experienced in the Great Depression) are now a reality," she says.

Perhaps best known for her starring role as the loveable "Anne" in the 1985 Anne of Green Gables miniseries, Follows has shuttled back and forth between Toronto and L.A. since her teens, even attending high school in the sunny American city. Hughes, on the other hand, has only become familiar with L.A. after meeting Follows.

Both equally love L.A.v "I spent my formative years in L.A. … I love the actual city," says Follows. "The quality of life here … "

"I love Toronto, we have family there," muses Hughes, "but we get things offered down here in L.A. that you wouldn't be exposed to in Toronto."

Follows, who has appeared in a slew of TV and film productions since her Green Gables days views the industry as a business – one that doesn't change depending on which country you're in.

"When you love what you do, it doesn't really have a border associated with it," says Follows.

Hughes admits what he loves most about acting, whether it's on stage or in front of the camera is the sense of community shared by all the people involved.

"I love that you get to play … we are players," he says. "It's a very liberating and rewarding endeavour."

The fact he gets to "play" with his wife makes his career choice even sweeter.

Hughes, who has won Dora awards for several theatrical roles, says for many years he felt partial to theatre since he had so much experience (and love) for it.

However, he admits that in the last five years he's started to enjoy and feel more comfortable in front of the camera, something he says Follows has helped him with.

"Megan grew up on a film set," says Hughes. "One of the great things of working together is that I learn from her."

And the learning is reciprocal.

Since Hughes is more familiar with theatre than Follows, he has helped her become accustomed to being a stage actor, she says.

"Stewie helps me a lot," she says affectionately.

"It's lovely to do something that you love with the person you love," Follows continues, proving that real-life, happily-ever-after tales in Hollywood (and Toronto) do exist.

Source: Town Crier Online