Interview With Peacocks Hit Original Series Hitmen Star Tonya Cornelisse On Best And Worst Entertainment Advice, Working While Under Covid Restrictions In The UK, And More

Star of stage and screen and voice-overs and writing (Oh My!) Tonya Cornelisse. Photo courtesy of Anderson Group PR

Tonya can do it all and has the credits to prove it. With 55 acting credits to her name including Peacock’s Hitmen, Trial & Error, How to Get Away With Murder, Parks And Recreation, several writing credits (The Homemade Sketch Show, We Are The Galores, Dog Lovers) a few producer nods (The Better Sister, The Homemade Sketch Show) and a ton of voice-over work including animation, commercials, audiobooks, and more, she is a powerhouse of talent and thanks to a pandemic size hole in her work schedule, she had the time for a quick interview with yours truly.

1) In Peacock’s original series Hitmen you play Liz, one of the two more capable assassins working for Mr K. How did you prepare for the role and what did you enjoy most about playing her?

LIZ ~ She’s awesome. It’s funny, instinctually, I reverted to childhood. I was kind of a ratty kid and Liz (as an adult) flings insults like the insecure bully on the playground that really just wants to be loved. So every time I would hop into her skin I really just placed myself back at lunchtime recess where you would from these little battlegrounds to mark your territory and own the merry-go-round or monkey-bars or the biggest snow-hill. It comes from a place of “play” first and foremost, there is much vulnerability that lies beneath the surface. She functions emotionally from a primal place – and I love finding that… You instantly feel the history of this person from a very private inner-world.
 
2) The reviews and ratings have been really positive for the series, and congratulations on the season 2 pickup! What do you hope for the new season?

Thanks! I thought the scripts were so funny but you truly never know how anything will be received. We all had the best time working together and I think that translates from set to screen.
 
3) What was it like working with both Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins on the same set?

Awesome. They are brilliant and so open and collaborative and funny. It made for a really creative environment that everyone got to experience – cast & crew alike.
 
4) With Covid-19 restrictions still in place, are you currently able to work, or is everything still on hold until the restrictions are relaxed?

It is sloooooowly opening up again it seems. I think UK has a bit more of a handle on things than America — remember VOTE IN NOVEMBER !
 
5) Finally, what is one piece of terrible advice and one piece of good advice people have given you about working in the entertainment industry?
There is really so much bad advice isn’t there?! I think if someone says something to you that doesn’t resonate with your purpose or work ethic – screw them and go with your instincts. You’re there for a reason, remember that! I think anything to do with “branding” yourself is a complete joke. You’re an artist and your individual humanity is your meal ticket.

*Good Advice: Bobby Moresco (great writer/director and friend of mine) said: At the end of the day, YOU have one job, leave a piece of your soul up there. That’s why were here, right? That’s the magic.

Photo courtesy of Anderson Group PR. For more information about Tonya’s work, you can visit her website right here.