What Annie Murphy is wishing for this year

After a whirlwind of a year since Schitt’s Creek came to a close, Emmy Award-winning actor Annie Murphy has been hopping from place to place to work on a slew of new projects. So she’s relieved to be heading back to her home province of Ontario to fête the holiday season.

“I’m going to split my time between Toronto and Ottawa, being with friends here in Toronto, and then going home to see my folks for a little bit,” she says. “And hopefully—depending on how things go COVID-wise—seeing some extended family, because it’s been a real long time.”

Murphy is also returning to The Bay’s holiday campaign for the second year in a row. We chatted with Murphy about what’s new in her world, her top holiday flicks, and her most recent online shopping adventures.

Looking back on our last interview with you, Schitt’s Creek had just swept the Emmys, which was such a delightful moment. How has life changed since then?

“It’s been super busy. I was in Boston for most of last year and a bit of this year, shooting a new show, doing press and working on some other things. I feel really, really lucky to have kept going as much as possible throughout this crazy last year and a half, especially when so many people weren’t able to work.”

Have you talked Dan Levy into the movie yet?

“Dude, I’m still working on it. Every day, every day, I’m still sending my money. He’s still sending it back to me. I will let you know though. As soon as I hear anything positive.”

You’re hot off the first season of Kevin Can F*** Himself. What appealed to you about that show?

“It was such a 180 from Alexis. I loved, loved, loved playing Alexis so much. But coming out of the sixth season of Schitt’s Creek, I really wanted to challenge myself and do something entirely different. And [my character] Allison is exactly that. She’s dark and angry and has terrible fashion sense. And the script was so smart and it was something that I’ve never seen before. So, it checked all the boxes for me.”

You also joined the cast of Russian Doll. Is there anything you can tease about the upcoming season?

“No! Natasha [Lyonne] keeps texting me being like, ‘You better not say anything!’ But I had so much fun on that set. I really felt like a real actress because we shot it all over New York and I got to drive a convertible down the streets of Soho. And I got to shoot in the subway. It was a really fun experience, and working with Natasha—who has like a true alien brain that is functioning on all levels, all the time—it was very cool to watch her work.”

This year’s Hudson’s Bay campaign is all about doing the holidays your way. What’s the most random thing you’ve purchased from bed?

“Oh, gosh. Oh, this was kind of weird: I bought myself a salad spinner the other day. Really treated myself with a nice salad spinner.”

Was that the last thing you ordered?

“I believe it was. Oh, you know, it was actually light bulbs.”

It seems you are a very practical shopper.

“Nothing too extravagant over here. I’m sorry.”

What’s your online shopping style? Are you the late night type?