Moving effortlessly between mystery, music, and storytelling, Kerry Frances is entering a defining chapter of her career. Returning to Rian Johnson’s Knives Out universe in Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery—this time in a central role as medical examiner Tammy—the actress, singer, and filmmaker reflects on artistic growth, working alongside a star-studded cast, and the deep connection between her many creative worlds.
You return to the Knives Out universe now with a much more central role, playing Tammy, a medical examiner who becomes a key piece in Benoit Blanc’s investigation. What was it like to revisit this franchise that marked your journey, now standing in a completely different place in the story?
It’s a thrill to be back in the Knives Out universe, and I’m honored to be one of very few repeating actors in the series, alongside Daniel Craig, of course. Tammy and Sally (from Knives Out) are total opposites, so it’s really fun to play such different roles. I’m also able to note my own growth as a person and an actor during the time between the films. Knives Out was my very first movie ever, so with more experience under my belt, I was able to approach Wake Up Dead Man differently, while still maintaining my excitement and gratitude.
Tammy is a character who deals with death in a technical and emotionally controlled way. How did you build her internally? Was there a point where science and sensitivity needed to find balance?
I researched what it’s like to work in a morgue from both professional and personal perspectives (you really can find anything on Reddit) to get insight into her day-to-day work and life. There’s no way I would ever choose that profession, so I got to dive deep into a brand-new world, which is part of what makes acting so fun. My immediate understanding of Tammy is that she wanted something where she didn’t deal with people, spent a decent amount of time alone, probably with earbuds in while listening to a favorite podcast. I worked backward from there, as it made me curious what that kind of person must be like or have gone through.
Personally, I’ve chosen the most public career, where I’m often on stage facing thousands of people, or seen on screens by millions—quite the opposite of Tammy—so it was really fun to step into her shoes. I admire how unbothered and unimpressed she is. We share a trait of being detail-oriented, and we’re both leaders. It’s important to find things in common as much as it is to find all the many ways I’m different from my roles.
In the end, I felt like Tammy is easily annoyed and has found running the morgue to be her ultimate peace. I don’t think she’s cold or unkind, but focused on her work, which takes the emotion out of it. I imagine the rest of the time, as soon as she leaves work, she’s a very sensitive and emotional person, which is why this work is best suited for her—she can put those feelings aside in favor of structure and science.
With Daniel Craig, Glenn Close, Mila Kunis, and Josh O’Connor, the cast of this new film is remarkable. Is there any behind-the-scenes moment that, for you, captured something special about the collaborative process of this group?
It’s definitely a stacked and impressive cast full of A-list talent who also happen to be kind and welcoming. It was really lovely to reunite with Daniel, who immediately pulled me in for a hug and knew who I was. That made me feel special and seen. He was also super collaborative in our scene, playing around, improvising lines, and making sure to use my character’s name, talk more with me than was in the script, and ask curious questions—some of which wound up in the final cut.
I also quickly shot a scene in the bar where Tammy is observing Father Jud, and that morning I remember everyone seemed a little extra sleepy. When we started rehearsal, Rian walked over to give me a big hug, and Josh immediately burst into a big smile and followed suit. It was such a sweet moment and a reminder of how connected everyone is while making these movies, and the thrill of all of us doing what we love and sharing in that passion together. There is absolutely nothing like making movies and TV shows, but getting to do so with my friends and people who get along is sensational.
You also debut a new song in the film Us & Ourselves, “You & Me & Everything.” How does your musical side interact with your acting? Do you feel one feeds the other?
This is really exciting for me, as placing a song into a film was one of my major goals this year. Everything I do comes from a place of being a storyteller and artist. While acting is much more collaborative and external, songwriting is more personal and internal. Singing is sort of the middle ground where I bring both together.
Doing the work on my own and letting songs pour out of me allows me to show up ready to create and play with others on set or in a recording studio. It’s like having a restful Sunday to hit the ground running Monday—we need both to really connect with our best selves. That’s how my music and acting interact and complement each other. I really enjoy both so much and hope to put more music out soon, ideally an entire album next year, and place more songs into projects.
Your short film Mama Mama not only premiered at HollyShorts but also earned you a Best Actress award. After experiencing writing, directing, and producing, how do you now view your place behind the camera?
It’s safe to say I’m obsessed now. I’m very lucky to shadow and learn from some of the absolute best filmmakers and showrunners in our industry, which has taught me more than I can say. Making my first short, and having it be received so well, has boosted my confidence tremendously, in front of and behind the camera.
In two years, I’ve written five features, two pilots, optioned ten books, and produced my short and a feature. It’s extra special, however, that my first award is Best Actor, since I never want to set acting and singing down in favor of these other roles. I firmly believe we don’t have to pick, and I keep a long list of multi-hyphenate creatives in my phone for when anyone challenges me about doing so much—something I’ve noticed can happen even when a prolific male multi-hyphenate is standing next to me, who won’t be challenged at all, which I find quite interesting. This is the intersection of everything I’m exceptional at, and I can’t wait to run more sets and write, direct, produce, and sell more.
You’re deeply involved in social causes and animal rescue work. Among all the initiatives you’ve embraced—from shelters to educational projects—which experience most transformed your sense of purpose and personal impact?
Adopting my own dogs certainly transformed me the most. Anytime something becomes deeply personal to us, we find ourselves needing to take action toward that cause. I adopted Henry Bear directly after two years on a Broadway tour, when I had zero sense to do so—but there he was.
This opened me up to the horrors of puppy mills and backyard “breeders,” and I couldn’t ignore those things with a constant, adorable furry face smiling up at me. I thought about his mom still trapped in the mill, and all the other mom dogs who will never make it out, touch grass, or experience love. Before I knew it, I was off and running toward fundraising, fostering, volunteering, and helping however I can.
It’s easy to ignore things when they don’t affect our day-to-day, which is why I encourage people to go spend the day walking and playing with animals at their local shelter, drop off gently used blankets, or foster for a weekend. Apply that to whatever cause tugs at your heart—a little step toward personalizing it so you begin to take more action to help. We mustn’t look away from those who need our help, but run straight toward them with open arms.
You move fluidly between film, TV, music, theatre, writing, and directing. When you look at all these creative paths together, what is the emotional core that connects all your artistic expressions?
I have stories to tell that people need to hear—whether on stage, screen, or in music—so I must tell them. I have a voice and vision that can give other people the gift of escapism, emotion, and laughter. There is something much greater in me, something that goes way beyond me, and my talents are used to serve that purpose.
The emotional core is this constant urging to keep sharing my gifts and telling my stories, and to have a really good time along the way. I’m very excited to see what’s next. Keep up with all of those next things on Instagram or TikTok at @kerryfrancesofficial. Thanks so much for having me!
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