In a candid conversation with Nicolle, actress Ashley Dulaney reflects on her journey from a young girl captivated by television in Tupelo, Mississippi, to a successful career in Hollywood.

With a natural inclination towards acting from an early age, Ashley's passion was nurtured by her supportive family and later honed at Ole Miss, where she earned a BFA in acting. Her transition to Los Angeles in 2009 marked a pivotal moment, bringing both challenges and opportunities that shaped her into the resilient performer she is today. Ashley’s breakout role in FX’s “Justified” set the stage for a series of compelling performances in various genres, including Lifetime’s “Babysitter Blackbook” and “The House Sitter.” She shares insights on how she chooses her roles, the significance of her time on iconic shows like “NCIS,” and her experience working alongside Patricia Arquette and Joey King in “The Act.”

Beyond her acting career, Ashley is a passionate advocate for animal shelters, sharing her home with rescue cats who have brought immense joy and love into her life. Through her inspiring journey, Ashley emphasizes the importance of self-discovery, perseverance, and staying true to oneself amidst the unpredictable landscape of the entertainment industry.

Nicolle: Hi, Ashley, it's so nice to e-meet you! Let’s start from the beginning. Growing up in Tupelo, Mississippi, what sparked your interest in acting at such a young age?

Ashley:  Hi! It’s so magical to e-meet you!! Thank you for having me… Gosh, you know, I think I have always honestly been drawn to acting. My grandmother says I used to sit in front of the TV as a baby and repeat lines back to whatever we were watching. As I grew up, I always felt at ease performing and I think when I envisioned my life, although pursuing a career in acting isn’t easy, I’ve always been at ease with the idea of it. So I think in my mind it just made sense… so I went after it! 

Nicolle: After high school, you attended Ole Miss and graduated with a BFA in acting. How did your time there shape your career?

Ashley: You know Ole Miss shaped me in so many ways. The main gift it gave me was time. I needed that time to start to figure out who I was and who I wanted to be. Had I just gone straight to LA I don’t think I would like the person I had become. So with that, it went hand in hand with my career. I think to be happy in this world you have to be happy with yourself and Ole Miss was the first clue to me that happiness doesn’t just come from success I think because of that lesson has allowed me to stay in the game and keep my head focused and enjoy the ride. Your career is a marathon, not a sprint and I started to learn to believe that with my time at Ole Miss. 

Nicolle: Making the move to Los Angeles in 2009 must have been a big step. How did you find the transition, and what were some of the challenges you faced?

Ashley: Ya know it’s so funny cause everyone says that and I get it… it should have been. It was a big step, the biggest I had ever taken in my life. But I felt so at ease. I just knew it would work out and I kinda held to that. I found a great group of people and that was a lifesaver for me. I would say the biggest challenge I faced was not letting others' limiting beliefs become mine. For instance, when I first moved out I had a coach I loved and trusted who told me it was a mistake for me to have wasted years at college and that messed with me. I started to believe I lost time when in reality those years probably saved me. So it was learning to take everyone’s opinions and “guidance” and not let it become fact in my mind. 

Nicole: Your first big break came with FX’s “Justified.” Can you tell us about your experience working on that show?

Ashley: I love talking about this show. It was in so many ways such a core moment for my career. It was my first recurring role but my role wasn’t always recurring. Something happened the day I was on set. Originally I was only supposed to have five lines but in a weird moment of luck I got the opportunity to change that and I rose to that opportunity. That brought me to my first recurring. It's such an iconic show and I feel so lucky to have been part of the story. 

Nicolle: After “Justified,” you continued to land significant roles, including starring as the co-lead in Lifetime’s “Babysitter Blackbook” and portraying Rebecca in “The House Sitter.” What draws you to the roles you choose?

Ashley: Well as you can tell I love working with Lifetime. I love playing roles that aren’t always good. In truth, none of us are purely good or evil. I love doing roles that challenge that balance and both of these roles did that for me. I love them both so much. 

Nicolle: You’ve appeared in a variety of genres and shows, from “Days of Our Lives” to “Quantum Leap.” How do you choose your roles, and what has been your favourite role to date?

Ashley: I kind of believe the role chose you.  There’s a saying “Whatever is meant for you won’t pass you by” I only read for roles I wanna do and I put my spin on it and let it go. I try not to get lost in the world of genres but rather just be in THAT world whatever world it is and for that moment put on that character's mask.  I don’t think I have a favourite.  It's going to sound so cheesy but every role has meant so much to me in different ways.  Choosing one role would feel like cheating on all the magic each experience brought me. 

Nicolle: You starred alongside Patricia Arquette and Joey King in “The Act.” What was it like working on a series that portrays such a harrowing true story?

Ashley: They are iconic. They are gracious and generous; they both made that set magic. It’s a very hard story to tell and watching the start and then the finish I was just blown away by their talent and performances. It was a gift to be part of that story and learn from them. 

Nicolle: Being a huge NCIS fan, I have to ask, what was it like working alongside the crew?

Ashley: Okay I know I’m gonna sound like a broken record but honestly one of the best. I didn’t get to work personally with Mark Harmon but he came to set and was beyond kind. That’s so important I think. He was so gracious and so genuine and didn’t have to go out of his way to meet the guest cast but he did. There is a reason he’s a superstar. The crew and the cast are all outstanding and running a crazy machine of magic. 

Nicolle: How did you prepare for the role of Margo in “Sister Wife Murder”? Did you do any specific research on polygamous relationships or controlling behaviours?

Ashley: This role was a hard one for me. The aspects of abuse hit very close to home. As I was preparing Margo so much of the life of someone I love very much came into play. Which was something I didn’t expect when I took the role.  So it was very important for me to pull from that experience of a loved one but remember it wasn’t their story I was telling. So I really had to find that balance with Margo and myself. 

Nicolle: Is there a particular role or type of character you haven’t played yet but would love to in the future?

There are two that are calling out so strongly to me at the moment and it’s going to seem so crazy but I was in the running to play Allison Mack in Escaping the NXIVM Cult: A Mother's Fight to Save Her Daughter and I didn’t get it but that was a role I would love to still play. I have a feeling that won’t be the only time that story gets told. But when that time arises I would love to be part of it. 

I also have a very strong respect for the girls who experienced all that went on in Playboy's heyday and I would love the chance to play a role in that story. I don’t know who but I am glued to every book and autobiography that comes out from the girls and it’s just so complex and would be such an interesting world to be part of in reimagining those stories. 

Nicolle: Who have been your biggest influences in your acting career? Are there any particular actors or directors you aspire to work with?

Ashley: Honestly the biggest influences in my career have been the many casting directors, casting associates and casting assistants who have opened door after door for me. I would love to work with Reese Witherspoon. I would love to be directed by Taylor Swift- Let’s be honest we have all seen her music videos and they are gold. There's nothing she can’t do. 

Nicolle: You’re also a fierce advocate for animal shelters and have a rescue cat named Posey Parker. Can you tell us more about your advocacy and how Posey Parker became a part of your life?

Ashley: I love animals. I think they are the greatest gift. I work with a lot of rescues getting cats out of high-kill shelters in LA and I feel lucky to be able to help in any way. I think animals are the best parts of us. Posey is mine and my husband's first cat together. We got her right before we got married and drove her as a tiny kitten from Mississippi to Los Angeles. She has taught us so much about love and patience and from there we adopted two more babies 

Bela Lugosi and Unified Charles Chaplin, the first of his name.  I feel like our animals found us and they enrich my and my husband's lives more than I can express 
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Nicolle Knapova is a 30-year-old young adult writer and freelance blogger from the Czech Republic. She has a Master’s degree in Creative Writing and Publishing at Bournemouth University. She loves to write about music, books and TV shows. If she’s not writing her fan fiction, she’s writing her poetry and sharing it on her Instagram @elisecaverly