I struggled to come up with a creative title for this one, but it was about time I had to be just a little bit different. It’s also about time I plugged a series on Paramount+ that gets locally filmed here, and what better series than School Spirits? As you may know, (or not) it’s a series about teenage Maddie who solves the crime behind her own disappearance while stuck as a spirit and comes face to face with other spirits and a lot of creepy creatures on the grounds of Split River High School. My exams might’ve been nerve-wracking but students going there must have the worst exams of all. Season 2 only got teased last week, and while I couldn’t ask get too many details about what to expect, I did get an opportunity to talk to RaeAnne Boon about everyone’s favourite character, Dawn. Dawn accidentally offed herself in the 70’s via electrical shock after hearing friends talk about her behind her back. She has an interesting personality though and even makes friends with Maddie who helps her to feel better and make her feel better. I can’t say much else if you haven’t watched this series, but since everyone loves Dawn, I had to ask RaeAnne a few questions about this character and herself. Take notes, this will be on the test, kids.
HNMAG: Your character Dawn seems to be a favourite among fans of School Spirits. Why do you think that is?
RaeAnne Boon: I think a lot of the fans connect with Dawn because they see themselves represented in Dawn. A lot of our fans are young women in high school going through the same problems that Dawn went through in her life. Themes of bullying, friendship, not feeling like you fit in. With everyone else, they really feel like that’s why everyone connects with Dawn so much. They see themselves in her, I get a lot of messages from the fans telling me that and it just warms my heart that I can help young women feel represented.
HNMAG: Have you read any interesting comments on what people think about Dawn?
RaeAnne Boon: They always say “Don’t read the comments”, but y’know I read ALL of them. I LOVE reading what people have to say and honestly I see nothing but great things. A lot of fans who love her so much, I see people always say ‘Dawn’s my girlfriend’ or ‘Dawn’s so Babygirl’. People treat her like a little sweetheart that she is.
HNMAG: And can we expect more of Dawn in the future?
RaeAnne Boon: That’s the million dollar question. My DMs and my messages and comments are all flooding about if we’ll see more Dawn and that is to be determined, really.
HNMAG: What is your experience like on set? Do you always have a fun time?
RaeAnne Boon: I do, I really think the entire cast of School Spirits is so welcoming. I remember my very first day, Peyton List and Nick Pugliese were jumping to introduce themselves. We’re very close, the whole cast. Just the environment that everyone else brings to set is really great. We can bring our best acting work forward with this really positive supportive group that Nate and Megan Trinrud, and Oliver Goldstick have created by casting us.
HNMAG: How did you become involved with School Spirits?
RaeAnne Boon: I auditioned to be Rhonda first, that’s a fun fact. Then I remember getting the script and I felt for the only time in my career that I needed to be on this show. The writing was so brilliant, and the concept was so exciting for me. I just felt a connection. I remember reading for the character of Dawn the first time and realizing there was something really weird about this girl, so I’m very fortunate that I have these very big Tim Burton eyes, and I let them do a lot of the work for her characterization.
RaeAnne explained to me that she went full-on weird for this character and that’s what got her that callback. She was skeptical at first, but knew that she had the part right afterwards.
HNMAG: And have you always wanted to do a role like this?
RaeAnne Boon: Yeah, I love young adult series. I remember growing up with my sister, we’d watch Pretty Little Liars. It was a big inspiration for me to be an actor, just like that, and it’s so funny our show runner Oliver wrote on Pretty Little Liars. My inspiration of being an actor followed me into School Spirits and lead to work with Oliver on the show. Being on a show like School Spirits is an absolute dream come true.
HNMAG: You’ve really made quite a path to success. How did you maintain it?
RaeAnne Boon: I always keep training on my acting, keep working towards getting better and stronger in my craft. That is the only way to maintain incline of success, just be getting better and better. Keep learning everything that I can about the craft, so I can be better next time I’m on screen.
HNMAG: And how did you get into acting at the beginning?
RaeAnne Boon: It’s a blessing and a curse, I always wanted to be an actor as a little kid. I grew up in a small town in Alberta, so it isn’t really a feasible thing to do as a kid. But I always knew in my heart that’s what I was meant to do. I moved to Vancouver when I was 19, and pursued my acting career from there.
HNMAG: You also play complex characters. How did you manage to prepare for these roles?
RaeAnne Boon: I always just try to bring myself to the role, bring the honesty of myself as RaeAnne. That’s all you can do when you’re bringing really complex characters to life.
RaeAnne finds being herself really helps her way in for these very complex roles. Best advice I’ve ever heard, but I wonder if my quiet self is really suitable for acting roles? I’m sure there are lots for me though…
HNMAG: And are there any characters you’d really like to play?
RaeAnne Boon: I wanna keep living in this supernatural world. Something I love about School Spirits is that anything is possible, so doing projects that involve ghosts, vampires, and werewolves, the possibilities are endless for what these characters do.
HNMAG: Seeing how you’ve been in Vancouver for some acting, how do you really like the area?
RaeAnne Boon: I LOVE Vancouver! It was my dream, so here I am. One of my favourite parts about the job is traveling to places that I’d never go otherwise for filming. Getting to go to forests in Surrey, and big warehouses in Langley and sets that get built. It was really cool, and getting to explore Vancouver through the work is so fun.
HNMAG: And you have other projects coming up too. Care to explain what those are?
RaeAnne Boon: Yeah, well, I have a very exciting project coming out on Netflix, it’s a very popular show and I’m very excited to be jumping in.
In case anyone’s wondering, she’s talking about Virgin River. The 6th Season of that just came out recently so go ahead and check out her character in it. Let’s also keep an eye out for more of School Spirits. There’s lots to expect this upcoming season, but I can’t tell you anything…