Jessica Ann Collins - ContentMode

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Jessica Ann Collins

stars in

Apple TV+ series

ECHO 3

Jessica Ann Collins, an American actress, is a name to remember in the thriller genre. Collins’ previous work in Rubicon and Zero Dark Thirty precedes her, as her talents are showcased in abundance. Now, she shines as the leading lady of Echo 3. Echo 3 was created by the talented Mark Boal, whose work received major acclamation, as he was awarded Best Original Screenplay and Best Picture for his film, The Hurt Locker in 2009 at the Academy Awards. Plus, he’s received nominations for Zero Dark Thirty as well. The Apple TV+ series centers around a Guerilla war in which Amber Chesborough (played by Collins) disappears amongst the Colombian-Venezuelan border. The protagonist’s contrasting U.S. Army commando family consists of her brother and husband are amidst to save her— but Chesborough is anything but a damsel in distress. Collins opens up about her preparations for the role and reflects on where Chesborough’s journey will take her in the striking series. Not to mention, letting us into the qualities the on-screen character and the actress share.

Jacket, body suit, boots, jewelry: Patou Paris

As you’ve taken on many roles, which of your prior characters pushed you past your limits or shaped you as a person?

None of my prior experiences prepared me for this. Even though I’ve played the full range – from a serial killer to dingbats to doctors and empathetic social workers to name a few – none of those prepared me for the layers of mystery that is Amber in Echo 3. She is so many contradictions, so many secrets. Perhaps my most joyful acting experience, and one that was always a goal of mine since I began this journey, was the opportunity to play in Shakespeare in the Park in New York. To be outside in Central Park every night opposite John Lithgow, was a dream.

What was your preparation for stepping into the character of Amber in Echo 3?

A lot of positive self-talk! I’m critical of myself and I worked very hard to squash that voice before it all started. But yes, It was a massive undertaking. What served me best was a mindset of being as present as possible and not limiting myself to any preconceived ideas. I was curious to see the ways in which I was inspired at the moment to move away from any notions I may have had of her. I wanted to see how surprising I could make her behavior because I really responded to this idea of her inhabiting an enigmatic space, so most of my work was pushing my mind to think of Amber as the “anti” damsel in distress.

A majority of your work has been in the genre of thriller. Is it a coincidence that you’ve been in such roles or do you prefer thrillers the most? Are there any other genres you’re interested in partaking in?

A drama teacher at Juilliard once told me that my “subtext was terrifying.” Haha. He meant it as a compliment! I’m told there’s a lot happening below the surface that reads pretty dark and complex. Perhaps this subterranean layer of my being suits the thriller genre? Who knows! I personally think thrillers work very well with deep psychological characters and I’m inspired most by characters who have a lot going on. The irony is I’m a happy-go-lucky and incredibly awkward individual. I do feel it’s high time to test my chops with a comedy script.

Dress: Ports 1961, ankle boots: Chloé Paris

Once Amber is taken hostage by the rebels in the third episode, what do you believe her thought process is? What pushes her to fight or flight mode?

I read a book in my research about a woman kidnapped in South America and what stood out to me the most was how she was surprised by her behavior during that time. How she fought back or was mean and disrespectful to her captors, when, if you were behaving logically, those reactions could be dangerous. I looked into that. Behaviors aren’t always “logical” especially when your back is against the wall. I made a choice that this erratic woman inside Amber would rise up and take over almost like a possession. How she behaves after the third episode has almost zero connection to her prior self.

Where would you like to see Amber’s story go next? Especially after so many failed rescue missions?

She takes a huge journey after episode 5. In a way, she embarks on a post-traumatic growth arc. Or at least that’s how I see it. By the end of the season, she is not the woman who started the season. She is someone else entirely; forged in the fire of that experience.

As Mark Boal was the scriptwriter for Zero Dark Thirty and is now the creator of Echo 3, what is it like to work with him on this set?

It was an amazing gift. He was there on set every single day of every episode guiding us. He is a person who knows what he wants and yet at the same time was always open to exploration or creative conversation in a very honest way.

Jacket & bra: IRO Paris

What do your pastimes look like when you’re not playing such intense roles?

I’m into hiking, lifting weights, cooking, and most of all, family and mom life twenty-four-seven.

Please share an interesting moment while on location.

We were out in the jungle filming episode 5 and were all staying in these open-air concept houses, so there were a lot of creature visitations. In the middle of the night, suddenly I awoke to my bedroom light getting fully switched on. My heart was thumping – was someone in the room?! Then the light switched off. Then back on again (cue the horror soundtrack). I was looking around the room like a crazed woman and then I saw it. There was a giant tree frog on the light switch, the size of a fist. Just chilling there turning my lights on and off. Like a cartoon. I tried to guide it onto a copy of my script I had on the nightstand so I could toss it outside and the frog flew directly at my face. And then we were really in a horror movie. The frog lived. I barely made it.

Can you tell us which location was the most challenging to film in?

Each location had its unique challenges—jellyfish, heat, and mosquitos to name a few— but we had an intense scene snaking our way through a third-world marketplace on the outskirts of Cartagena. This was challenging for me because of the sanitary conditions and the up-close experience of poverty. An experience so far away from the privileges of being an actor in a television series. That imprint of human struggle is unforgettable. Just on a very basic level, it stuck with me that we are so lucky to simply have shoes.