Toronto-born Rebecca Henderson is a seasoned indie actor who plays Lizzie, everyone’s new favourite lesbian BFF on the hit Netflix show Russian Doll. This year, she’s poised for SXSW 2019, where she will be appearing in the new film she co-stars in, Mickey & The Bear.

In real life, Henderson is married to Russian Doll director & co-creator Leslye Headland and lives in NYC. 

We caught up with her this week.

SDTC: When and where do you feel most content?

RH: With my animals, with my wife, with my friends.

What food/dish always satisfies you?

French fries dipped in mayonnaise!

What film/show has recently wowed you?

Abducted in Plain Sight wowed me in a bad way. The Favourite wowed me in a good way.

What’s on your current reading list?

I am reading and loving Educated by Tara Westover.

What Toronto spaces do you truly love?

I was born in Toronto, but we moved away when I was six years old. I would love to book a job that shot there for a couple months so I could really get to know the city.

What exhibit/museum are you dying to see?

Everyone is talking about the Frida Kahlo exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum. Recently I went to the Leslie-Lohman Museum (gay and lesbian museum) in SOHO and saw the photographs of Donna Gottschalk. They were stunning.

Your go-to coping mechanism/self-care?

I have an incredible therapist. She has helped me so much.

What five things would you want if you were deserted on an island?

My wife, water, fire, shelter, and my dog! And a lot of other things. Sunscreen. Books. To not be stranded on a desert island.

What’s a childhood memory that always brings a smile to your face?

Memories of my little sister make me smile. She used to turn around and look back at me when I would chase her around, which inevitably would end up with her running into a tree.

What life philosophy is currently helping to guide your journey?

Currently I think everyone should be in therapy. Is that a life philosophy?

One skill you’d love to learn/nurture/improve this year?

I would love to be a better a cook. But I don’t think that’s ever going to happen. I don’t care enough and I don’t have any of my own instincts around cooking. I can follow a recipe. So yeah, basically I would like to be a totally different person in this arena.

What’s a piece of career advice that has served you well?

To be myself. That I’m enough. Still learning these.

What outfit makes you feel the most you?

Probably high-waisted skinny-ish black jeans with a black turtleneck and my hair cut quite short. Like a mime!

What toy/book have you held onto since you were small?

My mother still has my stuffed bunny from childhood. Apparently I ate the button eyes and nose when I was a baby. It’s pretty raggedy. But the smell still takes me back!

What’s a subject that is currently holding your attention? An issue that you’re focused on?

I am quite focused on the chaos and destruction caused by the racist lying President of the United States and his enablers in the current administration.

When you compare yourself now to where you were at ten years ago, what’s a major change you can feel proud of? Goal(s) for 2019?

I am very proud of my marriage. I am very proud of my friendships. A goal for 2019 is to find a cause to get involved in, in a more intense and committed way. I give money to many organizations, but I want to personally be of service more.