Not only is it a colossal challenge trying to spark a career in film and television, but once you get there, the pressure rarely lets up. How does one manage such non-stop stressors, especially the ones that are entirely out of an artist's control? There’s no be-all, end-all answer to that question, but over the years, Katherine McNamara’s built up an especially effective and inspiring set of tools and ideas to ensure she’ll continue forging forward, and likely inspire others to do the same in the process.

McNamara joined me for a Collider Ladies Night conversation to put the spotlight on two recent projects, Charlie Day’s feature directorial debut, Fool’s Paradise, and her new CW series, Walker: Independence, which sadly was canceled the day after we recorded. Fool’s Paradise stars Day as a mute man who’s plucked off the street by Ray Liotta’s character, a producer desperate to replace an actor who won’t come out of his trailer and, it turns out, Day’s character looks exactly like this actor. As for Walker: Independence, that one was a prequel series to The CW’s Walker starring Jared Padalecki. Set in the 1800s, McNamara headlined as Abby Walker, Padalecki’s character’s ancestor. Even though The CW did cut the show after just one season, there are reports circulating that it is on the hunt for a new home.

Whether Walker: Independence continues on elsewhere or not, there’s no doubt McNamara will thrive in front of and eventually behind the lens. During our Collider Ladies Night conversation, we revisited her journey in theater, film, and television including a number of key influences she met along the way who proved pivotal in shaping her outlook on industry operations and what it means to be a strong leader and collaborator on set.

Hear all about it on this edition of Collider Ladies Night!

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