Gabrielle Walsh has quietly carved out an impressive acting career, appearing in a range of beloved shows including Shameless, The Vampire Diaries, 9-1-1, and most recently, NBC’s Found. In a recent interview on Actors With Issues, she opened up about her early aspirations, her deep connection to theater, the transformative power of performance, and how her experience on Found shaped her both professionally and personally.
Love of Film and Returning to the Stage
Gabrielle Walsh originally dreamed of being in film, drawn to the magic of the silver screen. “It was film. It was always film,” she said. “Going to the movies was everything.” But life had other plans. Though she envisioned moving to New York, her father voiced concerns, and she ultimately stayed closer to home, a decision that led her to Northern Illinois University’s theater program.
“I fell in love with the stage,” she said, reflecting on the intensity and intimacy of live performance. “There was no cut, no reset. You just got to live.” Gabrielle compared it to the uninhibited playfulness of childhood, when imagination knew no bounds. “You got to prolong that life… There was something really powerful about being fully immersed in a moment.”
Her passion for small, intimate venues is especially strong. “I love little black box theaters,” she shared. “Where you can feel people breathing, and they can feel you. You know, like when you get all passionate in the play and you spit,” she laughed. “It’s all part of it.”
While Broadway holds allure, she dreams of smaller stages. “I would love to do Broadway plays, or off-Broadway. I would love to work in New York,” she said. “But I definitely lean toward the smaller, more personal venues where the energy is just electric.”
Reconnecting With a Life-Changing Role
One of the most pivotal moments in Walsh’s career came when she was cast in Suzan-Lori Parks’ In the Blood, a reimagining of The Scarlet Letter. Portraying Hester, a marginalized single mother struggling to survive, left a lasting impact.
“It took me over the edge from being in school and thinking, ‘Okay, I guess we’re doing this acting thing,’ to truly feeling ready,” she said. “She’s trying to make a way for her kids, and she ends up being judged for all these things, especially her sexuality. But to me, she was in search of love, in search of belonging. That’s one of the deepest human needs.”
Gabrielle noted how the role challenged her as the character was losing her mind throughout the play, and her desire to reprise the role of Hester. “I remember thinking, what would it be like to revisit that role now, with everything I’ve lived through since then? How much more life could I give to her now that I’m older and understand so much more?”
“My dream roles are characters with a psychological skew,” she said. “I think the mind is so fascinating. A Beautiful Mind was one of my favorite films growing up.” She finds these roles an opportunity to explore vulnerability, trauma, and resilience, not just as a performer, but as a human being.
Finding Ground in “Found”
Gabrielle Walsh’s most recent project, NBC’s Found, ran for two seasons and earned a devoted fanbase for its bold storytelling and social relevance. Though disappointed by its cancellation, Gabrielle feels grateful for the experience.
“A lot has changed and shifted,” she said, reflecting on her growth since the pilot of the series. “I like to think of myself as ever-evolving. Change is constant, whether it’s in the industry, the world, or within yourself.”
The role of Lacey Quinn in Found marked Walsh’s first series regular role, a major milestone for actors. “Not just a series regular, a series regular on a 22-episode season. It was very intense,” she explained. “We shot [each season] for nine and a half months. That’s a huge commitment, emotionally and physically.”
The taxing schedule on top of the show’s darker subject matter proved a worthy challenge for Walsh and the cast. “We deal with a lot of emotional issues in the show, and you’re also juggling life and career. You work five days a week, 14-hour days. Then on your off time, you’re studying,” she said. “Sometimes the focus isn’t on your character, but you still have to bring it. That’s when you lean on your training.”
Gabrielle Walsh credited her years of study and continued acting classes for keeping her grounded. “I’m still in class,” she said. “Sometimes you just have to trust yourself, come in, and go. But I always try to find something that reignites the passion—some way to stay creatively stimulated.”
Advice for Young Actors: Believe in the Journey
Asked for advice for young actors in ten words or less, Walsh said: “Believe in yourself and the unfolding journey of your dreams.”
She elaborated: “If you don’t believe in yourself, no one will. You have to walk into the room like you already are that actor. Not with arrogance, but with grounded confidence. Trust yourself.”
Gabrielle encouraged perseverance, even in the face of rejection. “If you knew you were guaranteed a yes after five no’s, would you care about the no’s?” she posed. “Just let them roll off you and keep going.”
To her, success is about more than just talent. “It has to be deeper than wanting to be famous or seen,” she emphasized. “It’s about passion. It’s about your ‘why.’ If it’s really in you, it’s worth it.”
For more from Gabrielle Walsh, follow her on Instagram at @iGabrielleWalsh. Both seasons of Found are streaming now on Peacock.
