Roma Downey as Monica and Della Reese as Tess in Touched By An Angel
I had the privilege to interview Roma Downey in preparation for the DVD release of Touched By An Angel: Inspirational Collection — Hope and Holiday on November 10, 2009. (See my review of the DVD collection above.)
Sr. Hosea Rupprecht: What was the best thing for you about being part of Touched by an Angel?
Roma Downey: Without hesitation it was the privilege of being the messenger. Week after week I was able to give the message that there is a God and that God wants to be part of your life and that God loves you. I always loved the revelation scene when Monica, the undercover angel, would break her cover and come to give the message of love and hope. Every week 25 or 26 million people were getting that message.
It was humbling and beautiful. It was lovely to get to play this caring, empathetic, compassionate character. In some way, it penetrated my own psyche and personality. I feel like playing her made me a better listener and a more empathetic, caring person. I feel there was a real blending of me and Monica, not that I’m claiming to be angelic in any way!
Another great thing is my relationship with Della Reese. It was so profound and loving and remains to this day. My mother passed away when I was a little girl and Della’s daughter passed away towards the end of the show’s run. We embraced and she asked me, “Will you be my baby?” I said yes and then she said, “Then I’ll be your mother.” And that’s what she’s been ever since. She’s my mother and a grandmother to my children. She is such a great personal gift in my world.
HR: What are your hopes for this new DVD collection of themed episodes?
RD: Well, it lends itself beautifully to the holiday season. We always looked forward to the Christmas script.
As a mother of young children, my daughter is thirteen now, she wasn’t old enough to watch the show when it was on, but in the last few years she’s discovered it for herself. Perhaps there’s a new generation of young people that the show can touch and serve as a great reminder and hope giver that God’s love is there for them. There are always lessons to be learned in the show. I’ve heard of educators using the show to teach. There’s that moment of moral dilemma, a crossroads. It gave people an opportunity to learn to listen to God, learning the inner knowing of the voice of God within you. And through that hoping people will make the right choices.
HR: What was the fan response like for you?
RD: The fans have been so lovely and loyal over the years and it’s great. I think the show was the first that was fully and unapologetically explored the themes of faith. God bless CBS, but God bless the people for speaking up. We stayed on the air for almost a decade and that was because of the fans. I look at network television today and there really is nothing that has taken its place. It’s too bad.
HR: If you wanted to say one thing to the people who will view these DVD collections, what would it be?
RD: Something that has been growing more prominent in my life over the past few year is gratitude. I try focusing on what I have and not letting my time or energy focus on what I don’t have. It’s the whole ‘glass half full’ thing. When you can shift into that regardless of what you have or don’t have there’s more joy. There’s a certain joy that comes with a grateful heart. From being grateful comes loving and from loving comes everything else.
My mom died when I was young and then my dad died, too. Part of healing was being grateful for the times we had and not to focus on what was lost. That’s why I like the idea of Thanksgiving. I didn’t grow up with Thanksgiving because I grew up in Ireland but living in the United States, Thanksgiving is wonderful. It’s not about giving gifts but just being thankful for everything. I like to spend my energy keeping the focus on gratitude.
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