Interviews

Where Julie Goes FROM Here: Hannah Cheramy on FROM Season 4
Where Julie Goes FROM Here: Hannah Cheramy on FROM Season 4 2560 1526 Customatic TV

Hannah Cheramy is no stranger to living inside the chaotic world of FROM. But beyond the horror her character faces, it was the deep connection in creating Julie Matthews, and the honesty with which she speaks about staying true to her, that revealed Hannah’s approach to the craft.

In our latest sit-down, Hannah opens up about the intentionality behind playing Julie on the hit show FROM, and the way her relationship with Julie has deepened season after season. She talks about building a character from the inside out, not by forcing her own emotions into the work, but by fully stepping into Julie’s reality.  Her hurt, her history, her instincts, and ultimately her evolution.

Hannah gets candid on the joy of collaboration on set, the surprising therapeutic release she has found in Julie’s now-signature screams, and the personal clarity acting and the show has given her over the years. As FROM moves toward its fifth and final season, she speaks about the things she will miss most: the creative freedom, getting to prep and play on screen with other actors and the euphoric feeling of audiences enjoying what you create.

By the end of the conversation, what comes into focus is not just a deeper understanding of Julie, but a clearer sense of Hannah herself. In different ways, both have been shaped by the same journey. One exists within the world of FROM, the other beyond it, but this interview makes it clear that they have grown alongside each other.

Watch the full interview and then dive into season 4 streaming now!

Andrew Phung Talks ‘Degrassi: Whatever It Takes’ Documentary
Andrew Phung Talks ‘Degrassi: Whatever It Takes’ Documentary 2560 1440 Customatic TV

After spending 30 unfiltered minutes with Andrew Phung, and it becomes immediately clear why multi-hyphenate isn’t just a buzzword. For Andrew I must say it’s a requirement. Actor, comedian, host, writer, improviser… Andrew moves through each lane with a natural ease that feels less like juggling and more like flow.

Andrew sat down with Customatic TV during Toronto International Film Festival to talk about Degrassi: Whatever It Takes, the documentary exploring the cultural legacy of Degrassi, the iconic Canadian series that first aired in 1979. Appearing as a lifelong superfan, Andrew offers personal insight into how the show shaped generations and why its impact still resonates today.

Beyond the documentary, the conversation opens up into Andrew’s own journey: the moment he decided to go all in on himself, the leap from improv to screen, and how one of television’s most beloved characters Kimchee on Kim’s Convenience came to life.

Thoughtful, grounded, and deeply encouraging, this is the kind of conversation artists and creatives will find themselves replaying. It serves equal parts inspiration and reminder that betting on yourself is rarely a straight line, but it’s always worth the risk!

Watch the trailer for Degrassi: Whatever It Takes below

The Realities of Adulthood With Ryan Rosery
The Realities of Adulthood With Ryan Rosery 2560 1440 Customatic TV

What does adulthood really look like when you strip away the highlight reels and get down to the everyday grind?

We sat down with Ryan Rosery, who brings Malik to life on OVERDUE, to explore those same questions from his character’s perspective. Between rapid-fire scenario games and hilarious honesty, Ryan had us laughing as he broke down the moments that make him and Malik, feel like they’re truly “in the league” of adulthood.

But beneath the jokes, Ryan reflected on how Malik’s world mirrors the journey so many of us face in our late 20s and 30s. It’s navigating rent hikes, relationships, self-motivation, and the pressure to get it right when nobody’s coming to save you. It’s a reminder that adulthood isn’t a milestone; it’s a mindset that shows up in the everyday choices we make to keep moving forward.

Kelly Fyffe-Marshall Directs Short Film ‘Demons’ at TIFF 50th
Kelly Fyffe-Marshall Directs Short Film ‘Demons’ at TIFF 50th 2560 1440 Customatic TV

When Kelly Fyffe-Marshall steps onto a red carpet this TIFF, it won’t be the first time, and definitely not the last. Her latest directorial project, Demons, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival as a short film spun from the final scene of writer-actor Preeti Torul’s pilot script. The story is  centered around a complicated mother-daughter relationship, peeling back layers often glossed over in mainstream portrayals of immigrant families.

“I’m always intrigued by the nuances of strained family dynamics,” Kelly explains. “In media, it’s often painted as perfect, like your mom is your best friend. But real life is more complicated. I wanted to tell a story that reflects that truth.”

For Kelly, filmmaking is more than expression, it’s responsibility. With having that commitment in mind, that sense of intention extends to how she collaborates. She makes a point to understand the writer’s vision deeply, reading scripts multiple times before asking questions about character, tone, and meaning. It’s a discipline that keeps her grounded when production chaos kicks in.

If there’s a recurring theme in her work and her life, it’s community. Kelly surrounds herself with collaborators she loves. People like Tamar Bird, and Sasha Leigh Henry, her creative family.

For Kelly Fyffe-Marshall, storytelling isn’t just about what happens on screen. It’s about who gets to stand behind the camera, who gets to be seen, and who finally feels seen.

Preeti Torul Premieres Short Film ‘Demons’ at TIFF 50th
Preeti Torul Premieres Short Film ‘Demons’ at TIFF 50th 2560 1440 Customatic TV

Ahead of her TIFF premiere, Preeti Torul joins Customatic TV to discuss Demons.  A short film that doubles as a proof of concept for her upcoming television series. Both actor and screenwriter, Torul brings fearless honesty to her work, weaving humor and heartbreak into stories that feel deeply human.

Frustrated by the limited, surface-level roles available to actors of colour, Torul began writing Demons to reclaim complexity.  To create characters with depth, contradiction, and truth. What emerged is a story rooted in her own experiences growing up in downtown Toronto and navigating a fractured relationship with her mother. Demons explores how generational pain lingers, and how we learn not to erase it, but to live with it.

In this Between the Frames: TIFF 50th Anniversary Edition conversation, Torul opens up about collaborating with Kelly Fyffe-Marshall, finding catharsis through storytelling, and how her work as an actor, writer, editor, and comedian all speak the same creative language.

“My why,” she shares, “is to make stories so broke and broken people can feel seen. And make them laugh or else it’s too dark!”

Watch the full conversation as Preeti Torul shares the making of Demons and the vision for the full series it will become.

Benny Bing: The Art of Identity, Evolution, and Reverence
Benny Bing: The Art of Identity, Evolution, and Reverence 1920 1080 Customatic TV

When we stepped into Benny Bing’s studio, we quickly realized we’re not just entering a creative space, but a world built on intention. The Toronto-based artist’s work moves beyond what you see on the canvas. It’s storytelling through colour, emotion, and presence. His canvases breathe with identity. Some how capturing the soul of Blackness, the celebration of beauty, and the individuality within it. Every brushstroke speaks to how we see ourselves and how we should be seen.


Capturing the Many Faces of Black Beauty

For Benny, art is more than observation, it’s translation. His portraits merge the real with the imagined, blending muses inspired by icons like Halle Berry and Lizzo, with friends, models, and women whose energy defines a moment. Each piece feels personal yet universal.  A reflection of all the forms that Black beauty can take.

By exploring different phenotypes and personalities, he’s broadening the visual language of what Blackness looks like. From regal to radiant, from subtle strength to undeniable power. His work pays homage to women who inspire him, women who lead, create, and influence culture with depth, intelligence, and confidence.

In his words, he’s “an instrument” a vessel through which stories are retold and reimagined. His art reminds us that representation isn’t just about likeness, but it’s about legacy.


The Rhythm of Creation

While many chase the algorithm, Benny chases alignment. His creative rhythm follows the seasons, from November to April.  A deliberate window where inspiration and solitude meet. But beyond that cycle, he’s learning to create without pressure, to paint for growth rather than visibility.

In a world that glorifies constant output, Benny’s discipline feels almost rebellious. “Half of the work I do, the world doesn’t see,” he says. And that’s the beauty of it. Not every masterpiece is meant for Instagram. Not every idea needs validation. His process is rooted in truth. Create to evolve, not to prove.


The Beauty of Evolution

By the time Benny begins a new piece, it’s never about repeating what worked, it’s about reaching what’s next. Each canvas becomes a new conversation. His latest work, one of his most detailed yet, symbolizes that ongoing dialogue of evolution, proof that the journey itself is art.

He shares how collectors who’ve followed him from 2015 to 2025 see that growth unfold before their eyes. Each painting tells a story not just of the subject, but of the artist’s becoming. To witness that evolution in any field is rare, and it’s what separates creation from craft.


Respect, Royalty, and Representation

In the final part of our series, Benny confronts a question few speak about publicly: How do you portray Black femininity as a male artist without distortion, without ego, and without crossing the line between admiration and objectification?

His answer is rooted in respect. He paints Black women the way they deserve to be seen. Clean, proper, regal. He understands that young girls are watching, learning what beauty looks like through the art we elevate. That awareness becomes a code, a standard, a quiet rebellion against the over-sexualized narratives that dominate mainstream imagery.

Benny’s art restores the sacred balance between admiration and integrity.  Through his work, he redefines representation not as spectacle, but as stewardship.

Through every season, every brushstroke, and every portrait, Benny Bing isn’t just painting people, he’s painting the radiance, resilience, and royalty of Black beauty. His art stands as both a celebration and a safeguard preserving the grace, strength, and spirit of Black womanhood for generations to come. Because what he creates isn’t just visual, it’s cultural. It’s legacy.

Navigating Adulthood With Jillian Smart
Navigating Adulthood With Jillian Smart 2560 1440 Customatic TV

What does it really mean to be an adult? Is it something you earn by reaching a certain age, or is it more of a feeling that sneaks up on you between bills, responsibilities, and unexpected curveballs?

We sat down with Jillian Smart, who plays Hailey Jenkins on OVERDUE, to navigate those very questions. Between lighthearted scenario games and candid reflections, Jillian had us cracking up as we talked about the things that have done lately that made us feel like adults.

While her acting as Hailey shines on screen, Jillian’s natural comedic timing is on full display in this conversation. Her quick wit had everyone in stitches, proving she could easily hold her own on a comedy stage every Tuesday night.

But beyond the laughs, Jillian reflected on how Hailey’s journey in OVERDUE mirrors real-life experiences of being the new girl in town, and figuring things out in your late 20s and 30s, where adulthood isn’t as straightforward as we were once led to believe.

The Minds Behind OVERDUE: Overdue For Conversation
The Minds Behind OVERDUE: Overdue For Conversation 2560 1440 Customatic TV

Every great show started with an idea that needs to be seen through. That idea for the creators of OVERDUE took them on a exciting journey that’s still going!

In this Overdue Conversation, we bring in the minds Steph Small, Mckenzie Small, and Joshua Tubbs behind the show OVERDUE and unpack how they went from idea to cast and TV series. The creators talk about everything that went into the pitch reel. Everything from writing, styling, production and creative choices; to the reason why a show like this is timely and needed.

The creators get real about what young adults are dealing with in Toronto and majority of major cities. Giving a space where young adults can see themselves on screen in a way that is authentic and understanding to the struggle.

Always packed with laughs, passion, and more. If you ever wondered what it really takes to bring a show from concept to screen, this is for you!

Inside The Guys Apartment: Overdue For Conversation
Inside The Guys Apartment: Overdue For Conversation 2560 1440 Customatic TV

We swear these two aren’t stand-up comedians in their spare time, but after watching this, you might not believe us. And we would totally understand if you didn’t!

In this wildly unfiltered sit-down, Percy Anane-Dwumfour and Ryan Rosery aka Darius and Malik, the guys let loose and give us a glimpse of what they’re like outside their Overdue characters. From chaotic hypotheticals like “Would you rather be roasted by your family or every ex you’ve ever dated?” to confessing their guilty pleasures, nothing was off limits.

We even put their acting chops to the test with an impromptu accent challenge that somehow turned into a scene that should be whole new show!

Packed with laughs, unexpected wisdom, and roasts you’ll want to borrow for your next group chat, this is the guys apartment, and it’s anything but quiet!

Ryan Rosery Gets Red Carpet Ready in NNDYVE for Fear Street: Prom Queen Premiere
Ryan Rosery Gets Red Carpet Ready in NNDYVE for Fear Street: Prom Queen Premiere 2560 1440 Customatic TV

Step into the NNDYVE studio with Ryan Rosery as he preps for the red carpet premiere of Fear Street: Prom Queen. Styled head-to-toe in a custom NNDYVE look by designer Steph Small. This exclusive Customatic TV segment captures the calm before the paparazzi flashes. The fashion, the energy, and the vision behind the look. From tailored elegance to that final mirror check, Ryan shows us what it means to step into a moment.

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