Kandyse McClure currently stars as Kaia Bryant on Netflix’s hit series Virgin River. The new season is streaming now. She has starred in numerous TV shows both in Canada and the U.S. these include: Motherland: Fort Salem; Charmed; Ghost Wars; Hemlock Grove; Persons Unknown; Battlestar Galactica and the TV film Carrie. Kandyse was born in South Africa and grew up primarily in Vancouver, Canada.

Dress by Catherine Regehr
Top by Revolve

Tell us a bit about your career journey. What was your first acting job?
A play by Athol Fugard called Valley Song at the Vancouver Fringe Festival. The first paid role I did though was a TV Movie called In a Class of His Own with Lou Diamond Phillips.

Virgin River has become quite a phenomenon…how does it feel to be part of the ensemble?
It truly is and I can see why. This cast is a group of warm, kind hardworking folks. Really honoured to be a part of it all.

You play a fire chief, how different or similar are you to your character in the show?
You do try and put something of yourself in every role. She has a wry sense of humour, which I can relate to, but she’s a lot bolder than I am.

Jacket by Marni at Gravity Pope
Denim Top by Rachel Comey at Gravity Pope
Top by Calvin Klein
Belt by BA&SH
Pants by Rachel Comey at Gravity Pope
Shoes by Gravity Pope

Describe your personal style.
My personal style is classic with a contemporary edge. I love natural fabrics and clean lines, but with a pop of color, and a little vintage glamour for good measure. I have (and wear) a lot of my grandmother’s clothing. She was a glamorous lady.

Who are some favorite designers?
I love Tibi for comfort and everyday wearability, Dries van Noten for color and edge and I love Khaite’s texture and silhouettes.

What are you bingeing now on tv?
Nobody Wants This, Somebody Somewhere and Slow Horses!

What are you listening to, music wise?
My musical taste is all over the place! Rubii for the UK vibe, Sjava out of South Africa, Jessie Reyez, James Blake and of course Zhane - ahead of their time. Khruangbin gets me through long work days.

If you could work with any actor, who would your top two be?
Mahershala Ali and Cate Blanchett.

How do you spend your time off?
I love to garden, even in the winter. I’m that girl with the greenhouse. We cook most of our meals, it’s great accessible creative expression, and you get to eat it afterwards. I am currently doing research for a project, so there’s a lot of reading happening.

What is one of your New Year’s resolutions?
Not a resolution really…just to keep going. To keep expressing, keep opening up to possibilities, to keep saying yes.

Talent: Kandyse McClure
PhotoBook Editor-In-Chief: Alison Hernon
PhotoBook Creative Director: Mike Ruiz
Photography: Liz Rosa
Fashion Stylist: Cheyenne Hoffman
Hair + MUA: Thuy Dinh
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
Interview by Logan Dutra, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine

KANDYSE MCCLURE