We talk love, breakups and time travel with Karine Vanasse

What would you do if you had the chance to go back in time and fix a broken relationship with a loved one? Regret is often built into romantic relationships, so it would be nice to have a plan B.

The new CBC series Plan B is exactly that — a chance for Phillip, played by Suits star Patrick J. Adams, to go back in time and fix his relationship with the love of his life, Evelyn, played by French Canadian actor Karine Vanasse. But when he does that he realizes that changing one thing means changing everything — and that there's never just one thing wrong with a relationship. 

We had the chance to talk to Vanasse about the various relationship themes the show explores, including sacrifice and self-love. She also shared some of her favourite lifestyle things in a rapid fire round. 

The show's about a man using time travel to try to save a failing relationship — but there's usually more than one thing to fix. What do you think was wrong with Philip and Evelyn's relationship?  

I think they just didn't want the same things. She moved away from who she was and that happens so many times, whether you're the girl or the guy. I mean, it's just so easy to say, "It's not that important for me. I can just move a little bit more towards what the other person wants. It might not be the life that I imagined for myself, but I'm with that person, I love that person and that's going to be enough." 

But will that love be enough when you don't feel recognized, when you don't feel that you're really listening to your needs, your passions? And will you end up resenting that person?

From my character's point of view … I think she lost track of who she was. I think it was easier for her, maybe by a lack of confidence, to really just follow his path more than hers. 

Since time travel isn't generally an option for us, what are some of the ways you've coped when love or a relationship has ended for you in the past?

I feel that every time I've ended a relationship, even if they were great, sometimes it's the journey back to, "What do I really like?"

I think that sometimes for me, [it's about] just trying to come back to playlists and songs that I really like without wondering if it's okay for the other person … You might not sound like the best DJ but you are your best DJ and that's perfect and that's enough. 

Your character in Plan B is going through a home renovation when things are falling apart for her and her partner. You took on a major home renovation last year as well. Can you tell us a bit about how home renovations can create stress in your life and how to deal with it, if that was your experience? 

I was lucky enough to do it on my own. I didn't have a partner with whom I had to confirm different choices and everything, so that made it easier. I mean, we all know that it's one of the worst things to do — renovations with someone else.

I did it with a friend of mine who's a home designer and the team was wonderful. It was just about finding, like, an old fire mantel, and going to antique shops. I had time to do the renovation … the house was still functional and well-organized enough that I could take the time to not feel too stressed. Still, I'm really happy that it's over.

It's okay to do things together too — it's so much fun when you are. It's exciting to do it together and it's also exciting to just think how you can match your world with someone else's world. 

Do you have any advice for people like Evelyn who want to pursue a career in the arts but sacrifice it for a relationship or because they feel like they need to be "realistic", as Philip says to Evelyn at one point?

I think it's so easy to be scared and let that be in the way of everything else. It's scary to know that you're going to have to put yourself out there and you're choosing a path that might not be conventional. So I think, whether it's in the arts or any other kind of job, it's just trusting that if you have the passion to do something, you'll get the experience — and you don't have to be sure that you'll be the best. 

If you think you'll have fun and you think it's something that you really love and you're passionate about … this is when you'll do something that will make you happy for many, many years and decades because you're just going to tap into that light and energy that makes you who you are.

It's so difficult to let go of what we thought was perfect. But our idea of what perfection is is often wrong.

Rapid fire questions

What's your favourite drink — whether that's alcoholic or non-alcoholic?  

 I love kombucha, I have to say, and I love a really good old fashioned. But just one.

What's the food you crave most frequently?  

The food I crave … kimchi.

What style of clothing do you love the most?

When you find the perfect yoga outfit with the fabric that's not too thick, not too warm, with the pants that aren't rolling in a weird place when you bend … something as simple as yoga pants and a top can just make you feel completely different in your own body.

What do you think is the most romantic movie of all time?  

Any movies from, like, the early 2000s with Diane Keaton, I love.

What do you think is the most romantic or inspiring place in Montreal?  

It's cliché, but old Montreal in the winter. And if you go to Bota Bota … on the St Lawrence River, I think it's very nice. 

What do you think is the most romantic place in the world.  

I love being on a plane with someone that I really feel comfortable with. I feel like we can go anywhere and anything can happen.  

What's your favourite act of self-care?  

When I don't tell anybody and I'm going to an amazing spa by my house and no one knows I'm there. I'm not rushing through it, I don't get a massage. I have an amazing book and I don't have my son, I don't have my phone with me. It's just like, okay, this is me time.

What dish would you cook for someone you love?  

It requires so much from myself to just organize myself and cook for them. So I think just the act of cooking, to me, is a demonstration of love. 

If you could go back in time, what might you be tempted to do differently in your life?  

To go back to every time I thought doing things differently would have made it better [laughs]. I'm a firm believer that things are happening for a reason … and I think that's what this whole Plan B series is about … It's so difficult to let go of what we thought was perfect. But our idea of what perfection is is often wrong. So I think that even if we can't go back in time, sometimes we try to make time stop, and I think that that's where we get stuck a little bit. 

This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.

Plan B premieres Monday, February 27 at 9 p.m. (9:30 p.m. NT), or you can stream it on CBC Gem.