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On Location With Vanessa Ferlito

The Graceland actress shares what it’s like to film her hit series

For the second season of Graceland, USA’s much-loved police drama, star Vanessa Ferlito chose to move in a different direction. Literally.

“I decided to change it up a little bit,” said the actress, referring to her move from Fort Lauderdale (where the show shoots) to Miami. “It’s a little further from the studio, but it’s totally worth it.”

The move makes sense for the New York native. “Miami is a little more similar to New York. I’m walking around my neighborhood right now—but in Fort Lauderdale, there’s a lot more driving,” says the actress, who still maintains a home in the Big Apple. Another New York-style perk? Pizza. Ferlito claims allegiance to Miami Beach’s hip Sunset Harbor spot Lucali, where the margherita pie is a favorite.

Vanessa takes a selfie on set

Vanessa takes a selfie on set

Work is now a half-hour drive away for the actress, but heading to her old stomping grounds still seems to have its charms.

“I feel really blessed every day,” she says of being on set with co-stars Daniel Sunjata, Aaron Tveit, Manny Montana and Brandon Jay McLaren. “I’m close with the cast, each of them in a different way.”

The cast hangs outside

The cast hangs outside

Intense drama will set the stage for the second season, which includes some revealing story lines surrounding her character Charlie’s recovery from the trauma of what unfolded in previous episodes. Ferlito’s own lifestyle, on the other hand, is a little more subdued, so don’t expect to see the mother of 6-year-old Vincent staying out too late with her colleagues.

“I don’t hang out much,” she says. “I have a child, so I work and come home. Once in a while they can get me out and we’ll do a nice dinner. Everybody is pretty good, so we haven’t been to a club together. Well, not yet.”

 

MORE ON LOCATION:

Orange is the New Black’s Jason Biggs
Wonderland’s Stacey D’Erasmo
Grimm’s Bree Turner

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