Maren Morris is set to make her television acting debut in the upcoming episode of *Sheriff Country*, which is slated to air on 15 May. The Grammy Award-winning artist has expressed her excitement about embracing this new venture, stating that it aligns with her philosophy of seizing opportunities, particularly those that induce a sense of apprehension.
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The country music star, now 36, shared her journey with PEOPLE, noting that her decision to join the CBS drama stemmed from a long-held ambition. “I wanted to say yes to this opportunity because it’s something I’ve always wanted to do, just never had the right timing or opening to do so,” Morris explained. The singer underscored that her approach to life currently revolves around tackling fears head-on.
The series revolves around Sheriff Mickey Fox, portrayed by Morena Baccarin. As she endeavours to maintain order in the fictional town of Edgewater, she also faces personal trials, including reconnecting with an incarcerated father and aiding her daughter in confronting addiction. Baccarin has previously remarked on the moral complexities of her character, hinting at the multifaceted challenges she encounters throughout the series.
Despite her years of experience on stage, Morris admitted to feeling nervous about transitioning into acting. “I definitely had nerves going into filming,” she confessed. An awareness of her novice status only compounded the pressure to deliver her lines effectively. However, she quickly discovered that the collaborative spirit among the cast helped ease her anxiety. “Luckily, everyone is so warm and inviting here,” she remarked. “There’s no ego, there’s no tension.”
The support of her fellow cast members, particularly Baccarin, has been instrumental in Morris’s journey. Reflecting on their time filming emotionally intense scenes, she remarked on the camaraderie that developed between them. “My final scene with Amanda [Arcuri] was really fun because by the end, our characters and us as women outside of the character space were becoming friends throughout the day,” she shared.
In *Sheriff Country*, Morris assumes the role of Hazel, a woman in recovery who forges a bond with Sheriff Mickey and her daughter, Skye. “Hazel has been sober for several years, but she isn’t at a milestone like ten or fifteen years,” Morris explained, highlighting the character’s relatability to the younger generation. To fully embody Hazel, Morris crafted an intricate backstory and drew upon her personal experiences supporting friends and family members grappling with addiction.
Though Morris has performed countless times on stage, she found acting presented an entirely different set of challenges. Surprisingly, she discovered that memorising lines came more easily than she had anticipated. “I found it easier to memorise someone else’s words than my own,” she noted, although she admitted to still forgetting lyrics during live performances. The non-live format of filming certainly played a role in easing her burdens.
Morris’s connection to *Sheriff Country* extends beyond her acting role, as she contributed two songs to the series. “Parachute” will feature prominently during her episode, while “Beat the Devil” was introduced to the show earlier in the season after CBS responded positively to the track. “I started writing it, and it was just like a verse and chorus,” she revealed, before sharing that the eerie essence of the song fit seamlessly into the show’s darker narrative.
In what Morris describes as a “trifecta,” she feels deeply integrated into the creative world of *Sheriff Country*. “Song, music video for the song, now I’m in the show as someone else. I feel very lived in this world now,” she expressed, demonstrating her enthusiasm for this new chapter in her career.
Viewers can catch Maren Morris in her guest-starring role when *Sheriff Country* premieres on 15 May on CBS and Paramount+. The anticipation for her performance underscores the blending of music and television, showcasing an artist stepping beyond her familiar realms into exciting new territories.