The cast of Three Rivers continues to be an inspiration for organ donation. And Kelly Overton (Det. Rena Yablonski) is no exception.

When I caught up with her, she was just starting her six-week role of a werewolf (Rikki) in True Blood. We managed to touch on both series and emphasize the importance of organ donation.

Werewolf Role Unique

Though she never played a werewolf prior to her role in True Blood, Overton told me, “It was one of those auditions that went really well. I had it (the audition) with Alan Ball and then got a call shortly after saying that I got the part.

“I knew it would be a new process for me, unique. I’d never done a role like that before, where I played both a human and an animal,” Overton laughed. “What I focused on was the fact of my character being human. Then, I added the supernatural air on top of that. I looked at how to play her instincts.

“I think, up to that point, everything I had done before prepared me for the role. Then, the goal became just finishing the season strong.”

Organ Donation A Difficult Choice

Speaking of those prior roles, I asked Overton about Three Rivers, organ donation, Donate Life America’s campaign to register “20 Million in 2012” and if she is an organ donor (she is).

“Three Rivers was so short-lived. I wish I could say more,” she said. “I think anyone that watched the show realized the importance of that gift and what a hard choice it would be for a family member to do that and to have other family members support the decision.

“Three Rivers gave me an awareness of the gift. And fans reached out and told us how they were really touched by the show.”

Horror Project Talent

Fans also enjoyed her feature film, a horror project called The Collective, which she directed and produced in 2008.

Though met with mixed reviews on its release, the film won many awards, including the Audience Award for Best Feature Film at both the Brooklyn International Film Festival and the Fort Collins TriMedia Film Festival. It was also recipient of the Golden Kahuna Award at the Honolulu International Film Festival and the Silver Palm Award at the Mexico International Film Festival (both for Best Feature Film).

Overton described it to me as “one of the most amazing experiences of my life. We’re living at a time where individuals have access to create on their own. We’re pretty independent and don’t have to wait for anyone. We can tell stories we want to tell, and we have the means to do it.

“It was one of those moments where some friends and I decided to make a movie and had access to the equipment to do it. We had ten days to come up with a story and two weeks to shoot. We went all out.

When we got on a plane and headed home, we didn’t even know if any of it would be in focus. We got back and realized we had something. The film ended up winning a bunch of awards at festivals, and we got distribution. I would absolutely love to do more of that in the future.”

While we’re waiting for her next film project, Overton can be seen in HBO’s True Blood on Sunday nights.

Cheryl has been a freelance TV/film writer for more than 10 years. Simultaneously, she has worked in PR for Bon Jovi Productions in NYC, PolyGram Records (also in NYC), and Rogers & Cowan Public Relations. Cheryl has published articles at suite101.com, “Sci-Fi Entertainment” magazine, and “Soap Opera Weekly.” She was also a credited researcher for English author Denis Meikle’s JOHNNY DEPP: A KIND OF ILLUSION. Cheryl enjoys writing for the entertainment industry and meeting new people. She is also an animal lover.

This post originally appeared at suite101.com.