As you read this, Gabrielle Miller is contemplating a mountain panorama from the wraparound porch of her home in the interior of British Columbia. Deer wander through her yard, and bears. The alpine retreat is a well-deserved break after six seasons shooting Corner Gas on location in Saskatchewan – the last three of which involved double duty also filming Robson Arms in Vancouver. A break was needed.

More stunning images of Gabrielle Miller

“It’s been really fantastic. I’ve been able to spend some great time with my family, which has been long overdue,” she said. “My husband and I got a house out here and it’s been wonderful. We’ve been able to hang out and relax and catch up on reading.”

Miller stars in both Corner Gas and Robson Arms – each show currently airing, but in its final season. Alongside her busy professional life, she spends much of her time doing charitable work for, among others, World Vision and the Vela Microboard Association.

“It’s incredible, because what else do you do with being in the public eye, right?” Miller remarks. “Being able to put your voice to what matters to you – that is just a huge gift.”

Being in the public eye as one of the leads of Corner Gas – the highest-rated comedy program in Canadian television history – has also been a learning experience for her, a self-described “shy, introspective child” who is now, suddenly, a household name.

“It’s been a growing experience and incredibly challenging sometimes, because I naturally am very private and quite shy,” Miller confided. “So that’s been interesting and also probably really good for me.”

It’s also been an engaging creative arc for an actress with a background in drama who found herself immersed in not one but two network comedies. No matter the genre, she has discovered that the core acting fundamentals apply.

“If the character that you’re watching doesn’t believe their situation, then I don’t either,” she explained. “And I don’t think that trying to make people laugh works, not for me at least. Comedy comes from being human and also from the situation that you’re put in.”

Interesting characters and good scripts are on her mind these days. She’s looking ahead to her next project, something where the emphasis on character will be paramount. Until that next part materializes, however, her many fans can enjoy the accompanying photo spread – where Miller’s classic beauty and compelling emotional range are on full display.

Q&A with Gabrielle Miller

Q: What is the quality you like most in a man?
A: Kindness.

Q: The quality you like most in a woman?
A: Intelligence.

Q: What is your present state of mind?
A: Pretty peaceful.

Q: What is your greatest indulgence?
A: Probably the time that I spend in nature. Or in my sauna [laughs]. Family time for sure.

Q: Which living person do you most admire?
A: My mother. She is just truly my inspiration. She’s incredibly strong and loving and available. I just adore her. She’s a pretty incredible woman. And has gone through a life that shows all of her strengths really clearly, and I sometimes can’t imagine some of the stuff that she’s gone through. She’s incredible.

Q: Which talent would you most like to have?
A: I would love to be musical. I would love to be able to use my voice in that way or to play an instrument. I think that would be so incredible. The ability to touch people in a way that no other art can. Do you know? I think music is amazing. And I’m totally untalented in that field [laughs].

Q: Other than your present occupation, what occupation would you like to try?
A: I love design. All areas of design. But more broadly, if I hadn’t found what I loved at such a young age, I would have loved to study just in general – gone to university and explored; there are things that I’m so interested in.

Q: In what country, other than this, would you like to live?
A: I would love to explore all of Europe more. That would be wonderful.

Q: What is your greatest fear?
A: Losing those that I love.

Q: What trait do you deplore most in others?
A: Lack of empathy. Cruelty.

Q: What trait do you deplore most in yourself?
A: I really don’t like how much I worry about people. Anxiety over making sure that everybody is okay.

Q: What is your greatest regret?
A: I don’t really have any, I don’t think. In certain moments, at certain times, I have felt it temporarily. But in the long run those regrets often morph into understanding.

Q: Who are your favourite actors, actresses?
A: Cate Blanchett. I think her work is stunning, just incredible. And Javier Bardem. Of contemporary actors, I think that he’s pretty brilliant.

Q: What recent films or TV series have you seen and enjoyed – and why?
A: We’ve been watching a bunch of series lately. I’ve really enjoyed True Blood. And Brotherhood I love. And 30 Rock is great. That’s a fantastic comedy.

Q: Is there a motto you live by?
A: No, I don’t really have one. I’ve just never felt the need. Is that bad? [laughs].

Q: We’ll let it pass. Just this once.
A: That’s a relief.... [laughs].