Over the past few years, Kate Watson’s acting career has blossomed. This is not surprising, as she always brings an impressive blend of craft, professionalism, and artistry to her roles. She has a gift for finding engaging nuances which make her characters both real and relatable. Kate connects with the viewer and draws them in. The result is the story with greater personal impact.

This weekend, Kate has two Lifetime movies airing back to back on Saturday and Sunday. The first is called Murder at the Derby. In the film, Kate plays Jennifer Rosemont, the favored sibling at a prestigious stable. When a new trainer named Kara (Ronni Hawk) is brought on board, it heightens the tension between Jennifer and her brother, Stephen (Daniel O’Reilly). The movie is like Yellowstone with a dash (or more) of Succession.

In Secret Life of the Dean’s Wife, which premieres on Lifetime on Sunday, May 4 at 8/7c, Kate plays Margaret Collins, a former investigative journalist who is trapped in a slow-burn thriller where nothing is as it seems. Can she trust the life she built with her husband, or does a man from the past hold the key to her happiness?

Kate graciously agreed to answer a few questions about each film.

What is Murder at the Derby about?
Murder at the Derby follows a determined woman chasing her dream of becoming a top racing horse trainer. She lands a coveted position at a prestigious stable, working under the sharp and seasoned eye of my character, Jennifer Rosemont. What unfolds is a layered story of ambition, legacy, power, and betrayal — all set against the high-stakes world of competitive horse racing.

Do you need to be a fan of horse racing to enjoy this film?
Not at all. While the story takes place in the world of racing and stables, that’s really just the backdrop. At its core, this film is about human connection, resilience, and rediscovery. That said, if you do happen to love horses — like I do — there’s an extra layer of beauty and meaning in it for you.

Did you have any experience working with horses before this movie?
I did — I was lucky enough to grow up in a saddle. As a kid, I spent countless weekends grooming, riding, and cleaning stalls. It gave me a real respect for the work and the bond that forms between you and a horse. So stepping back into that world for the film felt a bit like coming home.

Are horses hard/unpredictable to work with?
Horses can definitely introduce an element of unpredictability on set — they have instincts and sensitivities that don’t always follow the script. But we were incredibly fortunate with Dante (who plays Shadow Gaze in the film). His calm, steady demeanor made him a dream to work with. And having his trainer, Chelsea Kolman, on set was invaluable. She brought such care and professionalism, and helped ensure everything ran smoothly whenever Dante was involved.

What was the most memorable aspect of working with Dante?
We were incredibly lucky to have Dante as our lead — he was not only beautifully trained, but had a remarkably calm presence. Horses are intuitive creatures; they pick up on your scent and energy as a way of understanding who you are. Their ability to tune into emotion is remarkable, and Dante responded to our interactions with such grace. It created this unspoken connection on set that made the experience really special.

You seem to get a lot of roles where your character has inner strength or power. Do casting directors see that in you, or do you seek those types of roles?
That’s an interesting observation. From my perspective, many of the characters I’ve played begin in some form of peril — their journey is often about reclaiming or discovering their own power. While I can’t speak for casting directors, I do gravitate toward roles where a woman holds onto her agency, even in the face of adversity. It’s less about starting strong and more about how that strength is earned. With Jennifer, she may not follow the full arc of a traditional hero, but the heartbreak she carries over her brother’s choices becomes both an internal and external battle — one that quietly defines her.

How much of Jennifer is you?
Jennifer may be the closest character to myself that I’ve played so far. While I’ve never been part of the horse racing world, my personal history with horses — and understanding complex family dynamics — made her feel deeply familiar. There’s a quiet strength to her, a sense of control layered over deep emotion, that I definitely relate to. In some ways, stepping into her shoes felt more like stepping into a memory than creating someone new.

What were your favorite parts of working on Murder at the Derby?
Filming across multiple horse stables in Kentucky was truly a dream — the setting brought so much texture and authenticity to the story. And working with Ronni [Hawk] and Dan [O’Reilly] was a joy. Dan and I had collaborated before, so there was an immediate comfort and trust between us, which made diving into some of the more intense scenes all the more rewarding. We were fortunate to have our wonderful director, Brittany Underwood and DP Alex Yellen, as well as a dedicated, hard-working crew. Despite the emotional weight of the material — and the logistical challenges — there was genuine camaraderie on set. We all had fun.

Murder at the Derby premiered on April 27th and it is being rebroadcast on Saturday, May 3rd, to tie in with the Kentucky Derby. However, you have another film premiering on the Lifetime Network on May 4th called Secret Life of The Dean’s Wife. Could you tell us a little about that movie?
In Secret Life of the Dean’s Wife, I play Margaret Collins — a former investigative journalist and the poised, seemingly perfect wife of a prestigious university dean. We meet her at the moment her carefully curated world begins to unravel, thrusting her into a tangled web of deception, betrayal, and danger. As the layers peel back, we discover just how far she’s willing to go to protect the truth — and herself.

Unlike many thrillers, this one delves into the emotional terrain beneath the suspense. It explores, with quiet nuance, what happens when a carefully curated exterior begins to collapse in parallel with a long-buried internal truth. That dual unraveling — both public and deeply personal — gives the story a haunting, noir intimacy that lingers.

What was it like playing against both Don Jeanes and Matthew O’Donnell? They played two different types of male characters. Did it make your role more challenging?
Both Don and Matthew were an absolute pleasure to work with. And you’re right—their characters couldn’t be more different. But what I found compelling is that they each carry a bittersweet weight; at one point, both had a place in Margaret’s heart. I never saw her as torn between the two men, but rather caught between the woman she once was and the one she’s become.

With Alex, played by Matthew, Margaret is forced to confront how far she’s drifted from her former self—and the painful choice she made to bury a devastating secret. With Richard, Don’s character, she faces the reckoning of her present reality—one she may have sensed all along but tried to ignore.

Each relationship held up a mirror to a different truth she hadn’t been ready to face, which made the emotional shifts in those scenes layered and rewarding to play.

What was it like to work with Josh Butler and Christos Bitsakos?
Working with Josh was an incredible experience. I wasn’t familiar with his previous work beforehand, but he quickly proved to be exactly the kind of director I gravitate toward—one with a clear, compelling vision and a genuine openness to collaboration. He’s a gifted storyteller who creates space for his actors to explore while always keeping a strong creative compass.

And our extraordinary cinematographer, Christos Bitsakos, brought such intimacy and precision to every frame. His use of contrast and light was both delicate and deliberate, perfectly echoing the emotional tone.

Is there anything we missed that you’d like to bring up or anything you’d like to share with your fans?
Just a heartfelt thank you to everyone supporting the arts—whether you’re creating, collaborating, or simply showing up. These past few years have brought both beauty and hardship for so many, and in the midst of it all, I’ve been continually reminded of how deeply art can heal. Thank you for believing in it. Keep telling your stories, keep growing, and above all—keep going.

What is the best way for fans to follow you?
My Instagram is @actresskatewatson

Secret Life of the Dean’s Wife premiers Sunday, May 4 at 8/7c on Lifetime.

Kate Watson: Instagram
Lifetime: website • Facebook • Instagram