Lori Loughlin Performs As We've Never Seen Her Before in 'On Call' (Exclusive)

Fans of Lori Loughlin are used to her taking on roles like Full House and When Calls the House, lighter fare that is entertaining and clean-cut shows the whole family can watch. But she’s switching things up with her newest project, Dick Wolf’s eight-episode, gritty police drama, On Call. And she’s hoping her fans will be okay with this change of pace as she stretches her wings as an actor.

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On Call follows veteran officer Traci Harmon (Troian Bellisario) and her rookie, Alex Diaz (Brandon Larracuente), as they patrol the streets of Long Beach, CA. Loughlin plays their boss Lieutenant Bishop.

The Prime Video series is filmed with a mixture of hand-held cameras, bodycam and dash-cam footage, which gives it a cinema verité effect and feel that is edgier than cop dramas on broadcast television. That very reason is why Loughlin was surprised to get the call and offer to play Bishop.

Related: Lori Loughlin Returns to Blue Bloods for a Final Appearance

“It’s such a different role, and it was outside of my comfort zone was one of the reasons that I really wanted to take a crack at the character,” she tells Parade. “I was definitely apprehensive in the beginning. Eriq La Salle directed the pilot episode and was right there to really help me develop the character, give me the confidence to lean into my strengths and find that balance of being strong but having a heart, but not afraid to be tough and show that strength and show that side of myself.”

But even as she talks about playing a strong character, it turns out that Bishop’s relationship with Harmon is more than work friends. They have a connection that is undeniable, but not to the extent that it can be called mother-daughter.

“I definitely think that Bishop probably sees some of herself in Harmon probably at the start of her career,” Loughlin explains. “I think that even though she is hard on Harmon, I think that her heart is in the right place. She thinks Harmon is a good cop and she wants the best for Harmon.”

To prepare for the role, Loughlin did a ride-along, which she found “exhilarating.”

“I think as an actor it’s challenging to play different roles,” she says. “I’m thankful for the opportunity to play this role because it is so different from anything I do. It is outside my comfort zone. So, yeah, I think creatively it’s challenging and fun. Bottom line is, as an actor, you want to tell an interesting story and play an interesting character.”

All eight episodes of On Call are now streaming on Prime Video

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