Lori Loughlin Goes to the Dark Side in Lifetime's A Mother's Rage

Lori Loughlin is best known as Aunt Becky, but she's taking on a more maternal character in Lifetime's A Mother's Rage. The TV-movie (premiering Saturday at 8/7c) follows Rebecca Mayer (Loughlin) and her daughter on a college road trip, which takes a turn for the worse when Mayer's overprotective instincts kick in. Mayer is desperate to keep her daughter safe from a perceived threat, but will she go too far? Loughlin gave us the full report on her dark role — think guns, detectives, missing bodies and car chases — the 90210 series finale, and, of course, her oh-so-infamous television hubby, John Stamos.

TV Guide Magazine: This role is very dark, compared to your past projects. What attracted you to the movie?
Loughlin: I liked that when I read the script, I didn't see all the twists and turns coming. That's something I want to watch. It's suspenseful.

TV Guide Magazine: You've played mother figures before in 90210 and Summerland, but Rebecca Mayer takes overprotective parent to an extreme. Were you nervous to take on such a twisted character?
Loughlin: I felt lucky because I got to step outside my comfort zone and play a character that I don't normally get to play. I think when something scares you, you should probably do it. Whatever takes you out of your comfort zone is fun, challenging and reminds you that you're alive.

TV Guide Magazine: How do you think your fans will react to your character?
Loughlin: They won't expect that kind of character from me so I think it's a good surprise and really adds to the suspense. I'm hoping that they get where she's coming from, and have sympathy and empathy to say, "Wow. Poor woman. What a terrible loss. It doesn't justify what she's done, but we don't completely hate her for it."

TV Guide Magazine: As a mother yourself, can you relate to her at all?
Loughlin: As a mom, I can certainly empathize with my character. From that point of view, I was able to play her from a place of having complete justification for all of my actions. I never looked at my character like, "Oh you're the bad guy or you're the evil one." I looked at her as someone who suffered a great loss and out of that loss, she spun so out of control, but it was all because of her love for her child and in her delusions, wanting to protect her child.

TV Guide Magazine: This movie seems very different than the typical Lifetime movie. Why is that?
Loughlin: It was made independently so we didn't turn in your typical Lifetime film, although, when we were making it, we had this thought that we would probably sell it to Lifetime. I thought it was great because we could step outside the confines of Lifetime's safety zone and what they usually do. We made it for a limited amount of money so it was fun to work together in that capacity where everyone was pitching in.

TV Guide Magazine: Your costar, Shaun Sipos was starring on The CW's Melrose Place while you were on 90210 for the same network. Had you met each other before?
Loughlin: I had never met Shaun before, but I loved working with him. We had some really intense days at the end of filming for the last couple of scenes. He was able to evoke a lot of different emotions from me from fear to anger. It was fascinating, and I think we played really well together.

TV Guide Magazine: Speaking of 90210, will you return for the big series finale?
Loughlin: No, I don't think I'm going to return for the final episode, but they are going to do a clip show and I've gotten some word of being a part of that. I'm waiting to find out, but they're going to do interviews and show clips.

TV Guide Magazine: And we have to ask about Full House. Do you ever get sick of being asked about Aunt Becky almost two decades later?
Loughlin: It's a double-edged sword. I don't mind talking about Full House, and I'm very grateful for all the opportunity that it has afforded me. But the whole, "What's it like to kiss John Stamos? Why didn't you guys end up together?" Oh gosh, how do I keep answering that question over and over again?

TV Guide Magazine: Well since you brought it up — how is it kissing John Stamos?
Loughlin: Of course it's great to kiss John Stamos! I get that question all the time, but I'm married now. It's just funny. I love John dearly. I love him to pieces. He's one of my favorite people.

TV Guide Magazine: You've been pretty frank about not wanted to participate in a Full House reunion, but would you ever want to work with John Stamos again?
Loughlin: Oh yeah! I would love, love, love to work with John! I think he's so talented, and we have really, really great chemistry together. In fact, when he had his show Jake in Progress, I went on and did an episode, but it never got to air. I think it was one of the best episodes so I am so disappointed. But I had such a great time working with him, and would absolutely welcome the opportunity to do that again.

Keep crossing your fingers for an Aunt Becky and Uncle Jesse reunion. Until then, check out this exclusive clip from A Mother's Rage:

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