LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 28: Katie Cassidy arrives at the Entertainment Weekly hosts celebration honoring nominees for The Screen Actors Guild Awards held at Chateau Marmont on January 28, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Tran/FilmMagic)

FanSided had an opportunity to speak with Arrow star Katie Cassidy about her Capital One partnership, meeting fans at conventions, and PS4’s Hidden Agenda.

FanSided recently met up with Katie Cassidy to discuss her new Capital One partnership, meeting fans at Nashville’s Heroes & Villains Convention this weekend, and her first role in a PlayStation 4 game in Hidden Agenda.

FanSided.com – Nir Regev: What made you want to be part of this Capital One bank partnership?

Katie Cassidy: The campaign felt like a great marriage with the idea of a financial super hero and me playing a super hero on television … And a super villain! I think part of it was Capital One learning about my story. There’s a bit of a misconception when people think about me because I come from this family of entertainers. People assume that this career was given to me, served to me. It was actually quite the opposite; I didn’t meet my father until I was in fourth grade. At 18, my biological father and I, we became friends. He was a good person to talk to for advice, career wise.

When I was 17-18, he said, “If you want to act, that’s great. But we’re not going to help you. You’re on your own if you want to move out.” I was pissed then because I was 17-18 and probably just a rebellious girl. So, I was like, “Okay fine. He’s out.” I left home, and I still think back to that era. There were only one or two times that I ever actually asked my mother to buy me groceries. I had to learn things on my own. I see myself as The Balanced Optimist, on my super hero financial side.

I learned how to balance a checkbook on my own, and I think that’s what awesome about this Capital One campaign. They’re bringing people together to talk about what is normally an uncomfortable topic. They have money coaches who are also really like life coaches. They’re professionals that can really guide your financial dreams, and it’s great to have that base all over the nation.

FS: You’re going to be at the Heroes and Villains Convention in Nashville this weekend. What does it mean to you as an actress to get to meet fans of your characters?

Katie Cassidy: It’s incredible! I love doing the conventions! It’s so cool when I get to meet fans in-person and get real face-to-face time. It occured to me recently when I was coming out of an interview that to fans I’m like the stewardess of the character, almost. Like a middleman. Their connection through me is the closest thing to the character, and it’s a big role. Big shoes to fill! We have the best fans in the world, such loyal, awesome people. I love it!

Unfortunately, I don’t engage as much as I’d like to on social media, meaning responding to messages. There’s people out there who don’t write the nicest things all the time. I don’t think that’s beneficial for anyone. In terms of confidence and courage, I choose not to read them. I don’t want to read that. So it does keep me from engaging as much as I’d like to online.

FS: Last year, you got to be the lead in your first PlayStation game, Hidden Agenda. What was the experience like? Would you do it again?

Katie Cassidy: It was awesome! Would I do it again, YES! I’m a total geek when it comes to gaming. I totally geeked out when I got to play Becky (Marney) in Hidden Agenda. I love playing Call of Duty, I play online on Twitch sometimes. I’m into Destiny, Uncharted, I got to play the new one (The Lost Legacy) recently with the two badass chicks. I started back in the day with Mortal Kombat and Duke Nukem. I love games!

FS: Have you played through your own game? I know many actors don’t watch their own shows/movies after filming.

Katie Cassidy: I have actually not played through it. I find myself getting a little antsy with the story on Hidden Agenda because I already know it, since I shot it.

FS: You run website TOMBOY KC kind of like Zooey Deschanel’s Hello Giggles. I know you’ve been on New Girl before. Are you looking to build an empire like her?

Katie Cassidy: Hell yeah! Absolutely! I think it’s time for women. I love helping people in general really, encouraging others, and being a good role model.

FS: Thanks Katie!

Katie Cassidy: Thank you!

Create your own financial superhero over at Capital One with a personalized comic book. You can learn more about Capital One’s Money Coaching at this link.