Ali Skovbye – Firefly Lane

By: Jamie Steinberg

Q) How was your role of Young Tully originally described to you?

A) When I originally auditioned she was described as very cool, very collected. She had everything under control. She was instantly popular with both boys and girls. She was described as really motivated and would really hard to get what she wants and will stop at nothing until she gets it. Also, she was described as underneath all of that she is dealing with a lot of stuff on her own and she feels very lonely. She doesn’t really have anybody to talk to and has a rough home life. So, that was the general way she was described to me from the beginning. And then, of course, as I got into it and I read the book and the full script and talked to everybody involved, I got a more well-rounded idea of Tully and everything she goes through.

Q) Did you and costar Katherine Heigl work together to make a cohesive performance of this character?

A) We did. We didn’t have a lot of time, but we had about a week of pre-production and we met. We kind of talked about the general understanding of the character. Roan [Curtis] and I got to see some footage of Katherine and Sarah [Chalke] and some things they had done as we were going along in filming. So, we could kind of watch that and study that and pick little things that they did that we could do as well so we could make it very obvious that we were playing the same character.

Q) Was there something that you added or determined together to add to Tully?

A) I think one thing that we kind of discussed was how easily she can kind of take over a room and that she could walk into a room and immediately have everyone’s attention and be captivating. That whole aura she has. Also, she has a very hard time thinking her emotions are valid and that she can be vulnerable and be open about things. So, I think it was putting everything like that into who Tully was.

Q) Were you familiar with any of your costars before working with them on this series?

A) Yeah, so I had watched pretty much every movie that Katherine Heigl was in probably twice. So, I was very aware of her and her career and who she was – as well as Sarah. She was on “Scrubs.” And they are both so incredibly amazing humans and to be able to meet with them and talk with them and get to know them better was incredible. I didn’t know Roan or anyone else though before we started.

Q) Were you looking forward to sharing scenes with someone(s) in particular?

A) I think I was really excited to share scenes with Roan. Once we met, we clicked so well and were becoming such good friends. I also think our storyline is kind of separate from the rest of the show and kind of what everybody else is in, so I didn’t kind of know everybody else in our storyline too much. One person I knew that I was really excited to work with was Beau Garrett who plays my mom. She is also incredibly talented and such a kind, genuine human. She was absolutely incredible as Cloud in the show. Learning from her and talking with her and spending time together and building that kind of relationship was one of my favorite parts of the show.

Q) What were some of your favorite moments from filming or scenes that you shot?

A) I think all of it was very memorable. On our second to last day of shooting we did a scene that was kind of at the end of the show it was very memorable and emotionally and well-rounding. Roan and I felt it was very real because the show was ending and their characters were going through it as well. So, it was very emotional. It just felt like a very good way to end the series. So, the last day was very memorable. Just growing Roan and I’s friendship along with Tully and Kate’s friendship kind of at the same time as we were filming made everything memorable because every scene that we did was real and raw for us as well.

Q) What do you hope viewers take away from watching the series “Firefly Lane?”

A) I hope that they take away how important female friendships are and they know that it doesn’t always have to be a female friendship that is dramatic or catty or anything like that. Strong, healthy, genuine female friendships exist, and they are so, so important for who you grow up to be and who you are. I hope that they take away that you never know what someone is going through and everyone is fighting their own battles – whether you see it on the outside or how cool or popular they are. Check in on your friends and make sure that they’re okay. I hope that they can relate to any of that.

Q) The show comes out on February 3^rd. How do you plan to celebrate the release?

A) I think with the time that we’re in, unfortunately, there won’t be any big celebrations or premieres. But I think everybody is so proud for this to come out and interact with people and see how they feel about it. I’m sure Roan and I will get on a Zoom call and kind of hang out together. I’m really, really excited for it to come out.

Q) Do you have any upcoming projects fans can look out for?

A) I don’t. Not at the moment. I’m just waiting for “Firefly Lane” to come out for now.

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who are fans and supporters of you and the work you do?

A) Thank you. Thank you for watching and supporting throughout all of the different types of shows that I do and all the different content that I made throughout the years in film and television. I really, really appreciate it.