Angel Parker – Marvel’s Runaways

By: Jamie Steinberg

Q) What are the recent projects that you are working on?

A) Right now, I’m promoting “Runaways.”

Q) Were you familiar with the comic the series is based on?

A) No, actually I wasn’t. I didn’t know anything about it. I dove right in. I have an eleven-year-old boy and he got me all caught up. We read the comic in just two days and definitely put me on the right path. So, I was very excited to get to know all about The Runaways and the source material that our show is created from. It’s been a really cool journey learning about the MCU and everything. It’s been great.

Q) How was your character Catherine Wilder originally described to you?

A) She was just described as a strong, dynamic woman. She’s a lawyer, wife and a mom. So, I knew those elements I was able to play and the more I dove into it I started to realize the history of her and her relation to the pride and what that means for the alliances she’s made has made her much more fascinating to me. It is sort of a good versus evil within Catherine herself.

Q) What did you find challenging about portraying her?

A) The challenge is the same with any role. It’s finding the truth, finding why we are here and why we are saying the words that we are saying. So, it’s sort of the same challenge for every role that I take on. It’s really been wonderful and also it’s understanding that villain/Marvel world that has added a new element to my research, which was fun and cool.

Q) Was there instant chemistry when the cast began working together?

A) It is a very large cast and we just hit it off right away. All the members of the pride were all sort of career actors who have been doing this a while and have children. We just all became fast friends. I don’t know why. It just happened. All of the women text every day and we have a pride loop, a women pride loop and a “Runaways” loop. So, we’re really a big family. We’re just so excited that the show is so successful.

Q) Who did you not get to work with that you were hoping to share a scene with?

A) I didn’t get to work with the dinosaur. That’s my only qualm. [laughs] In the very, very end the dinosaur shows up, but I wanted a scene with that dinosaur. I wanted to talk to it! That hasn’t happened yet, but we’ll see. We’ll see.

Q) What were some of your most memorable moments from filming “Runaways?”

A) Oh, the pride scenes! All the sacrifice scenes when we’re in the robes and in the underground lair. It’s just too cool to look around and see all these people wearing robes and being very villainous by sacrificing. It’s just too funny! [laughs] That’s definitely my favorite part – working with the pride during the sacrifice scene. You don’t get to do that every day.

Q) You are a part of social media. Have you been enjoying the instant feedback you receive to episodes?

A) Yes! What mainly makes me happy is that the fans love it. That’s who you really want to impress and really want to be on your side. The fans have really, really made it known how much they love it and what they love. So, it’s exciting to hear from them directly and we’ve been able to really bond. That’s why I love social media. You can actually talk to the fans and be able to hear and see. They make great artwork for us. It’s just really fun to connect with them.

Q) What do you think it is about the show that has made it a fast fan favorite series?

A) I think there is someone to root for on all sides. There is someone you see with such a diverse cast that there are so many different ways that we’re telling the story. So, sometimes you are going to identify with the runaways and sometimes you are going to identify with the pride. I just think that makes for great television.

Q) You often play such fierce female characters. How do you select the roles that you play?

A) They come to you. I’m still at the part of my career where I’m auditioning a lot. And the ones that fit like a glove just fit. Those are the ones you end up booking and end up falling in love with. I truly believe you only get the parts that you are meant to get and I’ve just been very, very lucky in my career that they’ve been varied roles that I’m very passionate about. Whether I go back and forth with comedy or drama and now in the Marvel universe it’s been such a journey and an amazing experience. I’m always challenged and I’m always freaking out thinking, “I don’t know how to do this!” By the end, I am like, “Okay…Maybe I do know what I’m doing.” So, it’s been just a beautiful chapter moving from role to role these last couple years.

Q) What advice would you give to up and coming actors and actresses?

A) I would tell them to find a community theater and an acting class that you can work with and connect wit and train with. I strongly believe this is a profession that is of the highest caliber – meaning you have to work very, very hard at it. It’s not just luck and good looks that get you by. Maybe your first part, but definitely not your second or your tenth part. So, I say get involved with a small theater, find an acting class, connect with your community and find your tribe. Create your own content. Make short videos. Make Instagram videos. Write. Do everything that you can to keep your creative mind moving forward and be around people doing the same thing so you keep each other motivated.

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) Thank you for the support. I really appreciate it. I love going on social media and hearing from you. Thank you so much for being there and understanding how hard this work is and just loving it. It really means a lot to us.