Christina Ochoa – Animal Kingdom

By starrymag | July 23, 2019

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

 

Q) What drew you to being a part of “Animal Kingdom?”

 

A) I actually read for another part, originally. The fact that they saw me fitting in the role of Renn, who happens to be incredibly strong, cool and complicated, on a show with such incredible writing and talent was just a wonderful stroke of luck on my end. It’s the magical stuff. Now that I can afford to be more selective, I would choose 10/10 times. In fact, I still do choose her.

 

Q) How was Renn originally described to you?

 

A) She was a tough surfer chick from Oceanside. Taking names, dealing drugs and riding waves. Originally, she was actually not meant to last this long on the series, but I think introducing her added a new element to the Craig Cody (Ben Robson) story that the creators and audiences responded to. We have a great rapport off screen. I’m lucky my costar Ben is also a fantastic human being I laugh with a lot – that translated to on-screen chemistry.

 

Q) Was there anything you added to her that wasn’t in the initial breakdown?

 

A) Love. A sense of safety. Ben and I discussed creating a deep bond that transcended their sexual scenes and that’s the beauty of good writing, isn’t it? It was all there to play with. She was competitive, badass and unapologetic and underneath she loves this faulty man in the only way she knows how… locking him in a freezer and getting revenge, for example. [laughs] The characters are damaged and dysfunctional, but they are soulmates.

 

Q) What can you tease is in store for Renn this season?

 

A) We see a new side of Renn come out. She’s pregnant. About to become a mom. For a fearless, independent woman like Renn with no female role model in her family, this is incredibly scary! We see her vulnerable with Craig and what that does to him.

 

Q) In what ways will his connection with Renn cause a wrench in his activities with Frankie?

 

A) I don’t think Renn cares one bit about Frankie, played brilliantly by Dichen [Lachman], and vice versa…. Yet.

 

Q) The Cody family plays a big role in Craig’s life. How will this new baby bring him closer or push him farther from them?

 

A) We will have to wait and see…

 

Q) Talk about getting to work with acting icon Ellen Barkin.

 

A) I’m a very lucky woman to get to play with such incredible talent in front of or behind the screen. They are all – Wells, writers, DP, directors, actors, crew – at the top of their game and it’s amazing to watch what that does to a set! There’s so much trust.

 

Ellen is just an incredible powerhouse. She has a gravitas that draws you in closer. Every time she slides into Smurf, you feel her shift and I do not know how she manages to play her, go that dark, and still release it all at the end of the day!

 

Q) What have been some of your favorite scenes to film of “Animal Kingdom?”

 

A) There’s a scene this season coming up that I’m excited to see because we had such a blast shooting it… but from the past? The surfing scenes, thanks to Charlie Croughwell (our stunt coordinator) and his team are always exciting to shoot and are up there for me.

 

Q) What do you think it is about the show that continues to make it a fan favorite?

 

A) Have you seen the Cody family? [smile] What’s not to love about Smurf and her boys?

 

Q) We loved you on “A Million Little Things.” What was it about John that made Ashley so loyal to keeping his secrets?

 

A) He was, in a sense, her mentor and savior. Her protector, if you will. They spent all day every day together and she felt compelled to honor his legacy in the only way she knew. It was misguided love.

 

Q) Have we seen the last of Ashley Morales?

 

A) You’ll have to wait and see.

 

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

 

A) Thank you. It’s always ‘Thank you’… I never take their appreciation or support for granted.