Kaitlyn Leeb – Spinning Out

By: Jamie Steinberg

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

A) I recently finished shooting a Hallmark Murder Mystery called “Crossword Mysteries: Abracadaver” and took some time off to enjoy the holidays with my family and welcome the birth of our second daughter after a busy year.

Q) Please tell us the premise for “Spinning Out.”

A) “Spinning Out” follows a competitive skater named Kat who is dealing with the ups and downs of the competitive figure skating world, learning how to skate pairs with a new partner and possible love interest, all while dealing with a lot of family drama and mental health issues. Kat (Kaya Scodelario) suffers from Bipolar disorder, as does her Mom, and her life is often turned upside down while she tries to juggle everything on her plate.

Q) What made you want to be a part of this series?

A) I thought the writing on “Spinning Out” was great! It follows different characters and plot lines while focusing on something that hasn’t really been showcased in a heavy or dark drama, like mental health and the competitive lifestyle of athletes in the figure skating world. There wasn’t really a show out there like “Spinning Out” and I was very excited to be a part of it.

Q) How was Leah Starnes originally described to you?

A) Leah Starnes was described as a very talented figure skater, out for herself and would stop at nothing to be on top. She is a very fun character to play. Very competitive and very “mean girl” in a lot of ways. I’m excited to hopefully explore more of her back story and character in the future.

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

A) Truthfully, I never saw an initial breakdown. During the audition process I was sent a scene with no breakdown or character description. It was evident to me by reading that scene what kind of person Leah was. So, when I received all of the scripts and pieced together who Leah really was, I found her to be a type of girl (maybe more intense than real life) that we all know or have come across. Especially if you were ever in a competitive sport world or just any competition really. Leah is good and she knows she is good. I feel like there aren’t a lot of people who don’t like her, but to Leah that’s the price she pays to be on top.

Q) Were you familiar with any of your costars before working with them on the series or was this your first-time meeting everyone?

A) It was my first-time meeting everyone actually! Amanda [Zhou] and I started training months before we went to camera, so we got to know each other a little bit there, but the beginning of January when Evan [Roderick], Kaya and Willow [Shields] joined us in Toronto for training was the first time we all met.

Q) Who were you hoping to share a scene with anyone in particular?

A) January [Jones]! She absolutely killed it! I thought her performance in “Spinning Out” was great! Her character was written and performed so, so well. I think out of everyone, Carol could really put Leah in her place, while protecting her daughter Kaya as Leah constantly guns for Kaya trying to ruin everything for her.

Q) What were some of your favorite scenes to film for “Spinning Out?”

A) I loved shooting scenes with Kaya (who plays Kat) as she plays head games with her at the beginning all while trying to ruin her life and career. I also loved shooting with Johnny [Weir] who plays Gabe. We had great scenes together and I was especially happy when he finally joins Leah on the dark side in episode 10. The finale was super fun to shoot.

Q) How did you shake off a long day of filming?

A) We filmed LONG days! It was hard, especially if we had to be up early the next morning and back on the ice. Often we were a little out of Toronto shooting, so we would be in a hotel. We would often get together for a drink or dinner after and unwind. It was a lot of fun and great to get together, off set, with our cast.

Q) You’re a part of social media. What kind of fan reaction have you gotten to the show?

A) All amazing feedback! “Spinning Out” has done super well and I’m so proud of the work we all put in and how the show came together. Everyone worked extremely hard on “Spinning Out” and I’m so glad everyone is getting the recognition they deserve. Johnny and I came up with a hashtag of our character names put together #GLEAH. I find people love to hate us, but also enjoy our sass, extreme costumes and makeup and just being mean. [laughs] I’m so glad people are loving it all.

Q) What do you think it is about this new series that will make it a fast Netflix favorite?

A) I think because it’s different. People love figure skating and with “Spinning Out” you get the skating, but also a dark show that deals with mental health and family drama and the behind the scenes of how competitive the sport is. There isn’t a show out there like it, so I think that is why it is becoming a Netflix fav.

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

A) THANK YOU and I LOVE YOU GUYS! I am so lucky to be able to do something I absolutely love and to have the love and support from fans is always such an amazing feeling. It’s a tough industry filled with so many ups and downs and when I read comments from everyone who is a supporter, it makes all those tough times SO worth it. I really appreciate from the bottom of my heart every kind and loving message I read. And I read them ALL!