Lucy Walters – Get Shorty

By starrymag | September 9, 2018

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

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

 

A) I’m working on a new series called “Jett” created by Sebastian Gutierrez, starring Carla Gugino and Giancarlo Esposito. It’s been a blast to film so far—amazing creative team, feels incredibly collaborative and it’s a wild, risky role to get to sink my teeth into.

 

 

Q) We are currently seeing you on “Get Shorty.” How was your character Katie originally described to you?

 

A) Grounded and real, working class, independent and more complex than your typical wife role.

 

 

Q) Were you a fan of the film before joining the show?

 

A) I had never seen the movie before I got the gig. But I fell in love with the book and film once cast.

 

 

Q) Talk about working with costar Chris O’Dowd. 

 

A) He’s very smart and very funny.

 

 

Q) Will we be getting any more flashbacks to Miles & Katie’s casino days this season?

 

A) It’d be fun— I do love a storyline involving wigs— but the writers are very tight-lipped about what’s to come.

 

 

Q) With comedic icons Chris and Ray Romano on set, what have been some of your most memorable behind the scenes moments from filming “Get Shorty?”

 

A) Sadly, my storyline hasn’t really intersected with Ray’s.  I watch him work from the monitors whenever I can though because I do think he’s a comic genius. The ease with which he can pull off genuine unease is magic. He just has the whole crew in stitches.

 

 

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

 

A) I think tonally and visually it’s very distinct. I mean, that long tracking shot opening the series—a clear homage to Goodfellas— you don’t see production value like that on TV. It’s incredible.  And I think tonally, Davey Holmes our show runner and his really incredible ream of a writers, do a beautiful job threading the needle between comedy and drama. It’s a dry dark comedy, unlike any other on TV right now.

 

 

Q) You’re a part of social media. Do you enjoy the instant fan feedback you receive to episodes?

 

A) I mostly love it. I was on a show called “Power” and I loved so much about that show, but I especially miss the fans. They taught me the joy of live tweeting.  “Power” fans are so lively on Twitter it was like its own meta-drama playing out while each episode was airing. And they hated my character Holly so much, but in a really sweet, loving way to me personally. It was fun to see how viscerally they reacted to Holly. Like when my character died they were throwing parties!  Now that’s cold. And hilarious. And I got a perverse kick out of it.

 

But I have actor friends who have had less positive experiences with fans—conflating the actor and the character and getting really nasty. The death of privacy that comes with social media and the expectation that you HAVE to participate scares me a little.

 

 

Q) Who is someone you have always dreamt about working with that you still would love to work with?

 

A) Honestly, some of my best experiences have been working with people that aren’t household names yet. I love working with up and coming directors because often they’re more collaborative and the work is more interesting when you feel like you get to be a part of the problem-solving fun of it. I am heartened that the industry is starting to reckon with the huge disparity in opportunities for women and people of color. And I guess I’ve always felt like a bit of an outsider myself, so I feel at home with people who bring a nontraditional background, perspective or set of experiences to the work.”

 

 

Q) You often take on dramatic roles. Is there something that draws you to this genre? 

 

A) I guess I take life seriously. I relate to characters who do, too. I strive for raw authenticity and aim to strip away my own ego and vanity to be in service to the role.

 

 

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

 

A) Two related thoughts I am constantly trying to remember myself are:

Instead of trying to be what you think someone wants, lean into the things that make you, YOU. Your imperfections and quirks will be the things that ultimately set you a part and get you the part. The more we try to bend ourselves to be what we think they want us to be, the farther away we get from what’s genuine and interesting.

And then 2. I guess a corollary of that is to trust yourself and your instincts and to foster a relationship with your own subconscious. That’s where the fun and play and creativity lie.

 

 

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

 

A) First off thank you!!  And second off, Texas public school –heck yeah.