Mackenzie Hancsicsak – This Is Us

By: Jamie Steinberg

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

A) I started middle school this year, 7th grade, and I’ve started my 4th season on “This is Us.”  And I’m also starting Girl Scouts again soon, so I’m quite busy and don’t have much time for many other projects.

Q) What can you tease is new for Kate on “This Is Us” this coming season? 

A) Well, young Kate and I are the same age (I just turned twelve in August) and the triplets turned twelve years old on August 31.  So, we’ll be seeing them in some tween situations on the show I predict. For adult Kate (Chrissy Metz), of course, she’s going to be taking care of baby Jack.

Q) What keeps challenging you about portraying her? 

A) Sometimes when I read the script, I think, “Well, I would never do that or say that or wear that,” and I have to remember it’s not Mackenzie saying or dressing that way. It’s the character Kate.  Young Kate wears a lot of bright colors that sometimes in real life I wouldn’t wear. Kate is also very brave. Sometimes I think she’s braver than me.

Q) Have you and Chrissy Metz spent much time together to talk about your portrayal? 

A) Unfortunately, because Chrissy and Hannah Zeil (teen Kate) and I all play the same character in different time periods, we don’t really get to work or see each other on set that much.  Last season there was an episode called “Katie Girls” and when I got the script I screamed because I was so excited that we would all three be getting to act together.  I love when I get to see them at an event because I’m big fans of theirs, too.  They’re both amazing singers and actors and I look up to them a lot.

Q) If not, do you tend to watch episodes so they can influence your version of Kate?  

A) I watch every episode every week.  I try to watch it in real time, especially if I’m on set the next day so then I can talk about the episode with the cast and crew.  When I watch Hannah or Chrissy, I watch as a fan of theirs. I don’t really try and act like them or do the same mannerisms as them.  We each play Kate in our own way.

Q) Parker Bates and Lonnie Chavis play your siblings.  Do you spend much time together off set? 

A)  I just had a big birthday party for my 12^th birthday at a trampoline place and Parker and Lonnie came and so did Faithe Herman, who plays Annie Pearson on the show. Parker and Lonnie live down south, so it’s a bit far from where I live. But we do try and see each other as often as we can when we’re not filming.  And, of course, it’s fun to hang out at different events. We just went to the Emmy’s, so it was fun seeing the cast all together and all dressed up.  We always have a great time when we’re all together.

Q) Talk about working on screen with parents Mandy Moore and Milo Ventimiglia?

A) Mandy and Milo have both been acting and performing for many years so they give good advice.  Milo likes to do improv sometimes and encourages us to try different things in a scene.  He says, “Just try this or that,” so we can learn different ways of doing things in one scene. Milo also directed an episode this season, which should be really cool to watch.  And maybe Mandy can direct one too sometime.  Or maybe me when I get older, I’ll direct one.  You never know!

Q) What are some episodes in Season 4 that you are most looking forward to fans seeing? 

A) It’s always fun when I get to film with both brothers in an episode.  We always have a lot of fun together.  So, those are the episodes I like the fans to see.  Hopefully, the real love we feel for each other off screen shows when we’re acting together on screen. This week’s episode, called The Pool, Part 2, features the kids a lot so that one will be a fun one to watch.  We are on set filming this Tuesday, but hopefully I’ll be home in time to watch the show live and maybe live tweet about it, too. I’m a fan of the show, too, so I’m looking forward to watching every week along with everyone else!

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

A) It’s fun to see all of the fans’ comments on the shows. The writers do such a great job with their research on certain topics so it’s fun when the fans compliment on how they nailed it on the head.  A lot of people who were adopted or who have adopted a child or are part of a mixed family, etc., always say how real the writing is and that’s a great compliment.  I also like when they ask questions about us and are always supportive of us on screen and off.

Q) What would you like to say to fans and supporters of you and your work on “This Is Us?”  

A) Thank you for watching and I hope you have as much fun watching this season as we’re having fun making the episodes.  The show wouldn’t be anywhere without the fans and we appreciate all of your support, truly.