Malia Baker – The Baby-Sitters Club

By starrymag | July 22, 2020

By: Lisa Steinberg

 

Q) The staff behind the series really put such conscientious efforts into putting amazing nods from the books to the TV series that really encapsulates “The Baby-Sitters Club” so well. From the phone to street signs and costumes to dialogue. When you began reading the scripts and then making your way to set, did you pick up on a lot of these?

 

A) Yes, I did.  When I first saw the phone, I think I was fangirling over it.  I loved it so much!  It was exactly how I pictured it in the books.  I was so excited to hold it.  Oh my gosh, every scene with that phone was like a dream come true.  It felt surreal.

 

Q) You play Mary Anne Spier; did you specifically audition for her or were there any other roles you were interested and/or up for?

 

A) I originally auditioned for Mary Anne. I sent in a self-tape to the casting office, which is a video tape of me doing a scene, and waited to see if I would get a call back. Two weeks later, I thought I didn’t get the part. I was pretty bummed out, but I still kept some hope. They called me back and said that they wanted to do a video call with me and, of course, I happily agreed. From there on out, I had this really good gut feeling that hopefully I would get the part.

 

Q) You really connect and click so well on screen with the other girls behind “The Baby-Sitters Club.”  Was there an instantaneous bond between the group during the audition process and beyond?

 

A) At the last audition we were told that we were “The Baby-sitters Club;” which is super-duper rare. I think that gave us an advantage because we were able to exchange contact two months before filming. We texted every day since the last audition. We all clicked right away! We were sitting down with each other talking about completely random stuff and we still talk every day. I get at least a hundred text messages from those girls on one of our various group chats.

 

Q) We see this unique father/daughter dynamic between Mary Anne and her over-protective dad. Talk about working off of Marc Evan Jackson and the connection and chemistry that you two fostered that we see on screen.

 

A) Working with Marc was honestly a dream come true.  I remember when I was told he was playing Richard, I was said, “Oh my gosh, oh wait, you’re kidding!” My mom was not very familiar with him, but I had already watched his work with “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” and “The Good Place.” I really admire him and am so happy I was able to work with him. He is such a lovely person. He would take time to compliment me and my acting every chance he got. I think that we really formed a bond off-screen which helped us on-screen. I really enjoyed working with him. I definitely learned quite a bit about improv and comedy from him. One hundred percent.

 

Q) “The Baby-Sitters Club” also focuses a lot on familial bonds, and even though Mary Anne is an only child, the women and the other girls in her life really influence her and are an extension of the definition of family. Talk about how these female forward relationships really help form who we see on screen and how family isn’t always defined by blood.

 

A) Kristy (Sophie Grace) and Mary Anne have been friends since birth. I find that they are complete opposites, but that makes their friendship so unique. They agree on certain things and disagree on others, but I think that helped Mary Anne come out of her shell in a way. In episode four when she fully comes out of her shell and speaks up for Bailey (Kai Shappley), I find that she is finally able to use her voice. I think she has been greatly impacted by those lovely ladies in her life such as Kristy’s mom (played by Alicia Silverstone) and all of her friends. I find that they have made a huge impact. When Mary Anne had her room done, I think Claudia (Momona Tamada) has made an impact on her art style. Stacey (Shay Rudolph) has an impacted on her fashion. With Kristy, she has been able to be a little more independent.

 

Q) What I love about “The Baby-Sitters Club” is that it showcases the girls championing social justice and environmental issues as well as inclusivity, among the highlights that a lot of beloved pre and teen based series tend to shy away from. It’s truly a series that sets a high bar with its spectrum of representation, empowerment and progressiveness that it provides. Mary Anne may be shy, but she also learns as she grows. We see this personified with the stand she takes at the hospital as an advocate for Bailey, but also at Camp Moosehead with the play. These young women aren’t just role models for the children they look after, but for each other as well as its audience. What does that realization and gravity mean to you?

 

A) These girls are all young, entrepreneurial feminists and I think it is very empowering. They all fight for what they believe in and try to challenge themselves in different ways. They always uplift everyone. It is really women supporting women. That’s what the whole group is. I think it is so amazing as well as the representation in the series. With the such a diverse cast, I feel like people will be able to relate even more. I am really happy and excited that more people are seeing themselves in all of the different characters like I did when I read the books when I was growing up.

 

Q) What has been your favorite episode to film?

 

A) I loved filming all of the episodes, but I think if I was forced to pick one, I would choose the last episode.  That’s when everything went down. It honestly felt like I was at a camp with my best friends. It was so much fun and it felt so realistic. I was able to do the job that I love and have fun with my friends on and off-screen.

 

Q) I feel like where we leave off with the season is perfect with the message viewers are left with, but we also feel like we have shared the same summer with these girls.  That we’re all ending summer camp. You’re sad it’s over, but you know you’ll see these people soon.  I hope that it felt that way for you as well when filming.  

 

A) Yes, I agree. I think the thing that made me the most sentimental and emotional is when we took the Polaroid photo. It was one of the last things that we did and it made me tear up. I said, “Oh my gosh, I am going to really miss you girls. I wish we could do this again.”

The fun thing is that we all got to take each of our individual Polaroid photos off of the old Polaroid camera. I have mine hanging up on the wall and we all have our individual photos of us somewhere in our rooms.

 

Q) What have you taken away or learned from your experiences being a part of “The Baby-Sitters Club?”

 

A) I think I have definitely mastered being a babysitter! I also think that I learned a lot about each of the characters. Now, when I read the books again, I see myself and imagine how she would be. I also learned to have patience like Mary Anne. I am a patient person, but I can do with some more. I think I learned something from all of the girls, both on and off screen, as well as all of the people on set. I just feel so grateful to be a part of that cast.  It was such a passion project, honestly.

 

Q) Is there anything you would like to say to fans that we didn’t touch on or tell them about their support?

 

A) I am so appreciative of all of the love and support that I am receiving.  I am grateful to champion these stories.  Please tag me in your favorite moments and reactions!