Melissa Fumero – Brooklyn Nine-Nine

By starrymag | January 10, 2019

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) Congratulations on the show’s revival! What does it mean to you to have had so many celeb pals and fans backing the show to the point of its return?

A) It is truly amazing. When FOX cancelled the show, and so many people came out in support on social media we were all blown away! We didn’t know that many people watched and loved our show that much. At that time (before we knew there was any chance of revival) it felt like the best redemption and consolation prize for not getting to do this show that we all love doing so much.

 

Q) Last season left us with a beautiful wedding for Amy and Jake, but Holt’s job was stuck in limbo. How does the season premiere bridge these two plot points?

A) The season premiere is basically all about these two plot points and it’s not what you would expect.

 

Q) We’re excited that you’ll be making your directorial debut this season! What did you cherish and what challenged you from taking on this opportunity? 

A) Thank you! I’m so excited and terrified. I have been thinking about directing for a couple years now, so I’ve been trying to learn as much as I could. I even directed a short webisode to make sure I would even like it because nothing that challenging is worth doing unless you can truly have fun through it. I’ve been shadowing directors and watching as much as I can on the “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” set, too. I was nervous to ask, but Dan Goor and all of our producers are so supportive and loving… they quickly said yes. Now, I actually have to do the thing and hope I don’t make too many mistakes. It’s the safest place for me to try to spread my wings.

 

Q) We will be meeting one of Amy’s brothers this season. After all Amy has talked about her siblings, what can viewers expect to see from their relationship?

A) There’s a very good chance we’ll meet another Santiago this season. That’s all I can say.

 

Q) We love seeing Amy as a detective. How will her new office location and her interpersonal relationships conflict with one another?

A) Well, Amy is now a Sergeant of the uniformed officers of the Nine-Nine so she has a different role. We’ll see more of her in outside of the office stories this season, but we’ll also see her put her detective hat back on and work some cases with her coworkers. She’s all about climbing the ladder too so I’m excited to see when that next promotion happens for her.

 

Q) We love after all these years that Amy still tries to impress Holt. What will it take for her to finally feel she has earned his respect?

A) There’s an episode this season that has Holt and Amy at a new level in their relationship. It’s so good and so funny and while we were shooting it I just kept thinking how great it is that we were even able to do it because it’s taken five years for Amy to even be like that with Holt (Andre Braugher). It’s a story we could never have done in Season 1 or 2 or 3… we had to earn it.

 

Q) We also enjoy that Amy has so many dimensions and sides to her. She’s funny, fierce and also flawed. What is it about female characters like her that we relate to and need to see more of?

A) I think we’ve gotten so accustomed to female characters always being sidelined and one dimensional, so when a character like Amy (or Rosa or Gina) come along they really stand out. But the crazy thing is, they are just written like actual human beings. That’s it. We’re all flawed and have multifaceted personalities. No one is just one thing. It feels bold and new, but really it’s what we should expect from all the characters we watch. I also love that Amy is not a stereotype in any way, especially being Latina. I’ve had so many young women on social media tell me “I’m Latinx and a bookworm, and awkward, and Amy is the first character I’ve ever been able to relate to!” That is everything to me.

 

Q) You’ll be starring on “One Day At A Time” this coming season! We know that Lydia has had a strained relationship with her family. What can you tell us about how family dynamics intensify or grow even closer this season?

A) Well, I can’t speak for the whole season, but our episode is a big family reunion of sorts and Gloria Estefan plays Lidia’s sister who she has a big feud with. It’s hilarious and heartwarming. I think everyone with big loud crazy families will relate. I love that show so much and it was such an honor to get to play with them for a week. It was the highlight of my summer!

 

Q) Both “One Day” and “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” revolve around family, but in different ways. Blood doesn’t always define family. How does each series connect the different definitions of family?

A) I think both shows do an excellent job at exploring family and all its dynamics. “One Day At A Time” is more centered on the family, and getting through the ups and down together. On “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” we offer the concept of “found family” that maybe you got the short end of the stick when it comes to blood, but there will people to love and support you no matter what and can be everything your blood family can’t be. And I think both are important stories to tell and explore.

 

Q) Working with Gloria and Rita Moreno, what have you learned or taken away from working alongside these legends?

A) I still can’t believe I actually got to spend a week with those two. It still feels like a dream. They are both so incredible and iconic, and I think the thing that stuck with me the most is how grounded, and grateful, and strong they both are. They are both constantly smiling and having fun. Maybe that’s the secret to their long careers, I wish I knew! But my point is, they are living their best life all the time and I’m going to try to be more like that.

 

Q) Shows like “One Day at a Time” and “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” push boundaries and provide an important focus on diversity. How do the networks and the writers for these series understand the need for this and how can the impact translate this even further in 2019?

A) I think both shows have excellent representation behind the scenes in terms of diversity, and that is key because you can’t write these stories without having different points of views. It starts in the writers room, and behind the camera, and with your cast. Then it’s up to the network and producers to support those visions even if they don’t necessarily relate to it themselves. I think 2018 showed us that audiences are responding more and more to stories that look and feel like the world we know, which is very diverse. I hope we can continue on this path. I don’t see why we would ever go back, it feels like this is the new normal and it’s way better and how it should be.