Samantha Aucoin – Astrid & Lilly Save The World

By starrymag | January 26, 2022

By: Jennifer Vintzileos

 

 

 

Q) Tell us a little bit about the audition process and landing your respective roles for the show.

 

A) The audition process for me was a whirlwind as I had never gotten a call back for a role before, so that alone was very exciting for me. The callbacks were very fun as we had to do the more physical scenes over Zoom which ended up making everyone on the call laugh a lot. I had three callbacks for the role of Lilly and the first was a chemistry read that I had with Jana Morrison, as she had already been cast as Astrid. She made the initial audition much more relaxed for me as she was so easy to play off of. Each audition felt better than the last and eventually my agent called me to tell me I landed the role of Lilly! I was SO excited when I found out. I remember my heart was pounding so fast and I was convinced she was going to tell me she was joking because it felt so surreal. I ended up having to leave for St. Johns in Newfoundland a couple weeks after to start filming!

 

Q) What were your first thoughts upon reading the script for “Astrid & Lilly Save The World?”

 

A) The first time I read the script for “Astrid and Lilly Save the World” I remember feeling so proud that I get to represent such an amazing message of body positivity and body neutrality. I loved the storyline, and the scenes were hilarious to read. The overall vibe of the show was very much “Buffy” meets Booksmart, so I was beyond excited. The fact that the two lead heroines in the show are plus sized women had me sold right away. I definitely could have used this show in high school while growing up and I am so happy that it will be out for everyone to watch and hopefully resonate with.

 

Q) How did you prepare to get into your character for filming?

 

A) I prepared in various ways for the role of Lilly. We had this amazing on set acting coach, Catherine McNally, who really helped me with a lot of the technical terminology used on set, as well as helped me create Lilly’s life.

I also watched the movie Booksmart to draw some inspiration from the character of Amy, who I felt had similar characteristics as Lilly.

 

Q) In what ways are you similar to your character and in what ways do you differ? 

 

A) Lilly and I have a lot of similarities and differences as we both have two loving parents who are our rocks and we both have annoying siblings whom we secretly love and would do anything for. Lilly and I both feel things very deeply, but Lilly definitely wears her heart on her sleeve. She is the definition of an open book because she is so easy to read. I am the complete opposite of this as I find myself to be more guarded with my feelings and emotions. Playing Lilly actually helped me become more comfortable with showing how I was feeling, and I will be forever grateful to her for that.

 

Q) The show was written and created by Noelle Stehman and Betsy Van Stone, who have an impressive resume of work between them. What was it like getting to work with them on “Astrid & Lilly” and what guidance did they provide during filming?

 

A) Betsy and Noelle are the kind of people you need in your life. They are two of the most supportive and loving people I have ever met, and I am so incredibly lucky to have gotten to work so closely with them. They gave such amazing notes and direction for our characters, but they also gave us so much creative freedom when creating our versions of these characters and they really let us put parts of ourselves into them.  The guidance they gave us was just to allow ourselves to just play and have fun with the scenes which alleviated pressure for me. We all became fast friends and they have continued to support us after the show wrapped.

 

Q) Your characters Astrid and Lilly are the only ones who can save the world and send the monster they summoned back to where it came from. In a world where heroes are overwhelmingly represented with nearly flawless physique and style, why is it important to you to show that heroes can come in all shapes and sizes and stand up against the Hollywood stereotype?

 

A) It is so important that this show represents the unlikely hero because when you are constantly seeing these “perfect” or “flawless” body types on these very public platforms, it is so easy to compare yourselves and to feel self-conscious because you don’t look like that. The reality of this is that most people don’t look like that and when we don’t see the people who look like us on those platforms, it’s so easy to think that there is something wrong with us. You should be able to turn on the TV and see yourself and see that you can belong anywhere, no matter what you look like. Body neutrality needs to be represented more in TV/Film and I am so proud that we get to be a part of that narrative.

 

Q)What are some standout episodes that you are excited for fans to see?

 

A) I am so excited for fans to see the first episode, of course, as so much happens in it! I think they are going to love our first monster as he is so freaky looking as well as so compelling. I also think episode 8 will be a fan favorite as it has the creepiest monster, in my opinion, and it is a tribute episode to a certain classic film! It was certainly a cast favorite to film!

 

Q)What were some of your favorite moments on set?

 

A) We had so many fun moments on set, but I think my favorite moments on set were in the green room when the majority of the core cast was present. We would play this rhyming/rap game where we had to go around in a circle and have to rap a phrase that rhymed with the one before it. We called it the “Mmmm Game” because in between each phrase we’d all hum to set up for the next turn. We also had so much fun playing that game together.

 

Q) Samantha, I had the chance to listen to some of your original music on YouTube and your voice is simply divine! Is there any chance that we will see your character Lilly singing on the show, or possibly hear one of your originals featured in an episode?

 

A) Thank you so much! I would love it if Lilly could sing on the show or have a song featured and there are talks of a musical episode potentially for the second season! The first season I think we really needed to focus on setting up the monsters and the main plot, but it would be very fun to explore the musical aspects next season as a lot of the cast members are very musically gifted!

 

Q) What do you think it is about the show “Astrid & Lilly Save the World” that will make it a fast fan favorite sci-fi series?

 

A)I really believe there is something in it for everyone! This show will make you laugh and cry and scream, all while being very relatable. The main idea is that you can feel a sense of comfort in the fact that these girls represent a time in your life where you felt like you didn’t belong and I feel like everyone will, hopefully, resonate with that feeling. Regardless if you’re in high school or not, I think we’ve all been in a place where we felt self-conscious and this show really allows you to not feel so alone.