Sophie Reynolds – LA’s Finest

By starrymag | July 9, 2019

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

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

 

A) I’m on a new show called “LA’s Finest!” If you have Spectrum, you can watch our whole first season on Spectrum On Demand. We start working on Season 2 very soon.

 

Q) What made you want to be a part of the series “LA’s Finest?”

 

A) When I first read “LA’s Finest,” I was really drawn to the relationship between these two powerful women who support and lift each other up. The idea of having a family that you chose as your family and the fact that that family can be stronger than blood is a concept that I’ve always been interested in. I really wanted to be a part of it. Knowing that Jessica [Alba] and Gabrielle [Union] were not only the stars, but also our executive producers, was also a major draw. Having women in charge unfortunately is not something you always find in this industry. So, getting the opportunity to be on a female-led set was exciting for me.

 

Q) How was your character Isabel McKenna originally described to you?

 

A) Isabel was originally described to me as a angsty and defiant teen whose attitude was really just a coping mechanism for dealing with the loss of her mother at a young age. That complexity was what had drawn me to Izzy.

 

Q) Was there anything you added to this role that wasn’t in her initial breakdown?

 

A) Our writers are amazing. Most of Izzy really was on the page, but I like to think I added vulnerability to her. I find teenagers on screen are often portrayed in a very one-dimensional way that diminishes their feelings to just “being young.” I didn’t want Izzy to feel like another stereotype of the “angsty teen.” It was important to me that her vulnerability and pain came through.

 

Q) Isabel is Nancy’s daughter. Did you and Jessica spend much time together to develop a familial bond?

 

A) Building Isabel’s and Nancy’s relationship was my favorite part of working on the show. Jessica has taught me a lot and I think the respect and admiration I have for her is very similar to the way Izzy feels about Nancy. Our off-screen banter often transferred on screen.

 

Q) Talk about working with costars Gabrielle Union and Jessica Alba.

 

A) Working with Gabrielle and Jessica has been an absolute dream! They are such forces in this business. Watching them work has been the best learning experience. They know how to command a space and aren’t afraid of it. Gabrielle and Jessica are the best team, too. I’ve loved watching their partnership grow on and off screen.

 

Q) What have been some of your favorite moments from filming?

 

A) I’ve had a few scenes with Jessica that really stand out to me because I always learn a lot when I get to act with her. Getting to build the Izzy and Nancy relationship as we went along was a lot of fun. She pushes me to trust myself.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. What kind of fan feedback have you received to the episodes?

 

A) So far, I’ve gotten a lot of love! It’s so fun to get to see the fans reacting to the show and falling in love with these characters we’ve spent so much time with.

 

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

 

A) The show is a high-stakes cop show. It definitely has drama, but it’s also super relatable. I think fans are able to connect to that feeling of wanting to fight for the people you love, but the humor and action also keep the show fun.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Are you looking forward to the fan feedback you’ll receive to episodes?

 

A) I was most looking forward to the feedback after episode three because that’s the episode where I shave my head on camera! I’ve been waiting to show people why I buzzed it off for a long time, so the fan reaction to that episode was really fun to see.

 

Q) You seem to bounce easily between drama and comedy. Do you have a favorite medium to star in?

 

A) I really do love both. Picking a favorite is so hard for me. I think I feel most at home in comedy, so maybe that, but the challenge and excitement I get from drama is unmatched.

 

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

 

A) Thank you so much for supporting me and connecting with me. I feel so lucky to do what I do and it would not be possible without my supporters, so I really just want to say “thank you.”