GN: You first entered many of our lives as Kat in 13 Reasons Why, and since then you’ve moved through darker, psychologically layered roles like Scream season three and The Punisher. Looking back at your journey since 2016, what feels most transformative about the path you’ve taken?

GW: Ted has been a really transformative project for me since a lot of my 20s were spent tied to it. I auditioned for the show when I was 23 or 24 and this year, I'm turning 29, so I’ve had a lot of personal growth during the shooting of these two seasons. With that personal growth has also come confidence, which I’m able to now apply to my craft in a way that simply was not accessible before Ted. So, I truly do thank this show for assisting in the growth that I've had. I am a more fearless actor now because of the way it pushed me to be brave and make strong choices that pay off. 

GN: After inhabiting gritty, thriller-driven worlds for much of your career, what drew you to the chaotic comedy of Ted and the character of Blaire Bennett? Did it feel like a departure or a continuation in disguise?

GW: It didn’t necessarily feel like a departure. As an actor, I’m always looking for ways to get out of my comfort zone and try new things - Ted gave me the space to do that. I was actually always scared of the idea of doing comedy; I just never thought of myself as “funny” so there was more room to fail. That said, I was drawn to this as a challenge and to do something that scared me. I will always love working on darker pieces, but Ted definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone and emboldened me, totally shifting my perspective on comedy. I like to think of this experience as something that really expanded my horizon. 

GN: Blaire has a sharpness and confidence that feels very modern. How did you shape her emotional interior beyond the humor on the page?

GW: Blaire and I are similar in a lot of ways. I really called upon my own reactions and passion for certain topics, especially when digging deeper past the inherent absurdity of certain scenes. She puts up a strong front, but this season we get to see more complexities and vulnerabilities in her, so it was really cool tapping into that as well. 

GN: Comedy can be deceptively vulnerable. Did stepping into a more comedic space challenge you differently than roles like Beth in Scream or Amy Bendix in The Punisher?

GW: Absolutely. Especially in a comedy like Ted, where you have to be extremely bold and unapologetic in your choices. I remember being on set the first day of Season 1 and having a severe case of imposter syndrome, thinking I was being “too ridiculous” and “too big”. When I approached Seth with these concerns, he actually said it wasn't reading big ENOUGH. That was the moment I knew all my self-judgment and insecurity had to go out the door, and I had to approach Blaire with a different mindset. You have to be fearless in comedy and ignore the little voice in your head telling you everyone is going to laugh at your choices, and not in the way you want them to.

GN: There’s often an undercurrent of strength in the women you portray resilient, complicated, sometimes morally ambiguous. Is that something you consciously gravitate toward?

GW: I think playing complicated characters is one of the luckiest things an actor can get the opportunity to do. As humans, we are emotionally complex, contradictory at times. We are confused, multi-dimensional beings…I think those characters are the most interesting to watch. I love playing characters that you can have more than one opinion about, because that's what makes them human and exciting. 

GN: Season two of Ted deepens the relationships in surprising ways. Without revealing spoilers, what emotional shift felt most significant for you this season? 

GW: I love exploring Blaire and Matty’s relationship because they are on two totally different ends of the spectrum. I think this season has a few standout moments where they find a level of understanding without agreeing, which feels rare during these particularly polarizing times. It was special and significant for me to get to experience that through Blaire.   

GN: You’ve worked in high-intensity, suspense-driven environments. How does the rhythm of a comedy set compare to the tension of a thriller set?

GW: With Ted specifically, we moved fast because everyone came to set every day extremely prepared. It gave us room to relax and play; there were no high tensions because we all knew we could rely on each other as actors. I can’t say every set I’ve been on has operated this way and my standards and expectations have been raised thanks to this well-oiled machine. The cast and crew were absolutely amazing. 

GN: Having started your career at a young age, how has growing up in front of the camera shaped your understanding of identity both your own and the characters you play?

GW: Something that I’ve only truly taken seriously in the later part of my 20s has been carving out my own personal identity outside of the industry. For so long, I was only the actor, but I’ve recently discovered how necessary it is for me to have outside hobbies, talents, and goals in order to truly grow as a person. Growing up in front of the camera (when I was lucky enough to be on a gig) gave me confidence in my abilities as an actor, but I didn’t have much outside of that until the past few years, so it’s been amazing making new discoveries of who I am. As for the characters I play, I just do as much prep as I possibly can and keep things loose once on set so I’m ready for whatever is thrown my way while also keeping the integrity of the character. 

GN: Blaire exists in a world that’s outrageous and unpredictable. How do you stay grounded as an actor when the tone is intentionally heightened?

GW: Reminding myself of my intention is something I always come back to. Especially when I find myself being swept up in the chaos, it’s easy for the meaning behind the lines to fade away if you aren't careful.  

GN: Many of your roles explore power dynamics, friendship, survival, loyalty, love. What themes are you personally most interested in exploring next?

GW: I’d be really interested to explore some not-so-fun themes, such as shame and fear to expand my craft. Shame is an emotion we so often push down and avoid feeling, to see it done on screen is always a moving experience. I want to explore fear because I would love to do a horror film! I feel like I’m now equipped to handle more serious subject matter that I would not have been able to explore a few years ago. But I’m open to whatever comes my way.

GN: If you could describe your artistic evolution from your early breakout roles to Ted season two in three words, what would they be?

GW: Chaotic. Transcendent. Emboldened. 

GN: What does the term Goodnight mean to you?

GW: Goodnight to me means Law and Order SVU at a low volume, 15mg of melatonin and my Dr. Teals sleepy pillow spray. 

CREDITS

Images courtesy of photographer Sela Shiloni    

Photographer: Sela Shiloni         

Makeup: Adam Bruechaud

Hair: Vincent Pelletier