By: Amrie Cunningham [My Take on TV]
Photo Credit: David Noles
If you want my opinion, you should tune in to watch tonight’s premiere of THE MIDDLEMAN on ABC Family. It’s funny, it’s fast paced. There is a lot of action, and activism, and guitar playing, and art, and film students, and monsters, and Chloe from 24. The cast is charming, eclectic, diverse, and really well cast in their roles. But if you don’t want to take my word for it, maybe you’ll listen to one of the series’ stars, Brit Morgan, who plays Lacey on the show. Here is what she had to say about the show, why you should watch, and how she ended up “traveling” with Toby Keith, Ted Nugent, and Rodney Carrington.
So for people who aren’t really sure what THE MIDDLEMAN is about, in your words, describe your show?
Brit Morgan: It’s about a young girl, her name is Wendy Watson. She gets recruited by a temp agency to fight evil. In other words, she thinks she’s going to go work for a temp agency and it ends up being THE MIDDLEMAN. So she’s now this young girl who fights evil for a living [laughs]. It’s her journey through that.
And you play her roommate Lacey. How does Lacey fit into the whole scheme of things?
Lacey fits in, she’s Wendy’s best friend. She has all sorts of escapades of her own. She really has nothing to do with the evil-fighting as of yet. She’s sort of just Wendy’s go to whenever there’s trouble.
Does she know about Wendy, or is that a secret world?
She doesn’t. She doesn’t know about Wendy; Wendy constantly has to keep this side of life from me, from Lacey. So Lacey doesn’t know. When Lacey finds out, I’m sure it’ll be big, but Lacey does not know. [laughs]
How did this role happen for you?
I had been with my manager for a few months, and I got this audition. It was pilot season, so it was great to go out for a pilot. But when I read it, it was like, just like a page of really interesting dialogue. It was like nothing I had ever read, nothing I had ever auditioned for while being in LA. I was excited for it. I got a callback, went later that day. I met with the producers in a couple days, and then that was it! And THE MIDDLEMAN became a part of my life.
What would you say to people who are interested in watching it – why should they definitely tune in? Why are fans going to like it?
I think fans are going to like it because it has so many elements combined. It’s funny, it’s got references. I guess kids would love it because it’s got all the action packed greatness of the monsters, zombies, vampires. But the humor would actually appeal to 20s, 30s, it’s got tons of pop culture references. It’s real hip in this artists’ community. It’s got so many elements. It’s very edgy and different and it’s like nothing I’ve ever seen before. It’s completely unique. It’s very entertaining. It’s hilarious; the show’s hilarious. It’s very funny.
How did acting in general get started for you?
When I was 6 years old, I loved to entertain; sing, dance, you know, all that. But it wasn’t until middle school, I felt kind of like I was one of those people that didn’t really fit in. At all. So it kind of gave me a really great escape. That was 6th grade on; it gave me an escape from school, it gave me escape from home life. Acting provided therapy. That’s when I first started, when adolescence kicked in.
Whose career would you love to have?
Now that I’m a little older, my idol really career wise is Kate Winslet. She is my absolute favorite. Kate Winslet, and back in the day, Goldie Hawn. That’s someone’s career that I’d love to have. [laughs] They just branch out. They can do anything. They have a lot of integrity and they’re good role models. You know, all those reasons.
Do you prefer to do comedy or drama? Would you prefer either more?
No, I wouldn’t prefer either more; however, I do think comedy is my favorite. I love drama, but I do think comedy comes a little easier. But I hope to do both, a lot.
What are some shows that you get to watch in your downtime?
When I have downtime, I watch old seasons of THE WEST WING and EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND [laughs]. That’s really all I watch. I don’t have TV in my house. So I buy like old seasons of things and then I just watch them all the time. SEX AND THE CITY is my favorite. I cannot wait [for the movie]. I am rounding up all my friends; I can’t wait, I’m so excited!
What else besides THE MIDDLEMAN do you have coming up?
Well, I have a movie coming out in August. I’m so, so, so excited about. It’s called BEER FOR MY HORSES and it’s got Toby Keith in it, Ted Nugent, Willie Nelson, Rodney Carrington. It’s got a bunch of country stars in it; a bunch of amazing, some legends like Willie Nelson. It’s about these three guys, Rodney Carrington, Ted Nugent, and Toby Keith – they’re sheriffs in this town and they go across the country on a road trip and I’m a girl that they pick up along the way. It’s an awesome film. It’s really funny, it’s going to be great for people who love country music, and people who love that kind of blue collar comedy. It’s really fun. It was the funnest thing I think I’ve ever filmed. It was my first movie.
You don’t think immediately of Ted Nugent and Toby Keith as actors but I think they’re so funny in their own right that it could make for a really good movie!
Absolutely! [laughs] It’s great!
Is there any advice you’d want to give to someone trying to break into the business?
I’d say, I really only “made it” for one reason, well, I don’t know if I quite “made it” yet, but I think the best advice to give somebody is just to believe in yourself. Just believe in yourself and let nobody tell you who you are. Just be persistent. Passion and determination can overcome everything, I really think. Just believe in yourself, stay true to yourself.
Is there anything else you want people to know?
Definitely tune in on June 16 to THE MIDDLEMAN and I’ll be having a website come out soon that I’d like people to know about [we’ll keep you all posted when we get the link]. Just to keep people updated on THE MIDDLEMAN and the behind the scenes stuff will be up. All that, and just stay tuned! And BEER FOR MY HORSES comes out in August.
Be sure to tune in to the premiere tonight – and catch all thirteen episodes as they spool out over the summer. Keep your eye on Brit Morgan – she shines on the show, and I think she’s really going places!