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Fox’s critically-acclaimed drama, The Cleaning Lady, makes its highly-awaited return on September 19. The crime drama follows Thony De La Rosa (Élodie Yung), a whip-smart Cambodian doctor who comes to the U.S. for a medical treatment to save her son. But when the system fails and pushes her into hiding, she’ll use her wit and intelligence to fight back, breaking the law for all the right reasons.

At the conclusion of the show’s first season, Thony’s son Luca receives the life-saving operation he needs. But her world is turned upside down after she discovers her husband has taken Luca back to the Philippines.

Pop Culturalist caught up with Élodie to talk about Season 2 of The Cleaning Lady, exploring her character’s vulnerability, and the shocking twist that occurs in episode 201!

PC: When we last spoke, you talked about how collaborative Miranda [Kwok] and Melissa [Carter] have been throughout this whole process and how you were able to bring a lot to Thony. As you’ve headed into Season 2, how has that openness and trust grown and allowed you to continue to take agency over your character and her evolution?
Élodie: It’s always been there. We’re a great team of creative people. This year, they’re throwing Thony in even more difficult situations. Prepare yourself! We’re expanding different storylines and developing characters. The conversations are always flowing. We have discussions about scenes and episodes. We’re very lucky in that respect, me and my costars.

PC: Something that the showrunners and writers have done so brilliantly throughout the series is created this morally gray area where all these characters live. In the final moments of Season 1, we learn that Marco has taken Luca and is trying to bring him back home, which creates this conflict where audiences can understand both points of view. For you as an actress, how did you create the space for yourself to dive into that scene in particular?
Élodie: I always like to prep everything so I can be free on the day and let things impact me. That was very important for that specific scene because the shock needs to be authentic. It’s about knowing who Thony is and where we are in that specific moment. I always rely on my partners in the scene. When Thony discovers that Luca is not there and has looked everywhere, her first instinct is to turn to her sister-in-law, Fiona. Thony turns to Fiona and you can see the horror and desperation. That is how it happened.

PC: Audiences empathize with Thony because her sole purpose in life is to save her son, which she succeeds at doing in Season 1. What becomes her driving force in Season 2? How does that purpose help you find the balance between her actions and her why?
Élodie: It expands to her family in Season 2. If Thony is able to get Luca back, there is still a threat. He’s had his operation on his liver, but he needs to constantly be on medication. It’s going to be a life-long situation. But at the end of Season 1, she’s got the crypto money. She wants to open a cleaning business and be her own boss with Fiona. She wants to open a clinic for her community, for people who don’t have insurance or access to medical care, because she’s a doctor. We will bring that to the forefront more in Season 2.

She still has the same drive. It’s her son, her family, and her community. There will be events in Season 2 that will push her limits and push her back into the criminal world. She will have to make even more questionable decisions and choices, but all of that is driven by the love she has for the ones that she wants to protect. Does she do it the right way? That’s the question. The show really does live in that gray area. We’re not depicting this saint. We’re depicting a human who has good and bad days and makes good and bad decisions. It’s really showing all her qualities, flaws included.

PC: Through all the obstacles and struggles that Thony faces in Season 1, she never allows herself to be pushed into a corner. What has playing Thony taught you both personally and professionally?
Élodie: Keep going and keep swimming. Thony has to keep going. Last season, Thony had more emotional relief. This season, she is more in autopilot mode. We’re still filming, but they’re throwing so much at Thony. I feel like she doesn’t have the time to breathe. She’s also more empowered this year, but she also represses her feelings more. She has to keep going.

This show has taught me a lot about discipline with everything in my life. I have to be prepped. I’m constantly working. I’m either filming, running lines between setups, or talking with Miranda and Melissa about scenes. When I’m done with the day, I come home and I enjoy my little Mina and my husband.

PC: Without giving any spoilers, what was your reaction when you read the twist in 201?
Élodie: That’s a huge twist. As an actor, you have to be open to everything, otherwise, things get too hard. With this twist and everything that you will see in Season 2, it was important to me that Thony have a moment to digest everything. I had a long conversation with Melissa about it because it needs to hit her along with everything else that happens in Season 2. I wanted her to have a private space where she could reflect because that is who she is.

When she breaks down and shows her vulnerability, it’s under the shower when she’s by herself and can let it all out. This is where she can let her guard down and be her true self, which is very human, lovable, and vulnerable. We’re all like that. But when she has to go back to work, whether it’s for Alonzo, Arman, or Garrett, she has to put on the mask because she has to keep going. But I had a long conversation about this twist because it’s huge and it does impact her.

To keep up Élodie, follow her on Twitter and Instagram. Season 2 of The Cleaning Lady premieres on September 19 at 9/8c on Fox.

Photo Credit: Kurt Iswarienko/FOX