Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Good Girls’ Lidya Jewett

Lidya Jewett is the future of Hollywood: at just twelve, she’s building an impressive body of work that includes The Darkest Mind, Marvel’s Black Panther, and the Oscar-nominated film, Hidden Figures. She can also be seen as Sara Hill on NBC’s Good Girls, starring opposite Christina Hendricks, Mae Whitman, and Retta every Sunday.

Pop Culturalist spoke with Lidya ahead of the season two premiere.

PC: For readers who may not be familiar with the series, tell us about Good Girls, your character, and what drew you to this project.
Lidya: Good Girls is a show about three moms who are each going through challenging times with their families, and they’re tired of playing by the rules. They try to take control and fix their situations, but make some poor choices along the way even though their intentions may have been good at the beginning. I play Sara Hill, who is the same age as I am. Sara has suffered from a kidney illness and her mom did what she felt she needed to do to come up with the money to help her. Sara’s illness has held her back in some ways, but she hasn’t lost any of the determination or strength that she has. She also does very well in school.


PC: How did you prepare to step into the role of Sara?
Lidya: I could tell Sara had a strong personality and she needed a strong presence at the audition. I actually wore a “The Future is Female” shirt to my audition because it went so well with Sara’s opening scene.

PC: What can you tease about her arc in season two?
Lidya: Everyone is going to love season two! Sara received her new kidney at the end of season one, so we can be sure she is happier. She loves her family, but she is also a tween who is doing what other tweens do and that is navigating growing up.

PC: If you could write a storyline for Sara, what would it be and why?
Lidya: Oh, that would be SO fun! I think I would go out of the box and write a storyline where Rio and his men kidnap Sara and hold her for ransom. I would LOVE to do scenes with Manny Montana. He is the best!


PC: What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned on the set of Good Girls?
Lidya: I have learned so much on the set of Good Girls. I learn something every time we are on set. Retta teaches me to be professional and deliver a good scene, Reno Wilson teaches me to be believable and natural, but I would have to say the BIGGEST lesson is that there are so many people and positions that go into making Good Girls. Each and every one is important, and without each other we wouldn’t have this great show.


PC: You’ve starred in several projects where you play the younger version of a character. What is it like sharing a role with another actress?
Lidya: I have to say I have been very fortunate to play the younger versions of Taraji P Henson, Lupita Nyongo, and Amandla Stenberg’s characters. I will share the screen with them any day! It’s fun to see what our characters become in the future.

PC: Of all the characters you’ve played, is there one that you relate to more than the others?
Lidya: Definitely young Katherine Coleman! First of all, I am great at math—I had so much fun learning the long algebra equation for the scene—but I also admire the contribution that Katherine and the other Hidden Figures women did during that time in history.

PC: How do you find the balance between your career and being a normal kid?
Lidya: Well, the production schedule allows me to still do normal stuff. I still take classes and go on field trips. When we have a busy schedule or auditions to work on, I know that is what needs to be focused on at that time, but there will be a time that is not as busy. I like to stay busy!

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Lidya: Friends

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Lidya: Harry Potter

PC: Favorite book?
Lidya: Harry Potter

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Lidya: Hamilton

PC: A band or artists that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Lidya: BTS

PC: Last show you binge-watched?
Lidya: The Good Doctor

PC: Hidden talent?
Lidya: Learning foreign languages

Make sure to follow Lidya on Twitter and Instagram, and catch Good Girls season two every Sunday at 10/9c on NBC.

Photo Credit: Benny Haddad // Stylist: Jessie Minor // Hair & Makeup: Emily Zempel