Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with L.A.’s Finest’s Sophie Reynolds

Sophie Reynolds is one of Hollywood’s finest. She stars alongside Gabrielle Union and Jessica Alba in the must-see new crime drama, L.A.’s Finest. The explosive first season just wrapped, but don’t worry, it won’t be too long before season two starts airing. Pop Culturalist chatted with Sophie about the series, her character, and building the mother-daughter relationship with Jessica Alba.

PC: Tell us about L.A.’s Finest, your character, and what drew you to this project.
Sophie: The L.A.’s Finest is a cop dramedy starring Gabrielle Union and Jessica Alba. It’s a spinoff of the Bad Boys movies, so it has a lot of action and fun while still being super intense. I play Isabel, who is the stepdaughter of Jessica’s character, Nancy. She’s a rebellious kid with a really big heart.

There were really a lot of things that drew me to the show. I couldn’t wait to work with Gabrielle and Jessica, and knowing they were attached gave me a lot of confidence in the project. I was also really excited about my character. Isabel is unlike anyone I had ever played before, so it was a fun challenge. We’re getting ready to start filming our second season!

PC: How did you prepare to play Isabel and her arc this season?
Sophie: Isabel’s mom died just a few years ago, so this season focused a lot on her exploring her grief while trying to build a relationship with her new stepmom. When I was prepping to play Isabel, I put a lot of focus on her more vulnerable side. She’s a really tough character and definitely a fighter, so I needed to find her soft side. I also got to have a physical transformation for Izzy since I shave my head in the first few episodes of the season! I’d never done anything like that before, so it was really exciting for me.

PC: Isabel has a complicated relationship with her stepmother. How did you and Jessica Alba approach that dynamic?
Sophie: Getting to explore that relationship between Nancy and Isabel was my favorite part of this season. Jessica and I really wanted them to have a close, very open relationship, while still understanding that she is not a replacement for Izzy’s mom. To add to an already complicated relationship, Nancy has a really risky job, and I think Isabel is terrified of losing her like she lost her mother. Jessica was so incredible to create with and really taught me a lot this season.

PC: If you could write a storyline for Isabel, what would it be and why?
Sophie: I’d love to get in on the action a bit! Our show is packed with stunts and explosions, and I think that’d be really fun to try. I wouldn’t mind seeing Izzy have to save Nancy for once instead of the other way around. She’s pretty strong and easily underestimated, so I think that’d be fun.

PC: You got your big break on Disney’s Gamer’s Guide to Pretty Much Everything. What has the transition been like going from Disney to L.A.’s Finest?
Sophie: Disney was a really great training space for me. I loved working on that show, and I have a soft spot for comedy, so it really felt like a safe space. A lot of the work I do on L.A.’s Finest is very intense and dramatic, so I was definitely nervous, but it’s been a really exciting challenge. Disney taught me a lot about being a professional and how to work on a set, and even though the content is extremely different, it really prepared me for this job.

PC: How did you discover your passion for acting?
Sophie: I started out dancing at the age of three and that’s where I really found my love for art and performance. I was so obsessed with dance and had never really given acting a thought until I was about fourteen. I decided to try out an acting class and completely fell in love. It was a new way to explore people and the way we connect, and that was so exciting for me. When I booked Gamer’s Guide, I just loved it so much and couldn’t imagine myself doing anything else.

PC: What’s been the biggest lesson you learned being a part of this industry?
Sophie: The biggest lesson I’ve learned is to trust myself. I’m still working on this all the time, but working on L.A.’s Finest really showed me that when I value my opinion, others do, too. I’m a better person both on and off-screen when I trust myself.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Sophie: Gossip Girl. Is that really guilty though?

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Sophie: How to Lose a Guy in 10 Day

PC: Favorite book?
Sophie: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Sophie: Indecent

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Sophie: The Lonely Island

PC: Last show you binge-watched?
Sophie: Game of Thrones

To keep up with Sophie, follow her on Twitter and Instagram, and binge-watch L.A.’s Finest on Spectrum.

Photo Credit: MK McGehee // Lighting & Digital: Alexander Fenyves // Hair & Makeup: Ashley Donovan // Styling: Timothy Chernyaev