Pop-Culturalist.com

Quinn Copeland is one of Hollywood’s most promising young stars. At nine years old, she’s wowing audiences with her flawless comedic timing in her television debut as Izzy in Peacock’s Punky Brewster. Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to chat with Quinn about this breakout role.

Career

PC: How did you discover your passion for the arts?
Quinn: As far back as I can remember, I was always encouraged at home to be silly and express myself in creative ways. We would sing our favorite songs, and change the words to fit whatever was happening at that moment. I also loved acting out scenes from my favorite movies! My dad and I would act out scenes from Frozen all the time when I was little. I can also remember watching movies like Into the Woods and then singing along with a British accent. Eventually, my parents started taking me to see musicals at our local theater. I loved the experience of being close to the stage and watching the show live. After the shows, we would go stand in line to see the cast come out and get autographs. I absolutely loved everything about that whole experience!

PC: You have several theater credits to your name. What has been the biggest lesson you learned on the stage that you’ve brought to your work on screen?
Quinn: The biggest lesson I learned was that there are so many things unknowingly happening behind the scenes that make a show come together. I remember my first experience with Waitress. I was amazed by all the action happening backstage. There were so many people doing so many different things! I had no idea that so much went into making a show! Then once I started filming Punky Brewster, there were even more people working behind the scenes than on either of my stage shows. Even though I did not know what was going on with everyone, I trusted that the crew and production team were putting together a great show. I learned that it takes numerous people to make a show come together, and I really appreciate all the hard work and effort put forth.

Punky Brewster

PC: You are currently one of the stars of the Punky Brewster reboot. Tell us about the series, your character, and what drew you to this project.
Quinn: The series is about a perfectly imperfect family and all the different challenges we face in our lives. More than that, I feel like the show is truly about love and family. You do not have to have the same last name or same skin color to be family–you can choose your own family!

Izzy is a sassy little lady who acts like she is all grown up. She protects herself from sadness and loneliness by being strong and smart, but she is constantly having to learn how to be part of a family in a new home. When I first did the audition for Izzy and saw what she was like, I immediately thought, “Oh my gosh! This is so me!” I was super ecstatic about doing the part, and I remember having plenty of fun filming the audition.

PC: How similar or different are you to your character Izzy?
Quinn: I am super similar to Izzy! With all the sass and all the cozy warmness of the clothes she wears, I feel like Izzy and I have lots in common. But one major difference between us is that Izzy is definitely way more independent than I am. I cannot imagine trying to make it on my own like Izzy did in the orphanage.

PC: This is your first time being a series regular. Has anything surprised you about the experience? What have you learned about yourself as an artist?
Quinn: I was most surprised about the set work and the way scenes get filmed. I have previously been on set for commercials, but being on set for a show was totally different! I am also excited about my character. When I did shows on stage, I was performing as the character the same way each time. As a series regular, my character gets to experience new things each time. The more time I spent doing new things as my character, the more confident I felt as an artist to try new things.

PC: Soleil Moon Frye and Cherie Johnson are reprising their roles in the series. What was it like getting to share the screen with them? Did they share any words of wisdom with you?
Quinn: It was really fun. It felt like I was hanging out with my besties all day and playing around on set. I even made friends with Cherie’s daughter and Soleil’s daughters.

When we first filmed the pilot, I remember Cherie telling me about how everyone from the original show was like a big family and now that I was on the show, I was part of that family. I felt so loved! I remember Soleil encouraging us to have fun with filming. We definitely had plenty of fun!

PC: Which of Izzy’s relationships has been your favorite to explore in Season 1 and why?
Quinn: I loved all of Izzy’s interactions with Travis [Freddie Prinze Jr.] because we got to do so many fun and different things! One of my all-time favorite memories was singing the rocky road ice cream song with him. My scenes with him were always so enjoyable and sometimes even a little wild. Like the time I ate the “everything from the fridge” sandwich! It was awfully gross, but I had fun filming that scene because of how silly it was!

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Favorite TV show?
Quinn: Stranger Things, Sofia the First, and LoliRock.

PC: Favorite movie?
Quinn: Harry Potter, Maleficent, and Beetlejuice.

PC: Favorite book?
Quinn: The Baby-Sitters Club.

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Quinn: Into the Woods and Matilda.

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Quinn: Melanie Martinez and Billie Eilish.

PC: Dream role?
Quinn: Any role in Stranger Things.

To keep up with Quinn, follow her on Twitter and Instagram. Binge-watch Season 1 of Punky Brewster on Peacock today.

Photo Credit: Kenneth Dolin