Pop Culturalist Chats with Insatiable’s Kimmy Shields

Kimmy Shields is one of the biggest breakout stars of 2018, which isn’t too surprising given the fact that she comes from a family of entertainers. She discovered her passion for acting after witnessing the impact a powerful performance could have on an audience and ever since, she has been pursuing her dreams. She’s had guest-starring roles on hit television programs including Arrested Development, Girlboss, Big Little Lies, and G.L.O.W. This summer, she’s stepping into the shoes of Nonnie Thompson, a quirky teen discovering who she is in the laugh-out-loud Netflix original, Insatiable. It’s Kimmy’s impeccable comedic timing that’s made her a standout. Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to chat with Kimmy about Insatiable, her character’s development throughout the series, and how there’s more than meets the eye with Nonnie Thompson.

PC: Tell us about Insatiable, your character, and what drew you to this project.
Kimmy: Insatiable is a story for the underdog, which Nonnie certainly is. It is comprised of characters with good intentions but terrible execution. I’d never seen a story like this when I first read it, and as someone who has often felt like an underdog, I was in from the jump.

PC: The characters on the show are hilarious and over-the-top. How much of Kimmy is in Nonnie?
Kimmy: I’d say it’s about 70/30. Nonnie and I are both loyal to our friends, creative, and dry. But where she’s confused and grappling with so many different feelings about herself and her sexuality, I’ve been lucky to come out on the other side of those emotions and know myself much better than she does.

PC: What should fans expect from season one of Insatiable?
Kimmy: Insanity!

PC: What can you tease about the friendship between Nonnie and Patty? Is there more than meets the eye?
Kimmy: They are two peas in a pod—two hotdogs in the same bun. As you’ll come to find out in the course of the season, they have different ideas about what their friendship is.

PC: How will this dynamic change over the course of the season?
Kimmy: It will change a lot once Nonnie starts becoming more vocal about her sexuality.

PC: In the first episode, we see that Nonnie has a complicated relationship with Patty’s mother. They appear to be adversaries. Will we learn why that is and can we expect more banter between the two?
Kimmy: Nonnie can be defensive when someone tries to hold up a mirror to what she’s going through, and because Angie is so outspoken, they’re set up to lock horns, which they do on several occasions.

PC: With this being a comedy, did you have the opportunity to do any improv?
Kimmy: The show is so wonderfully written, there wasn’t much necessity for improv. That being said, because this cast was made up of such comedic dynamos (namely Arden Myrin), there was definitely some riffing going on.

PC: Besides Insatiable, do you have any other upcoming projects that you can chat about?
Kimmy: If I survive the cutting room floor, you’ll catch glimpses of me in the upcoming films Charlie Says and Ad Astra, both due in 2019.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Kimmy: Intervention

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Kimmy: Legally Blonde

PC: Favorite book?
Kimmy: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Kimmy: Into the Woods

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Kimmy: Krzysztof Komeda, the composer of the Rosemary’s Baby soundtrack.

PC: Last show you binge-watched?
Kimmy: Game of Thrones. I’m almost caught up, so no spoilers!

PC: Hidden talent?
Kimmy: Quoting extended chunks of dialogue from my favorite movies.

Make sure to follow Kimmy on Instagram and Twitter, and binge-watch the first season of Insatiable on Netflix today!

Photo Credit: Netflix