Pop Culturalist Chats with One Dollar’s Kirrilee Berger

Life as an artist is never easy. The work is unpredictable and oftentimes, it’s a matter of making ends meet, but when you love what you do, these sacrifices are what it takes to make your dreams come true…just ask Kirrilee Berger. Kirrilee comes from a long line of artists who a willing to do whatever it took to find success. It’s that perseverance and dedication that was instilled in her at a young age that has made her the actress she is today. She’s an exciting fresh face who’s about to be the talk of the town. This summer, she’ll lead the extraordinary cast of One Dollar, an original series airing exclusively on CBS All Access.

PC: Tell us about One Dollar, your character, and what drew you to this project.
Kirrilee: One Dollar takes place in Braden, a small, Rust Belt town right outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Like many small towns, the community is in a place of conflict due to an influx of wealth and gentrification and they’re struggling to hold onto their history. Then, when a shocking multiple murder occurs, a one dollar bill circulates the town, unfolding that everyone has their secrets and maybe the two sides aren’t as separate as they may seem. My character, Danielle, is the daughter of the richest man in Braden, Wilson Furlbee (played by the incomparable Greg German). She’s a smart young girl with a bright future ahead of her as the high school valedictorian, a champion tennis player, and an incoming student at Michigan. Unfortunately, however, when she sees something she shouldn’t have on the night of the murder, she falls down a rabbit hole of curiosity, taking her on a journey that puts everything at risk.

PC: How much of Kirrilee is in Danielle?
Kirrilee: Danielle and I are very different. We come from very different backgrounds and lifestyles, however, Danielle and I share our value of compassion. Dannie has a huge heart. It took a lot of research and character study to find her. It is a wonderful challenge to play a role that’s often so opposite of who I am.

PC: Throughout the series, we learn how all the characters are interconnected. How early on in the process did you learn your character’s involvement? What can you tease about it?
Kirrilee: One Dollar has been very different from any other show I’ve ever worked on, as much of the show was written as we went along. Every time I got a new script, I would try and read it almost immediately to find out what happened next. The beauty of that is, I believe, that it’s helped a lot of the cast stay grounded. In life, there are constant unknowns and uncertainties, so being kept in the dark while playing characters put in situations where the stakes are extremely high makes it all the more real because we don’t know what the repercussions of our actions will be.

PC: The series tackles a lot of tough, relevant issues including social hierarchy, money, family, and love. How did you prepare to step into Danielle’s shoes?
Kirrilee: As I mentioned before, Danielle and I are incredibly different, especially in the way we grew up. My parents are artists, meaning sometimes work was unpredictable. We had what we needed and not much more, however, we had a strong family bond. Danielle is almost the complete opposite. Stepping into this role, I didn’t even know what a country club was! I’d heard of them, but I didn’t know what people did there! I also did a lot of research on the psychological strain that comes with wealth to better understand the Furlbee family dynamic.

PC: Will audiences be rooting for Danielle?
Kirrilee: I think audiences might my rooting for Danielle and another special someone…there could be some serious “shipping” in Dannie’s future!

PC: One Dollar will air on CBS All Access. How are platforms like this revolutionizing the industry? Is the process different when you’re working on a project that’s intended for a digital audience?
Kirrilee: The incredible thing about streaming services is the freedom they give. Oftentimes on cable television, every word you say must be approved to ensure it meets the regulations and guidelines of what you can and can’t air on national TV. On a show like One Dollar, where the stakes are so high, you need the freedom to say what a person would naturally say in those situations.

PC: Besides One Dollar, do you have any other upcoming projects that you can chat about?
Kirrilee: Coming this fall to Nick Jr., I will be voicing the role of Poppy in Butterbean’s Café. I also did a really fun Christmas movie called I’ll Be Next Door for Christmas alongside Nicole Sullivan (Disjointed, MadTV) and Juliette Angelo (Shameless, Malibu Country).

Pop Culturalist Speed Round:

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Kirrilee: RuPaul’s Drag Race

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Kirrilee: The Devil Wears Prada

PC: Favorite book?
Kirrilee: Mao’s Last Dancer

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Kirrilee: In the Heights

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Kirrilee: Run the Jewels

PC: Last show you binge-watched?
Kirrilee: The Good Fight

PC: Hidden talent?
Kirrilee: I love doing hair and makeup! In high school, I did most of my friends’ glam for their sweet 16s and prom.

Make sure to follow Kirrilee on Twitter and Instagram, and check out One Dollar when it premieres on CBS All Access on August 30th.