Exclusive Interview: Jane Levy Chats Zoey’s Extraordinary Christmas and the Show’s Future

Jane Levy has quickly emerged as one of Hollywood’s most sought-after actresses. She’s captivated audiences with the dynamic character she’s brought to life on the screen in projects including Shameless, Suburgatory, Don’t Breathe, Castle Rock, and What/If.

This holiday season Jane reprises her role as the titular character in Zoey’s Extraordinary Christmas, based on the Emmy-winning series Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist.

Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to chat with Jane about Zoey’s Extraordinary Christmas, collaborating with creator Austin Winsberg, and the franchise’s future.

PC: From Season 1 into Season 2, we’ve seen Zoey’s relationship with the musical numbers drastically transformed from observing to now taking part in them. With Max’s newfound abilities, will we see more of that in Zoey’s Extraordinary Christmas? As an actress, has that changed the way that you approach the character?
Jane: What was really exciting about Max getting the power was that I, as an actress, got to do more singing and dancing, which was really fun for me. I found myself always being so envious of my castmates when they’d show up to set and do some amazing song and dance and change the energy in the room. It looked like so much fun. I was like, “Goddammit. I want to do what you’re doing.” It was really exciting to get to partake.

It definitely changes my approach. The rest of the cast has “heart” songs. They play their characters and reveal what their character is feeling inside, which is a fun exercise as a performer. For Zoey, most of the time when I would sing and dance it would be a dream or a glitch. It wasn’t a genuine “heart” song where I had no idea that other people were listening. It’s basically like having an extremely private moment publicly and in this super big expressive way. For me, it was fun because you get to work on a different side of your character than you did in the past.

PC: There have been so many great musical numbers throughout the series. If you had to pick your favorite, which would it be and why?
Jane: It’s a very hard question, but I’ve been asked this before. “American Pie” was an incredible moment. It was a six-minute number. In the end, it was like a relay where you’re passing the baton to each other and you can’t drop it. You can’t screw up because then it messes up the whole line of events. It was a beautiful way to end Season 1. I really loved that number. That’s probably my favorite.

PC: The show is based on Austin Winsberg’s own experience with his father. You’ve said in previous interviews that you’ve shaped a lot of who this character is based on the conversations that you’ve had with him. As Zoey approaches her first Christmas without her father, what was that collaboration like? What were those conversations?
Jane: What’s fun about Zoey is that she’s very neurotic. She can spin into outer space very quickly. When she realizes Christmas is coming up, she starts to spin.

We talked a lot about the comedy and Zoey trying to control everything and trying to get everything perfectly right, but she’s basically slipping on banana peels along the way. We’re all going, “Aw, Zoey.”

But also in all seriousness, this is a very emotionally triggering time for her. Christmas is about family and coming together. It’s another reminder that her family is not going to be the same as it was in the past. They’re all dealing with their grief differently. Her brother’s thinking about going with his in-laws and her mom is going to Ohio with Deb.

Zoey keeps making the mistake of wanting things to be exactly like they are in her head and in her fantasy. Her powers keep teaching her over and over again that that’s not the key to happiness. It’s also not how life works. Sometimes you have to listen to the music and go with the flow. She realizes that. At the end, there’s this really cute moment with Max. Spoiler Alert: She basically says that maybe the whole reason I got this power was so that I could look up from my computer screen and realize what an amazing friend and partner you are.

PC: The fans have really championed this series. What has that response meant to you? What has it meant to you to get the opportunity to step back into this character again?
Jane: It’s so gratifying as an actor to hear that the work that you did moved people, affected them, and was important to them. I don’t think that we would’ve made this movie if it weren’t for that.

PC: The series has tackled so many timely and relevant themes. Was there one in particular in either the first two seasons or the movie that hit home for you?
Jane: In many ways, the reason why the show is as effective as it is is because we can all relate to the characters’ experiences. Even if we’ve never had postpartum depression, we know what it feels like to be isolated and afraid. Even if we haven’t lost a parent, we know what the need for parental protection and love feels like. Like you said, these are very universal themes. I was really moved by Season 1, Episode 4, Mo’s [Alex Newell] storyline. I thought it was really brave, vulnerable, and beautiful. I loved Alex’s performance, and I’m so grateful for his contribution to the show. I also loved John Stewart’s performance in “Black Man in a White World”. That was one I could watch over and over again. It was really powerful.

PC: Austin has recently shared in other interviews that this may not be the end for Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist and that he has ideas for future movies and episodes. If we’re lucky enough to get more, is there an aspect of Zoey and her storyline that you want to dive deeper into?
Jane: That’s a good question, but I don’t know. There are certain relationships that I feel like we haven’t explored. I don’t think Zoey and her mom have done that much together. I would love to see a storyline with them too.

PC: With this being a holiday special, what are some of the traditions you’re looking forward to celebrating with your own friends and family?
Jane: There’s nothing I love more in the world than eating—sitting around a table and gorging. That sounds disgusting, but I like drinking wine, eating, and going to bed early. That’s what I’m looking forward to.

To keep up with Jane, follow him on Twitter and Instagram. Watch Zoey’s Extraordinary Christmas on Roku today.

Photo Credit: Sergei Bachlakov