Exclusive Interview: Emily Bett Rickards Talks We Need to Talk, Her Love for Comedy, and More

We need to talk…about Emily Bett Rickards. But it’s not that conversation! We’re celebrating the award-winning storyteller who has been a staple in the industry for over a decade. She’s brought complex characters to life in projects including Arrow, Brooklyn, Vixen, The Flash, and DC’s Legends of Tomorrow. Her latest role finds her stepping into the shoes of an outspoken best friend who says what’s on her mind in We Need to Talk.

The laugh-out-loud dramedy follows a self-absorbed celebrity gamer who speaks to millions of fans every day, but he has to figure out how to talk to the people in his life before he loses them.

Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to speak with Emily about We Need to Talk, her love for comedy and independent filmmaking, and more!

PC: Tell us about We Need to Talk and your character in the film.
Emily: We Need to Talk is a story about a guy who isn’t paying attention to his relationship. His girlfriend drops the line, “We need to talk,” and the movie ensues. My character is his girlfriend’s best friend. She wants her to kick him out of her life. Really she wants this guy to step up in his relationship or get kicked to the curb.

PC: You’ve done it all throughout your career. What was it about Amber that attracted you to this project?
Emily: The audition was a full scene of straight beats. She’s full of comedy beats, and doing comedy brings me alive. It’s an indie film with a comedic character. I was like, “This is a perfect fit.” She pops in, she pops out. She has no filter. That was really, really fun. Lifting her off the page was incredibly easy and fluid.

PC: There is so much hilarious banter between Scott and Amber. What was it like collaborating with James Maslow as you brought that dynamic to life?
Emily: It’s great. James would be working on the scene and doing voiceovers. I would come in and be like, “Let’s fu*k this up.” [laughs] He was like, “Oh, man.” He’s such a good sport. He’s so great to work with. He’s so giving and easygoing.

PC: There’s such great chemistry that comes off the screen between you and the rest of the cast. How were you all able to build that bond? Was that natural from day one?
Emily: It was natural. I was on set for less than twenty hours. I flew in one day, and I did my scenes. Then I had to go to New York to do a show. Johnathan [Fernandez] and I have stayed really close. It wasn’t like we knew each other for less than two days. It’s been great, and I’ve made easy connections.

PC: You’ve worked on projects of all sizes. What is it about independent filmmaking that excites you as a creative?
Emily: There’s so much more communication. That’s not to say that other projects I’ve worked on haven’t had that, but it’s something that I will keep in mind as I move forward and make my own projects. That’s the style and the connection that I strive for. Having worked with Todd [Wolfe] and on other indie films, I think about the people who have nurtured that. That’s inspiring to be around. In a lot of projects that I’ve worked on, similar to this one, the director/writer will say, “This is the story. This is what’s important to the character. If there’s something that you believe is good for them, bring it to the table.” That freedom is the reason that you want to act. It’s the reason why you want to discover who these characters are.

PC: The film has made its way around the festival circuit, and it’s been incredibly well received. What do you think is resonating most with audiences? What do you hope they take away?
Emily: In this tech world, we spend a lot of time on our screens. We’re not as present as we think we are. I don’t care what age you are, you probably have a laptop, an iPhone, or some black mirror in front of you. They’ve proven to be addictive. But if we’re not paying attention to the people around you then what do we have? This is done in such a comic light that it’s digestible.

PC: Is there a scene that you’re really excited for your fans to see when the film drops later this week or a favorite one-liner of Amber’s?
Emily: Amber is so fun. “You’re toast” is my favorite line that I’ve ever gotten to say on a project. I think about that line all the time. I’m trying to find ways to apply it to my own life. It feels so ’90s, like you’re biking away from another kid and you’re like, “You’re toast.” She says it right to his face. Watch out for that.

PC: Besides We Need to Talk, what’s next for you?
Emily: I have a brand called KissX Club. We’re relaunching some new products with a company out of Mexico. Then we’re also doing a summer launch, which is so great. On the film front, I have some cool stuff coming out around September.

PC: You’ve brought so many dynamic characters to life on the screen. What is your vetting process like when you’re deciding what projects you want to go out for?
Emily: Honestly, I never think I’ll be good for a project unless I’m frightened by it. If I don’t connect with the character or I don’t totally understand it, I either have to accept that it’s not for me or I have to go talk to somebody about it who knows more about it and have that tactical collaboration.

To keep up with Emily, follow her on Instagram. Watch We Need to Talk wherever you stream movies.

Photo Credit: Ricky Middlesworth