Pop-Culturalist.com

Isa Briones is one of Hollywood’s most exciting up-and-coming talents. Best known for her dynamic performances in projects like Star Trek: Picard, American Crime Story, and Takers, Isa approaches her work with a level of maturity far beyond her years, bringing layered and nuanced characters to life on the screen with ease.

Currently, she’s starring in Disney+’s addictive new series, Goosebumps, where she captivating audiences with her portrayal as Margot, a book-smart teen with a sense of humor. Inspired by R.L. Stine’s worldwide bestselling book series, Goosebumps follows a group of five high schoolers as they embark on a shadowy and twisted journey to investigate the tragic passing three decades earlier of a teen named Harold Biddle – while also unearthing dark secrets from their parents’ past.

Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to speak with Isa about Goosebumps, how she made Margot her own, celebrating her mixed identity, and more!

PC: How did you discover your passion for storytelling?
Isa: My parents both started as theater actors, so you could say I inherited the passion. I spent my early years watching my parents pursue their dreams—sometimes on the stage, sometimes in moments of unemployment—but no matter what, they stuck with it. Growing up and witnessing my parents endure all the hardships that come with trying to sustain a career in this business and still persevere for the love of the art showed me exactly what it takes to choose this life. It’s not always instant success, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth it. I’m so thankful they set that example for me and my brother, Teo (also a fantastic actor).

I am very lucky that my parents have always supported what I’ve wanted to do with my life. They always say the most important thing is having fun and doing what makes you happy. For example, when it was time to think about college, I was going through the motions just like everyone else (taking tours, tests, starting applications), but they could tell it wasn’t what I wanted. They sat me down and told me if college wasn’t what I thought was right for me, it wasn’t worth wasting the money. They encouraged me instead to move to New York like I wanted and to take more individual classes that aligned with what I wanted to do. I am so grateful for their undying support.

PC: You’ve had so much success already in your young career. When you look back, is there a moment that stands out?
Isa: There are many answers to this, but the one that speaks to me the most right now is simply all the amazing women I’ve worked with so far in my short career.

From the beginning, I’ve noticed a special magic that happens when women in this industry support each other and stick together. I started working at a very young age, and like many young women, I didn’t quite have a voice yet. I didn’t feel I could speak up for myself and be taken seriously, and I didn’t trust my gut instincts.

However, people like Michelle Hurd and Alison Pill, whom I worked with in my first TV show Picard, led me by example and quickly showed me that I have power, and my opinion is valid and should be heard. I am grateful to have had that kind of feminine energy and support in my first TV job and knew from that moment on I wanted to be that person for other actors just starting out. That’s the way we all succeed, by lifting each other up.

PC: There were many directions Rob and Nicholas could have taken Goosebumps, but it strikes the perfect blend of nostalgia while introducing something new, fresh, and exciting. At what point in the process did you realize that this series was unexpectedly unique and unlike anything audiences could expect?
Isa: I knew from the moment I read the first episode during the audition that this was going to be special. It read so mature and clever, and I just had a gut feeling it would resonate with a wide audience: those who grew up with the books and the TV show since the ’90s, and kids today who are just now finding Goosebumps. It bridges the gap so well, and I knew I had to be a part of it.

PC: The creative team gave you the freedom to make these characters your own. What did you bring to Margot that wasn’t initially on the page? How did that trust allow you to take agency over her journey?
Isa: We were fortunate to have the freedom with our characters the way we did. They really trusted our ability and understanding of the tone of the show. We were allowed to improv quite a bit throughout the season, which made way for some unexpectedly brilliant moments from everyone.

As for me, I brought a specific kind of humor to Margot. She is obviously a bit of a bookworm and kind of the adult of the group. That characteristic can lead a character to be very serious, which Margot definitely is, but I enjoyed still bringing levity and humor to her disposition. She is very intelligent, and, in my opinion, intelligent people are often the funniest, so it felt only fitting.

PC: These characters are bonded by their trauma, and they’ve turned that into this beautiful friendship. You and the cast have fantastic chemistry on screen. How did you build that?
Isa: Our chemistry started building from the moment we met. Ana [Yi Puig] invited us all over to her apartment, made us cookies, and we played We’re Not Really Strangers, learning so much about each other. In that moment, there was an unspoken sigh of relief that we all got along so naturally. From that point on, we spent all our time together. Filming in Vancouver, a city foreign to all of us, required us to lean on each other, resulting in lifelong friendships and incredible onscreen chemistry.

PC: In addition to the incredible work you’ve done on the stage and screen, you’re also a singer. How much does music play a role in your preparation? If you had to pick a song that best describes Margot’s arc this season, which would it be and why?
Isa: I always create a playlist for my character when I’m working on a new role. My Stokes, Margot playlist featured a lot of ’70s classics. However, one song on there that describes her really well is “Everything Matters” by Aurora. It’s all about realizing how everything in the world, everything we see and feel, is connected and basking in the beauty of that vast intimacy.

PC: There’s such a diverse cast leading this project, and it’s never leveraged for any form of tokenism, which is a step forward in terms of representation. However, it’s also crucial for young kids to see themselves in the media they consume. Have you had time to reflect on the impact and contributions you’ve made to audiences? What does it mean to you to represent our community in a series like this, especially on a network like Disney+?
Isa: I am so proud to be a part of a show like this. We are desperately in need of diverse stories. There is so much merit and importance in those stories that focus on diversity, but there’s also so much good in a show like Goosebumps that simply has a diverse cast without making a big issue out of it. It’s not making some big statement.

In fact, its lack of a “statement” is the biggest statement. We’re simply showing you a group of kids and their parents that look like the world we see every day. It’s not about the trauma of being a person of color, or queer, etc., it’s about being a teenager and the universal themes that go a lot with that.

But the fact that Ana and I were cast, and then they cast our parents according to our background, was the most affirming and healing thing. There is a lot of racial dysphoria that goes with being a mixed person. You’re never white enough, Asian enough, you name it. But this casting process reminded me that I am a whole person that deserves to be represented. Not halves or parts that fit into boxes, but an actor who happens to be Asian American telling a story while acknowledging her heritage. I just smile thinking that there could be a mixed kid who sees me, then sees Lexa Doig and Rob Huebel playing my parents and, in turn, sees their own family on TV. That’s what this is all about.

PC: Your character makes a decision at the end of Episode 110 that opens the door for a potential second season. Have there been any early conversations about continuing to tell this story? If we’re lucky enough to get a second season, what aspects of Margot would you like to delve deeper into?
Isa: We know absolutely nothing, but we are crossing our fingers that we get to keep working on this wonderful show! I want to see Margot stop worrying about boys and focus on herself and become best friends with Isabella. That is my dream. And I want to be a witch. I don’t know. That’d be cool. [laughs]

To keep up with Isa, follow her on Instagram. Season 1 of Goosebumps is available now on Disney+.

Photo Credit: Sam Pickart