Exclusive Interview: Marcelle LeBlanc Chats The Waltons: Homecoming

It’s been a banner year for Marcelle LeBlanc. In 2021, the rising young talent has starred in acclaimed television programs and films including Fear Street, Cobra Kai, and PEN15.

This December, she’s bringing the holiday cheer with her portrayal of the iconic Mary-Ellen Walton in the must-see remake of The Waltons: Homecoming.

Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to chat with Marcelle about finding her voice through storytelling, The Waltons: Homecoming, and the nonprofit she started to make sure that kids have access to the arts.

Career

PC: How did you discover your passion for acting and storytelling?
Marcelle: I got started in this industry by accident. While I was growing up, I was looking for an outlet where I could find myself and express myself. I know it’s cliché, but I really struggled to fit in in school. I never knew why. It was really discouraging and disheartening until I was encouraged by a family friend to get involved in theater. That’s where I started out. It was in musical theater.

We found a local community theater that was doing a production of Annie. I was fully expecting to not get any role. But lo and behold, I wound up getting the title role. I was eleven years old. I had never done anything before, but I was so excited. I went to my mom and asked if we could find somebody who could help me get prepared for the role. She introduced me to my acting coach, Meg Deusner, who suggested that I get started in film and television. The rest is history: I found my love of storytelling and creativity. I really found myself through this industry. I’m so grateful that I am part of it.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Marcelle: Some of my biggest influences include my acting coach Meg and my vocal coach Amy. They have been influential people in getting me started and constant sources of love and encouragement. They introduced me to this industry. They held my hand and guided me through it. And of course, my family. My mom, dad, and younger sister have been here every step of the way. It’s not an easy career to be a part of or an easy industry to be in. Every step of the way, my family has encouraged me. They never let me doubt myself.

PC: You’ve had a lot of success already in your young career. When you look back, is there a particular moment that stands out?
Marcelle: A particular moment that stands out was booking The Waltons. It’s been one of the highlights of my career. The Waltons is an iconic story. I feel lucky to have even had the opportunity to audition for it. I can’t even express in words how much it meant to me when I got the call that I was going to play Mary-Ellen Walton.

The Waltons: Homecoming

PC: Speaking of The Waltons, tell us about the film, your character, and the audition process.
Marcelle: The Waltons: Homecoming is set in 1933 during the Great Depression around Christmas time. We’re all getting ready for Christmas and we find out that our dad may be coming home. It’s very exciting.

Mary-Ellen is a fun character. I loved, loved, loved getting to play her and learn more about her. She’s definitely strong-willed, especially for someone who is fourteen in 1933. She defies what people expect a woman to be. Her dream is to be a pilot. She isn’t going to let anybody tell her that her dreams are unreasonable and that she can’t aspire to them because she’s a woman. I love that about her.

PC: Did you feel any pressure heading into this project?
Marcelle: I definitely did feel a lot of pressure heading into it. The Waltons is so iconic. I knew stepping into this role that there were going to be people who would be apprehensive. I know that there are some TV shows that I love that I would be apprehensive about other people touching and remaking. I can’t even imagine how people that are diehard fans of The Waltons felt hearing that the show was going to be remade. There was definitely a lot of pressure heading into that, but I also knew that there was a specific reason that I was attached to this project. There’s a reason that I’m here. There’s a reason God put me on that set and made me a part of this project. I trusted that there was a reason for all of this. I just wanted to enjoy the experience, so I’m thrilled that I was able to be a part of it all.

PC: How were you all able to pay homage to the original source material, but also make it your own?
Marcelle: Having Richard Thomas be a part of this definitely helped. Richard has been such an incredible mentor to all of us through this. Obviously, he originated such an iconic character. He came back and narrated our story. He was such a guiding force in this process.

Now I’m in contact with Judy Norton, the original Mary-Ellen. We talked a lot about this character, and I actually found out that we had the same audition scene. The scene where we’re cracking walnuts in the barn. 50 years ago this was her audition scene. 50 years later it was my audition scene. That’s such a fun little connection.

The original Homecoming was so iconic and special to so many people. I had somebody recently tell me that his family tradition every year is watching the original Homecoming movie with his wife. It was so special to know that I was now going to be a part of that. But there are definitely elements where we made it our own. I know that our director advised us to stay away from the original series and not watch it until we had wrapped because he didn’t want us to get in our heads about the show and how iconic it was. They wanted to make sure that we were all playing our own versions of these characters and not being bound to the original.

PC: The film is set in the 1930s. How did you prepare to step into that decade?
Marcelle: It was really the clothes and the set that helped. It felt like I had gotten in a time machine and jumped back to 1933. It was really, really cool. Mary-Ellen’s overalls are still one of my favorite wardrobe pieces in the world. I loved Mary-Ellen’s outfits. It was so comfortable. Jumping into the environment on set really helped with getting into that mindset because it felt like we were in 1933.

PC: What do you hope audiences take away after they see the film?
Marcelle: There are so many takeaways that I want people to get from The Waltons. I feel like this movie is so needed right now, especially coming out of a season of COVID where everybody was in such isolation and experiencing loneliness. It’s special to have this movie where we’re watching a family sit down at the dinner table, pray together, and love each other through their hardships. That is so needed right now. It’s so rare on TV right now that we get to see a big family sitting down together at dinner. We see the normal, stereotypical sibling fights. But we also see them all make up. The most important thing is that this is grounded and real.

Even though it’s set in 1933, there are a lot of things that modern audiences can take away. I know there was a lot about Mary-Ellen that I took away. I hope others will too. One of my favorite scenes is between Olivia and myself when we’re in the kitchen getting ready for Christmas dinner. We have this beautiful conversation about life and marriage. I don’t want to give anything away, but it’s a beautiful scene—one where I know Mary-Ellen walks away feeling very validated about who she is and feeling very appreciated by her family.

PC: You’re also an advocate for arts education and started your own nonprofit. Can you tell us a bit about that and how it came to fruition? How did you discover your voice as an advocate?
Marcelle: I really found myself and a lot of my self-worth when I got involved in the arts, specifically theater. It was the first time that I was introduced to people who were encouraging me to be myself and to pursue my passions. It was a really special thing for me. I remember being devastated at the age of eleven to find out that there were so many people, so many young kids across the country, that wanted that opportunity but simply couldn’t have it because of a lack of funds or resources.

My parents always raised me on the principle that to whom much is given, much is expected. I knew that this industry had given so much to me and I wanted to give back to it. So I started STARS, which stands for Supporting the Arts through Resource and Scholarship, where I can provide the necessary funds and resources for kids to get involved in after-school arts programs like theater, dance classes, photography, and painting. I know how important these programs are for students. I would never want anyone to miss out on that opportunity because of a lack of funds or resources.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Marcelle: Parks and Rec, but I don’t feel guilty about it. I love that show. My parents always tell me that if Amy Pohler and I got into a Leslie Knope quote-off, I would win.

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Marcelle: Step Brothers.

PC: Favorite book?
Marcelle: I love the Harry Potter and Percy Jackson series.

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Marcelle: Phantom of the Opera is my favorite musical by far. Christine Daaé is my dream role of all dream roles.

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Marcelle: Panic! at the Disco. Broadway is usually at the top of my playlist. When people scroll through my playlist, they’re like, “You listen to Panic! at the Disco?” I’m like, “Yeah, I love Panic!” That’s usually what people are surprised to hear that I listen to.

PC: Who would you like to work with in the future?
Marcelle: Meryl Streep would be such a dream to work with. She’s a powerhouse actress. She’s brilliant. If I was able to work with her one day, I would probably collapse onto the floor. [laughs]

To keep up with Marcelle, follow her on Instagram. Watch The Waltons: Homecoming today.

Photo Credit: Ben Cope