Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with CSI: Vegas’ Mandeep Dhillon

Mandeep Dhillon is a gifted storyteller who has captivated audiences on the stage and screen. From projects like After Life to Fried, Mandeep has quickly emerged as one to watch.

This fall, Mandeep is ready to solve the case and follow the evidence in CSI: Vegas.

Pop Culturalist had the pleasure of speaking with Mandeep about her multifaceted career, CSI: Vegas, and we learned her pop culture faves!

PC: How did you discover your passion for the arts and storytelling?
Mandeep: When I was young, I fell in love with Bollywood films and Pocahontas. I loved watching stuff like The Parent Trap and acting it out afterwards. I knew from quite a young age what I wanted to do, which I’m so grateful for.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Mandeep: When I was younger, I had this amazing teacher. He’s the reason why I went ahead and started to pursue acting. He was always like, “You can be and do exactly what you want to do.” It started from then. He would be first. And then, obviously, my family. In the industry, it would be Ricky Gervais. He’s been wonderful to me in my career, which is amazing. There have been quite a few people.

PC: You’ve had a lot of success already in your career. When you look back, is there a particular moment that stands out?
Mandeep: Definitely getting CSI: Vegas was great because I really wanted to come out and live in Los Angeles. That was a great opportunity. Also when I booked my first ever job. That was exciting. I get the same feeling that I got way back then even now. It never gets old.

PC: In addition to acting, you’re also a writer. How’s your work behind the scenes made you a stronger actress and vice versa?
Mandeep: It’s so helpful to write because I will act it out as I’m writing it sometimes. That’s really helpful. Acting has helped my writing. Reading other people’s work and scripts, you can’t help but learn the structure of what works for whatever kind of storytelling you want. I’m really lucky that I’ve had that. Most writers start off writing, so they don’t receive scripts for auditions. It’s all brand new to them, whereas I feel like it’s given me a head start.

PC: Can you tell us about CSI: Vegas and your character in the series?
Mandeep: There’s going to be a case each week and an arc that goes throughout the whole series, which will or will not get resolved at the end.

My character is Allie Rajan. She’s cool. She’s so smart. She’s so good at her job, and she loves her job. She’s brave too. She’s living in Vegas where she doesn’t have any family. That takes balls.

PC: What was it about this particular project and character that stood out to you?
Mandeep: It was Allie’s background. When I read the character’s description, I was like, “There’s substance here. She’s three-dimensional.” She’s got layers to her, and that was exciting to be able to play a character like that. I normally do a lot of comedy. This is the first role where I’m properly playing an adult. That’s what it feels like for me. I’m so not an adult in life. [laughs] I’m a free spirit when it comes to that. It’s nice to play the opposite. She went to Harvard. Bloody hell.

PC: What has that transition been like going from comedy to now a crime drama?
Mandeep: It’s really fun. It’s funny because although the show is science and serious, we personally had so much fun filming. I’m still getting the bants that I need.

PC: You were talking about the different layers of your character. Which was your favorite to explore? Which was the most challenging?
Mandeep: Episode 4 is a big episode for her. She gets a bit too into a case and you’ll see how that affects her. There’s something that she’s dealing with. It was great for me to do that episode because I got to challenge myself as an actress and do stuff that I hadn’t done yet.

Then in Episode 10—I can’t give too much away, but I had to do something that was really hard. It was really challenging. I remember getting emotional, and the character wasn’t meant to get emotional, but I was like, “That was hard,” because you get so into it and it feels so real.

PC: Which of Allie’s relationships was your favorite to explore this season and why?
Mandeep: Definitely Folsom. Allie and Folsom are best friends. They’re best friends through work, and it’s so much fun to work with Matt [Lauria].

PC: If you had to describe this season in a sentence, what would it be and why?
Mandeep: Oh my gosh. That is such a difficult question. How would I describe this series? Fresh. There are so many plot twists. You’re going to be hooked. People are already hooked and wanting to know what the hell is going to happen by the end of it and what’s going on.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Mandeep: Love Island. Love it. I love trash TV, and I absolutely love it. I also love The Kardashians.

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Mandeep: I love Parent Trap—Lindsay Lohan’s version though. I can watch that over and over.

PC: Favorite book?
Mandeep: Right now I’m reading a book called Untamed. It’s become one of my favorite books. There’s this author named Mitch Albom. His book Tuesdays with Morrie broke me. If you’re in the mood for a good cry, read that book. You will be in tears.

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Mandeep: Hamilton. I’ve watched it four times, so clearly I love it.

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Mandeep: I love Afrobeats, but I don’t know if the world would be in shock though because I play it on my Instagram all the time. Yeah, I love Afrobeats. I love Bollywood music, but then again, I dance to Bollywood stuff on my Instagram too, so people would know that. Oh, Celine Dion. If anyone says they don’t, don’t at me.

PC: Dream role?
Mandeep: I’ve got a few. I really want to do something where I work with Shah Rukh Khan. I just want Shah Rukh Khan to know that I exist. That’s all I want in my life. If someone could say, “Shah Rukh Khan knows you exist,” I’d be like, “Bye.” My goal’s done. I’m joking. I’m not joking. But that aside, I would love to do action material like Marvel. Marvel would be amazing.

And also the material that I’m creating myself—the shows that I’m developing. I’m obviously developing them to be in them and they’re great. So I’d be really thrilled to play those roles too. But listen, whatever I’m blessed with, you know?

To keep up with Mandeep, follow her on Twitter and Instagram. Watch CSI: Vegas every Wednesday at 10/9c on CBS.

Photo Credit: Sonja Flemming/CBS