Pop-Culturalist.com

Whether she’s starring in front of the camera or working behind the scenes, Lillian Carrier is a force to be reckoned with. The talented young creative is using her craft to change the world and to push inclusive stories forward.

Currently, she’s starring in Freeform’s groundbreaking series, Everything’s Gonna Be Okay, which follows estranged siblings who must navigate through grief after their father’s untimely passing.

Since its premiere, the show has continued to win acclaim for its authentic portrayal of characters with autism, particularly because several cast members are on the spectrum—one of them being Lillian, who shines as Drea, and also serves as a consultant on set.

Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to speak with Lillian about the show’s second season and the importance of authentic representation.

Career

PC: How did you discover your passion for acting?
Lillian: I’m not exactly sure when my passion for acting started, but at five years old, I found a summer camp where I really felt at home. I don’t know if there has been a place since—that I didn’t create—where I felt so accepted to be myself. Sunset Theatre Company was my home. I soon realized it was a great place to learn how to interact in a socially acceptable manner.

If you have ever sat through a social skills class, you would understand the incredible frustration and rigidity in teaching basic skills like, “make eye contact, but be careful not to do too much or you will make them uncomfortable,” and “no, don’t stare. Stop turning your head away every five seconds.”

Theatre is a much easier way to learn these things, as I was able to ask questions and dissect scenes and characters to truly understand why people do the things they do. Understanding social dynamics and why I would accidentally hurt people’s feelings or make them angry was very digestible through plays and movies. I could learn facial expressions, tone of voice, and body language without being judged.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Lillian: Steve Neumann has taught me everything I know about acting. He is the artistic director at Sunset Theatre Company where I grew up doing plays. He is truly one of the most important people in my life. I do not know where I would be without him.

Also, my sister, Chloe Estelle, has helped me with every audition and really pushed me to succeed.

And then, of course, my autism is the reason I am where I am. I wouldn’t have pursued acting without it. I would not have been given the opportunity to be on any of the projects I have worked on without it. I have succeeded because of my autism, not in spite of it.

Everything’s Gonna Be Okay

PC: You’re one of the stars of Everything’s Gonna Be Okay. The show has been incredibly well received. What do you think is resonating most with audiences?
Lillian: I think it really comes down to how real the characters are. Everyone is able to see themselves in aspects of any of the characters in the show. They are real people going through real situations as well as being a part of minority groups that rarely get to see themselves on screen. It’s truly groundbreaking. Almost every episode has something never done before.

PC: Everything’s Gonna Be Okay is your biggest role to date. Has anything surprised you about the experience? What’s been the biggest takeaway thus far?
Lillian: I mean yeah, I never worked in film before this role, so everything was new to me. I am so grateful for the crew that helped me out in the first season. Carsen Warner, who plays Jeremy, was terrific in helping me navigate being an actor. I was treading water most of that first season, never sure what I was supposed to be doing. I am glad to now have a footing on set and have gotten feedback that I appear to know what I am doing, but I think there is always something new to learn.

I am just as surprised as the fans with every script—this show is shocking. Imagine finding out that you are doing those things that you see in each episode! The first season had me making out, attempting a threesome, playing with strange bugs, predicting people’s terrible futures, and the second season is even crazier. I love being a part of this show. It’s been a rollercoaster of emotions, and I hope it continues.

PC: What’s ahead for Drea in Season 2? What can you tease about her arc?
Lillian: Spoiler alert: if you haven’t reached the fourth episode yet, it’s revealed at the end of the episode that Drea is asexual. This leads Matilda and her to explore having an open relationship where Matilda can have one-night stands with men. You’re going to see Matilda and Drea try to navigate adult life more, figuring out how their relationship and needs line up with growing up.

PC: Drea means a great deal to various communities that want to see themselves represented on screen. What has it meant to you as an actress to get to play such an iconic character? Did that bring any pressure to the project?
Lillian: It means as much to me as it does to those viewers. Getting the chance to play such a beautiful character is incredible, and being part of that community myself is even better. I still pinch myself that I get to be part of this project.

I wouldn’t say it added pressure, but I care deeply about doing it right. I want to make sure that it isn’t offensive or a mockery. Drea has layers, and making sure that audiences see all of them through my performance is something I think about. I mean, having her based on me makes it easy; I get to naturally be myself in a lot of ways.

So far, audiences seem to be happy and trust I will take good care of her. I hope I can continue to do so.

PC: In addition to starring on the show, you’re also a consultant behind the scenes. Is that ever a challenge? How have you been able to manage all the different hats that you wear?
Lillian: Is it a challenge? That’s such a complicated question. On this show, no. Everyone is so open to my thoughts and opinions. I am absolutely grateful to everyone for listening and adapting so easily. Everyone really cares and wants to do everything right, and it shows in the product. I have seen so many shows fail at this.

I truly believe the thing that sets this show apart is that I and others involved are autistic. No matter how much you read about my brain in a book, you will never understand what it’s like to live daily life with it. Having Carsen and Kayla cast as the autistic characters and putting their own experiences into their performances makes those characters real. Now that Josh has shared his own diagnoses, it also makes sense how well he was able to write these stories. But it is a challenge to get others to see this importance. For some reason, until recently, it just wasn’t done. No matter how loud we screamed, no one involved us in anything. We are still struggling with this, although it seems to be slowly changing.

Managing everything I want to do is a bit tricky. I was advocating, running support groups, and doing my own autism research as a career before I became an actor. Acting wasn’t even a thought in my head. So, consulting on the show I am a part of isn’t that hard; I know all of the stuff off the top of my head. I just email articles that I have saved on my computer or share about a new simulation tool to the props department. With every episode, there is less and less work I have to do as a consultant because everyone has really listened and not repeated mistakes.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Favorite TV show?
Lillian: Maybe Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I never get tired of that show—it’s absolutely incredible. It may sound strange, but as a teenager I saw so much of myself in Spike and the pain he experienced trying to be “normal”, and in the way he cared so deeply about people but always ended up accidentally hurting them. It’s also just an incredibly kick-ass show about a teenager who kills vampires in her spare time.

PC: Favorite movie?
Lillian: It would be between Power Rangers and Red Dawn, either version. Something about Red Dawn has always been a feel-good movie for me. I know it’s not, but I like the action and teamwork. It just took me out of my life and transported me to another. I could forget about my problems and watch these kids fight an unwinnable war and succeed.

As for Power Rangers, if you haven’t seen it, please do. It is incredible, and has an autistic superhero, who doesn’t want to see that?

PC: Favorite book?
Lillian: I know it’s problematic, but Harry Potter. It was my entire childhood, and I can’t let that go.

A fond book that I love to talk about is Frankenstein. I think it’s absolutely terrible to read, but to read in a group and talk about it is just so fun. It’s a ridiculous book with terrible pacing that makes me laugh with my friends.

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Lillian: For a play, it would be anything Shakespeare. I love reading it. I love performing it. I love watching it. Shakespeare is brilliant. I can talk nonstop about my theories and thoughts. I think it’s hilarious that when he couldn’t find a word to fit, he just made one up and people were okay with that.

For a musical, I would say Urinetown. Best thing ever. I know it sounds absolutely ridiculous—a musical about a dystopian future where everyone has to pay to use the restroom—but it really is fantastic. It’s a dark comedy and you just have to see it to get it.

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Lillian: Well, don’t you feel transported to a magical land when you listen to The Bridge to Terabithia title song?

PC: Dream role?
Lillian: I don’t know if I have a dream role. I hope to keep playing roles that I care about. I just got the chance to play a Neurotypical, and it was tiny, but I hope to do that again. I just hope more opportunities come my way. There are just so many possibilities, and I want to try anything that people will give me a chance to do.

To keep up with Lillian, follow her on Twitter. Watch new episodes of Everything’s Gonna Be Okay every Thursday at 10/9c on Freeform.

Photo Credit: Chloe Estelle