Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Kidding’s Juliet Morris

Juliet Morris is a name you’ll be hearing a lot of in the years to come. She’s only eight and is already blowing audiences away with her breakout performance as Maddy on Showtime’s heartfelt dramedy, Kidding—and did we mention it’s her television debut? She stars alongside Hollywood legends like Judy Greer and Jim Carrey, and she’s more than holding her own. We spoke with Juliet about Kidding, where she’d like to see her character’s storyline go in season two, and what she learned from Jim.

PC: Tell us about Kidding, your character, and what drew you to this project.
Juliet: Kidding is about the Piccarillo family. I play Maddy Perera in the show. She is the niece to Mr. Pickles, who’s played by Jim Carrey. When I heard that he was going to be in this show, I said, “I am doing it!” I love him SO much. I love all of the movies he has done. I like The Mask and The Grinch in particular. I think the writing is also great, I like to call Dave Holstein my dad. He really makes me laugh.

PC: How much of Juliet is in Maddy?
Juliet: Lots of me! We have the same voice, we look the exact same! We like some of the same stuff. We both like instruments. We both like to overcome challenges. For example, behind the scenes it was really hard to get the perfect timing on dropping the vegetables in episode one (if you haven’t seen the show, that’s a spoiler), so I had to work hard to get it just right, and Maddy is working on overcoming seeing her dad cheating on her mom, which is obviously a big challenge for her. I really hope Maddy ends up living a happy life and her dad will make better choices.

PC: It’s your television debut. What was the most surprising part of the experience? What was the biggest lesson you learned?
Juliet: When I first met Jim Carrey, he just came right up to me and knew my name. Also, I was just surprised to meet so many amazing people. I have learned SO many lessons by being a part of this show, but being a kid means that there are shows I cannot watch. I learned that I can act in this show, but I cannot watch it because it’s too grown up for me. Well, I can only watch if my parents cover my eyes. I also learned that surprisingly, when you throw up on camera, it doesn’t taste bad. It tasted sweet!

PC: What has it been like working alongside Jim Carrey and Judy Greer? Have they shared any words of wisdom?
Juliet: During one of my most difficult scenes, Jim Carrey helped me a lot. He gave me encouragement and confidence: he said, “Once I had to do a scene where I had to eat like over 200 hamburgers and spit them all out.” That made me laugh and it gave me a lot of confidence.

PC: Kidding has already been renewed for a second season. What are you the most excited to further explore with your character?
Juliet: I would like to know if she will get more into making puppets or if she will get into the more dramatic stuff. Maybe she will grow up! I don’t know. Maybe she’ll go through more depressing scenes. Like…cheating! Cheating could happen!

PC: When did you discover your passion for acting?
Juliet: Kidding! Because I have only done commercials until now, Kidding really has lit a fire inside me for acting.

PC: What is your dream role?
Juliet: My dream role is to play a character that plays a wolf or is a wolf.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Juliet: Total Drama Island

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Juliet: The Grinch

PC: Favorite book?
Juliet: Avatar: The Last Airbender or Amulet

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Juliet: Phantom of the Opera

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Juliet: Parry Gripp or Alan Walker

PC: Last show you binge-watched?
Juliet: Total Drama Island

PC: Hidden talent?
Juliet: I’m really flexible.

Make sure to follow Juliet on Instagram, and check out Kidding on Showtime.

Photo Credit: Sara Pine