Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Lost in Space’s Mina Sundwall

Last year, Mina Sundwall blew audiences away with her performance as Penny Robinson in Netflix’s adaptation of the ’60s sci-fi classic Lost in Space. She brought to life her character’s quick-witted one-liners and sarcastic exterior in addition to her internal struggles as she tries to find her place within her family. Now with the show back in its second season, Pop Culturalist caught up with this talented leading lady about reprising her role.

Career

PC: How did you discover your passion for acting?
Mina: I was always very dramatic when I was little. [laughs] I remember when I was younger, I would set up these performances for my parents. I’d have proper storylines, characters, and my stuffed animals would be involved. [laughs] Immediately from that point, I was interested in telling stories and looking deeper into why people are the way they are and how they think. Then, I started auditioning and I got bitten by the bug.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Mina: My mom has been with me every step along the way. She’s a very, very big support system. She always has great advice and insight.

Lost in Space

PC: The second season of Lost in Space premiered on Christmas Eve. What can fans expect?
Mina: Bigger and bolder! More questions and more answers…which will lead to more questions. Everything you saw last season has been amped up.

PC: This is your first time reprising a role. Was the preparation different going from season to season?
Mina: It was, and it wasn’t. Because we have a bit of a time jump, there were new things to think about. Season 2 picks up seven months from where we ended Season 1, so I had to take into consideration what happens when you live life and death every day and then you go into a period of seven months where that isn’t the case and you’re able to get closer with your family. The kids have the opportunity to grow up in spite of—and because of—their fight for survival. With that being said, they also have a bit of a pause. Other than that, it was a smooth transition.

PC: How has Penny grown from Season 1 into Season 2? What can you tease about the arc?
Mina: Her arc isn’t very linear; it’s a little more up and down. She starts to learn what she’s good at and what she can contribute to the family. Last season, she felt a little out of place because she’s not science-oriented like her mother, brother, sister, and even her father to a certain extent. She’s not an action hero—when she tries to step in to be an action hero, she makes things worse. She’s learning that she’s good at understanding people, writing, and telling stories. You see her coming into her own this season.

PC: Having played Penny for two seasons now, what’s been your favorite part? What’s been the most challenging?
Mina: Her quirky one-liners! I love them. I have so much fun, especially half-way through this season. As far as a challenge, I’m an only child, so it was hard to explore the triangular relationship that happens with three siblings—you push away from one and then pull towards another at any given time.

Penny also constantly feels one-upped by her siblings; it’s middle child syndrome. Will is her mom’s favorite. Judy is her dad’s favorite. She doesn’t have anyone telling her that she’s doing a good job. That was an interesting root to look at. Not only are you stuck in a situation where you feel like you’re not contributing enough, but you’re also being shown up by the people around you. That’s hard, especially when one of those people is your little brother who you’re supposed to be a role model for.

PC: Which of her relationships has been your favorite to explore and why? Has it changed from Season 1 into Season 2?
Mina: It has changed! I love the three-part relationship with her mom and Dr. Smith, which we explore this season. With the insecurities you experience as a teenager, if you don’t get the validation that you need from your family, then you look for it in other places. That was very exciting for me to play into.

PC: What’s been the biggest takeaway from being a part of this series?
Mina: Oh wow. I think the largest takeaway has been working with special effects and green screens. When you first jump into it, it’s quite intimidating—you don’t know what to expect and you feel ridiculous the whole time. Everyone is looking at you doing movements in front of nothing and it’s very awkward. When you get more comfortable with it, though, you learn that there’s so much more that you can do. You’re not restricted by anything! You can really use your imagination, especially with this show. If you can imagine it, there’s a good chance that someone on the VFX team has also thought of it. That’s been my biggest takeaway.

PC: If you could summarize Season 2 in one sentence, what would it be?
Mina: Where is home?

Make sure to follow Mina on Twitter and Instagram, and binge-watch the second season of Lost in Space on Netflix today!

Photo Credit: Des Willie/Netflix