Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Medical Police’s Sarayu Blue

Sarayu Blue is a dynamic performer who’s absolutely crushing it in all facets of her career. Best known for her role in I Feel Bad, Sarayu has proven time and time again that she can bring any character to life with ease. This year, she can be seen in Netflix’s comedic new series Medical Police and in the sequel to the 2018 breakout hit film To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before. Pop Culturalist caught up with Sarayu to chat about all her exciting projects.

Career

PC: How did you discover your passion for acting?
Sarayu: It was a lucky turn at fifteen that I auditioned for our high school musical, Pippin. I was young, but even then, being in that show, I knew it just made sense. I feel very lucky to have been able to make a career out of it.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Sarayu: Sarita Choudhury (Mississippi Masala) was one of the first Indian American actresses I’d seen in American movies, let alone in lead roles. I was absolutely obsessed with her. She paved the way for so many of us working now.

PC: You’ve had a lot of success already in your career. When you look back, is there a particular moment that stands out?
Sarayu: It’s hard to pick out just one, but certainly when I got I Feel Bad, it was monumental. It was a rare opportunity as a South Asian American woman to audition for and book the central character, particularly because it wasn’t specifically written that way. I’ve often called the experience a Cinderella story. There’s no doubt it was a pivotal shift, both in my career and in the industry mentality.

Medical Police

PC: Tell us about Medical Police and what drew you to this project.
Sarayu: I loved Childrens Hospital, so I was very excited to get to work with this team for Medical Police. They’re not only hilarious but warm and kind as well. It was a really special stint. I loved the wonderfully campy comedy, and I was thrilled to get to have some great fight scenes! That’s always been my dream!

PC: What can you tease about Sloane’s arc?
Sarayu: Not much other than she’s got a great plot twist, and I can’t wait for everyone to see it!

PC: You’re also starring in the second and third installments of To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before. Is there anything you can tease about those projects?
Sarayu: I can say that it’s a beautiful and terrific film. It was so much fun to work on, and they did a wonderful job of keeping the delight, tension, and truth to the story alive.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Sarayu: Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Sarayuv: Well, it’s not necessarily a guilty pleasure, but I could watch Brown Sugar or The Heat every day.

PC: Favorite book?
Sarayu: The Namesake

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Sarayu: I could never pick just one, but Burn This, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and Pippin will forever have special places in my heart.

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Sarayu: Dolly Parton and Tribe Called Quest

PC: Who would play you in the story of your life?
Sarayu: Can I read for it?

To keep up with Sarayu, follow her on Twitter or Instagram. Catch Medical Police on Netflix today.