Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with PEN15’s Dallas Liu

Dallas Liu’s year is off to an exciting start. He can currently be seen in the laugh-out-loud comedy, PEN15, which depicts an unfiltered look at the awkwardness of middle school. Dallas’ character, Shuji, is the older brother to one of the protagonists, Maya. They have your typical sibling relationship, but when push comes to shove, Shuji has her back. Pop Culturalist had the pleasure of speaking with Dallas about PEN15.

PC: Tell us about PEN15, your character, and what drew you to this project?
Dallas: PEN15 is about two girls in middle school who are going through puberty. Maya [Erskine] and Anna [Konkle] play teenage versions of themselves in the show. They give audiences an unfiltered experience of middle school and how it really went down.

I play Shuji, Maya’s older brother. I’m always teasing and annoying her—that’s how their relationship is—but even though I’m kind of mean to her, I do look out for her quite a bit.

I was attracted to this project because I really related to Shuji. I’m an older brother and I always look out for my brother. I stand up for him against kids who may be bullying him.

PC: How similar is your middle school experience with Shuji’s?
Dallas: They’re mirrored pretty closely as far as bullying, how mean kids are, and the drama that you expect from school. In one of the episodes, we see some of the kids doing drugs, which was different because that actually happens now, but I didn’t really experience it.

PC: Maya and Anna are the show creators, and they also star in the series. What has that experience been like?
Dallas: It’s been so much fun working with them. They’re great actors and they have so many ideas from their middle school experiences that I can relate to, which is nice to see in the show.

PC: With this being a comedy, was there any room for you to improv?
Dallas: Yes! After we finished a scene, we would play around with another way of approaching it. That’s where we would add in some improv. There’s actually a scene where I’m leaving the house and flip her off. That was all improv and it was a lot of fun.

PC: You’ve done a lot of television projects. Is the experience different when you’re working for a streaming platform that has less rules and restrictions?
Dallas: Absolutely! There’s more freedom, which makes the show feel more authentic. Nowadays, kids are cursing in middle school, so we were able to do that. [laughs]

PC: Do you have a favorite scene in the series? What are you most excited for your fans to see?
Dallas: There’s an emotional scene between Shuji and Maya that takes place on the stairs where I go to comfort her. It’s an important scene that shows Shuji really cares. As far as comedy, there’s a hilarious scene where Maya is dressed up as a piece of meat. It was so hard to keep a straight face for that one! [laughs] I’m excited for audiences to see the cringe-worthy middle school experience.

Photo Credit: Alex Lombardi

Career Questions

PC: How did you discover your passion for acting?
Dallas: It happened after my first or second job. I was working on Mortal Kombat and I loved the environment.

PC: What would you say is the biggest lesson you’ve learned being a part of this industry?
Dallas: Don’t give up! I’ve been doing this for five years now. I know it can sometimes feel like there’s nothing out there for you, but with all these different platforms coming out, there so many opportunities for you to go in and get the job.

PC: How challenging is it to balance your career and being a normal teenager?
Dallas: It’s hard sometimes, especially with school. Time management is key. Sometimes I can’t hang out with my friends because I’m on set, but this is what I love to do.

PC: What is your dream role?
Dallas: I’d love to do an action-comedy like Rush Hour. I love comedy and I know karate. I can do flips and want to do my own stunts.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Dallas: Gossip Girl

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Dallas: Honestly, I was kind of embarrassed to go watch La La Land. I walked in there to go watch it with my guy friends, and it was like all girls. It was so awkward.

PC: Favorite book?
Dallas: The Great Gatsby

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Dallas: I listen to a lot of rap music. I also like the Red Hot Chili Peppers a lot.

PC: Hidden talent?
Dallas: I’ve gotten good at throwing food in the air and catching it in my mouth.

To keep up with Dallas, follow him on Twitter and Instagram, and catch PEN15 on Hulu today.

Photo Credit: The Riker Brothers