Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists’ Eli Brown

We’ve got a secret. Can you keep it? Swear this one you’ll save? Well, we’re totally obsessed with the Pretty Little Liars’ spinoff, The Perfectionists, and we’re crushing hard on Eli Brown’s breakout performance.

Based on the popular book series, Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists takes place in Beacon Heights where everything seems perfect…that is until a student is murdered, and everyone’s a suspect.

That includes Eli’s character, Dylan Walker, an aspiring cellist from a small town with everything to lose. It’s Eli’s first big role and he’s taken viewers on an emotional ride full of twists, turns, and of course, lies. Pop Culturalist spoke with Eli who dropped some juicy details about the upcoming episodes.

PC: This is your first big television role. What attracted you to this project?
Eli: A lot of things attracted me to this project. First, the fan base and the people who were involved—they’re some serious moguls. Plus the fact that I have never done anything, and then all of a sudden this project was offered to me, I was like, “Yes, of course I’ll take it!”

PC: Did you feel any pressure heading into filming, given how large and successful the Pretty Little Liars franchise is?
Eli: I wouldn’t say I felt the pressure, but I was a little nervous. It was my first time on set, being in front of some serious equipment, and working with some bona fide artists. That was nerve-wracking until I showed up. Once that happened, the nerves subsided immediately. Everybody was super down-to-earth, welcoming, and it was a great environment to be in.

PC: What was the preparation like building your character? How similar or different have your journeys been?
Eli: Well, we both love music. When I got his character description for my callback, it said, “Dylan Walker, a musician at a very prestigious university who loves nothing more than music and his boyfriend.” I was like, “How do I approach this?” I feel like a lot of times on television, the gay characters are played so flamboyantly and stereotypical. I didn’t want to do that. I wanted to bring as much of myself to it as possible instead of trying to be someone else. Evan, who plays Andrew, my boyfriend in the series, approached it in a similar way. I think that’s why it comes off so well and naturally. We’re not trying to synthesize homosexuality; we’re going about every scene as if it were any other.

PC: Your character has a lot of complicated relationships in this series. Which is your favorite to explore and why?
Eli: I think my favorite is the trifecta of the Perfectionists. We go through so many ups and downs. You see their make ups and breakups, you see them gain trust and lose trust…it’s all over the map. It keeps you on your feet and it keeps things exciting.

PC: In recent episodes, we learn that Taylor is alive and she’s returned to Beacon Heights. What impact, if any, will that have on the perfectionist?
Eli: All I can say is she seems to have very similar intentions to the Perfectionists as far as trying to get to the bottom of this poop show.

PC: One of Dylan’s main storylines is him struggling with the pressures of keeping his scholarship, which results in him playing through the pain. Is there anyone that’s going to be the voice of reason for Dylan, or are we going to see him continue to go down that path?
Eli: We’ll see him push himself a bit more than he should. There’s still room and time for him to let himself rest and repair his injury.

PC: The Pretty Little Liars franchise is known for its twists and turns. Has there been anything that surprised you, either in the plot or your character’s development?
Eli: Every episode! That’s how it should be. It keeps everybody on their toes and keeps things fresh.

PC: What can you tease about the back half of season one? Is there any hope for Dylan and Andrew?
Eli: There is hope for Dylan and Andrew. It’ll be very beautiful. And, as far as a teaser for the back half, there is a unexpected suspect.

To keep up with Eli, make sure to follow him on Twitter and Instagram, and catch Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists every Wednesday at 8/7c on Freeform.

Photo Credit: Freeform