Pop Culturalist Chats with Tully’s Lia Frankland

Each year, new faces make the long trek to Hollywood, eager to make their mark on the industry, and one actress who’s done just that is Lia Frankland. This dynamic talent has proven she’s able to play a diverse range of characters…and did we mention she’s only ten-years-old?! She’ll next be seen starring alongside Charlize Theron in Focus Features’ new dramedy, Tully. Pop Culturalist spoke with Lia about the role, what it was like working with Charlize, and how she balances the demands of being an actress while still enjoying her childhood.

Tully Questions

PC: Tell us about Tully, your character, and what drew you to this project.
Lia: Tully is a comedy about motherhood and how stressful it can be. Tully is actually the name of the night nanny that comes to help the family when Marlo (Charlize Theron), my mom, is super stressed out. I play her oldest child, Sarah, who is an eight-year-old that wishes she had more of her parents’ attention.

PC: How did you prepare to step into Sarah’s shoes?
Lia: One of the main things I had to do was imagine what it would be like to have a brother and a baby sister and having to share my parents with them. I’m an only child so that’s not something I’ve had to deal with.

PC: How is she similar or different to other characters that you’ve played?
Lia: Sarah isn’t like any other characters that I’ve played. I’ve always played characters that were shy or fearful or bullied. Sarah is really smart for her age and she usually isn’t afraid to say what she really thinks.

PC: What was it like working with Charlize Theron and Ron Livingston?
Lia: Working with Charlize Theron was awesome. We had a lot of scenes together so we got to spend quite a bit of time hanging out. I always looked forward to days when her kids were on set and we could all play together between scenes. Ron Livingston was a lot of fun to be around, too. He would joke around and play games with the kids on the set.

PC: How would you describe Sarah’s relationship with her mother and Tully?
Lia: Sarah and her mom really love each other but sometimes Sarah feels a bit frustrated that her brother gets so much of her attention because of what he’s dealing with. After her baby sister is born, Sarah also notices that her mother starts to go through some struggles.

PC: What was your favorite scene to shoot and what was the most challenging?
Lia: My favorite scene had to be the one where I got do a karaoke song with my mom. That one was so much fun! The most challenging scene was probably the one where I had to yell at my brother, Jonah, played by Asher Miles Fallica. I remember thinking, “I don’t want to yell at him, he’s so cute!”

PC: What are you most excited for fans to see and what do you hope they take away from watching the film?
Lia: I’m just excited for people to see it and laugh at the funny parts. It also has kind of a serious message about how hard motherhood can be, so I hope that it helps people to appreciate their moms even more.

Photo Credit: Noah Asanias

Career Questions

PC: When did you first realize you wanted to pursue a career in acting?
Lia: After I took my first acting class, I got really excited about the idea of working in film and TV. Before that, I had really been enjoying musical theatre.

PC: What is your dream role?
Lia: I think it would be really cool to play a villain one day.

PC: How do you balance being a normal kid and also being an actress?
Lia: The main thing is that I have to try and get my homework done right away, so I have time to prepare for an audition if one comes up. My parents have always helped me to organize my time that way, but I think I’m starting to get better at it as I get older.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Lia: The Thundermans

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Lia: Minions

PC: Favorite book?
Lia: El Deafo

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Lia: Wicked

PC: Favorite social media platform?
Lia: Instagram

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Lia: Abba

PC: Last person you texted?
Lia: My mom

PC: Last show you binge-watched?
Lia: Once Upon a Time

PC: Hidden talent?
Lia: Teaching my lovebird to speak different languages!

Make sure to follow Lia on Twitter and Instagram, and catch Tully when it’s released nationwide on May 4th.

Photo Credit: Noah Asanias