Erin Robinson Talks Delilah in Your Friends & Neighbors Season 2

[00:00:08] Erin, thank you for joining me today at Pop Culture Unplugged. Yes, of course. Thank you so much for having me. Congrats on another, first of all, congrats for joining Season 2 of Your Friends and Neighbors. I guess I've already told your people that I've already watched the whole season. I loved it. We're going to stay away from spoilers, but I loved it. Thank you. That's so amazing to hear. I mean, the show's incredible and everyone was so amazing to work with. So I'm glad that all the hard work is being seen and appreciated.

[00:00:36] So how were you approached for the world of Delilah? First, was it somebody you worked with before? They said, hey, we might have a part for you. I want you to audition. How did this happen for you? No, it was just a normal audition. I got the email from my agents. And honestly, the email didn't even say the show name. It was a separate name. I didn't know anything about the project. And I remember I did the audition so last minute. And I submitted it and then I found out I had a call back and I was like, wait, wait, which audition was this?

[00:01:06] And I went back and I did the chemistry read and it happened so fast. It was honestly the best audition process because I didn't have time to stress out about it because it happened so quickly. Was this chemistry read with a certain cast member or was it? Yes. Chemistry read was with Donovan who plays Hunter. Hunter. Okay. That's what I was going to go with. That's awesome. What was the description you were giving for this character? Do you remember? The description was very vague. It was just she was world traveled.

[00:01:35] She was mature for her age and she had a rich father. And that was really all I knew. And I had the audition scene so I could try to make more guesses about the character and play her the way I assumed. But it was really kind of up to me for that first audition in chemistry read. So when you were reading the scripts, did you find it easier like how you wanted to play this character going forward from episode to episode? Yes, totally. Because this character comes across, I feel like kind of as a mean girl, but that's not her at all.

[00:02:04] And she's really guarded. And I knew that. But as I read the scripts, I figured out why. And it was fun to play her because she definitely has some emotional baggage. And I feel like all the auditions I get, I mean, I just want to work. I love any character, but they're all just kind of like mean girls who already have friends. And it's like this established setup. And this girl is new to town. And it's like, why is she mysterious? Why? Why is she acting hurt? Why is she not opening up to people?

[00:02:33] So it was so fun to create that as I read the scripts. Yeah. Just what about, you know, the personality of Delilah when the audience first meets her this season? Like you said, what's been like the fan reaction, friends reaction when they first saw her? I would say the reaction that I've been getting is that Delilah seems pretty confident and like, oh, who's this new girl in town? Which I think is funny because my worries at first were that she was going to come off a little bit like a mean girl because she's guarded.

[00:03:01] And that's not the character at all for how I portrayed her. So I'm glad to see that people are thinking she's friendly as well, because my parents are like, why were you worried? Like, she seems sweet too. And I was like, I don't know. Like, I just didn't see it. And so I'm glad that there's some kindness that people are seeing through her guardedness as she meets people. What do you think like drives her socially? Somebody that wants control, approval or something else, would you say?

[00:03:31] I think she marches at the beat of her own drum. The character, she's been traveling around the world. She came from a boarding school. And I think it's just to prove that she is her own person because her father is such a big personality and I feel like has so much control. I think she wants to show that she's mature and has her own life and doesn't need him to help her fit in anywhere. And she'll make do wherever he drags her. Let's jump right into that family relationship too.

[00:04:00] You know, like, you know, she's part of the Ash family, which, you know, it shakes things up this season too. Like, for you, like, what can you tease about that? And also, do you think she has an idea what her father's involved with from the past? Yes. Because of all the moving around? I definitely think she does. She's a very smart girl. And I think there's a reason why she's not close with her father. I think she has to live with him because she's a 16-year-old girl.

[00:04:29] But the family dynamic is not very warm and fuzzy. And it's definitely like that for a reason. Did you go back and forth with James how you wanted to build that chemistry with you too? Honestly, I would say we didn't get that much time on set to discuss it because, honestly, I feel like our characters try to spend as much time apart as they can. So it was like there wasn't really that much of a connection between the characters. So it wasn't necessary to build.

[00:04:58] But we got very close on set and had a great time filming. But I would say that our characters aren't supposed to be that close with each other in the first place because my character has been living in other countries and not a part of what her father's doing. And I think she very much enjoys that and is not happy to be drug into this new town. So we see Delilah connects with Hunter, Cooper's world too.

[00:05:24] How would you describe that chemistry between them two in that relationship? I would say Delilah's very excited to join that dynamic because I know they still have a lot going on in their family. But I feel like from what she's used to from moving around and the craziness of her father, looking at the Coopers from the outside, they look like a whole family. And I think that's the whole gag of the show is that John is doing all this crazy stuff.

[00:05:54] But from the outside, you know, they just look like a happy family. So I think to Delilah, this was refreshing to see a family dynamic that looks healthy. And just to join a normal life at a normal high school and hang out with a boy and just settle down for a second. Because if she's going to be stuck in this environment, at least she could do something for herself and be happy and not be around her father. I like how the series blends. You know, we have drama, tension, dark humor.

[00:06:23] You know, how would you describe the tone from like from your side? This season, especially the dark comedy is so great this season. Every time I read a script, I would be shocked and I'd be like, oh my gosh, like, is that character okay? What's going on? And then I would like laugh the next few lines. And it's so perfect the way they wrote it. Just reading the scripts, I was like, I feel like the comedy is amped up this season, but also the stakes are amped up. So I'm like, how is that possible?

[00:06:53] But it was, I think the comedy is amazing this season. And I think my father is a great addition to adding that comedy. Were there any scenes for you that challenged you filming this season? I would say the most challenging one was the very last episode because I think that was the most personal weekend with Delilah.

[00:07:19] And seeing how she fully feels about this situation. And so I feel like I felt pressure because I was like, this is my one chance to really show this character. And I wanted people to understand her because I didn't want her to be taken in a bratty way or a mean way. So that last scene, I felt pressure, but I think it ended up working perfectly. And I'm very happy with the outcome. So I can't wait for people to see it. Obviously, no spoilers.

[00:07:47] But how would you describe her journey from episode one all the way to the end? I would say she's just along for the ride. She deals with the punches of this season. And I think she still finds time for herself to make new connections and enjoy her time with Hunter. And she can't really control what happens to her because she's the daughter and the kid in this situation.

[00:08:18] Would you change anything about her, you think, this character, if you could? Honestly, I wouldn't change anything about her personality. I wish some of her circumstances were different in the show. But I think she handles everything very maturely. And I think she does great with the situation that she's given. So if I could put her in some different circumstances, maybe. But no, I think the character is lovely. And I was so happy that I got to bring her to life.

[00:08:47] Would Erin be friends with Delilah? I think Erin and Delilah would be good friends. I think she would put me in my place and hold me accountable. I think she would make me more mature. And also, she would give me amazing fashion sense. Like, my wardrobe was incredible. When I wrapped, my gift to myself was a pair of shoes that I always wore in the show. Because I loved them so much. And that was just the perfect memento for the show.

[00:09:17] Because those were the first shoes I tried on, the first ones I wore in the first episode. And I would hope that she would make me more mature, stand on my ground, and give me an amazing closet. But was there anybody in this season that you didn't have any scenes with that you kind of hoped you worked with? Or, you know, if we see you in the next season, your character might come back. Who would you want to get more scenes with?

[00:09:46] I would say Tori. We didn't have any talking scenes. But there would be some scenes where we're just, like, in the same room. And, you know, we're kind of, like, interacting. But you don't know what we're saying. And I think that would be a cute dynamic for me to be friends with Hunter's older sister. So I think our characters would also be friends, too, if they got the chance to connect on the show. So I think that would be a really cute and fun dynamic to explore for those two characters. What about if you could jump into Cooper's world and start robbing houses with him?

[00:10:17] Actually, that would be amazing. I didn't even think of that. But, you know, Delilah could get into some trouble. She would steal from some closets. I would help. I would help Coop know the best fashion items to see in the show. And then I could help him sell them. And I would keep a few for Delilah. But. Erin, what's next for you now? Any other projects you're allowed to tell us? You're coming up? Are you going to work on? I've had some things I've shot that are going to probably come out in the next year.

[00:10:44] And, of course, as an actor, I'm always auditioning and excited for the future. But nothing I can really speak on right now. And hopefully, you know, maybe return on season three. Right up. No, but I would love to. Erin, I want to thank you for keeping me here. This was great. We'll have to get you back on for future projects and anything else you got down the road. This is lovely. Thank you so much for having me. Thank you.