Jessica Blair Herman Talks Heather, Cassie & Euphoria Season 3 Drama

[00:00:08] Jessica Blair Herman, thank you for joining me today on Pop Culture Unplugged. Hi, thank you so much for having me. Exciting times. Congrats on Euphoria Season 3. How's your life been with all this so far? Thank you so much. It's been great. You know, I feel really lucky. Any opportunity I get to be on a soundstage or on a set, I feel incredibly grateful. But this was one of those special moments definitely as an actor that, you know, I really can't thank Sam enough.

[00:00:37] What's your experience been like, you know, joining a show like this? Because the fan base, I feel like it's in another level for this series, too. Yeah, we were just talking about that. I mean, I feel like the fan base and their impassioned feelings, their opinions, their dialogue, their inspiration from the hair, the makeup department.

[00:00:58] I mean, everything from the cinematography, the music, everyone has something to say. And I think what's so nice is that it almost is its own like beast behind the show. Like you can't really control it, but they feel emboldened by it in a great way. So I really feel like Sam's done what any brilliant filmmaker does is it creates a conversation.

[00:01:25] I want to jump into this series in a few minutes, too, but I was doing some research on everything. You've been in some sitcoms that I enjoyed throughout your career, like How I Met Your Mother, you know, Modern Family, New Girl. Like these are shows that I was sad when they were, you know, eventually they ended everything. But like looking back now, do you feel like those, you know, the comedy experience of those helped you shape as a performer you are now?

[00:01:47] I think it has definitely. It's definitely helped me with timing and always, you know, like Sydney and Jacob are and Zendaya being a professional, you know, coming to work, doing your homework and being able to do exactly what you're given ahead of time.

[00:02:04] But then also going on set and being able to play. And that's I mean, the best part about comedy is really the playfulness that you get and doing things, you know, Sam gets very inspired in the moment, sometimes by his own characters and the world around him and the space that he's created. So I think for me as an actor, having that, you know, groundlings behind me and stuff like that, where I can come in and be in the moment, but also be spontaneous was certainly really helpful.

[00:02:35] You mentioned grounding. Does this make it easier for you? Like where you're jumping into sets like this sitcom world or even like euphoria world? Yeah, I think it's always helpful, no matter what, it's like a blend of all your techniques. You know, HBO has this caliber of actors that it really brings in and you want to be the best that you could possibly be, you know, and saying your lines over and over again without them sounding rehearsed, you know, really being grounded and present.

[00:03:02] And with improv and comedy and stuff like that, that is the essence of it when it's lightning in a bottle and it works. Now for the show, were you a fan of the show before you got on set? Of course. Yeah, I was a fan. You know, I have kids, so I wasn't necessarily. Luckily, they're little, but I we have two little girls. So definitely part of it, I was like, oh, my God, oh, my God, what's our future going to be like?

[00:03:31] But I was I was a fan of it because I think it always questions your morals and values as a human being. This is one of those shows, too. I have two young to see. You can't watch this show around your kids. Right now. So when you first got the role of Heather, like, do you remember like the description of this character before you jumped on set? Yeah, we had a really nice conversation about Heather and the life that she lived in this community and how I was part of a suburban neighborhood.

[00:04:00] And for me, I tried to pull from like, you know, all the inspiration that you can get from a suburban housewife, I want to believe, and someone that like drinks their lunch, you know, and someone that has opinions about other people coming into their neighborhood.

[00:04:19] And also, you know, there was a great dialogue about the economics and where they came from and how as human beings, what we're driven by, you know, when we're full of when you meet a neighbor, you know, what do you talk about? What are your levels of relationships with your neighbors? What happens behind closed doors? Do you really know what happens behind closed doors? And I think she's Heather for me as a person that really admires what Nate and Cassie have come in.

[00:04:49] Not only are they beautiful human beings, but like they have a wealth and they're exuding this sort of wealth and that are that Fred and I could make more money. And I think that's a really interesting commentary on the struggles, especially in America, where if you're able to make more money, like when is it ever enough? Right.

[00:05:12] And that kind of that narcissism that comes with like, oh, if someone tells me I can make more money, am I going to play the game or is it too risky? And that to me was a really interesting character trait, especially with kids and them investing their kids college funds, because that could mean that they would make more money. And when is enough? You mentioned Sam earlier. Did you have a lot of freedom how you wanted to play this character? Did you go back and forth with him?

[00:05:39] We had a really collaborative dialogue back and forth. I think, you know, I really trust him as a director and a writer and a showrunner and all the titles that he he brilliantly portrays. And he actually is like he actually is extraordinary. And to see how his mind works is such an inspiration.

[00:06:01] So I think, you know, we we have a wonderful relationship on set, but also he innately trusts his actors. And that's such a beautiful set to walk into to be like, I know, you know, that you're here and you can do and we can figure it out together. And that's really nice. It's a collaboration, especially between the cast and crew. Do you view Heather as somebody trying to protect Cassie or somebody like slowly getting pulled into the drama?

[00:06:30] Kind of. I mean, I think because I'm a mom, I probably had like a little sprinkle of that in me trying to protect her. And that judgment on only fans and porn and stuff like that. And I think especially, like I said, like I have two little girls, so I'm sure there was a bit of that in my eyes. But Cassie is a really vulnerable character. And she Sidney plays it so beautiful with like her just eyes.

[00:06:58] And she's just like an open soul of anything that comes her way. And I really love watching her work. So I think for Heather, yeah, it's a bit of protection, but also curiosity. You know, what kind of person jumps into that world? You know, we get to investigate as actors, you know, dive into what drives a person. And that I think is a curiosity that Heather has for sure.

[00:07:27] A lot of fans are talking about the wedding episode. And, you know, with the they were going a little bit crazy over like, what was it for you? Like filming some of those scenes of being part of the bridal party? Oh, I mean, always being a part of the bridal party. There's always drama. So whether it's in euphoria or in real life, I feel like you're always hit with something. It was really fun to film. I mean, it was extravagant and really cool and beautiful.

[00:07:54] And, you know, we just had a great time. And to be honest, there's so much. I mean, even watching Alana work and, you know, all the characters, I think, got to have their own moment. You know, they were all together. And maybe that's why everyone loved that episode. So it was because all their favorite characters for the fan base, especially they're all in this episode together. And a wedding is always like the pinnacle of someone's life.

[00:08:24] And for it to come like crashing down, I think is really interesting. Yeah. Euphoria, you know, it gets really dark and emotional heavy at times. For you as an actor, how did you jump into those different type of scenes throughout the series? Hmm. I think that it being emotional is just kind of being open. Since I had kids, it's a lot easier to access.

[00:08:50] I would say when I did like American Crime Story, The People vs. OJ, it wasn't as easy. I didn't have kids then. And so there was a lot of like forcing. For me, having kids really opened up my heart in a way that I can access that emotion easily. But for Heather, I think the anger in the wedding episode towards Cassie, I could really just pull from like if I didn't have.

[00:09:16] If if I was scammed like that and I couldn't support my children in a way that I had planned for, you know, and I believe my character is probably a bit type A as well and a perfectionist and kind of controlling. You know, she certainly has that dynamic with her husband. So I can only imagine in their household and behind closed doors. There's a bit of that as well.

[00:09:41] So I think the emotion really came from like a plan not going the way that I foresaw it. And for me, I do kind of operate that as a way as a human being as well. I love a plan. And so I think that disappointment was easy to access. No spoilers, but how would you like describe her her arc this season? For Heather? Yeah. You know, I think her arc is real. It's it's being a part.

[00:10:10] I was just talking about this the other day that I think the intention of having Heather and Fred in Cassie and Nate's life is kind of a marker for Cassie and Nate. And then those characters from high school to their adult world. So I think it's a really nice way for Sam to sort of be like, well, these are new people that are in their life. So it shows the period of time that was in between high school and adult.

[00:10:37] So I think for Heather, the arc is basically the becoming really close friends. That's, you know, sort of like social media, like everything looks so glamorous and perfect. It's it's really unhappiness masked as happiness. And so I think that's sort of her arc is like she sees this. It's like a wave, like she sees something so beautiful. And then it just comes crashing down because she's a part of Cassie's journey.

[00:11:07] Do you think there's room for Heather to return beyond the season if the show continues? I mean, what a joy that would be. I think there's I think, you know, just like in everything, like people evolve and change all the time. And what's again, what I really feel about Heather's character, especially in relationship to Cassie's is it's that. A friendship and relationship that can evolve. And that's it's always nice. And I love the job.

[00:11:37] Would Jessica be friends with Heather? Oh, gosh. Um, I think I would like I think I would be friends with Heather because I think there's something intriguing about her as well. But I feel that way. You know, one of my daughters is in preschool, like there are moms that you're friends with sort of like at a distance. So I feel like it's that sort of friendship.

[00:12:02] It's not a friendship that I would say these beautiful characters have had since high school. But it's a friendship that you have in your adult world. And that I think is fascinating. Like, who do you become friends with in your adult world? Is it because their morals and values and faith and religion line up with yours? Or is it just because, you know, your kids are at the same school? And that like, how do you decide? So what's next for you now? Any other projects you're allowed to tell us about?

[00:12:32] You know, I worked on another sitcom, which was really fun. I don't know if I'm allowed to say it or not. So I'm not going to because I don't want to get. But, you know, another sitcom, which was great fun. And hopefully, I mean, I would just to be in the HBO world is really a dream as an actor. There's been some good shows at the NHL. Right? I mean, they really, the freedom, you know, to be creative for HBO is really a beautiful thing.

[00:13:01] And there's always something around the corner. Like, I think as actors, we always kind of get nervous of like, where's the next job? Where's the next job? There's always an artist around the corner that's making something. You know, we're watching a few other shows that you kind of go, oh my gosh, like who came up with this? It's so brilliant. And so you never know what's next. And that's, I think it's exciting as much as it's nerve wracking. Last question. What is one thing in pop culture right now that you're obsessed with?

[00:13:32] Or it could be anything, TV show, movie, anything. That I'm obsessed with. Well, I was very fascinated with that Netflix documentary Crash. Okay. Which sort of falls into the same world as like the social media narcissism that we touch on a little bit. That theme is really interesting to me because I think there was a police officer talking or a detective.

[00:13:59] And he was saying like, in this world now, like their job isn't that hard because everything's like you're recording yourself all the time. So I'm kind of fat. That was fascinating and very sad. But I, you know, I was, I'm interested. I just don't know how much social media, like, have we had enough? I don't know. I don't know. To finish this off, I just read an article today. A lot of teenagers are staying away from smartphones lately and going to flip phones.

[00:14:30] That's great. I just read it like about an hour ago. I was reading this article. I love, and someone at our, at our school was like, you know, there's this like tin can thing. I mean, we have landlines at our house and I'm like teaching kids to dial, but I'm like, you have to dial quickly or else like the operator comes in. They're like, who is that? Jessica, I want to thank you for giving me a few minutes today. This was great. We'll have to get you back on. Hopefully we'll see another season down the road too. Thank you so much. Thank you for having me. It was nice to meet you. You too.