To Juilliard or NOT to Juilliard? Whether it’s the famed NYC institution or other performing arts programs, up-and-coming actors can face a hard choice: Is the price and time spent pursuing an education better used by just getting out there and learning from working actors?
With roles on acclaimed series like “Succession” and “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” Justine Lupe is talented and lucky enough to have gotten the benefits of both options.
“A lot of my work has been kind of like the fly on the wall, the person observing the family,” she says. “So there have been so many circumstances where I’m watching these incredible actors, and I’ve gotten the treat of experiencing them giving these grand-slam performances.”
On Erin Foster’s Netflix hit “Nobody Wants This,” Lupe isn’t anywhere near the sidelines. Her character, Morgan, is sister, best friend, and podcast co-host to Kristen Bell’s Joanne—and this season she’s adapting to their tight-knit bond changing now that Joanne is dating her “hot rabbi” boyfriend, Noah (Adam Brody).
Here, the actor talks about returning for the series’ second season (out Oct. 23), being part of the Emmy-nominated cast, and what she took away from her time at school.
What were you most excited to explore with Morgan on Season 2?
I’d been told that the storyline coming up was exciting, and that there was going to be a bit more fleshed-out dimension to her. So I was excited for these new scenarios that she hadn’t been through yet. And I love the cast so much, so I was just excited to get back with them and shoot in L.A., especially after the wildfires.
What do you think drives your character?
There’s an intense level of protectiveness that Morgan has with her sister. Then there’s her ego, her Achilles’ heel, tied to her own past and her feelings about what she has to offer.
The thing that drives her the most is this codependent, enmeshed relationship that she has with Joanne, and this heartbreak that she’s having in losing her sister to a relationship and not knowing how to deal with that in an emotionally evolved way. Morgan just doesn’t have the emotional intelligence or the tools to deal with it in a way that’s not completely irrational and immature. It gives a lot of room to play—she’s an extreme person, so it’s really fun.
“Nobody Wants This” Credit: Hopper Stone/Netflix
How has the cast dynamic changed coming back for another season?
It’s just that thing of naturally becoming closer with everyone. We’re pretty communicative even when we’re not shooting, and we went through the whole circuit of events between seasons and got to know each other more personally. And then that familiarity also comes with more freedom to go a little bit more out on a limb in moments, or to relax a little bit deeper.
What attracts you to a project or a character?
Good writing, first and foremost. I like when it feels like strong writing with a strong point of view. I love reading things that I can feel so clearly what the writer is doing in the world that they’re creating. There’s something kind of ephemeral, I don’t really know how to describe it, where I just see and hear it very clearly. It feels like there’s a light that turns on where I feel plugged in enough that I could approach it confidently. I don’t really know what it is that gets me synced up in that way with specific characters; I just know when it happens. It’s like, “Oh, OK, yeah, I know how to do this.”
You’ve been part of all these really smart, character-dense shows. How have you grown as an actor through those experiences?
A million ways: set etiquette, how to show up the most prepared, and then let it go and just have fun. Watching Rachel Brosnahan, Sarah Snook, and Kristen Bell, these women that know how to be No. 1 on a call sheet, and seeing how hard they work and how kind they are to everyone.
The other thing I’ll say is just watching people really go for it, seeing that you can go pretty far out and it can still be grounded and believable—and also that the most understated, quiet performances can be really impactful, too.
There are some new faces this season, including Leighton Meester and your “Succession” costar Arian Moayed. What was it like having them in the fold?
Leighton is awesome. She’s so fun, so goofy, so beautiful, an amazing actress, and a good vibe. It was great to have her around, and it was sweet to see [her and husband Adam Brody] enjoying each other. Seeing their dynamic on set and the way that they treat each other was really heartwarming. And Arian is just the best. I was so excited to have an old friend around. All through “Succession,” we didn’t really act together, but we both had to go on these grand trips for the show, so we spent a lot of time together extracurricularly. He’s such a solid dude and an amazing scene partner. So I felt really lucky that we got him to come and be on the show.
I’d love to hear about your experience at Juilliard and how you’ve brought what you learned there into your career.
I loved Juilliard. There’s nothing else like it, putting that amount of commitment into your craft. Not to say that it was without its hardships, but there’s something to putting yourself through that amount of hours. It really lent itself to me feeling more confident. I can’t even imagine if I had come into this industry without any kind of education. People do it well all the time, but I think it just gave me some sense of security, knowing that I had pushed myself in that many ways.
What would you tell young actors who are looking to get into the business?
I would say you’re the only you out there, and to really know yourself. Lean into what you’ve got going on and your natural essence; you can play around with all different kinds of characters within that, but just value what you bring to the table. There’s no other you out there, so just have faith in that.
Also, to just be kind—people want to work with kind people. People hold on to the memory of being around you and how it made them feel as an actor. Did they feel safe around you? Did they feel free around you? Did they feel like they could play? That’s so important. Honestly, I would say I value being kind more than I value being a great actor. So I’d say lead with kindness, hard work, and doing the best you can.
This interview has been edited for clarity and length.
This story originally appeared in the October 20 issue of Backstage Magazine.