IN CONVERSATION WITH APARNA BRIELLE
interview by JANA LETONJA
Aparna Brielle returned for the season two of her hit Netflix comedy series ‘Fubar’, which premiered on 12th June. After Season 1’s premier in 2023 to critical praise, fans highly anticipated its return.
Photographer: Dylan Snyder
Now that the second season of ‘Fubar’ is out, what was your favorite storyline of this season?
I might be biased, but my favorite storyline of this season was the uncovering of Tina's true identity and the resulting fallout. As an actress, that was really interesting to navigate. The reveal gave me and my castmates a lot of new things to play with.
How has Tina evolved since Season 1, and what was most exciting for you in playing her again?
Tina's secret is out, she's a Russian asset, and it makes you question her every move from the moment we first saw her. It was really exciting getting to show glimpses of her spy craft, from hand-to-hand combat to the subtle game of manipulation. We're starting to realize that there's a lot more to this woman, and it sure explains a lot. In the first season, we saw Tina effortlessly slip into disguise as an upper crust French woman in a very deadly poker game, and this season, we get a bit more insight into her backstory. What makes her arc so interesting this time around is that her cover really only gets blown when she tries to do right by Barry and the CIA team. It really makes you wonder where her heart truly lies, doesn't it?
What has been your favorite part of working on ‘Fubar’ so far, both personally or professionally?
Getting to play in the world of espionage is a dream for every actor. We get to slip into disguises, we get to do stunts, we get to speak other languages. ‘Fubar’ has been great for all of that, but it also is a ridiculously fun set. After all, it is an action-comedy, and at its core, it really shines because of its focus on the relationships between all the characters. We all got so close over the course of filming both seasons, and you can see that in the way the dynamics play out on screen. It's been an incredible experience.
How has the response from fans so far measured up from the hype first season created?
For me, fans have definitely been feeling betrayed. It's understandable, because they've grown to love Tina and Barry as a couple, and just like the CIA team came to embrace Tina, so did they. So, Tina's actions gave everyone quite a bit of heartbreak. Of course, in this world, nothing is ever truly as it seems. People seem to really be invested in where Tina's journey will go after this season, with the reveal that she might well have been double crossing the Russians to protect Barry, Luke, Emma, and the rest of the gang. With season two ending on this explosive note, of course they're gonna be on the edges of their seats.
A day before the premiere, you all also had a premiere event in LA. What was the inspiration behind your look at the premiere, and how did you choose the “perfect” look?
The inspiration behind my look at the ‘Fubar’ season two premiere was the slinky, sexy glamour of the late 60s and early 70s. In season one, we learned Tina really loved that era of film, and I wanted to make sure there was a connection with her in my premiere look. There was a slight nod to ‘James Bond: Goldfinger’ with the look, which I could not have put together without the help of my incredible stylist, Benjamin Holtrop. He pulled this amazing dress from Retrofete, and as soon as I tried it on, I just knew that it was the one. Amy Chin, who did my hair and makeup for the premiere, really managed to pull together a bombshell look that felt both classic and modern, and I couldn't have been happier with the final result. It was a great way to evoke that classic spy glamour.
Photographer: Dylan Snyder
What role does fashion play in your life?
Fashion is all about self-expression, so it's something that I do put a lot of care and consideration into. It's such a fun way to share who you are in that moment, and it does evolve with you. I don't wear the same things I did 10 years ago, but certainly, every era of my fashion has led to the next. I collect a lot of vintage clothing and enjoy experimenting with mixing and matching pieces from different eras to create looks that are truly unique to me, and I like to think that even my simplest of looks have something to say.
How would you describe your personal style?
I’d say my personal style is "old-school cool" meets "elevated modern classic." That's kind of a fancy way of saying that my current personal style has bold attributes, but still feels clean and elevated. Of course, I do like to pull out some funky pieces from time to time, just to shake things up.
What are you currently most passionate about outside of acting?
I’m extremely passionate about mental health awareness. I think we're so lucky to be in an era where people all over the world can communicate about not only their struggles, but also their joys, their modes of self-care, the things that make them feel supported. Life is full of peaks and valleys, and knowing that you don't have to navigate it alone is key to overcoming any difficulty we face. I practice daily meditation, I have an incredible support system, and I have my own little routines and rituals that I've developed through my own hardships. It's really important to me to keep the conversation going, because that's how we get rid of stigmas around mental health. Normalizing these issues is what gives people the strength to overcome, and that's something I care deeply about.
Tell us one thing about you that fans might be the most surprised to learn about you.
I really enjoy DIY home improvement. I've got my own collection of power tools, I've worked and built furniture that was a lot cuter than what was on the market for my cat, Oscar, and I genuinely enjoy transforming a basic space into something that somehow feels both glamorous and cozy. I'll never forget the day I got my first drill and jigsaw. It completely changed the game for me. I do have a lot of interests, and I enjoy exploring them all in my free time. This is just one of the things I do that people might not expect, and it's so fun to share whenever I get the chance.
What can you share with us about your upcoming projects, after ‘Fubar’ is out?
Right now, I am in the thick of promoting season 2 of the show, and have a few irons in the fire I can’t talk about quite yet. I am excited for my next role though, and can’t wait to talk about it more.
