IN CONVERSATION WITH GIORGIA WHIGHAM
interview by JANA LETONJA
Giorgia Whigham is stepping into her moment. Best known for scene-stealing roles in hit series such as 13 Reasons Why, Shameless, and Scream, she has found a breakout role as Blaire in Peacock’s Original series TED. As TED returns for its second season on 5th March, Blaire’s arc deepens in unexpected ways, cementing Whigham as one of the show’s most compelling presences.
TED has such a distinct tone—bold, irreverent, but surprisingly heartfelt. What initially drew you to the role of Blaire?
I was really drawn to the show and franchise as a whole for that exact reason. In the movies, TED did such an amazing job with how specific and pointed each character is and it created such a well carved out world that was so relatable and entertaining. It really made its mark in the zeitgeist of comedy. What drew me to Blaire was how she is a grounding rock in the chaos. I really saw her as the teacher of the show. Underneath all the arguments or frustration was the love she has for her family. A love so deep that she just wanted to see them choose their right path to be the best versions of themselves possible. Underneath her opinionated, and at times argumentative nature, it truly isn’t about “being right” for Blaire. She’s trying to aid in each family member’s growth, whether that be Susan finding her voice, Matty finding compassion, or Ted and John making smart-ish choices in the mess of adolescence.
Blaire really comes into her own in Season 2. How did you approach expanding her emotional arc?
I was really excited for the audience to see Blaire handle some emotional topics. It was important to me to remember the tone of TED as a whole and not go too dark, but in that comedic/chaotic world find true moments of seriousness and let those deeper feelings come to light organically with what she’s dealing with.
What can audiences expect to learn about Blaire this season that they didn’t see before?
They will get to see Blaire handle some more serious situations, and they will get to see how she copes under stress. There’s an inherent responsible and parental aspect to Blaire’s personality that the audience will continue to get to see, but with her self-imposed responsibility to try keeping the crazy train on the tracks, we see a bit of her unraveling. Blaire is the last person to ask for help, and I think in this season there are moments where she lets down her armor in that sense as well.
Comedy requires a very specific rhythm. How did you find your timing within TED’s fast-paced humor?
I had a severe case of imposter syndrome at first, especially being around our extremely quick-witted, hilarious cast. Thankfully we had a lot of rehearsals, especially for the long scenes with every family member present. Rehearsals were super helpful in finding our flow, and we had Seth there who always guided us in the right direction. After a while, it almost becomes second nature speaking in the rhythm it requires. Once you master that, there is room to play.
You’ve played a wide range of characters, from 13 Reasons Why to Shameless. How did those experiences prepare you for this role?
My first few gigs, I spent truly just trying to soak everything in and retain all the possible information I could. I remember Shameless was my first role ever, so I was truly learning how to navigate a set from start to finish for the first time. I had never even seen a call sheet before, and I was so scared to mess up while de-coding what everything meant. Slowly but surely, I started to feel more and more like I belonged on any set I was lucky enough to join. I’d say since those roles are smaller but were so early on, they helped build the foundation of how I handle myself on a set now.
How do you balance grounding a character emotionally in a world that’s inherently Absurd?
I think the reason the absurdity works is because you have to work against the inherent comedy and absurdity. Keeping Blaire grounded is key in making the world the Bennet family lives in watchable and entertaining. We as viewers are interested in watching opposing energies because it can provide conflict or moments that take us by surprise. Keeping her grounded really comes down to continuously asking myself, “In this chaotic world, why does she stay?” And the answer is simply rooted in the love that she has for her family.
With the show gaining momentum, how are you experiencing the shift in visibility?
To be honest, nothing in my life has changed yet really. On a rare occasion someone will come up and express their love for the show, which I love, but my day-to-day life is the same as it’s been. My daily life and the people in my life make me the happiest I’ve ever been so I’m grateful to be exactly where I’m at.
Fashion and beauty often go hand in hand with editorial storytelling. How do you like to express yourself stylistically off-screen?
Funnily enoug,h I just gutted my entire closet, so I am starting fresh. As of right now though, it’s a lot of baggy jeans and tank tops, and I love being in Los Angeles where I can wear my flip-flops year-round. I’m definitely drawn to messy-chic, and a lot of times I think my hair is the outfit. Any 2000s Olsen twins paparazzi photos had a huge impact on me, so I just look to them for guidance.
What kind of roles are you hoping to explore next that might surprise audiences?
I’d love to find my way into some more dramatic roles. I have always been drawn to dark material, which I think after such a comedic show like TED could surprise people. I’m always looking to have a variety of different experiences in my career if I’m lucky, developing characters, exploring other genres. But really, I am always hoping to explore any character that has a place in a very specific, well-crafted world.
What is coming up next for you? Anything exciting you can share with us about your
upcoming projects?
I got to work on a super cool independent film that hasn’t been released yet that I’m excited for people to get to see. For the past few years, I’ve been dipping my toe into the producing world which is exciting. I’m currently in pre-production with a short film my brother wrote and is directing, and then a feature that a good friend of mine wrote, which we are hoping to get off the ground this summer. My goal is to produce and act in a book to screen adaptation. I am always reading and on the hunt for original stories that speak to me that I think would make a great film or TV series.
TEAM CREDITS
talent GIORGIA WHIGHAM
photography SELA SHILONI
makeup ADAM BRUECHAUD
hair VINCENT PELLETIER
interview and editorial director JANA LETONJA
editor TIMOTEJ LETONJA
