Exclusive: Josie Totah Talks About The "Saved by the Bell" Reboot and Working Behind the Camera as a Producer
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It might not be Josie Totah's first major role, but it might be her biggest one yet. The Saved by the Bell star is taking her career to the next level as she brings breakout character Lexi to life. If you haven't heard of Josie yet, her performance in the brand new sequel series will certainly make you want to remember her. The comedy actress has been acting for several years, but this is probably her most important piece of work yet. While Josie has been working with some of the biggest comedians in the world, like Mindy Kaling on Champions and Amy Poehler in the upcoming film Moxie, she's now taking her chance to have a seat at the table and share part of her own story through Lexi.
Seventeen got to talk to Josie about her brand new character, how producing allowed her to have a say on the show, and why the show is setting the bar for representation.
17: You're pulling double duty with this series as both a lead actress and producer. How was it getting the chance to do both?
Josie Totah: I mean, getting to have a seat at the table is super cool, especially when it comes to representation. I think just as much as representation is important on screen it is off screen and behind the camera. So getting to serve that role helps not only me playing the role, but also helps us as storytellers tell the most authentic storyline possible. And I think people are really going to receive the benefits of that. We'll see that on screen which I think is such a cool opportunity and I'm so grateful for and so excited for people to see.
17: While some of the character was likely established already, how much imput did you get to have on Lexi's storylines and where the show was going to go?
JT: I think because of the fact that I got to serve as a producer on the show, I never stopped having conversations with Tracy, our showrunner, and our writers. Some of them, I'd actually known from a show that I was on when I was younger which is super fun, because I feel like they really understood me. I didn't have to do much work, but I did have the opportunity to have input. Up until before we even had scripts, we were talking about what we wanted this character to be and how we wanted her to interact with everyone. But I think they did a really, really great job of telling a story that's authentic and that's fun, not just through my character, but through all of our characters. I think people will be able to see themselves on screen, which is something that often people don't get to have and I think it's a really cool opportunity.
17: One of the fun parts of this series is getting to work with the original cast members. Was there a special moment with them that kind of hit for you?
JT: When it was day one and getting to see Max from The Max, that was such a cool thing and so fun. He shared with us so many stories of his childhood and being on the show, which is really cool, because as a person who started off as a child actress — I mean, I still consider myself a child. I feel like I'm like a premature adult at this point in my life — I can only imagine how fun it would be to go back and play that role again. However, I don't think I would want to do that ever.
17: What do you hope fans, new and old, take away from watching this brand new series?
JT: First and foremost, I hope that all the little girls and boys and kids out there get to, for the first time, see themselves on screen. The representation that we are bringing is unlike any other show I have seen. Of course, [not only] with my experience [being a trans actress], but also with Alycia Pascual-Peña being an afro Latina actress, Haskiri [Velazquez] being Dominican, Dexter [Darden] being a young Black man. We are really getting, for the first time, an opportunity to show people that you are not alone, that you are reflected on screen, and that there are people that look like you that have similar experiences to you. I think if we can accomplish that, I'm happy. But also I just want people have a good time and laugh and enjoy it because our show is such a funny, funny show. Although it's smart and it has these important conversations, at the end of the day, it is a comedy and it's a well done comedy at that.
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