I got the incredible opportunity to speak with the wildly talented Rachel Stubington last year. This woman is a complete powerhouse and it has been awesome to watch all of her projects. And I can’t wait to watch all of the projects she continues to be a part of in the future! She was extremely kind and wonderful and I was hopeful that we would be able to keep in touch. Well, that hope has become a reality. I am beyond excited that I got to speak with Rachel again about her latest projects. And what she has coming on the horizon! So keep reading for my interview with Rachel Stubington!
Cape & Castle: You’re killing it! You’re doing so well and we love to see it. I had no idea that you were going to be on Doctor Odyssey!
Rachel: Thank you very much that really does mean a lot! And what’s funny is neither did I. Because originally I thought I was supposed to start the episode. So the entire time, I was like oh maybe I’m not in it or they cut it. And I had friends come over to watch the premiere and the whole time I was like oh maybe they just moved it. And they did, so it was okay!
CC: How cool was it? You got to work with some pretty incredible people!
Rachel: That was so amazing. I’ve tried to hide it a little in my later years. But I’m the biggest theater kid. So knowing I was going to work with Phillipa Soo, I was so excited! And she was everything I thought she would be and more. She was so nice.
CC: And Joshua Jackson! I don’t know about you, but I was a Pacey girl for sure! And love seeing him in all his adult glory!
Rachel: So that was something I never saw. But I have never heard more jealousy in me getting to meet someone than when I met Joshua Jackson. I did watch Fringe though! So I was 8 or 9 when it came out and I would stay up late and watch it. After the audition I was driving home and there was a store called Fringe. I was like oh my god it’s a sign.
Cape & Castle: So I have to ask you, were you actually on a ship when you filmed Doctor Odyssey? Was it an indoor studio with CGI? Like, what was the sitch there?
Rachel: Okay, so there’s a very layered answer to this, which is all of the above. So, there is an actual boat. There’s a real life boat that goes in the water and one on land. I don’t know if it’s the same one. But we shot on land, and then it cut to something in the water. I wasn’t ever near water. It’s Ryan Murphy, so they have so many things. It’s such a cool production to see.
CC: How cool was it to work with Ryan Murphy?
Rachel: I’m a Gleek at heart. Me and both of my roommates, actually, when we were like 13, were in a little Glee cover group. And so I love it. So to be part of the Ryan Murphy verse in any capacity is like everything I could have dreamed it to be. And I think the show just reflects a Ryan Murphy aesthetic in so many ways.
CC: I feel like when you kind of get into that Ryan Murphy verse of things, I feel like sometimes he tends to keep people around.
Rachel: Oh, God, I hope! I keep getting that idea popping in the back of my head and I’m like quiet. But I really love American Horror Story. I like that it scared the shit out of me in high school and ever since I’ve just loved it. It’s just kind of how he does a show. You just can’t help yourself!
Cape & Castle: How did you end up getting the Doctor Odyssey gig?
Rachel: So that was a self tape, which you is so great. I mean, there’s a lot of ups and downs with how it’s changed since COVID. But I think a self tape, especially for something like this, where he falls off the boat and then to go straight into a crying scene, there’s so many different emotions to navigate. So a self tape is great because you can kind of tailor where it starts. And you can take your moment to breathe in between.
CC: Was that just a really cool experience to have in general?
Rachel: Oh yeah. I mean, you know, to get to do something so different and like aesthetically different too. You’re on this big boat and the costumes are amazing. And also the scream queen in me has always wanted to get a scream in somewhere. So I would practice with my mom and my neighbors definitely thought I was getting murdered at the time. I’m glad I could get one in there.
CC: And you have something else that’s coming soon!
Rachel: Yes! I have the premiere for Shrinking season two. Which I am so nervous for. I feel like I’m going to prom. And the season starts on October 16th on AppleTV+. They are doing weekly episodes, which I think is great. And I’m actually in nine of the episodes. Well, as long as nothing gets cut out!
Cape & Castle: It has to feel so amazing to be early in your career and hanging out with Jason Siegel and Harrison Ford!
Rachel: For the table read of season two of Shrinking, I went and you’re at a table read with Harrison Ford and Jason Siegel and you’re like, I have made it. I am the biggest actor in the world. And I left there with such an air of confidence. Then, I drove from there to an iHOP commercial where I was auditioning for like party girl number three. And it really reminded me how this business is so up and down and you need to find that confidence in yourself at many, many times.
CC: Is Summer gonna be an even bigger role this season than the first?
Rachel: Yeah! Summer has her own little character arc and you learn more about her. It’s cool doing TV because, you know, with film, you get a script and you know who your character is. But with TV, you’ll find out a little piece of information and it’ll be like, oh, I didn’t know my character had a dog. I would have acted differently if I knew. But then I learned so much more about Summer and even the costumes you can see this new style fleshed out. I mean, she was great in season one too, but I feel like I got to learn more and it was the coolest thing ever. But yeah, I feel like this season you get to see her at a different level.
CC: As you learn more about her, do you feel like there’s different ways you incorporate those things into the character each time?
Rachel: Oh, a hundred percent. I literally have this notebook where every time I get a new piece of information, I try to figure out how to make it fit into the story of what I already knew about Summer. And how I could make these emotions I try to feel when I play Summer fit with this new piece of information. You learn a lot more about her home life. And you get to see her friendship with Alice on a much deeper level. I think getting closer with Lukita in general really fleshed out this friendship in the show as well. And it’s really cool to go through as an actor.
Cape & Castle: I’m actually an outpatient therapist and what you see in Shrinking, some of it is so accurate. And some is wildly unethical, so we don’t do those parts! But so much of it has a very authentic feel.
Rachel: That’s so amazing to hear! And that’s what I love so much about this show. It does such a good job of balancing heavy topics while at the same time, the banter and the family is so heartwarming and funny that it kind of teaches you that in life there’s these really dark moments. And the only thing that can bring you up is finding a way to laugh and finding your family. I think that’s such a cool message. Especially in a comedy.
CC: Is there any other stuff that you’re looking into or any other projects on the table?
Rachel: Yeah! I’ve gotten into producing and writing a little bit. I just produced my first short film. So I literally didn’t sleep for four weeks. But it was the most fun and fulfilling thing ever! Hopefully it will be out next June. It’s based off acting and our bad experiences with doing student films. We tried to make it kind of meta where we’re directors who aren’t really very nice to our cast and crew.
CC: That sounds so good! How was filming?
Rachel: So I really tried as hard as possible to make it the best environment. Then while we were filming I could be mean but in reality the environment was really nice. So you see me say something really nasty. And then right after I go oh my god, I’m so sorry. I just want you know that was in character! And they were all really awesome about it.
Cape & Castle: It was a little over a year ago the last time we talked, and I’ve got to tell you, it’s been so amazing to get to watch you in these different projects and watch as you grow and continue to be so incredible. So I can only imagine what kind of a journey it’s been for you to experience it.
Rachel: That’s so nice! Yeah, it goes through waves you know? Especially because of the strike. I feel like last year, I was saying I know who I am. And then I had a year where I was like, oh, I gotta figure it out. Back into beast mode, as they say. But that really means a lot, thank you.
CC: I can only imagine what it looked like and felt like being affected by the strike and being on the inside of that.
Rachel: I have in my head that there’s this clock that’s ticking and that a career can only last so long. But I think something I’ve learned through working more is there’s such a longevity you can have in your career. Just by being passionate and if you want to make it work, you’ll figure out a way to make it work. So I think learning to breathe and realizing not everything needs to happen exactly when you thought it was going to happen is okay. And at the end of the day, I think because so much of my childhood was like, if I’m not an actress, I’m nothing, you know? Last year during the strike, I had to figure out what my life looks like without acting. And it’s cool to find other passions and paths that maybe one day I could venture into.
CC: What kind of paths have you explored?
Rachel: So, I actually worked as a teacher last year with toddlers at a preschool. And it was like the most rewarding experience of my life. It made me want to have kids immediately and also not for another ten years. It was great.
Cape & Castle: If you could have a dream project, any project that you were asked to be a part of, what would it be or what kind of role would it be?
Rachel: That’s such a good question. I think playing an iconic redhead, like if Kim Possible didn’t already happen, it would have been Kim Possible. But I’ve been watching the live action Scooby-Doo movies lately. And if they ever made another one and needed a Daphne, I’d be right there!
What did you think of our interview with Rachel Stubington? Are you excited to see what projects she is part of in the future? Find and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, X, and Threads to talk all things Rachel Stubington! And be sure to check out our site for more interviews, articles, quizzes, podcasts, and more on all things Disney and beyond!
