Interview: Meghann Fahy Previews The Bold Type on Freeform – Exclusive

Pop City Life recently caught up with Meghann Fahy (One Life To Live) to chat about the new Freeform series The Bold Type. We discussed what’s ahead for her character Sutton, Sutton’s relationship with Richard, and more! Read on for our full interview with Meghann Fahy.

Can you talk a little about the role of Sutton and what initially attracted you to it?

Meghann Fahy: Sutton is a sensitive, hardworking girl who is starting as an assistant. What attracted me to that character initially was the relationship she has with Richard in the pilot. I thought it was really cool. It could have easily been a cliche with the young girl dating the older guy, and they didn’t do that. I thought that was really refreshing. It wasn’t playing into the stereotypical relationship that I’ve seen portrayed so many other ways.

In the past, Freeform’s programming has been geared more towards a younger audience, and The Bold Type seems like a perfect fit for the new Freeform brand and demographic. Were you excited to tackle a project that is maybe a bit more mature than what viewers are used to seeing on the network?

Absolutely. I think what we’re seeing in TV right now is a lot of that – so many networks that are switching the game up and putting out new and exciting content. I’m thrilled to be a part of that for Freeform, which is honestly a network I’ve been watching my entire life. I grew up watching ABC Family. I’m pumped! I’m loving growing up with the network and relating to their programming. It’s amazing to see a network evolve like Freeform has. It’s exciting being a part of what they’re trying to do.

You spent some time on One Life To Live before The Bold Type. How has it been to go from a soap opera format to a cable television show?

[One Life To Live] was one of the first jobs I had when I moved to the city a long time ago. I was originally only going to be in one or two episodes, and then they kept me for a year and a half! I loved it. It was such good training, too. I think I can memorize things really quickly … because of the time I spent on the soap opera. It’s such a machine – they pump out five new episodes a week. You go to work and it’s basically you shooting material from five episodes in one day. It’s amazing! It moves so well and so quickly, and you have to be on it. I learned so much from that and that work ethic that they have there. I’m really grateful for my time there.

Throughout episode 2, Sutton struggles with her reservations about whether to make a more practical career move or to follow her dreams and take a risk. It would appear that she has finally made a decision about her future – what does that mean for Sutton going forward?

I think for her, it’s a really tricky decision. It’s hard for anybody. It was her and her mom growing up, and she learned to be responsible at a really early age. Because of that, it’s harder for her to do something that’s less guaranteed, so her going for the fashion job is a huge risk. If she doesn’t get it, she’s jobless, and if she’s jobless, she can’t pay her rent, and if she can’t pay her rent, she has to move back to Harrisburg. She doesn’t want to do that. It’s a huge deal, but at the end of the day, she’s like, “If I don’t do this, I’m gonna be unhappy, and being unhappy is not worth being comfortable.” I think that’s really what it boils down to for her and what pushes her to go for it and see what happens.

What would you say to young women out there who might have the same reservations as Sutton when it comes to following their dreams or sticking with the more practical choice?

I think I would tell them what I just said to you, which is that your happiness always outweighs any risk that you feel intimidated by. Life is short and it’s always worth it.

Acting is a dream job of sorts, so what motivated you to initially pursue acting? Were you able to relate to Sutton’s reservations about following her career dreams?

Absolutely. I think it’s a crazy profession to pursue, but it’s high-risk, high-reward. I grew up as a singer, so I was doing that and then I got in o a musical. Through that, I got into acting. Acting wasn’t something that I set out to do, but I do remember I used that for an excuse for a long time. I was like “Well, if I can say that I didn’t set out to do this then I don’t have to take responsibility for anything if I fail.” I used to not even be comfortable saying I was an actor. Now I need to own [that] this is what I’m trying to do, and it is really hard. I worked in restaurants, I nannied… I hope I don’t have to go back to that, but I would. Nothing is ever secure. Again, it’s worth the risk because when it’s good, it’s great, and nothing compares to that.

When we last saw Sutton and Richard together, she had given him an ultimatum about how to handle their relationship going forward. What can we expect following that decision? Are there more bumps in the road ahead for them?

There are so many bumps in the road for Sutton and Richard! They really care about each other. It’s a really genuine connection and relationship, which I think is really cool to see. Richard wants Sutton to succeed and be happy and get all the credit that she deserves for all the work that she’s doing. Unfortunately, that’s not enough sometimes. They’re trying to navigate that affection, and Sutton’s young and in a place in her career where she has to solidify herself in this industry, and it’s risky to compromise that for a relationship. I think that’s what she’s really dealing with right now. What is she willing to give up and for who?

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Thanks so much to Meghann Fahy for taking the time to chat with us! We really appreciate it!

Follow Meghann Fahy on Twitter and be sure to tune in to The Bold Type Tuesdays at 9/8c on Freeform!

For more from The Bold Type, check out our interview with Aisha Dee.

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