Currently seen as Janet in Showtime's hit series Ray Donovan, Alisha Boe is an actress who shows no signs of slowing down, and will soon be appearing in new series Casual on Hulu this October.
We got the chance to chat to Alisha about her career to-date, women in the acting industry and much more - read on to find out what she had to say.
We're currently seeing you as Janet in Ray Donovan, what was it that drew you to this role?
I was drawn to Janet's free spirit and her determination to make any situation into a fun (and illegal) one. Janet was a super fun character to play because of her natural ability to always stir up some trouble. So I definitely had to jump on that boat to play the girl I was afraid of in high school.
How was the chemistry on the set of the show?
Everyone on Ray Donovan was SUPER nice. I was kind of surprised by how welcoming everyone was because of how established the show was. But they made me feel comfortable after five minutes of being on set, which is awesome.
Were you nervous about joining a series that had already established itself?
Oh yes, definitely! In my head, I pictured the show like that super nonchalantly cool guy in school, and I was the dangerously uncool girl with major high-waisted mom jeans with wedgies on both sides. But, like I said, the cast and crew were so welcoming the minute I arrived to set, so all that nervousness instantly washed away.
You're also going to appear on Hulu's new series Casual from October 7, can you tell us a little bit about that series?
Yes I am! Casual is about Valerie, a newly-divorced mom played by the amazing Michaela Watkins, who moves in with her brother with her daughter in tow. It's a show about self-discovery through dating in different phases of your life. It's super funny and filled with amazingly awkward moments.
Who will you be playing in that show?
I'll be playing Becca, Laura's (Valerie's daughter) party-loving best friend.
Why should people tune in when Casual comes to Hulu?
Casual is a relatable show about how awkward your sex life and dating can be. I mean, it covers everyone from a newly-divorced mom to a 16-year-old to a bachelor brother who invented his own dating site.
As a woman in the acting industry, have you ever faced challenges or discrimination?
Fortunately, I haven't faced any discrimination for being a woman to-date. Today, I feel like audiences are really demanding female leads in more television shows. For example, How To Get Away with Murder, Scandal, Homeland, Orphan Black, Orange is the New Black, Empire, and so on and so forth.
A new study recently revealed that the amount of women in TV has recently stalled, why do you think that is?
I have noticed a growth in demand from audiences to include more women of colour and women to be cast as significant roles in TV shows and movies. TV is so different from what it was 10 years ago, which is an amazing step forward. In order to fix the women to men ratio in the business, we have to keep the momentum going and remind audiences that women deserve to have quality roles.
How do you think this should be tackled going forward?
Audiences need to keep demanding shows with strong female leads. I'm so honoured and excited to be working in the business at a time when it's truly progressing. The entertainment industry is far from perfect when it comes to the women to men ratio, but women like Shonda Rhimes have blazed the trail and with this momentum, I believe women will see more diverse and complex roles available to them in the coming years.
What tips do you have for women who may be trying to find that breakout role and make their way into the industry?
Never blame yourself for not booking something or having a bad audition. All of those experiences that may feel like major failures, is only fuelling your fire to become a better, more resilient actor. Don't be afraid to go out for roles that are the total opposite of yourself, explore your ability. Also, don't be afraid to pass on certain auditions or roles if you feel like it's not the right role for you. If you don't love the script, or the way your character is being depicted, don't do it. Lastly, don't have a singular goal of making it 'big'. Remember that acting is about telling intricate stories, not about red carpet events, fame and money. If you stay true to your craft, you will make yourself so proud in the end.
Finally, what's next for you?
So many things I can't even begin to list! Definitely check out Casual when it premieres on October 7!