Source Of The Image: Netflix
When you think of the political power of the couples, they think of people like John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy or Barack Obama and Michelle Obama. The Political‘s power couple is determined Payton Hobart (Ben Platt) with the effervescent Alice Charles (Julia Schlaepfer) by his side. While their relationship often takes a back seat to Payton’s political ambitions, it is his “will not” charm that had me rooting for them throughout the seasons one and two.
I consider myself to be a great charger Payton/Alice, however, at the end of season two, I was a bigger fan of Alice than I was of the couple. In any case, I feel that is probably the most telling difference between Julia Schlaepfer’s portraits of the high school of Alice and young-adult Alice. At the beginning, she’s just another background player, threw it to the side whenever it suits Payton. By the end of season two, she’s still holding onto a relationship that doesn’t work, but it is beginning to look within itself to figure out what you want out of your life, not what Payton wants.
I have been obsessed with The Political from the first episode, so it was a pleasure for me to talk with Schlaepfer about what drew her to the project, how she identifies with Alice, and what she wants people to take away from his representation. And, of course, was not going to be an interview about Alice if we do not speak of their costumes! Keep reading to see exactly what was Schlaepfer favorite.
POPSUGAR: What was it that attracted you to Politics?
Julia Schlaepfer: Ryan Murphy always was my dream person to work with. I think that he is a visionary, and he’s always ahead of the times and focused on what the world is talking about. He is very progressive in the way with their shows and their work. When I read the script and was very intelligent, progressive young people, I was so excited because I felt like that was so relevant for our times. It also has this really incredible classic Ryan Murphy eccentricity to it. And the cast was just stellar from the beginning. So, I mean, it was just a dream project to look at it as a whole.
PS: The return of the second season, how much did the cast get?
“Going back to season two, we had this comfort with each other that we could totally trust each other.”
JS: We are all obsessed with each other and very good friends. We were going to spend an entire day on the set and then be like, “Well, what are we going to eat?” That I could not get enough of each other. It was also great, because during the first season most of us were new to television work, so that we can spend all day in fear a little, that we were messing around we had been joking about that a lot. Going back to season two, we had this comfort with each other that we could totally trust each other. It was amazing to be there with some of my best friends and doing what I love.
Source Of The Image: Netflix
PS: what part of you that you do not see the Alice of the first season, compared to how it has grown as a person in season two?
JS: Without doubt I admit that a part of my high school self of Alice, especially in season one, because she is trying so hard to appear perfect to the outside world. I feel a lot of she puts on this facade with a low voice and her outfits. I think that is something that many of us can relate to at some time in our life. When I was in high school, I felt this need to show every day to look perfect, to have my hair done, and do my makeup to figure out who I was. I think that part of it is what really resonated with me.
“I think it is so important for women of speech, and the use of their voices, especially now.”
In season two, it was so impressive to see the growth that they wrote for her; to finally be able to enter their own, find their voice, and find that empowering. It was all something that I do not relate initially because I was very shy growing up. I don’t like to talk a lot in class because I always thought that I had nothing worthwhile to say. So for me, this journey for her was very powerful. I think it is so important for women of speech, and the use of their voices, especially now. It was impressive that Alice finally got that time, especially at the end of season two.
PS: at the end of season two, Alice seems to have finally discovered what she wants out of her relationship with Payton, and his life. What’s something you would like to see in season three?
JS: I hope that we get to see it blossom and grow as their own person. I totally agree I think we have seen revolve around Payton for, definitely the first season and most of season two. I think that the end has come back to him, but she comes back on her terms. I want to see her demand a lot more of him as a partner in an equal relationship. If he does not comply, then she can get out of there. I agree with you that this happens because I think that is really important trip for her to know that her worth outside of Payton.
Source Of The Image: Netflix
PS: One of the things I liked most about season two is how Astrid (Lucy Boynton) and Alice bonded after both became pregnant because of Payton and Alice bring Astrid in their relationship. What would you like to see happen with this bond between Astrid and Alice in a season three?
“It’s cool in the world of today to see the women who come from very different places, they may not agree on everything, lifting each other up.”
JS: I love their relationship and their support for each other. Lucy and I are very good friends, so we were so excited to shoot those scenes that we had together. We both would always joke about how funny it would be if they escaped a cult and we were there together forever. I think that again, Alice’s world has revolved around Payton and I haven’t seen with a lot of the other characters because she is there for him. I think that having these two women are very different people and who believe in very different things, support each other is such an important thing. It’s great in the world of today to see the women who come from very different places, they may not agree on everything, the elevation of one to the other. So, I would love more Alice/Astrid antics.
PS: it Was difficult filming the scenes in your commune? It seems to Me as ridiculous to see the game on the screen!
JS: It was honestly so much fun. We went to the farm for a day it was a little surprising, because usually we are in a perfect correct and formal, the suits, then, suddenly, we are using these as the great white sacks. We were running around, cracking up all day. It was honestly very hard to get taken with Lucy. After, we were like, “Oh, I wish we had another day of this job.” Because it was so totally in the opposite direction to that of any other thing that he had done for the show. We have had the time of our lives. It was amazing.
PS: Speaking of go of those prim and proper outfits to the very Midsommar-esque, dressed in white — do you have a favorite outfit that you’ve worn as Alice?
JS: Oh, my god. Yes. I mean, is it so hard for me to choose, but, the foam of the sea, with the green jacket with the white Gucci tights that I wore in Central Park in the scene with the top-knot pony-thing, it was my favorite thing in the world. I loved that outfit. I could live in that outfit. They don’t want me to put that, because they knew that I was going to be out and they didn’t want me to get cold, but I was like, “No, we have to use this suit here, because in reality it will be in the screen, and the whole world needs to see this coat.”
PD: One last question, what is something that you would like people to take away from the shows and Alice, as a person?
JS: I hope that people will take as an example of strength and see that your life should not revolve around one person. You can stand on your own and you can be your own person. Your voice matters and don’t let be underestimated. Like the young people in the world right now, we are seeing this movement happen, and I think that it is very important that the young people are they talk and realize they have a lot to say, and what they should say.
The Political seasons one and two are currently streaming on Netflix.
