INTERVIEW BY ALLIE KING
Blair Wesley is a high school student fighting social norms, relationship drama, and criminals, with her twin sister in the new Netflix Original series, “Teenage Bounty Hunters,” which peaked at number 1 on the Netflix Top 10 following its release. Behind this character is Anjelica Bette Fellini, an American ballerina-turned-actress, breaking through the industry. Fellini will take the screen in the new Wes Anderson film, “The French Dispatch” — coming 2021 — alongside a loaded cast, including Elisabeth Moss, Timothée Chalamet, and many others.
AK: Watching Teenage Bounty Hunters, I was struck by how multifaceted the series is. You could place it in a lot of different genres: comedy, drama, action. How would you define the show?
ABF: The show is definitely a melting pot of genres, and that’s why I really think there’s something for everyone. When I watched the show for the first time, I called the showrunner, Kathleen Jordan, and said: “The show switches genres in the middle of the series. You created a new genre!” People love the uniqueness of how it starts as a comedy, and about midway through the season becomes more of a family drama or mystery. It keeps the viewer on their toes.
AK: What is your ideal genre to act in?
ABF: I’ve always admired actors like Frances McDormand and Sam Rockwell. Particularly because you’ve seen them in comedies and you’ve seen them in dramas. Versatility is one of the big things I strive toward. That being said, Teenage Bounty Hunters brought out a special level of comedy acting in me. A director of one of our episodes reached out to Maddie and I after the show aired, and said a friend of theirs said they were convinced we had been an improv duo for years before the show. Of course, that’s not the case. And as a long-time fan of improv comedy, that compliment hit different.
AK: Blair, your character, and her twin sister, Sterling [Maddie Phillips] have a very special dynamic that plays a huge role in the series. What was the process of being cast as twins? How were you and Maddie able to play this relationship so well?
ABF: Our relationship on screen was one of the easiest parts of the whole process. From the moment we met in the chemistry read, we both made choices with the material we hadn’t prepared and hadn’t done before. We already had an unspoken bond, a desire to reach out and care for one another. We had one chemistry read, like a final audition, and then we were cast together. In total, I only auditioned for the role of Blair twice, which was crazy.
AK: Blair is the more rebellious of the two twins. There is a deeper level of internal conflict within this character. Did you add anything to the character? How do you relate to her?
ABF: I loved being able to portray a teenager who was so passionate and outspoken. She is also not afraid to be wrong, which I adore about her. I relate to Blair more as an adult now, than I would have as a teen. I was meeker when I was younger — as it’s only natural to be since you’re finding your footing — and I could have used an example like Blair. Blair’s passion read to me as emotional intelligence. One that she’s not even aware of because she doesn’t “do well in school.” I think it’s important to portray teenagers and kids as smart and intelligent in ways different than academically. There are plenty of kids out there who need to know that just because they don’t thrive in the traditional school setting, it doesn’t mean they’re not intelligent.
AK: This series touches on a very interesting topic that many high school-aged people face, which is the complicated relationship between faith and sex. While some could consider this taboo, you all were able to tackle it head-on. How has the response been?
ABF: That topic in the show has largely been met with open arms. I think people are craving to see that experience portrayed in media and television shows because it is so many people’s experiences. Yet, it is rarely talked about. I have a neighbor — a married man in his 30’s with a toddler — who grew up Evangelical. He shared with me that the opening scene of our show, quoting the Bible during a sexual act, was actually something he’d experienced growing up and he couldn’t believe he was seeing it on television. “I’ve prayed for forgiveness for my teenage, sneaking around in a car, transgressions,” was exactly what he said. The show hit’s a very special niche, which I think resonates with a lot of people out there.
**SPOILER ALERT**
AK: Season 1 ends with a shocking twist, where we discover that Sterling and Blair are not actually twins at all, but cousins. What do you think this means about the relationship they have? How do you see it moving forward?
ABF: I would love to see where this takes them. It’s a deep traumatic lie, to have believed something like that for your whole life. They really get the rug pulled out from under them. I think the girls will always love each other deeply, but I would imagine that their self-images may change. They are only-children, as it turns out. After believing you’re a twin your whole life, I can see that having a lasting effect.
AK: I read that you began your career in performing, with ballet. Your acting in Teenage Bounty Hunters is quite the excursion from that. What about acting made it a better fit for you, than ballet? Do you think that ballet is something you will return to?
ABF: I’ve always been outgoing and had a big personality, which aren’t necessarily two perfect descriptors of someone who was born to be a ballerina. Around the age of 18, I realized that putting my voice into my art was important to me. But ballet will always be my first love. I still take class and stretch.
AK: While the show is — for the most part — very lighthearted, you have created a character that many can relate to. What do you want viewers to learn from Blair?
ABF: That caring strongly about things and also acknowledging when you’re wrong can exist hand in hand. Also, as a young woman — like in episodes five and six — normalize asking for what you want and being vocal during a sexual experience!
AK: The show has been very popular since it’s release. How has this experience changed things for you?
ABF: It has been just such a lovely positive experience. The fans of the show are truly something else. They have been so supportive and amazing. I love the memes they make and the reviews have just been beyond incredible. It has felt really special to have such a sex-positive community come together and love the show, almost as much as we do.
AK: You had a recurring role on The Gifted before this. How did this prepare you for your role in Teenage Bounty Hunters? What have you learned from working on these action-filled series?
ABF: They are so fun. I love digging my teeth into a role that also gets to do some stunts.
AK: You have a role in a new Wes Anderson film, The French Dispatch. This film is packed full of seasoned actors including Elizabeth Moss, Timothée Chalamet, Bill Murray, and many more. What was it like working with this cast?
ABF: A dream come true. Every single star in the cast and crew — including Wes — was gentle, accepting, and amazingly professional. I wouldn’t trade my time on that set for anything. It was an experience of a lifetime.
AK: What do you think people will take away from this film?
ABF: All Wes’ movies are works of art. So, I’m sure people are going to be cinematically blown away, as per usual.
AK: What is next for you?
ABF: I’m so excited for the future. The outpouring of love from this show has really warmed my heart and changed my life. With productions starting back up — with COVID safety regulations — I hope that we can work together as a nation to combat this virus safely. Wear your mask and wash your hands!
