Hypable speaks to actress Courtney Merritt, who plays Jenna Werner on Suburgatory, about her upcoming controversial storyline.
In next week’s episode “Decemberfold,” Suburgatory is bringing Noah (Alan Tudyk)’s daughter Jenna back for a scandalous storyline.
In this interview with Merritt, we learn a bit more about what brings Jenna back to town – and just which leading lady of Chatswin she has a “scandalous” past with!
Hypable: This episode has been teased as one which might be a fan favourite, but it’s also been called “scandalous” and controversial. Can you give us some hints as to why that is?
Courtney Merritt: I can tell you that we see a bit into Jenna’s past in Chatswin, and I definitely think people will be surprised by what we find out. There may also be a throwback to a previous episode!
Can you say which female character Jenna has this “scandalous past” with?
All I can say is… it’s not someone you would suspect.
Yes! I have a great scene with all the girls (Tessa, Lisa and Dalia) and it was hilarious to film. Allie Grant has this one line that just killed me every time she did it so I am thrilled to see how it turned out. There is also a really epic scene that I am super excited to see but I can’t say anything about it. You have to watch to find out…
Can you describe the relationship between Noah and your character?
Noah and Jenna have a very strained relationship. The few times we’ve seen them interact, she has been very closed off to him. Jenna is so intent on separating herself from her friends and family but she still loves them, so there’s a natural friction there.
How will your return in Noah’s life affect him? After his divorce, will Jenna’s return make things better or worse for him?
Noah is scared of Jenna’s reaction to the divorce so he really tries to avoid her, but I think ultimately it will bring them closer together.
Are you scheduled to return for more episodes this year?
I do not make an appearance again this season, but fingers crossed Jenna will return next season to stir things up with all her Brown University knowledge.
Do you know if there’s been anything solid yet about whether or not the show will be renewed for a third season?
I have heard only positive things about ratings, but I do not believe there is any definite renewal news right now.
Obviously there’s a lot of physical comedy in the show – do they allow for any improvisation on set, or is it all planned out in advance?
I have definitely witnessed some great improv on the show! The first episode I did Jay Mohr was in it and he was constantly improvising, and some of Alan Tudyk’s funniest lines have just been him randomly throwing in a line at the end of a scene.
You’ve been involved in some webseries too, like Brendan Bradley‘s Walk of Shame. What are the differences between working on these independent projects and working on a network series?
Well, first and foremost the budget. When you’re working on smaller indie projects the budgets tend to be much smaller than a network show. Most webseries budgets are not even half of what one day of filming a network show costs. However, I don’t think you need a lot of money to make quality content. I have done lots of webseries and short films that had no money at all and they turned out incredibly well.
What other projects have you got coming up?
Coming out on April 9 is another webseries I did called The Ladies and The Gents Club which is a series of sketches that all take place in the men’s and women’s bathrooms at a night club. And I am also about to start filming the web series Dating in the Middle Ages with Deidre Hall (Days of Our Lives) and Devin Mills.
Make sure to follow Merritt on Twitter @otruenyc to keep up with all her projects, and like her on Facebook!
Courtney Merritt’s episode of Suburgatory airs Thursday, April 4 at 8.30/7.30c on ABC.