Walking down the aisle

America Ferrera, who doubles up as an actor and producer on the show Superstore, speaks about plot lines, comedy and being human
Walking down the aisle

America Ferrera’s acting portfolio is incredibly diverse.  From The Sisterhood of The Travelling Pants to Ugly Betty to her latest outing on television, Superstore — which follows the adventures of the staff at a fictional big-box store called Cloud 9 in Missourie. Ferrera unfailingly lends mundane situations a breath of fresh air, with plenty of comic relief to boot.

Give us a gist of what’s to come in Season two.

Season two has more opportunities to weave in more real life instances of people who work at the big stores. It centres on the working class and it’s not a group of people who have a lot of representation on TV. The moments when the show takes on issues that are true to life is what sets us apart from every other workplace comedy on TV.

Tell us a bit about your character, Amy Dubanowski.

There are things that I relate to about the character — having a child early on and getting married as a result of that. She has become a bit resigned to the circumstances in her life. That sort of frustration is a very relatable situation for anyone.

You were the opening speaker at the Women’s march in Washington earlier this year. Talk to us a bit about that side of your life, off-camera. 

I started to learn about what was happening in the world when I studied international relations in college. As a human, it’s important to have compassion and an interest in what is happening in the world. Being a role model for women, I don’t feel pressure. I am proud that the work I do can be a reflection to someone of how they want to see themselves represented. I find it empowering that I have the opportunity to represent different kinds of women.


 
Comedy is a space in which you have tasted immense success.

 I have learned a lot about the art of comedy by watching veteran comedians like Mark McKinney, Colton Dunn and Lauren Ash. But I don’t see myself as a comedic or dramatic actress. I just come from the voice of a character which is the only thing I know how to do.

Superstore airs Monday to Friday at 10 pm on Comedy Central.
 

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