“Girlboss” Ellie Reed Talks Writing, Cast Members, And The Office

This week we caught up with Ellie Reed star of the Netflix show Girlboss. Ellie started her career in theatre going on to act on tv and starring in shows such as 2 broke Girls, The Big Bang Theory and Brooklyn 99. 

Girlboss is a sitcom ‘loosely, real loosely’ based on the start of the original Girlboss Sophia Amorousa founder of Nasty Gal. Ellie plays Annie best friend to Sophia (Britt Robertson) on the show.

The Netflix original first aired back in 2017 but recently (due to everyone being at home) more and more people are discovering this awesome show. It has everything from growing up, relationships and of course the fashion and style. 

Plus the soundtrack is pretty hot too definitely a show to watch. 

You started your career at the Griffin Theatre, Chicago, was acting always the end goal? 

E: “It was, yes! I majored in theatre in college and spent several years performing on stage in Chicago with great companies like Griffin before moving out to LA, where I started to pursue more TV and film work.“

What would you do if weren’t an actress? 

E: “I would probably be a teacher! I write, as well, and I’d love to teach English and/or creative writing.”

How did it feel when you got the news that you were going to be ‘Annie’ in GirlBoss? 

E: “It was completely surreal. Kay Cannon (creator & showrunner) and Christian Ditter (director) took a huge chance on me because I’d never had a series regular role on a show before. Because of that, I didn’t really expect to get the part. 

I started crying when I got the call from my agents, and when I walked into my living room, my roommate revealed that she’d bought a bottle of champagne to celebrate just in case!”

Did you know anything about Sophia Amoruso and Nasty Gal before you got the part? 

E: “I had definitely heard of Nasty Gal as a clothing brand, but I didn’t know anything about its origin story of its founder. It was pretty amazing to learn all about it from the woman herself. (And I obviously went out and bought a bunch of Nasty Gal items as soon as I got cast.)”

Sophia and Annie have great chemistry and a sister like the bond; Is that the same for you and Britt Robertson in real life? 

E: “Yes! I think part of the reason I got the role was that Britt and I had such natural chemistry from the moment we met. Before we started filming, we realized we lived down the street from each other, so that made it easy to hang out even when we weren’t working.

She’s the Annie in my life — so generous and funny and loyal. I love that gal!“

There were so many stunning outfits did you have a favourite and were you able to keep any?

 
E: “I didn’t get to keep any!! I think we all thought the show was going to get a second season, so the costume department was pretty careful to keep all of the outfits for reuse later on. If I’d known… I would have pulled a Sophia and started stealing them after every shoot. 

My favorite outfit has to be the vintage dress that I wore in the season finale. If anyone would like to procure it for me, I would greatly appreciate it.”

Do you have a favorite Girlboss episode and what was your favorite scene? 

E: “It’s hard to choose! 

The writing on every episode was so smart and funny. I’m going to say Episode 10: Vintage Fashion Forum was my favourite, though. Not gonna lie, that’s partially because it was an Annie-centric episode… but mostly I just loved the way the writers managed to physically manifest a chat room and AIM messages.

 It was incredibly creative. Plus, all of the actors in the fashion forum were so fun to work with.“

What’s your favorite tv show to watch and if you could pick any to be in (past or present) which show would it be. 

 
E: “I watch far too much TV, so my favourite show changes daily. Right now, I’m loving Ted Lasso, Mare of Easttown, The Wilds, and (as always) reruns of The Office. 

That might be my answer for what show I’d like to be in, too… although if we’re talking TV shows from the past, I’d say throw me on an episode of Game of Thrones. I want to ride a horse or fight in a battle or look angrily out a window in a huge wig or something.”

What are your career plans for 2021? 

E: “I’ve got a couple of things in the works that I can’t talk about yet! My plan is to work as much as humanly possible since last year obviously forced a lot of us actors to pause for a bit.”

We have to ask, will there be a season 2 Girlboss? 

E: “Nope 🙁 please write to your senators and tell them how disappointed you are.
Thank you so much for interviewing me and for helping introduce Girlboss to new audiences.”

Quickfire round  

Long hair / Short Hair – Long Hair

Night In / Night Out – Night In 

Sophia Marlowe / Britt Robertson – Britt Roberson 

Pizza / Pasta – Pasta

Dress up / Dress Down – Dress Down 

Johnny Simmons / Alphonso McAuley – I can’t choose!

Indie Rock / Pop Chart – Pop Chart

Interview Written and Conducted By: Natalie Dixon

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Natalie Dixon– UK Entertainment Editor – Natalie started her journalism career studying at the prestigious Conde Nast College in London Uk. Conde Nast is the Publication brand that owns Vogue, Tatler and GQ. Natalie loves her home comforts; give her a bar of a chocolate and a Netflix murder documentary and she will be happy.