21-year-old actress Gabrielle Christian plays Spencer, a teenager questioning her sexuality on the ground-breaking new television show South of Nowhere, which airs Fridays at 8:30pm on basic cable channel The N. She recently spoke to AfterEllen.com about Spencer and Ashley's relationship, landing the role, and hitting it off with Mandy Musgrave.

AfterEllen.com: So how did you get the part of Spencer?
Gabrielle Christian: It’s been a long process. I’ve been auditioning for this role since July 2004. We finally filmed the pilot in October 2004, and we found out in January 2005 that the show was being picked up. But they were recasting some of the characters on the show and making sure that everyone was right for the parts. It wasn't until May that my contract got picked up, and we started filming in July. So it’s been about a year and a half since we started the whole process.

I was so excited when I got the breakdown and script because it was such a unique role and it was a challenge and something you don’t go for everyday.  I just fell I love with her from the first day and said, “Oh my God, I have to play Spencer!”

AE: The show is the first of its kind focused on this subject matter and aimed at this age group. You address teen sexuality, gay and lesbian issues, racial violence. Is there awareness among cast and crew that you are doing something pretty special?
GC: Yes, we have moments where we just take a step back on the set and we’ll be so excited. We talk about how thankful we are and how much of an honor it is to be there.  To be on a show that has a good message and will hopefully open a lot of people’s eyes in this world.  Just to be a part of that as an actor—to be working as an actor is one thing because it’s so hard to get a job in the first place! (laughs)  But to be doing something that actually means a lot and hopefully will change the way people will view things and change the ignorance among people who can be so judgmental—we all acknowledge that every day on set. Everybody is so excited to be there

AE: Have you been aware of any objections or negative publicity about the subject matter of South of Nowhere?
GC: I personally have never had to experience that. I come from a pretty conservative town, from a suburb in Maryland which is kind of similar to Spencer being from Ohio. Small-minded suburbia, with more conservative, traditional people.

At first they were shocked at the idea of the show. It’s a new approach--homosexuality has been approached a lot in film but not usually with females. So for people in my town who know me and have known me my whole life and my Catholic church—it’s kind of a stretch for them. They’re like, “Whoa, what’s this all about?”

AE: How are your family and friends reacting to you taking on this role?
GC: My father is pretty much everything you think would be against this show. He’s Catholic, conservative, traditional. He’s from Europe and his whole life he’s been very stuck in his traditions and how he was raised. At first he was pretty shocked. He saw the pilot and it was a little much for him, especially considering that I’m his daughter. But it’s funny because his family is the same as him—he has five brothers and sisters—and they’re all really excited about the show. They’re sending out these mass emails--I don’t even need a publicist right now because my family is so excited! 

I wouldn’t have thought they'd do that, because they would technically be identified as people who would be against this show. But they’re all for it.