The ABC Family series Chasing Life has yielded some of the most unique representation of LGBT teens on television this season, in my opinion. From a girl who doesn’t like labels and wants to date a certain boy and girl at the same time, to a 16-year-old out and proud lesbian who loves pink and tennis and smiling, it’s been breaking molds and stereotypes at every turn.
Haley Ramm was kind enough to chat with us about her character Brenna, the label-free teenager at the heart of this teenage love triangle, her relationship with Greer, and what’s in store for the two of them in the back half of the season. Plus, she shared some behind-the-scenes scoop on the tennis match that started it all.
AfterEllen: What has been your favorite thing about Brenna and Greer’s relationship so far?
Haley Ramm: I think the thing about Brenna and Greer is that before Greer came into the picture, Brenna was obviously in a dark place, and you don’t really know why she was the way she was, why she was so bratty, kind of obnoxious and not really likable-you find out a little bit later on why she was that way-but once Brenna met Greer, it seemed like Greer has helped her become interested in school activities and given her a better perspective on life, about her sister who’s battling cancer. I think it’s in episode six or seven, where I show up at Greer’s house and we start talking about death, and from that moment, Greer is always the one who is always there to make Brenna feel better. So I think my favorite part about them is how they can talk about anything and Greer’s always there to talk to Brenna and vice versa. They just have each other’s backs.
AE: That’s been really great. It’s been great to watch Brenna grow since the beginning, she’s evolved from, like you said, this bratty kid. She’s kind of growing up right in front of us.
HR: Yeah, not many people liked her at first. [laughs] And I don’t blame them!
AE: One of my favorite scenes was when Brenna and Greer were playing tennis, it was really cute. Do you have a favorite scene so far?
HR: That was actually a really fun scene. So, it turns out the doubles that they had hired weren’t actually doubles, they were just hoping to be seen on camera, and they didn’t really know what they were doing when it came to tennis. So they had to pull them, and they just figured, why don’t we just put us in there and see what we can do on the tennis court. We actually had NO training ever in tennis, like ever in our lives. So that night was a very long night, I remember we went until two or three in the morning, I think. We basically learned how to play tennis. It got to the point where neither of us could really hit the ball because we’re not professionals-it’s actually really, really hard! They ended up CGI-ing the ball. I think that was one of my favorite scenes, because it’s like we were playing. Everyone on set was in this situation where it was like, “Well that happened. Let’s make the best of it,” and we did. It was really fun.
AE: What’s it like working with Gracie Dzienny on the show?
HR: Oh, it’s great. She’s so sweet. She’s just the biggest sweetheart. She comes to set and is just like, “I baked a cake last night!” And she has this beautiful cake. She’s just darling and so great to talk to and fun to hang out with. So yeah, she was cast very well, and I think she plays Greer better than anyone could.
AE: When the show started, Brenna said that she identified as not being labeled straight or bi or anything. Do you think after everything that’s going on with Greer that would change, or do you think that’s part of who she is?
HR: I think that Brenna is really set on who she is, and really still doesn’t believe in labels. Even if I could picture Brenna at 30 years old, I still don’t know if she would be into labels. I can see her liking whoever she’s gonna like in the future; whether it’s Greer, whether it’s not Greer. I think she just sees it more as being loved, and it doesn’t matter who the person is, she just cares about love.
AE: I think it’s very unique to see a young person portrayed on television like that, and I think it’s really important. I don’t think there’s a lot of that for teenagers who do feel that way now.
HR: Yeah, I agree and it’s a really great character to play. I’m so glad that they went the direction that they did with it. The way I look at it is that if there’s any young teenagers out there who are watching and are feeling the way Brenna feels and Brenna can be that example where it’s totally normal-and it totally should be, it shouldn’t be anything BUT normal-then I think that’s really cool and I’m so happy to do it.
AE: Speaking of the fans that might relate to Brenna, do you see a lot of the fan response? Do you read their responses on Twitter?
HR: I do read Twitter a lot! I mean, I’m not the best tweeter. I never know what to tweet, and I don’t think that people want to hear what I want to say anyway. [laughs] But I do read it! I keep up with it ever since the show and seeing people’s responses. And a lot of people do reach out and say they can relate a lot to Brenna. They don’t really specify in what way, but I think there’s a lot of ways that anyone could relate to Brenna. But yeah, it’s cool she’s so relatable.
AE: Do you have a favorite fan moment that you’ve experienced so far?
HR: Favorite fan moment…hmm. I don’t get recognized a lot. I guess because I don’t look like Brenna, really. My hair’s not usually that dark and I cut it recently, so it’s short, and I don’t really dress like her, so that doesn’t happen to me too often. It’s happened a couple times. I went into Forever 21 and the woman who worked there, she gave me a hug and started giving me things to try on. [laughs] That was funny.
AE: That’s amazing.
HR: Overall, everyone who does come up to any of us and say something, they’re very nice, and they usually have a story, whether they’re talking about someone who has had cancer in their life, or if they’ve had cancer, of if they’re like Brenna…usually someone feels like someone on the show. Every character is so relatable and there’s something for everyone, so get really good reactions and really sweet, heartfelt moments, which I really appreciate. And it’s great to just strike up conversation with those people.
AE: The show is a really great balance of the heavy stuff and lighter moments. Do you have different ways to prepare for the different types of scenes? Is it tough to get into the headspace for the emotional scenes?
HR: It is hard, because, I mean, to do those scenes, you are either going to a place where you’ve been there, a lot of us have been in that situation where you find out someone you love is sick, or you’re making it up in your head, and I think equally, both of those are really hard to do and both really emotional, but you gotta get the emotions across. It’s hard, but what you do- I don’t know if it’s just because I’ve been doing it since I was little-but you have to turn it off. Like, right after, there’s an emotional scene and then it’s like, “Okay!” You can’t really get too wrapped up in it afterward or else it will eat you up.
AE: Where we last left Brenna and Greer, they were told they weren’t allowed to see each other anymore. Is there anything you can tell us about what’s in store for them, either in the Christmas episode or the second half of the season?
HR: Grenna’s not-[laughs] Grenna! Greer and Brenna-I’m so used to seeing Grenna, because I see it all the time, on Twitter and Instagram. Greer will be around more, it’s definitely not the end of her. I think if anyone has been in the position where they’re 16 years old and being told you’re not allowed to the person that you really like, I think, you know, you’re going to see the person anyway.
AE: It’s implied that part of the reason Greer and Brenna got in trouble was because of Ford, and her deteriorating relationship with Brenna. Do you think there’s any way Ford could learn to live with Greer and Brenna?
HR: I think there’s a way that Ford and Greer and Brenna can all get along. When you’re sixteen and going through high school drama, it’s hard to see outside of that drama. You get so wrapped up in it; but I think Brenna has a different view on life now because of April, and she sees things a lot differently and doesn’t take things for granted anymore. So I think it would be up to Ford to come around and try to make things right. It’s high school, people change and people can realize their mistakes. I would think there’s definitely hope for all of them.
AE: Do you have any shows besides Chasing Life that you’re watching and liking on TV right now?
HR: I just started House of Cards! And I understand why everyone is so obsessed with it. I’ve been told to watch it for so long. My mistake is turning it on at 11 o’clock at night and I’m so tired and I get frustrated that I have to force myself to stay awake. [laughs] But yeah I’m really enjoying House of Cards. And I’m about to finish the second season of Orange is the New Black. I LOVE it. I love how there’s that many women on screen playing such powerful roles and I think that would be a cool show to be on for a woman. So yea, I do keep up with TV, but not too much, because I don’t have cable so I don’t really watch anything that’s on right now. I’m a big HBO Go fan.
AE: Thank you so much for chatting with me today, our readers are huge fans of yours and of the Brenna and Greer storyline.
HR: Oh, good! I’m glad everyone’s liking it!
Chasing Life will be back for a Christmas episode in December. Check back here on AfterEllen for a conversation with Chasing Life creator/writer/executive producer Joni Lefkowitz and more information about what’s coming up for Brenna and Greer in the back half of the season!
