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Erica Ash talks playing TV’s best new lesbian character on “Survivor’s Remorse”

As a series regular on Mad TV and The Big Gay Sketch Show, Erica Ash is no stranger to comedy. Yet she now has the opportunity to also showcase her dramatic skills as M-Chuck on Starz’s funny, yet surprisingly heartwarming series, Survivor’s Remorse. The talented actor and singer chatted with AfterEllen about M-Chuck’s past and her hopes for M-Chuck’s romantic future.

AfterEllen.com: What drew you to the role of M-Chuck?

Erica Ash: To be honest with you, I was drawn to the show, more so than the particular character. Originally I auditioned to be Missy. They had sent me the script and the sides for Missy about a week in advance of my audition. Then literally, the night before my audition they sent me the M-Chuck character and said, Oh, by the way, read this character, too. When I read for M-Chuck I really didn’t have time to get into her and think about her the way I did for the Missy character. When I went into the room, I did the Missy audition and had to work a little on the M-Chuck audition. So, of course, I left thinking I nailed Missy. I had to work on M-Chuck. I thought I was going to be Missy and that was that. A couple months later, my agent called and told me that they wanted to test me for the M-Chuck role. It kind of threw me for a loop. Then I went back and read the script again and you know, worked at the M-Chuck character.

What I like about her is that she’s tough, but she’s not-I don’t find her stereotypical in anyway. She’s the aggressor when it comes to relationships just because she’s aggressive in life. That’s who she is. I like the fact that she doesn’t seem to be afraid of too much. That fearlessness mixed with a little bit of naïveté means that she doesn’t let her circumstances or her location or the amount of money that her family is now making change the core of who she is. You know, she’s loud. She’s brazen. She says what’s on her mind. She tells it like it is. She’s a potty mouth. And she likes girls-and that’s it. She’s grounded in who she is.

AE: It’s so interesting that you originally auditioned for the role of Missy. Now that I’ve been watching the show, I can’t imagine anyone else in these roles. It feels like the role was written for you. I’m thinking about how it would be different if you were Missy.

EA: I don’t think it would be this show. I don’t. And I’ve had this conversation with Teyonah (Parris)-I can’t imagine anyone else being Missy. I really can’t. And I certainly can’t imagine anyone else being M-Chuck. She’s mine!

AE: I’ve heard you say that, like most actors, you put a little of yourself in every role you play. For instance, comedy is something that comes naturally to you based on your upbringing and the way you relate to your siblings, so you can’t help but bring some comedy to all your roles. What else do you bring you bring to the role of M-Chuck from your own personality or personal life?

EA: Definitely the diarrhea of the mouth. I often say the things that other people are thinking. And I get these looks like, “Really? Did you just say that?” I was the kid growing up with my mom giving me the evil eye, like, “Close your mouth right now!” In my mind, it’s like, we’re all thinking it, so why doesn’t someone just say it? And that’s different than comedy because sometimes that’s really not funny the things that you say. Sometimes you’re brining to life someone’s truth that they’re not willing to face. Or you’re bringing to light your truth that others are not willing to face. Or you’re shouting things out that people are trying to hide. It’s not malicious at all you just think, why isn’t anyone addressing this? Why isn’t anyone saying anything? I prefer to have things out in the open.

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