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Haley Ramm talks Brenna and Greer’s next step on “Chasing Life”

*This interview contain mild spoilers for tonight’s episode of Chasing Life

ABC Family’s Chasing Life continues to be one of the most unique stories on television right now, especially when it comes to Brenna and Greer, two non-straight teenagers whose coming out was not nearly among their biggest problems. And even though both of them have parents who support them dating girls without question, they still managed to get themselves banned from seeing each other.

The lovely Haley Ramm gave us the scoop on what Brenna has going on in the final few episodes of Season 2, including some hints about how Greer will play into things.

AfterEllen: The last time I talked to you was toward the end of the first half of season one, but a lot has happened in the back half with Brenna. Her storyline has been really rich, especially with the reveal of her ‘big secret’ at the sleepover. What was your reaction when you found out about it?

Haley Ramm: I thought that the abortion storyline made a lot of sense. I, myself, kind of wondered why Brenna was, you know, a bitch in the beginning. [laughs] But you make up your own reasons in your head why the character would have a problem with the whole world, basically, is what she seemed like. So yeah, I thought it was a really good direction and it made a lot of sense to me. And I think it will be covered more in future episodes. I don’t know when but I’ve heard some little things about it.

AE: Do you think Sara or April will find out and what do you think their reaction will be?

HR: Yeah, I think that they will find out and I don’t think that either of their reactions are going to be too pleasant. I don’t think they’re the type of family that would judge or be really upset about it, I think that the Carvers would just be more upset that I couldn’t talk about it. Especially talking to my mom, as a therapist. [laughs]

AE: What was your reaction when you found out about Greer’s secret?

HR: That also made a lot of sense, and I think that that is an important topic to cover. We like to do that on the show, cover important topics [laughs]. But it is something that I think a lot of people go through and they start taking prescription drugs at a very young age and think a lot people don’t think about the consequences or the difficulty that might happen later on, like Greer being 16 and deciding to put her foot down and not wanting her parents to control her life anymore.

AE: Speaking of which, it looks like Brenna are Greer are just totally ignoring their parents’ declaration that they can’t see each other. In the previews for next week, it looks like they’re still hanging out and getting closer. What can you tell us about what’s in store for them as the season comes to a close?

HR: Yeah, I just watched the sneak peek for next week’s episode! So Greer does show up in the middle of the night, asking for help and for a place to stay because she had a fight with her mom. It doesn’t get easier for Greer from here on out, and you really start to feel for her more than ever. Her parents are going to keep getting in the way, and so is my mom, but you can’t really blame them because they’re parents and we’re only 16, 17 years old. So, yeah, it’s not going to get easier.

AE: What about Brenna and Natalie? They either get into mischief or are being adorable as sisters; what’s that relationship going to be like as the season ends?

HR: I think Brenna and Natalie will always get into trouble together. For Brenna, April’s not the type of sister who she can do those things with, and Natalie is. I think Brenna sees a lot more of herself in Natalie. I love Brenna and Natalie scenes, they’re a lot of fun to do, Jessica Meraz is super fun, and funny to be around. I love our little duo.

AE: Do you think it has something do with the age difference between Brenna and April vs. Brenna and Natalie, or is it just a personality difference?

HR: I think it’s both! Natalie is younger than April, but I think it’s mostly personality. Natalie just has that piece of her that naturally wants to rebel, and so does Brenna. And April’s just very-she’s got the A personality type and to the point and a hard worker and a fighter, and Brenna and Natalie, things just come their way and they take it as it happens, and they kind of just do their thing.

AE: For example, the gap year. That scene made me laugh a lot, Sara’s face when she found out Brenna wanted to take a year off was hilarious.

HR: I mean, she didn’t ignore her mom! She decided what she wanted to do, you can’t really argue with that.

AE: And she found it in the pamphlet that her mom gave her!

HR: [laughing] Yeah, I think Brenna should definitely have a gap year to travel.

AE: Last time we spoke, you said that the Brenna and Greer tennis scene was one of your favorites to shoot; do you have any favorite scenes from the back half of season one?

HR: There are a lot of scenes in the next episode, a lot of Grenna scenes that I’m really excited about. They kind of-they reach a new level soon. Yeah, that’s all I’m gonna say. [laughs] I have to stop myself.

AE: Well that’s exciting! Do you get to shoot in Boston a lot?

HR: We’ve shot in Boston three times so far, and I’ve been there for two of the times. I love Boston, everyone does, it’s so beautiful and there’s so much to do when we have off-time, the food is amazing. We go back in May, and everyone’s so excited.

AE: I’m biased, because I’m from Boston originally, but I also do love the city.

HR: Oh, that’s awesome! We’re usually in the North End, so that’s the area I spent most of my time. It’s so beautiful, and I love the way it looks on camera. Boston is so photogenic.

AE: Have you started filming Season 2 yet?

HR: No, they’re in pre-production right now but we start mid-March, so very soon. Super soon. I’m so excited, it’s been too long.

AE: How do you think season two will be different from Season 1?

HR: I think a lot of the characters are going to be maturing in season two. I know Brenna definitely will mature a lot, and she’s going to have a lot of circumstances come her way where she has to handle them very maturely and be an adult about a lot of things, so for Brenna it’s the year of maturing. She’s hitting 17 and college is around the corner. So lots of growing up. For all the characters, really. I’ve seen some storyboards and everyone’s kind of growing up, and a lot more challenges coming everyone’s way. Like, you know, in real life. [laughs]

AE: Brenna this season has found herself having to defend her sexuality a lot, reminding her grandparents she’s not a lesbian, and when April said that since she likes boys and girls she has a higher chance of finding someone. Do you find yourself ever having to defend Brenna to people, or do you find that fans of the show just get it and are supportive?

HR: I think a lot of the fans just really get it, which is really exciting that I don’t have to explain it. But I think it’s the writers that do such a good job at what they do, and they’ve written Brenna so well and made her so relatable, I’m so happy to play her.

AE: She’s very unlike characters we’ve seen before. It’s great the way that they wrote her, and the way you support it, and you play her so well.

HR: Thank you! I love it, it’s my first time being a series regular on a show. And I’ve heard so many people having difficulty or it not turning out the way that you want it to, but this has really all-around been such a wonderful experience.

AE: That’s awesome! I saw that you posted on instagram a photo for GLAAD’s #GotYourBack campaign. Were you involved in any LGBT causes before, or has playing Brenna opened that door for you?

HR: I’ve always been a supporter just in general, but I’m definitely trying to do more with them because of this character. I have a lot of friends in the LGBT community who I love so much, some of my best friends, so I would definitely want to do a lot, a lot more with them.

I FREAKIN LOVE #LGBT and @glaad! Let’s show the LGBT community our support. Join me and take a #gotyourback photo!

A photo posted by Haley Ramm (@halesbells) on Mar 5, 2015 at 4:47pm PST

Tune into Chasing Life Mondays at 9/8 C on ABC Family, and tweet along with us using the hashtag #ChasingLesbians!

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