BY IRVIN RIVERA

JANA MORRISON, the Filipino-Canadian multidisciplinary artist from Winnipeg, Manitoba plays Astrid, a badass monster slayer in SYFY’s Astrid and Lilly Save the World. Her character is a confident high school student who finds herself evolving and finding her power amidst fighting supernatural forces and battling her inner saboteurs. The fun, campy show also highlights visibility, representation, body image acceptance, patience and kindness.  

Jana is also a real-life badass. Jana was recognized for her work in the British Columbia arts community and was awarded the Pro-Art Early Career Artist Award in 2020. Following recent work on NBC’s “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist” and Hallmark’s “Master of the Heart” and “Chesapeake Shores”. 

She studied at The Canadian College of Performing Arts and is a settler on the traditional, ancestral, Indigenous territories of the Lekwungen speaking people, now known as the Songhees, Esquimalt, and WSÁNEĆ First Nations. 

In this exclusive interview, Morrison talks about her experiences filming the series, the lessons she learned, the challenges she faced, her acting journey and more.

Hi Jana, how are you? How’s navigating the past couple of years been like?

Hey! I’m doing better than I was in 2020. Life’s been taking me on a roller-coaster ride... but I like rides! When live theater was first closed down at the beginning of the pandemic, I pivoted my focus to film and TV. I spent most of the first year of the pandemic learning to transfer my live theater training and skills to the screen, taking classes and workshops, and filming lots of auditions. It’s taught me a lot about patience and self-acceptance. 

How would you describe your character Astrid in “Astrid and Lilly Save the World?”

Astrid is a precocious high school student, who doesn’t fit in at school. She loves science, 90s TV, and boys. She is one half of a monster-hunting duo who are unexpectedly thrust into the roles of heroes. She’s very curious and strong-willed. 

How’s Astrid’s character evolution throughout this season?

I don’t want to give away any spoilers while the show is still airing, but I don’t think that it’s a spoiler to let you know that Astrid’s worldview grows throughout the season - she gains a bit more empathy and more understanding of other people’s motivations.

Why should people watch the show? What do you think is unique about it?

I think people should watch the show because there’s something in it for everyone. It’s heartwarming and campy (which I think we could all use a little bit of right now), some scary and gross monsters are all original and based on some cool concepts. And of course, watching two besties go through the ups and the downs of high school together is sweet and hilarious to witness.

What drew you to your character?

I loved seeing her described as “confident, sex-positive, plus-size and smart”, I thought that that’s a great foundation for a character who’s still in high school and still finding out who she is and what life is about. Plus the monster-hunting aspect sounded badass - I was sold right away!

If your character could have its own soundtrack, what would it be and why?

I have a whole soundtrack for her already! Astrid is really into 90’s culture so I have songs like Creep By Radiohead, I Wanna Sex You Up by Color Me Badd, and Baby I’m A Star by Prince. I also have songs that make me feel like a badass while fighting monsters or dealing with bullies like Boss Bitch by Doja Cat, Attitude by Leikeli47, and Like a Girl by Lizzo. Lastly, I have songs like brutal by Olivia Rodrigo, Arms Tonight by Mother Mother,  and Complicated by Avril Lavigne to help get myself into Astrid’s state of mind.  

Talk to us about the challenges and the highs that you experienced during filming?

All good things don’t come easily. There were plenty of ups and downs. The high I still can’t get over was just doing what I love every single day. Going to work with some of the most talented, giving, and hilarious people was everything I could have dreamed of. One of the biggest challenges for me was just how many lines I had to memorize in very little time.  Some days we had eight or more scenes to shoot - which means many pages of dialogue to learn, blocking to remember, other characters to connect with, and so much more!  I wasn’t used to being the lead of a TV show yet and there was a learning curve I had to navigate. 

How did you manage to rise above these challenges?

All I could do was bring my A-game and do my best. I kept thinking back to “You are stronger than you think”, something Astrid tells Lilly in episode 1 which are words I now live by.  I always took a nap at lunch to rest my brain and body and did my best to make sure I got a full night’s sleep every day. I have added new tools to my belt to help me get through tough times. 

What’s the most memorable moment for you throughout the whole process of making the series?

There were so many incredible moments. I loved hanging out with the cast & crew. And getting to know the whole creative team. Something memorable was that the majority of the creative: team-show runners, writers, producers, department heads, were non-male identifying. And I that that’s special that I got to experience what that meant. And I will never forget how supportive, creative, and cool they all were. 

How did acting start for you? Was it something that you’ve always wanted from a young age?

Acting for me started when I auditioned for my school production of ANNIE in the sixth grade. I got the title role and I've been in love with performing ever since! I went to a performing arts college after I finished high school, and have been working on stage since I graduated. 

Who and what inspires you?

I’m inspired by people who have dreams or goals and they go for it, no matter how the odds are. Boss womxn inspire me. People who have moved from a different country to start a new life inspire me. Something else that inspires me is the notion that no one can ever be like me. Every single person is different in every way and I think that’s so interesting and beautiful. 

What scares you?

Coming face-on with my insecurities is always the scariest experience, but it can be worth it when you come out understanding more about yourself.

What’s your take on the importance of visibility and representation in mainstream media?

When people see themselves in popular media, it reassures them that they belong and are accepted. Visibility for everything including but not limited to races, body types, disabilities, and points on the neurotypical spectrum is extremely important in mainstream media - it could inspire somebody to follow their dreams and live their full truth. 

What’s your dream project?

I am glad you asked because I have a few! I would love to be a part of a project that features legendary creatures from Filipino culture, something where I get to be the voice of an animal, or a movie musical is probably my top three. If you are reading this and are producing any of these projects, please call my agent!

What’s a valuable lesson that you’ve learned that you always carry with you?

Be kind to everyone you encounter. You have no idea what they could be going through. 

If you were a book, what book would you be and why?

I’d be a cookbook! Full of bright colors and tasty delights - some new, and some familiar, and hopefully with lots of contribution from my friends and family to make the book the best it can be!