The dazzling comedy returns this Thursday, April, 8th on Freeform.
17-year-old comedian, Maeve Press, stars on the hit Freeform comedy “Everything’s Gonna Be Okay” as Genevieve. “Everything’s Gonna Be Okay” centers around millennial Nicholas (Josh Thomas), who raises his two teen sisters; Genevieve and Matilda (Kayla Cromer) after their father’s death. His boyfriend, Alex (Adam Faison), lives with the family as well. Throughout the series, the family connect over the loss of their parents and navigate the difficulties of life in dating, on the spectrum, and growing up. Thomas serves as creator and executive producer of the series along with Stephanie Swedlove and Kevin Whyte, with David Martin, Jon Thoday, and Richard Allen-Turner executive producing for Avalon. The show returns this Thursday for a second season that’s sure to shine a different light on the Moss’ family dynamic. The Knockturnal spoke with Press about the new season, her current projects, and her comedic aspirations.
The Knockturnal: You’ve been doing stand-up for several years now around the country. What drew you to comedy?
Maeve Press: I think I always loved to make people laugh. For me, it very much felt like a superpower to be able to make people laugh. I originally wanted to be a doctor up until I was like 10 or so and I failed my first science class. Then, I realized that being a doctor was not meant for me and comedy felt like the next best thing. That’s when I realized that laughter was how I was going to do my part in making people feel a little bit happier.
The Knockturnal: Who were your influences when you started your career?
Maeve Press: Tig Notaro was a huge one for me. She’s one of my favorite comedians. I still love George Carlin, Richard Pryor, and many of the older comics. Maria Bamford is a very, very big one. I got to work with her on two projects this year. The second season of “Everything’s Gonna Be Okay” and just a short film that I co-wrote. That was definitely an incredible experience.
The Knockturnal: Who would you want to work with now?
Maeve Press: Definitely Tig Notaro because I’m trying to put it out there whenever I can. I would love to just be in her presence. I don’t know what I would do. I would probably panic. I’d love to be with the cast of “Schitt’s Creek.” I would love for them to do a quick special just so I can be in it because it sadly ended before I could get my Canadian citizenship and join.
The Knockturnal: Moving onto “Everything’s Gonna Be Okay.” Freeform is such a well-known network. What’s it like starring on a show within a major network for the first time?
Maeve Press: It’s really cool. I watched a lot of Freeform before I got on the show so I definitely was in a bit of disbelief when they hired me. I was a teen and I’m playing a teen which is not very common on TV. That was a moment of “are they sure they want me?” It’s Freeform. They could hire somebody else, but they didn’t. We’re in the second season so it’s a bit too late for them now.
The Knockturnal: Season two is coming Thursday! How was it filming during the pandemic?
Maeve Press: It was insane because everyone was wearing masks which is great because I love masks and I love that they were wearing them. But, I didn’t see anyone’s face. I only saw their beautiful eyes, and it was weird. We somehow still were able to become very friendly with each other and still be able to create this wonderful family on set despite the fact that there was this barrier of not really being able to talk to each other as much as we could in season one. It was still really nice and very comforting. Everyone made it feel very safe. It was really fun getting tested too.
The Knocktunal: In terms of your character Genevieve, how would you say she’s unlike other teens?
Maeve Press: She had to grow up very quickly. She never really got to be a kid and she never really got to be a real teen who gets to just mess up and make childish mistakes because she didn’t really have a mom. She always had to be the motherly figure for Matilda and when her dad dies, and Nicholas is suddenly their guardian he doesn’t know what he’s doing at all. She has to teach him how to be an adult, and continue to take care of the both of them. She’s not really had the chance to be a child.
The Knockturnal: What is your process of getting into character for Genevieve?
Maeve Press: I did some research on the autism community, and on people who have siblings who are on the autism spectrum, and what their growing up experience was like because I wanted to make it seem as real as possible because I don’t have a sibling who’s on the autism spectrum. I didn’t have that experience growing up. I did as much research as I could on that and then Kayla and I luckily have a really great relationship off-screen. It was really easy to play siblings and to play these characters who have such a beautiful past. That was really nice and it was easy.
The Knockturnal: There’s so many funny and heartwarming moments on the show. Did that environment blend into the cast off-screen?
Maeve Press: We’re an awkward group of people. When you put us all in a room together, it’s interesting because none of us really know how to socialize or interact with other people. It’s really fun though. We all get along, and I love them. I hope they love me. It’s been two years. At this point, if they don’t love me, then I’ve lost all hope. It’s a nice environment; a very comforting, welcoming environment.
The Knockturnal: What can viewers expect from the entire family this season?
Maeve Press: A lot of the characters are taken out of the family scenario a lot more in this season. So, they’re interacting more with people outside of their own family, especially with Genevieve. It’s been very interesting to see what she’s like when she isn’t taking care of her brother and her sister and when she has to just wholeheartedly be herself and with her own thoughts around people who aren’t her family. That’s been a really fun journey to play.
The Knockturnal: What would be one word to describe this season?
Maeve Press: Any word would be great to say right now. Maybe, maybe? The only thing I could think of and it’s not even a word is just eehhh, and that’s not even a word. Maybe more of surprising, I feel is probably better. I’m going to go with surprising. That’s my final answer.
The Knockturnal: You co-wrote and star in a short film called “Too Many Buddhas” with Maria Bamford, one of your inspirations as you said. Could you talk about that project and when we should expect to see it?
Maeve Press: People will be able to see it very soon. We’re in post-production right now and I co-wrote it with my mom. It’s about a girl who’s going to a therapy session after her all-school winter concert where she performed a flute solo, and then later learned that her flute teacher had died. The flute solo was horrendous. It was really, really bad. Her name is Nora and she’s trying to cope with this humbling experience. We get to learn more about her through the session, and then we learn that there’s more than meets the eye.
The Knockturnal: Is there anything else you’re working on right now that you can reveal? Possibly future events, writing, or important projects?
Maeve Press: I’m always working on comedy and stand-up. I have a couple of other projects that I’m currently in that I can’t say too much about, but hopefully, I will be able to.
Season two of “Everything’s Gonna Be Okay” premieres Thursday, April 8th at 10 P.M. ET on Freeform.
