Sophia Soto
The second season of Ransom Canyon ups the drama by putting Lizzy Greene’s Lauren Brigman in the center of a messy love triangle with the Russell brothers, Lucas (Garrett Wareing) and Kit (Casey W. Johnson).
However, throughout the eight episodes, we see Lauren evolve beyond her desire for popularity and the title of Homecoming Queen, which gives Greene plenty of new material to work with.
Read Awards Radar’s spoiler-filled interview with the actress below, where we discuss her complex season two character arc, getting to explore more difficult storylines, Lauren’s love for art, everything that happens with Lucas, why her heart leads her to Kit in the end, and much more.
We have a lot to dive into. Lauren was up to a lot this season.
Lizzy Greene: She was. She was up to no good!
Listen, that’s the drama of it all, right? I’m always saying that I want everyone to be happy and good, but you’ve got to throw in the drama.
You’ve got to give the people a little sauce every now and again.
Well, to start off, we have this six-month time jump at the start of the season. When you do have that sort of missing time period, do you personally do any work to fill in the blanks of what has happened with your character, even if it’s not in the script or the show? I feel like, especially for Lauren, with how we left her in season one, there was so much she must’ve gone through on her own.
Yeah, no, that’s such a great question. That is kind of where us, as actors, have to do some extra stuff behind the scenes to sort of write our own context for this time that has passed. I think specifically with Lauren, so much of that has to do with her family life and this wrestling with the person she is now in comparison to last season, where we see her. She has a lot of internal conflict, I would say this season in comparison to the last, because, obviously, the stuff with the brothers and the stuff with her mom — yeah, I think definitely. I like to sort of make up scenarios and make up conversations. I used to keep a journal where I would kind of write instances that weren’t ever seen on screen, just to validate the decisions that she makes. So I would make up little instances and stories to also help me better understand what is going through her head in these instances and everything. But I think a lot of it, you can attest to her being 16, 17, and just kind of figuring it all out.
Of course, and I think it’s very important to have a character like that on this show, especially with the three different generations. That’s one of my favorite aspects of it, that it has something for everyone. You’ve got to have that young love, but also those young mistakes that you’re going to see with 16- or 17-year-olds.
I mean, it’s so true. That’s the age where you are truly becoming into yourself, and every day is a battle and a challenge, and you have all these things. It feels very, very heavy, I think, specifically at that age.
At the beginning of the season, Lauren says that she wants to be the person that Lucas thinks she is, but Kit says that both of them are holding him back. By the end, Kit realizes what Lucas saw in her and says that she is going to go far just like he is. What do you think that says about how Lauren’s continuing to evolve as a character, even though she’s not seeing it in herself?
Yeah, I think it’s so indicative of her believing that her role in life is to be this popular cheerleader, and she’s supposed to have the friends and the acclaim that comes with that at school. I think [in] season two, she realizes that that stuff is all ephemeral, and when she starts to realize that Lucas has now sort of taken on that role and she now takes a backseat in the relationship, that makes her do a lot of internal reflection on if she actually even desires that, or if she desires it because she thinks she’s supposed to desire it, because that’s what the average teenage girl is supposed to want; they’re supposed to want popularity, and they’re supposed to do this and that. I think being with Kit, Kit is kind of unapologetically himself, and he’s able to live life in a way that he’s just trying to survive, and I think Lauren sees that in him and sees this humanity that he has where he just goes day by day and at that time in where she’s at in the story, that resonates with her a lot.
As you said, she did have that popular cheer captain, queen bee kind of role in season one, and fit into, I don’t want to say a stereotype, but something we expect from high school [tropes]. Now, she’s shedding that identity, learning new parts of herself, and figuring out what’s next for her. For you, as an actress, how rewarding is it to be on that journey of identity with her?
I honestly think that is so much on the side of where she’s just trying to figure it all out. I feel like that’s so much more me anyway, because I’m homeschooled. I never even went to school, and so it’s so funny when people know that, and they’re like, what’s it like playing a high schooler? I’m like, well, honestly, I’m just doing what I can, because I was schooled on a computer. So, I think that it’s really nice — aside from all the drama that that brings in story for her — to see her sort of have this new becoming in herself [in] season two, and she has to really reevaluate what she prioritizes and what she doesn’t. I think, unfortunately, the way that it all kind of comes out in the wash is that I don’t think she’s at the place in her life where she can be with Lucas anymore, because she does feel this immense guilt for maybe being a little bit jealous of where he is now in popularity and in life. He seems to be on the up and up, and she seems to be taking more of this nosedive and everything in this future she thought she was gonna have with cheerleading. And so, I think that that’s also why she really resonates with Kit.
Yeah, and there’s one scene that I want to ask you about, in particular: Her dad having this conversation with her about her mom, how she had such big dreams in high school, and that his sentence is wondering who she might have been if he hadn’t held her back. Do you think that Lauren is making those comparisons to her and Lucas, or fearing that they’re gonna have a similar relationship? I feel like, at that point, he was reaffirming her fears without realizing?
Oh, absolutely. Yeah, I think that she doesn’t want to repeat history in the way where she is being the one holding him back. Especially in season one, we see how he is accepted to all these incredible colleges, but he loves her so much, and she’s his world, that he would rather pass up on those opportunities just to be with her. I think she doesn’t inevitably want him to kind of be with her and wallow in her sadness with her. And so, I also think there’s a world in which maybe she had to make it hurt, this breakup with him, so that he would be able to finally put himself first. It’s all so, so messy. But I would like to think that that’s probably — not that I’m saying that that’s why she got with Kit, but I think that everything sort of became this big storm and I think that inevitably, she knew that Lucas was probably, at this moment in his life, better off not being in a relationship with her.
Despite trying, Lauren couldn’t bring herself to visit her mom and get the answers that she still needs. Is that something that you think she has to do in order to move forward in her own life, and something that you personally want to see in the third season? Is there anything you want to see from that mother/daughter storyline?
Girl, of course. I mean, she was with my now boyfriend before I was with him. It’s hilarious. I’m like, yeah, no, we need that season three. I’m going to need that conversation for sure. I think that there’s also going to be this crazy realization on her mom’s part that she’s like, wait, what do you mean you’re now seeing the guy that I used to? So yeah, that in itself is so, so messy, and hopefully we’ll get to see [it] if we get another season. But yeah, I think that that’s a massive point of contention for her is probably that eventual conversation. As of right now, she’s just focusing on this new relationship and everything, but I would really, really, really hope to see [it]. I think there’s a lot to unpack there, especially even with my father, because my father also has lots to say and feel about that. So yeah, I hope we get to see that.
A bright spot for Lauren is having her poster design used for the festival and eventually being asked to do an album cover. With her missing cheer, why do you think it was so crucial for her to embrace drawing and art? And what did it mean to have Quinn believe in her like that and give her that opportunity for her future?
Well, it’s so sweet you say that because, season one, at the time, I didn’t want it to seem like kind of the only thing going on in her life is how important these boys are to her. I remember talking with April, and mentioning to her, what if we gave her something else that sparks joy, that doesn’t really have to be a job, it doesn’t have to be anything, but maybe something she can just have for her, and we decided on drawing because April’s daughter in real life is an artist, and I’m also an artist in my free time. And so, we thought that’d be such a great thing for her to have, and I think that’s also really sweet, because in the story, it’s not a job of hers. She doesn’t do it for any other reason than she loves to do it. When Quinn recognizes her talent level and asks her to take on this challenge, she sees value in this gift that she has, and I think it’s probably the first time in a while she’s felt like something of her has brought value to someone. And so, I think that also is so, so special, and I hope we get to see more with the art side of things, because I think that’s such a tender, sweet, kind of side thing that she has just for herself.
One thing I was really excited to see more of this season is the female friendships: Ellie, Quinn, and Lauren together, tied to the festival, and just having heart-to-hearts. What do you think those relationships gave Lauren at this point in her life? I mean, I loved how she was even there to meet Ellie’s baby at the hospital.
Oh my gosh, yeah. I think in life, female friendships are so, so important, and I say this as someone who has a lot of guy friends. The female friendships that I have in my life, I find I just hold so close because there’s this level of relatability and this mutual understanding, love, and care there. I think specifically in the show, it’s so important for Lauren, especially given that these women are older than her and have more experience than her, that she can go to them and kind of find solace in talking about things that I’m sure they very likely have experienced in their own lives prior to her talking to them about this. And so, I think that that’s really, really, really sweet. I love that they’ve been able to be there for her in some of these more difficult moments in the show.
Yeah, Marianly and I spoke recently, and we were just gushing about it. I love the fact that the show really makes a point of highlighting it, and I know you guys were fighting for more scenes [after season one].
Yeah, no, I love them. They’re so, so fun to work with. Again, it’s just so, so great to learn from them and everything. It’s really sweet.
When Lucas tells Lauren that he cheated on her with Ashley, what do you think was going through her head as she gets in the car and leaves?
Honestly, I think her guilt probably absolves immediately. I think that she hears that, and I don’t know, it’s tough to say, because if Lucas was so quick to go do that, you could question if he had had thoughts about maybe eventually doing something like that. But I honestly can’t put a ton of weight behind that, because I know that she was kind of his world and it’s really sad. When I talk about it with you, I’m like, yeah, it is really sad, because they’re such a sweet pair together. I think he wanted to make her feel some of the hurt that he felt, and whether that’s right or wrong, that’s human of him. Eventually, when he does tell her, I think that moment, she doesn’t feel bad anymore. She leaves, and while it stings really bad, I think she’s like, okay, wow, I can kind of wash my hands of that now. I think that’s why she then afterwards goes to Kit on the stairs, and she’s like, well, I mean, I know I shouldn’t be happy about anything in my life right now, but yada, yada. And so, yeah, I think that had he not done that, she may have been a bit more in the dumps for considerably longer.
Quinn tells Lauren, when the head and the heart are in conflict, there’s going to be some friction, but the heart will always lead you to the right place. Why do you think she’s being led to Kit right now, and is it, in your opinion, by her head or her heart?
I think it’s by her heart. I think so, because so much of her internal conflict this season is feeling like she is inherently holding Lucas back, that she’s not really good for Lucas anymore, because she’s not in the happy place that she was when they first got together. I think she kind of feels a bit like a burden to everyone around her, because she thinks she no longer really provides a ton of value with cheer. The things she was good at, she’s no longer able to do. And so, I think the reason why she goes to Kit is because she finds this level of relatability with him, because he acts out of survival, and he does everything in his life to care for Lucas. He kind of is very brashly himself, and I think for a long time, she probably has been putting on this image of what she thinks she should be, and when she sees him and gets to know him better, she realizes that it’s actually okay to kind of just exist as you are. I think that’s probably why she found a lot of solace in that relationship, and then eventually takes it a step further.
How did you personally feel when you got told about the love triangle, what was going to happen with Kit and that final scene, aka Lauren’s decision to run after Kit to stop him from leaving? What went through your head?
Well, I have to say, as an actor, we always really love when we get to do messy things in story, because it makes our jobs a little bit harder, which we love. I personally love having story stuff that is kind of difficult and messy, because I think that is entertaining. And so, I think that as actors, when we get given things, we’re like, ‘Oh, yeah, great. Let’s dive in.’ As Lizzy, I was like, ‘Oh, this is so messy.’ My own thoughts of, obviously, her, unfortunately, cheating on Lucas, is really sad. I think she probably could have gone about it another way, maybe been a bit more honest with him up front that she was feeling maybe like she wasn’t good enough for him. But I think that, again, as an actor, and as someone who gets to help portray this, I think that messy makes for great TV. We all had a blast, me, Garrett, and Casey this season. We loved being able to sink our teeth into something that was a little bit meatier, and we had a great time.
As you approach something like that, were there any hesitations you had in terms of how her character was going to be treated? Not by the writers, but knowing that this was going to be a messier storyline and viewers don’t always respond the right way to female characters and the human mistakes they make in a love triangle? I even felt a little protective of her as an audience member, but I’m sure, as her actor, no one feels more protective than you.
No, yeah, for sure. I do completely understand people’s frustrations. When I watch shows or movies, I’m frustrated when I see characters doing things that make me upset. And so, I think it’s not that I don’t understand. The fact that she is so young definitely plays a part. Again, you ask me, I think she probably could have gone about it a different way, but I think as actors, it’s also our job to understand why our characters act the way they do. I think that the relationship her parents have definitely probably rubs off on her more than she thinks and comes into play a lot more than I think she imagines. And so, I think that probably played into this a lot. I’m definitely very protective of her, but I also get it. I also get when people get frustrated, because it makes sense. Also, it’s kind of good when people get frustrated, because that means they’re invested. Any emotional response, honestly, I think is good because if we’re getting under your skin, if we’re making you feel things, then I think we’re doing our jobs, hopefully, correct.
Lucas does see the kiss, so there’s no denying it. But if he didn’t see it, do you think Lauren would have told him, and do you think that would have potentially changed anything?
I hope she would have told him. Again, you ask me, I’m like, ‘Oh, girl, dang.’ But honestly, I don’t know, given the minute that they separate, she’s like, “We can’t do this. This is bad. This is wrong.” I think it might have been a minute before she confessed to it. Honestly, I can’t — I don’t quite know. Yeah, I don’t know, but I would hope that she would have told him and been honest. But he saw it anyway, so I guess we will never know. Unfortunately, he saw — sad, but yeah.
That’s the way my brain works with these shows. I’m always like, would it have changed anything if this [happened or] went in a different direction? Kind of like you were saying with journaling.
Oh, yeah, and then on our side, we sometimes will hear initial plans for stories before scripts are written, and then they change. Things are constantly in flux, and so we honestly, a lot of times, will kind of be given little Easter eggs of possible plans, and then they end up not going that way. There’s so many things about story stuff that almost was this season that didn’t end up happening, and I think that we’re all kind of always like, ‘Oh, I wonder how it would have come out in that way.’
Lauren and Lucas leave off by saying they’ll be okay someday. What sort of conversations did you and Garrett have about still honoring the relationship you built in the first season that fans love, despite this storyline and everything that happens between them in season two, and what’s hopefully to come in season three?
Well, for the fans, Garrett and I are the bestest, bestest, bestest of friends. He’s literally my best friend; I love him so much. So, Garrett and I are great. If that makes it feel any better, I see him basically every day. We’re good; everything’s good there. I think leaving it open-ended definitely serves for a possible reconciliation in the future. But both of our initial thoughts coming into the season, because we knew where it was going to go, were that season one was really great for them, and it was almost like it was all too good to be true; that I think there needed to be some conflict between them because they still, at the end of the day, are so young. I think in order to have a mature relationship and come back to the table having grown up and be in the place to actually think about sharing a future together, that things probably needed to break off eventually so that they could go and do that growing. Yeah, again, sad how it all went down, but I do think that having that conversation that they’re both open to the possibility of later will serve for, hopefully, some growth and some self-realization in the meantime, and they can come to the table, maybe being at different times in their lives.
I am a firm believer that no one knows a character better than the actor playing them. So I wanted to ask, is there something, whether it was a line, a gesture or action, anything specific, that you wanted to throw in or change on the day that, after you read the script and were in the moment, you were just like, ‘This feels Lauren, can we please add this?’
Honestly, I think the art thing. From a first read, season one, I felt that she’s a young girl, and I think that portraying a young woman on TV, April and I wanted to be careful with making sure that her life was not just all about these boys, Reid and Lucas. I remember us going to lunch and kind of chatting about it, and I was like, I hope maybe there’s a world where we can give her something that is kind of just for her that she loves, and can serve as some therapy between all of this, and show that she has passions, desires, hobbies, and stuff outside of, say, cheer and what we’re seeing in story. And so, I think that by giving her that, we gave her an extra layer of like, yeah, she has things for herself, and regardless if you see it in story or not, she does have those things in her life that kind of add a layer to her.
All episodes of Ransom Canyon are streaming on Netflix.
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