Hannah Zeile Talks ‘This Is Us’ Season 2 and Teenage Kate’s Struggle [Exclusive Interview]

This Is Us star Hannah Zeile is in the rare position of playing a character that is shared by three different actors on one of TV’s most popular shows.

Zeile, who plays the teenage incarnate of Kate Pearson, delivers a performance that is elevated by a fun level of angst and a refreshing level of maturity for someone her age.

I recently had the chance to talk to Zeile about being part of the hugely successful show, working with her TV parents, Milo Ventimiglia and Mandy Moore, and what to expect for Kate in This Is Us Season 2.

Zeile said sharing a character with Chrissy Metz and Mackenzie Hancsicsak is an interesting experience.

“What’s really cool is that Chrissy and Mackenzie and I all play Kate, but [the] generations are really different. Teenage Kate is kind of her own character, very separate. I picked up subtleties from Chrissy by watching the show. As I’ve gotten to know her better, I’ve picked up some of her mannerisms.”

One of the big characterizations of Kate revolves around her eating disorder, a subject the show has not shied away from. Zeile described what it’s like to play that side of Kate.

“I think that it’s a topic that can be uncomfortable, but I’m really glad I have a platform and a voice to talk about it. Teenagers can be mean. Kate’s in a world where there’s no social media, so it’s a little bit different, but her insecurities still run true,” Zeile explained.

“The thing with Kate is that she lets her insecurities hold her back from opportunities. I just want to get the message out that you should just be confident and comfortable with who you are. And don’t let your insecurities hold you back from living life.”

While the three Kates are seamlessly tied together, Zeile is in the unique position of playing Kate in the vulnerable stage of adolescence.

“She’s definitely going through some teenage angst. There’s some turbulence in her relationship with her mom. Little girls look up to their mom and want to be like their mom. And Kate doesn’t see that being possible,” Zeile noted.

“But her dad’s like her knight in shining armor. We see throughout the season their relationship strengthens. But as we saw in the premiere, we will be diving into the death of Jack, so there will be a lot of emotions for Kate.”

On This is Us Season 2 Episode 2, Zeile and Ventimiglia shared a tearjerking scene where Jack revealed to Kate that he was an alcoholic. Zeile spoke about filming the emotional scene.

“It’s crazy because I get the script, and I’m reading it rehearsing it with myself, and you’re at one place. But when you actually perform with someone as talented as Milo Ventimiglia, it takes you to a whole other level,” she said.

“It doesn’t feel like acting anymore. I was really looking into his eyes and seeing him get emotional. Milo is just really easy to connect with. He brings emotion out of me that I don’t think I can find on my own,” Zeile admitted.

However, it’s not all work for this group. When asked what her TV parents are like on set, Zeile said Ventimiglia and Moore are a fun pair.

“They’re so much fun! They joke around a lot. We have a lot of laughs, and they’re so welcoming. The first day that the teenage big three came on set, Milo came and said ‘welcome to the family!’ and gave us a hug. They’re always so kind and so professional. So, I learn a lot from them because they’re so talented, but at the same time, we have fun and mess around like a real family.”

Speaking of family, Zeile also spoke about the growing bond between Kate and her brothers.

“You’re definitely going to see more of their relationships, especially since this is kind of a rocky time for the Pearsons. It’s just going to bring the triplets together,” she said. “There’s a really cool storyline for the teens coming up that I’m excited for the fans to see, because it starts to explain why the adults are the way that they are.”

When asked if we will see Kate date boys or interact with friends in the future episodes, Zeile was tight-lipped, saying that most of the focus will be on Kate relationship with her parents, though there will be a lot of surprises in store.

Of course, I couldn’t let Zeile go without asking her about Jack’s death. And while she couldn’t reveal too much, she did say that the audience is bound to be conflicted after the reveal.

“No matter how it goes down, no matter when it happens, I think people are going to be broken. Jack is such a hero figure and such a perfect man on the show,” she hinted.

“I think there will be a lot of different emotions — anger, confusion, sadness. I think it’s going to be intense, but the writers and (creator) Dan Fogelman never disappoint. I think it’s going to live up to all the hype.”

Lastly, when asked what it felt like to be part of a critically acclaimed and popular show like This Is Us, Zeile said she feels very fortunate.

“I don’t think you can ever anticipate being a part of something that relates to so many people. It’s a blessing.”

Be sure to catch Hannah Zeile on This Is Us, airing Tuesdays at 9/8c on NBC.

*Featured image credit: Bobby Quillard

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