Alice Lee Talks ‘Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist’ and Emily’s Struggle with Postpartum Depression [Interview]

Alice Lee is excited that her character Emily on Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist is getting a bit more depth this season.

On Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist Season 2 Episode 9, “Zoey’s Extraordinary Mystery,” it’s revealed that Emily is struggling with postpartum depression. I recently had the chance to speak with Lee about this development for her character and what we can expect moving forward.

Lee told me that while she originally auditioned for the role of Mo on the series, she was instead offered the role of Zoey’s sister-in-law.

“I’m so grateful that Austin (Winsberg) trusted me because I hadn’t actually auditioned for the character of Emily. But the fact that he trusted me, that I could do it, was very exciting and I was very grateful,” Lee said.

In addition to the show’s overall concept and being able to sing and dance on the series, which she loves, Lee shared what she most enjoys about playing the role of Emily.

“She’s very different from other characters I’ve played. I usually play kind of younger mean girls,” Lee said. “But Emily is very put together and kind of has a dry sense of humor.” 

“And I’ve never played a mom either, so I think it was just very exciting in all those ways just trying to do something new,” she added.

Now, playing a mother who is also struggling with postpartum depression provides a whole new set of challenges.

“When I first heard that we’d be doing that storyline, I definitely felt like, ‘Oh, shit. I hope I do it justice.’ And it’s really such a delicate… it shouldn’t even be that delicate; it’s something that so many moms go through, and we should talk about it. And I think it’s so important that the show is talking about it,” Lee said. “And obviously I’m not a mom, so I really just wanted to make sure I did it justice.”

The reveal that Emily is struggling in this way comes at the end of “Zoey’s Extraordinary Mystery.” Zoey’s powers are glitching, causing the heart songs she hears to be swapped. Zoey finally figures out that the heartbreaking, deeply sad song Max sang was actually Emily’s heart song.

That’s confirmed when Emily sings “Rosanna,” a song obviously meant for Max, but then switches to an even more emotional rendition of “Anyone” once Zoey tells her she’s there for her. Lee talked about what it was like filming such a powerful and emotional scene.

“I was definitely a little anxious, just because it’s such an emotional thing, and I just wanted to get it right and make sure I was in the right space,” Lee recalled. “Everyone was really amazing. Jane [Levy] was incredible just as a scene partner, just giving me the space to do my thing first. We did my coverage first, which I think was good, just so I can get those emotions so that I can tap into them early on. It was wild though. I feel like it happened so fast. It’s crazy because it’s such an emotional thing and it’s so internal, but there’s a whole crew around you.”

“But I felt very safe and I felt like I could really do the work I wanted,” Lee continued. “It was seriously one of the coolest parts of my career. I don’t think I’ve ever really done really emotional scene like that.”

Already, Lee has seen a positive response from fans. 

“I just feel like a lot of people could relate, even just to that last scene I had in the last episode. It was just one song, but it just seems like a lot of women can relate,” she said. “It’s always nice to know you’re not alone. And I think art is so important in that way.”

As the story moves forward, Lee hopes to make an impact on the audience. “I hope that people can see, one, it’s just to see a similar journey. Once again to know they’re not alone, that what they experienced wasn’t just them,” she said.

“And also for people struggling with postpartum or depression, just to know that you can reach out. I know it’s the hardest thing to do, to reach out for help. But just making sure everyone knows that they can do that, and there’s always a way out and you have family and friends who love you. So I just hope that they can see that there’s a light at the other end, you know?”

Lee also shared what it was like filming a musical number we’ll see on the next episode, Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist Season 2 Episode 10, “Zoey’s Extraordinary Girls’ Night,” which takes place in a club bathroom. 

“So that one, it was wild because it’s just such a tight space,” she explained. “They made a pseudo bathroom stall in the dance studio when we were rehearsing, which was funny, and like a fake toilet.”

“There were such cool shots and the dancing was a bit challenging for me. Just kind of throwing myself around in there,” Lee laughed. “But I loved every second.”

That episode will center more heavily on Emily as Zoey makes it her mission to help her sister-in-law. Beyond that, I was curious to know how this would impact the remainder of the season. 

“Well, we definitely talk about it,” Lee hinted. “I think it’s something that Emily will always have to kind of go through.”

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Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist airs Sundays at 9/8c on NBC.

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Preview — Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist Season 2 Episode 10: Zoey’s Extraordinary Girls’ Night