Isis King and Todd Grinnell Talk ‘With Love’ and the Importance of Valid Representation [Interview]

Amazon’s newest upcoming romantic comedy series, With Love, is a show that prides itself on joy, family, valid representation, and most importantly, love.

I recently spoke with Isis King and Todd Grinnell about the importance of representation on screen in a non-hypersexualized way and the charismatic chemistry between the two that shines through on With Love.

King plays Sol Perez, an oncologist who forms a newfound relationship with Dr. Miles Murphy, played by Grinnell. The two are flirtatious but innocent, in the beginning, sharing quick exchanges. But, their relationship begins to bloom quickly.

The relationship between Sol Perez and Miles Murphy is a refreshing and vital showcase of trans love in a way that is rarely seen or portrayed on screen.

“I think it’s really important to see people like me on TV,” King said. “We have all types of backgrounds. To see a trans person who has a career, family support, support of their friends, and now possibly finding love, or trying to decide if they want to love or not, is refreshing and is necessary. Because I’m like that. I just never got to see something like that. There are so many people that can learn on both sides of the fence. Trans people can see that they deserve love and a career, and then people can learn it as well.”

“I would say the same thing,” Grinnell added. “I think it’s exciting and important for people to see the relationship between Miles and Sol. It’s defined by love more than it’s defined by anything else, not to disregard anybody’s identities or histories or anything. But, the most important thing between these two people is that they just fell in love with each other. And I hope everybody sees that.”

Watch the full video with Isis King and Todd Grinnell:

The character of Sol Perez inspires and excites King because it’s a character she doesn’t see too often.

“I’m excited for viewers to see a trans person with such vulnerability when it comes to potentially giving someone a chance. I feel like in so many aspects, most of the time you see a trans person on TV, they’re hyper-sexualized, and that’s it.”

“So, to see someone who’s not focused on that, and [who doesn’t] know if they even want it, and then to see a potential suitor who is interested in the googly eyes, shy eyes, and all the vulnerability — I just think it’s refreshing,” King continued. “Everyone should see it. I feel like it really grounds a character and shows that no matter what your background is, we can all be like that.”

The mesmerizing chemistry that Grinnell and King share on-screen was achieved quickly between the two in real life.

“You know, we needed to talk to get to know each other a bit, but for us, it was pretty quick. We found kindred spirits in each other, I think. We were able to just get locked right in, which is a testament to Gloria’s casting and Amazon’s casting. They somehow knew that even though we had never met, we’d have great chemistry, and I feel like we have. I don’t want to boast, but we have great chemistry,” Grinnell said.  

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With Love will be available to stream Friday, December 17th on Prime Video.

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