Watch their full discussion in the video above, and read on below for highlights.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: How have these roles in the past year or so opened doors for you?
So it’s really amazing to be in a position where there are some choices to be made.
David Milan for EW
Do I take this job or do I not take this job?
Or, can I afford to not take this job?
ADRIENNE WARREN: Yes, choices.
Murray Bartlett.David Milan for EW
I can make the choice to not work.
And I missed a lot of time with my family.
We lost a lot of people in the past few years, and I missed a lot of life.
Annaleigh Ashford.David Milan for EW
So for me, it’s being able to take a moment and say, “You know what?
I need to hold off for a few and go check in with my people real quick.”
That is a luxury I’m really, really grateful for.
Manny Jacinto.David Milan for EW
WARREN: It depends on who’s testing the temperature.
I’ve always been hot, honey.
I’m just waiting for people to catch up!
Adrienne Warren.David Milan for EW
But also, I feel exactly the same.
I feel like I’ve been working just as hard as I always did.
Now other people are also feeling the iron.
I can’t even tell you how grateful I am.
So, when you have lines to learn, it’s a good day.
Murray, a lot of your scenes onThe White Lotuswere some of the most talked-about of the series.
Is there one in particular that you heard about from viewers?
BARTLETT:I mean… [Laughs] Well, there are two things that come to mind.
That was the first one that people really wanted to make memes of.
And then, there’s a certain suitcase scene in the final episode.
“[Those moments are] meant to be shocking, and they’re meant to jar you.
And then, when it hits, it’s so great.
Because you’re like, “We achieved what we set out to do.”
Annaleigh, you made playing Paula Jones look easy.
But what was the hardest part of accessing the mental and emotional elements of the performance?
She starts off being very closed off, protecting her heart.
Adrienne, what did you learn about yourself while playing Tina?
I found her voice in my own.
So, every single step I felt like I was, in a way, fighting for my life.
Fighting for my job still.
And I had every injury you could possibly imagine.
And now I know that anything I put my mind to, I can actually do it.
I just have to believe in it.
What was your big takeaway from that experience?
JACINTO: That they’re all just a bunch of kids.
They have this great sense of lightheartedness.
And seeing that was like, “Oh, I can ease up.
I can have fun.”
It helps the environment, and also just creates morale around the cast.
I thought it was just a [portion of it].
So I just gave it a go.
I was the most strange, odd, wild, zany Cinderella anybody’s ever seen.
And I didn’t sing anything right.
So I was studying how to be funny, and how to make people laugh.
Sprinkle in whatever can work.
And then a week later, the audition forThe Good Placecame and I got that role.
[Laughs] I just see the wig.
I did not get the job, but it is a moment I will cherish forever.
What is the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Never compare yourself to anybody else, because this is your own journey.
WARREN: I was told a long time ago to always remain a student in life.
I’m constantly learning new things, and I constantly don’t know what I’m doing.
And protect your talent.
BARTLETT: Know what it is that you’re bringing to a role that is specifically you.
What is your connection to the work that makes it sing because you’re doing it?
And double-check that you’re loving your life as much as you possibly can.
