Sasha Alexander On ‘Bernard and Huey’, Independent Films And Roles For Women

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You’ve no doubt seen Sasha Alexander on your TV screen sometime in the last few decades. She’s been a working actress for many years on shows like Dawson’s Creek, Rizzoli and Isles, and Shameless.  But she’s also a big supporter of independent film and tells me her latest project is a great example of what a true independent film looks like in today’s fast-paced super-sized movie world.

 

Bernard and Huey was written by legendary, Pulitzer Prize and Oscar® winner Jules Feiffer (Carnal Knowledge, Popeye) and stars Bernard (Jim Rash) and Huey (David Koechner). As teens, Bernard is the more introverted, less socially successful of the two, and Huey is the outgoing ladies’ man. Years later, the two reconnect, to find that the tables have turned and they become entwined in one-another’s lives in bizarre ways.

Alexander, along with Mae Whitman, Nancy Travis and Bellamy Young add a much-needed female presence to the film. Alexander tells me the women stepped into what felt like a very masculine story and added their own fierce perspective to their parts. After all the film was initially written back in the 80’s and was supposed to be about characters from the 50’s. Alexander tells me the script underwent several revisions to make it what it is today.

 

We also talked about the need for more truly independent films at the box office so moviegoers don’t get stuck in a superhero rut. And she tells me how wonderfully written roles for women are being done on the small screen. Alexander says she’s being more particular about which roles she takes these days because her family needs are a priority.

She’s been a series regular on several series so she’s not eager to jump back into one right now. But she says she is eager to continue to playing rich characters and working with wonderful people like Jim Rash. Almost all of her scenes were with Rash and she says he was an amazing actor to work with.

If nothing else, she says you should watch Bernard and Huey just to see Jim Rash shirtless. Curious? Bernard and Huey opens in select theaters and several digital platforms on June 8th. And you can follow Sasha on Twitter at @SashaAlexander.