This show does that, not just with the characters, but also with its cast and creative team.
MELISSA BARRERA:Vidais a huge gift for me, in my life.
That I get to be a part of this amazing family that weve become now.
We want there to be more.
Of course, we want many more seasons forVida, to continue telling these stories.
We have so many colors, so many stories, and so many different experiences to tell.
Image via Starz
BARRERA: The moment happened when I was out in L.A. with friends at this restaurant bar.
This girl approached me and was emotional.
She almost started crying, and was thanking me for doing what I do.
Image via Starz
I was in shock for a second.
I was speechless because her thanking me and her gratitude took me off guard.
Normally, its like, Oh, my god, I love you!
Lets take a picture.
BARRERA: Ive definitely gotten to know Lyn, a lot.
For Season 2, whenever I read a script, I just knew exactly what the thought process was.
I knew exactly what she was saying.
When we got to set to rehearse, it just felt very organic.
Shes in my body now.
I think Ive learned a lot from Lyn, personally.
Even if its not the best thing to do or say, she owns it completely.
I learned from her, in that sense.
She is very out there and she experiments a lot.
Shes very open to any situation, which is admirable, but Im not like that, at all.
When you found out that would be your first scene in Season 2, what was your reaction?
I didnt think that she was actually going to open with that.
But then, I was excited at the prospect of it because Ive never done anything like that.
I was like, This could be actually fun, and it was.
It was fun to be in a room naked, with so many other naked people.
Lyn is somebody whos really having to figure things out.
BARRERA: Well, theres a little bit of both.
We get to see a little bit of that get revealed, throughout the season.
I think people are going to understand her a lot more, once they see that.
Its a reminder of being able to do things herself and having good ideas that she can contribute.
She has to work really hard for people to believe her, especially Emma.
Its a struggle for Lyn, but shes a fighter.
She doesnt give up easily.
Im very proud of her because shes showing a different side of herself, and its a vulnerable one.
Its a great journey that she has, all during this season.
Theres something so interesting about the dynamic between these sisters and Eddy (Ser Anzoategui).
How will that change the dynamic Eddy has with both Lyn and Emma?
BARRERA: The ending of Season 1 really shifted things, for both Emma and Lyn.
Being kind, in itself, is hard for Emma.
She appreciates the gravity of the fact that this is their moms widow.
This is the person that she chose.
This is the person that was with her when she wasnt.
Whats it like to have Mishel Prada as your co-star and your sister, for this experience.
Whats it been like to know that somebody is by your side, throughout this?
BARRERA: Its the best thing in the world.
I love Mishel so much.
Were like sisters, in real life.
We hang out so much.
I miss her so much, now that Im here in New York.
We trust each other.
I know that Im safe with her, and shes safe with me.
Also, it just makes our job easier because were playing sisters.
WithVida, do you feel like theres still a lot left to explore, when it comes to Lyn?
BARRERA: Yeah, because you never know with Tanya.
She pulls things out of nowhere and always surprises us.
I hope that we get a Season 3 and that we can continue telling these stories.
Im sure that, every time, it will just get better.
Youre also doing the feature film adaptation of Lin-Manuel Mirandas Broadway showIn the Heights, which is very exciting.
BARRERA: Its very exciting!
What are you most excited about, with that?
Was it something that you had been familiar with, before being cast in it?
BARRERA: Yeah, I sawIn the Heightson Broadway, maybe more than 10 times.
I saw it with the original cast.
I saw it with all of the rest of the casts.
I was a huge fan of the show.
Now, its almost 10 years later, and I get to be in the movie version of it.
Ive always wanted to do musical movies.
Its been 10 years since it was on Broadway.
Its so much fun.
Its just a really amazing place to be in right now.
Were rehearsing and its insane.
Its gonna be so good.
When do you start shooting?
BARRERA: We shoot in the summer.
It will go all summer in New York, in Washington Heights.
BARRERA: Im super excited.
Anthony is such a great guy, and hes so talented.
From the moment that we met, there was a connection.
I think thats what got me the job, thank goodness.
Hes become a really good friend of mine now, and were very excited to tell this story together.
