Elizabeth Gillies has been a staple on TV for so long as I can keep in mind. From being the fashion icon of my childhood in Victorious to her days as Fallon on the long-running reboot of Dynasty, she’s been a well-known face on the small display screen for audiences the world over, together with her iconic vogue sense and signature deadpan that make her inconceivable to overlook.

Now, although, she’s taking a break from TV and making a leap to the massive display screen together with her newest movie, Spread, which hits Tubi on Friday. The story of Ruby, an uptight aspiring journalist who finds herself down on her luck and dealing at an grownup journal, marks the primary main challenge Gillies has taken on because the finish of Dynasty in 2022, the place she co-stars alongside movie legend Harvey Keitel and serves some severe seems alongside the way in which. Even higher, she additionally serves as govt producer on the movie, a primary for her that opened up an all-new, intriguing set of doorways for her profession.

Collider was fortunate sufficient to sit down down with Gillies to debate the movie and her expertise producing it forward of its launch on Tubi, in addition to Ruby’s unbelievable wardrobe, what it was like working with Keitel, and what she hopes to do extra of as an actress and a producer.

COLLIDER: I had a lot enjoyable with this film. It was so ridiculous in a extremely endearing manner. I do know it has been a minute since you have completed a movie. You’ve clearly been on Dynasty for fairly a very long time, and doing TV, so what about this challenge appealed to you as each an actor and a producer?

ELIZABETH GILLIES: I used to be so burnt out by the top of Dynasty simply because the schedule was so powerful, and we have been going for thus lengthy. I believe we had been on Episode 90-something after I obtained this script. Typically, each time I used to be despatched a script, particularly throughout that point, if it was too lengthy or if it was boring me… I needed to take a extremely huge break, which I ended up doing, however this script, after I learn it, actually charmed me and made me snicker. I associated to the character, and I felt it was refreshing. It jogged my memory a bit of little bit of the early 2000s oddball office comedies, which I grew up loving, and it was simply an speedy sure for me.

I related with Ellie [Kanner], the director, and I cherished the script that Buffy [Charlet] wrote based mostly on her expertise at Hustler. I assumed it was all very cool. And in a manner, it sort of tied into what I used to be doing at Dynasty, so it felt like the fitting subsequent step. To produce on it was simply the icing on the cake as a result of I like producing. I’ve actually fallen in love with that facet of the trade. So, it made me snicker, and it felt like the fitting transfer. I’m glad it is lastly popping out. It’s been a minute.

Producing Is a New Challenge for ‘Spread’s Elizabeth Gillies

As far as producing goes, does that change how you use in entrance of the digicam? Has it influenced that in a optimistic manner, possibly in a destructive manner?

GILLIES: I adore it! I’ll say, when I’m producing and when I’m directing — I did not direct this, clearly, however I’ve directed in the previous on Dynasty — and when I’m additionally in the challenge, I do have rather more on my thoughts, and typically it’s going to issue into my efficiency, however principally it is simply an asset. That’s at all times how I’m pondering. Even after I was simply appearing, earlier than anybody gave me the privilege or the accountability of stepping as much as a producer or director position, I used to be at all times fascinated with everybody else’s efficiency and what is going on to work in modifying.

I’d shout issues out on Dynasty like, “Use take four, use the last line,” they usually’re like, “Shut up, Liz. We’re not doing any of that. You have no power.” But what’s good is that my mind works like that anyway, so it is an asset. So, to get to make use of it and really have the title, it is solely helped me. I do not love directing myself, however as a result of Ellie was directing and I used to be simply capable of play producer and lead on this film, this was very good. This was a pleasant mixture for me since I needed to be in the film a lot.

My mind works the identical manner. I do know what works, or I believe I do know what works. Does that make you’re feeling like you’ve gotten a bit of extra management over what is going on on?

GILLIES: I believe so. Luckily, I did have a producer title in this one, however like something if you’re an actor, once they offer you a director title or producer title, lots of people instantly consider it as a fluff position as a result of they’re simply appeasing the actor whose title is on the film and on the decision sheet. The problem is at all times to show your self early on as any person who’s pondering on a better stage and who will not be egocentric or myopic about their notes or decision-making, and that is one thing I at all times attempt to do.

Luckily, Ellie was an exquisite collaborator and actually let me weigh in quite a bit on the film. I used to be part of all of the modifying and the whole lot, and it was a deal with. You do should take your self out of it, although. I’ve to take a look at myself like, “I am not in my own body.” I take a look at myself as a product, and I say, “I don’t like this scene for her. I think we have a better take of her,” as if it isn’t even me. But you must as a result of in any other case you are simply selfishly making selections and serving your self, which is able to by no means work, I do not assume, as a producer or director or any of it. But I like Ellie, and she or he did an ideal job.

Was there ever any sort of… not nervousness in the edit, however your self and going, “Oh, god, why did I do that?”

GILLIES: Yeah! I held numerous dildos in the film, and that was not enjoyable to look at again, if that is what you imply. [Laughs] No, I do know that’s not what you imply. There are sure issues. You’re going so quick on tasks like this, particularly when it isn’t a big-budget film, and you’ve got restricted time and sources, and also you’re on location, and also you’re attempting to get all of it completed in 23 weeks, or nonetheless lengthy we shot it for, and typically issues work, typically issues do not. The magnificence is that a lot might be solved in modifying. Ellie and I had been so like-minded that usually I’d have a observe, and it could already be popping out of her mouth. We’re form of telepathic. It’s been very cool. Even now, once they had been reducing the trailer, she and I had the very same notes. So, I used to be very blessed to have the ability to work with somebody who was so like-minded and had all the identical notes as I did. But yeah, there have been a few issues I watched again, and I used to be like, “Oh, swing and a miss!” It occurs. [Laughs] What are you able to do?

I do know that this script was clearly based mostly on any person’s actual experiences at Hustler, however — I’ve to determine a fragile approach to ask this — did you do any form of analysis into the grownup leisure trade? Obviously, Playboy, Hustler, all these magazines are such an enormous half of popular culture. Was there anything that you just seemed into?

GILLIES: I talked to Buffy, our author, quite a bit. Hearing about her expertise, I used to be so curious to understand how a lot crossover there was into our script. Ruby has to take action many humorous issues, and she or he’s handled in a really fascinating manner in the start. I requested Buffy, “Is this what it was like at Hustler for you being one of the, if not the, only female copy editor at the time, rising from a temp position?” And she mentioned it was actually trippy, and she or he’s at all times needed to inform this story. [Laughs]

I assume I’ve a traditional particular person’s information of the porn trade. I’m positively not judgmental about it in the way in which that Ruby is, however after all, she comes round in the top. This is unrelated, however I grew up watching The Girls Next Door on VH1 or MTV. [Laughs] Do you do not forget that present?

[Laughs] Yeah.

GILLIES: For higher or worse, I watched it as a result of it was on TV quite a bit after I was younger. So, I used to be accustomed to the entire playmates and, after all, Playboy. I by no means obtained into Hustler. I do not take a look at numerous porn [laughs], however possibly. I’m nonetheless younger. It nonetheless might flip round. Listen, rock on. It’s a booming trade, and I’ve nothing destructive to say about it. And Ruby positively has the fitting journey in this film as a result of her entire factor is she stands on this feminist pedestal, however she does not even know who she is or what which means. She learns from assembly extra folks and going out in the world to not be so close-minded and so ignorant. That’s a part of her rising and studying expertise, and all of us can study one thing from that as a result of we’re by no means completed rising and studying at any age.

Elizabeth Gillies’ Fashion in ‘Spread’ Is Off the Charts

Probably my favourite a part of this film is Ruby’s outfits. Basically, my total life, I grew up watching you on Victorious. I at all times thought you seemed like the good human being on the planet.

GILLIES: Did I’ve any hand in your beautiful look that is occurring proper now?

Yes. Very a lot so.

GILLIES: That makes me so glad. I hope we will meet once more in a life the place I’m not actively self-tanning and after I look how I wanna look with my pale pores and skin and my black hair and my stunning winged eyeliner. I pray to God that we will meet once more in this life when I’m doing that. [Laughs]

You have been an enormous affect on my vogue from Victorious after I was a child by Dynasty, after which this movie. You are consistently trying iconic. Did you’ve gotten any say in the costuming for Ruby?

GILLIES: Yeah! Our costume designer was nice. I needed her to seek out herself. We each needed her to have a journey together with her wardrobe, as properly. As she comes into her personal a bit of extra, she begins dressing a bit of extra cohesively, she begins discovering her fashion. I would not say she begins dressing sexier, however the good selection we made in the start of the film is she’s this loud, peacocking sort of lady, which clearly will get her fired fairly early on in the film. She’s sporting this insane pink hat with an identical vibrant pink coat and it is only a lot. We had a pair extra traces that we ended up not utilizing to show how this lady simply comes at issues weapons blazing after which simply says bullshit after which will get fired.

Her journey in vogue goes together with the lesson she learns about being extra subdued and listening and being quiet and taking notes for a minute earlier than taking that authority place once more. The pink swimsuit on the finish, that was our huge she’s-found-herself second. But there is no motive for her to be sporting something costly or couture or something like that — she’s not Fallon from Dynasty — so we saved it a bit of extra real looking however nonetheless infused a bit of fashion. I am unable to actually do something with out infusing a bit of little bit of my fashion. I like the wrap clothes. We sort of leaned into the ‘70s. The entire vibe may be very ‘70s porno power, and so these wrap clothes and people oranges, like a burnt orange or a yellow or a beige, and a few hoop earrings. It was actually enjoyable to play with all of that. But yeah, she goes on a bit of journey, for certain.

Elizabeth Gillies Got to Work With a Hollywood Legend on ‘Spread’

You additionally get to work fairly intently with Harvey Keitel in this movie. I believe you most likely have essentially the most intimate, emotional scenes with him. What was that like?

GILLIES: Oh, it was great. I simply love studying from individuals who not solely are legendary in his case, however who’ve been in this trade a very long time, who’re a lot older than me and wiser than me. Those are my favourite conversations to have, and people are my favourite hangs, at all times and endlessly. Getting to work with him and attending to snicker with him, and listen to his tales, and act reverse him — that was one of many larger the reason why I selected to do that film. Once I heard he was hooked up, that was simply form of a no brainer for me. He greater than lived as much as my expectations of the whole lot I’d heard about him and seen him in. It was superior. And he sang a complete music in my face. He sang “Ruby” by Ray Charles, which wasn’t even in the script. He simply did it. And to look at him get into that mode and do his factor, it was very, very particular. I really feel very fortunate that I obtained to try this. Harvey is the good.

Personally, I’d be sort of shocked. “I don’t know how to act!” Was there any of that going in, or was it simply instantly like, “No, let’s go in. Let’s get the job done,” and attempt to shake these off as a lot as you could possibly?

GILLIES: Luckily, I obtained to fulfill him first, and I obtained to have espresso with him, and we had an ideal espresso. We had an extended, nice espresso the place we talked, and we laughed, and we related sort of immediately. That was extra my concern. First of all, if I hadn’t gotten to fulfill him earlier than, there’s nothing scarier than if you find yourself proper on set, they usually name motion, and also you’re with any person who is kind of iconic, and also you’re gonna have to simply play ball with none dialog beforehand. So, to get to talk with him and see that we obtained alongside was very particular. My nerves dissolved there.

But yeah, that larger scene when he has the emotional breakdown, appearing reverse him, it was arduous to not simply watch him, a front-row seat to this unbelievable second and his course of. I’ll always remember that. It was very cool. I believe he did two or three takes, and it was simply unbelievable. And sure, then I needed to remind myself I needed to act, as properly, however I actually simply needed to assist him and watch him from very close-up. It was nice.

We talked about you doing numerous TV initially of this, however is movie one thing you need to do extra of? Do you need to get away from TV and proceed doing this, or are you cheerful selecting what roles you assume fit your needs and your profession finest?

GILLIES: I believe all of it relies upon on the position. It’s such an fascinating time proper now in the trade. In TV, you could possibly do, like, seven 20-minute episodes of tv now and name it a season. Would I’m going do a 23-episode-a-year, hour-long, 500-season present? I do not find out about that. [Laughs] But I’m open to no matter. I proceed to seek for issues that problem me and stretch me, particularly as a result of I’ve performed numerous roles which can be vital to sure generations now. So, I like to change it up, and I love to do one thing completely different so nobody can put me in a field. But if I keep in a field, I just like the field, so it’s okay. [Laughs]

I’d like to do extra films. I like being on the set of a film, since you are all in it so arduous for such a brief period of time. You are inclined to get a bit of lazy and a bit of stagnant on a TV present that runs too lengthy, so it is good to do these short-form issues. I stay up for seeing what the longer term holds. I’m open to no matter pursuits me.

Spread is offered to stream July 19 on Tubi in the U.S.

Watch on Tubi