The cast of NBC’s ‘A.P. Bio.’ visit Atlanta for aTVfest

“A.P. Bio” is a brand new comedy series on NBC (created by Mike O’Brien) about a narcissistic and apathetic philosophy scholar named Jack Griffin (played by Glenn Howerton) who is forced to teach an Advanced Placement biology class. The stars of the new series made an appearance in Atlanta for a screening and panel discussion at SCADshow as part of this year’s aTVfest. 

The Connector had a chance to sit down with cast members Jean Villepique (Michelle), Mary Sohn (Mary) and Lyric Lewis (Stef) to get their opinions on their roles and some advice for SCAD students looking to break  into the industry.   

The Connector: Are you guys enjoying your time at aTVfest? Is it exciting to get to come out to a festival and showcase your work?

Lewis: Absolutely. Yes, I feel like it’s so fun to see a real-time, live reaction for the work that we’ve done.

Villepique: The timing is perfect. Our show premiered last night so we got to watch together while we were here, and then now we are going to go the screening and panel discussion. It is all really exciting for us.

Sohn: I think the part that I am the most excited about is who is going to be in the audience. I love the idea of students being there as opposed to critics or whoever. It really feels like these are our people and I can’t wait to talk about it with them.

The Connector: Do you feel like you identify with the student mentality of aspiring towards something you love? Have you had the opportunity to experience direct contact with an enthusiastic audience like this in the past while working in television?

Villepique: I think having people asking us questions who are interested in pursuing what we do or, if they enjoy comedy or the more creative aspects of what we do, then that’s fun for us.

The Connector: What drew you to this show and these specific roles?

Lewis: For me, the characters all seemed like real people. Especially for me, as a woman of color, I feel a lot of roles can become stereotypical and boxy where with my role, Stef was originally meant to be a rambunctious blonde, and she is not that on the show anymore, which is something that I liked from the beginning that she could be any woman, and I thought that was great that it wasn’t pigeonholed in anyway.

The Connector: Given that this show is a slightly darker comedy, do you feel that sensibilities have changed in that dark comedy has bled its way into the mainstream more?

Villepique: I’m not sure if cable has pushed network shows or given them permission to be darker, but I am really grateful for it. It is what drew me to the script. It’s funny in an edgier way, for lack of a cooler word.

The Connector: Is that liberating to you to be able to participate in something like this?

Mary Sohn: Absolutely.

Lewis: Hell yes.

The Connector: Lastly, is there any advice you might have for SCAD students and aspiring artists looking to make it in the industry?

Lewis: Trust your judgement, and listen to your inner self.

Villepique: Be in a creative community. Choose to be around people who support what you do.

Sohn: I would say that nobody owes you anything. But, if you wake up everyday and still want to do it, then go for it.

New episodes for “A.P. Bio” begin March 1 on NBC. Check out the first three episodes here.