If you were first introduced to Karla Souza via her role in How to Get Away with Murder, you might be surprised to see her now in ABC’s Home Economics. Sure, she can play darker roles, but Souza found herself right at home when it comes to making comedy. “Don’t tell my Murder family, but I’m like, ‘How will I ever go back to drama after this?'”
Souza plays Marina, who is a lawyer turned wine-loving-stay-at-home-mom after giving birth to twins. That’s something she can relate to having given birth to her second child just last June. “I love the comedy and how relatable it was to my life,” says Souza. That doesn’t mean she can’t also be a little jealous of her character who frequently has a glass of wine in hand. “I wish I could have a glass of wine for every diaper I changed.”
Home Economics was filmed under Covid protocols, creating a totally new experience for many in the cast. “We have table reads through Zoom, and rehearsals with masks on,” says Souza. “There’s a lot of adjusting to do when you’re filming a comedy in Covid.” Of course, those challenges made the show that much more important to the cast. “We’re so lucky to have been on [Home Economics], and as an industry, to continue to work.”
With just seven episodes in this first season and a two-month filming schedule, the cast grew close to each other quickly. “We would sit and chairs and just talk on our lunch breaks,” says Souza of their parking lot tailgates over lunch. “We never really got tired of each other. We were just like having so much fun.”
You can see all of this fun come together when you catch Home Economics Wednesdays at 8:30-9:00 p.m. EST on ABC, and the following day streaming on Hulu.
About Home Economics
From writers and executive producers Michael Colton and John Aboud, the series takes a look at the heartwarming yet super uncomfortable and sometimes frustrating relationship among three adult siblings: one in the 1%, one middle-class and one barely holding on. The comedy is inspired by the life of writer and executive producer Michael Colton.
The series stars Topher Grace as Tom, Caitlin McGee as Sarah, Jimmy Tatro as Connor, Karla Souza as Marina, and Sasheer Zamata as Denise. Also starring is Shiloh Bearman as Gretchen, Jordyn Curet as Shamiah, Chloe Jo Rountree as Camila, and JeCobi Swain as Kelvin.