Ashleigh Murray Talks Netflix’s Deidra & Laney Rob a TrainPosted by Wilson Morales
April 5, 2017
Currently playing on Netflix is the light-hearted comedy Deidra & Laney Rob a Train, directed by Sydney Freeland from a script written by Shelby Farrell. The main cast includes Ashleigh Murray, Rachel Crow, Tim Blake Nelson, Danielle Nicolet, David Sullivan, Missi Pyle and Sasheer Zamata.
Life is moving fast for whip-smart high school senior Deidra (Ashleigh Murray) and her younger sister Laney (Rachel Crow). Graduation looms, their part-time dad is a full-time schemer, and adolescent embarrassments arrive daily — just like the train that rambles noisily through their backyard. But things take a turn for the worse when their mother Marigold (Danielle Nicolet) is thrown in jail for a minor offense after succumbing to the pressure of single parenting. To help her struggling family, Deidra hatches a plan to start robbing trains. Things go off without a hitch, until a railroad detective (Tim Blake Nelson) starts sniffing around.
For Murray, this is the Kansas City, Missouri native’s first lead role after appearing opposite Kevin Bacon in Fox’s The Following, and guest appearances on TVLand’s Younger. Currently Murray is having a blast playing Josie McCoy, the lead singer for the popular band Josie and the Pussycats in the CW’s teen drama Riverdale.
Blackfilm.com recently spoke with Murray regarding her role as Deidra and playing Josie.
How much fun did you have making this film?
Ashleigh Murray: To be honest with you, it was my first time being the lead and it was really strenuous. Our days were so long. We were working 14 hour days, 5 days a week and non-stop. The only time we took a break was just for lunch. That was everyone. So, it gave us a lot of time together during the hot summer days and cold summer nights. Some of my favorite parts were in the train.
What was it about the script that made you say yes?
Ashleigh Murray: As I was reading it, I thought I knew what was going to happen and I didn’t think they were going to make this film, but as I kept reading, it started to connect and it had a nice happy ending that I couldn’t myself ready to believe. What I also liked about the script was how it identified family needs and that we don’t all look the same and often times we look at families and how did that happen, but it just does. We’re not defined by our circumstances and we can always find a way to rise above it. It may be unconventional at times, but it’s worth it to give it a try. So, I fell in love with it.
How would you best describe Deidra?
Ashleigh Murray: She’s very smart and also put upon. She definitely feels the struggles of having to be the older sibling and being annoyed by her younger sister and having to take over the mom role, not only for them but for their mother. She’s definitely strong but it’s to easier to be more than what people think she is. Her mom is in jail and she’s know she’s everything but her and her dad. The way she saves her family is by becoming a crook. She’s not as different as she think she is, but she’s so strong and that’s what I love about her.
Can you talk about working with Rachel and developing a chemistry for the screen?
Ashleigh Murray: It wasn’t much a development to get to. It was instant the second that we met. We were like sisters. I felt so comfortable with her. She actually reminds me a lot of my younger sister. She also reminds me of myself when I was her age. She’s so wide-eyed and gleeful. She has this certain energy that I haven’t found in many people that shares that same quality with me. We would talk for hours about anything. It was so easy to be with her on set and that’s where we spent our time getting to know one another. With Rachel, we got to be ourselves with one another.
For this film, what did you pick up or learn from your director Sydney Freeland?
Ashleigh Murray: She liked to try everything. She won’t settle on one take or two takes, even if the intention is the same. She’ll change it and come over and say, “Let’s try it this way.” She’s interested to see not just what I can come up with but also how the story can be told differently. She gave us so many options to choose from. The cool thing about that is that by the time we were done, the way certain shots were edited together, it was something we didn’t plan on and what was great is when I wasn’t sure if I found the moment that she wants and second guessed myself, she would she tell me that I’m doing everything that she asked me to do. With each different take, she found what she was looking for. I really enjoyed that about her.
Is this film a coming-of-age or a black comedy?
Ashleigh Murray: I would describe it as a coming-of-age film. It’s an off-beat family comedy because it really fits for anyone. It’s not for a particular audience. It’s for those who like to watch a light-hearted crazy fun situation and can relate to it because they may come from a small town or they may feel that they don’t fit in with their family. Maybe they hate the fact that their dad isn’t always there for them. It could be a million of things. Most of all, it’s definitely a coming-of-age film and it’s for everyone.
Besides this film, folks can see you in Riverdale. How is it playing Josie?
Ashleigh Murray: That’s a dream. Playing Josie is the best feeling in the world. In playing Josie, I get to embellish parts of my personality that don’t fit at the forefront. What would it be like to be a diva?
Did you grow up reading the comic books?
Ashleigh Murray: I did. I have so many copies at home. I didn’t have a whole lot of money and my aunt was not going to spend five dollars on a comic book when we need groceries so I would read it there and the woman who worked there would recognize me because I would straight to the Archie comics and read as much as I could before my aunt was done grocery shopping. Ok, I’m caught up but yes, I’m a huge Archie comic book fan.
