Tania Raymonde has starred in shows like Malcolm in the Middle, Lost, and Big Bang Theory, but her role in Goliath is unforgettable. She worked alongside Billy Bob Thornton on this Amazon series; the fourth and final season premiered late September of this year.

How did you get your start in acting, and would you have done anything differently?
It was a school play in 4th grade. I got the part of Dorothy by default because the girl they cast was failing Bio or something and started acting in TV shows shortly after that. Malcom in the Middle came around and it and rocked my world. I was in love with Frankie Muniz and convinced we were destined to get married. That obviously didn’t happen, but I’d found my passion and my life made sense after that. I think I’ve been very lucky actually. I figured out what I wanted to do for the rest of my life when I was 12. That’s the luckiest thing that’ll ever happen to me. I could have spent 10 years trying to make a career out of something I suck at, like math, cooking, or yoga.

What is your favorite role you have played, and why?
Alex on Lost. Absolutely. I’d just turned 17, shipped to Hawaii, and dropped off in the middle of the jungle. Not exactly, but that’s what it felt like. Alex was fiery like me, she was rebellious in the same way, experienced the pangs of first love on the show just like I was. Every day in Hawaii felt like I dream, I got to look at the ocean every morning on my way to work, perfectly warm days shooting in the jungle, nature everywhere, in the middle of rainstorms, on the tops of mountains overlooking the whole island. The Hawaiian people were so cool, the cast incredible and badass, catering would even fish in the morning right off set for lunch in the afternoon. Walking around Waikiki at night in a t-shirt, looking at parrots in the trees, even McDonalds tasted better over there. I’d never been in a place so beautiful in my life.

How did you research and prepare for your role on Goliath?
I watched a lot of episodes of Taxicab Confessions, the old doc series on HBO. It was a hidden camera show. The cab driver would pick up riders in New York on a night shift and just talk to them on camera. He worked late, when all the clubs were getting out, picked up lots of escorts and prostitutes, sometimes riding with their pimps, sometimes alone. Because it was all real, it really helped to listen to their stories, and see how these women behaved, how their talked, what their lives were like. Other than that, I didn’t fixate on it too much and made sure I knew my lines.

Do you wish you could’ve had more time (more seasons) to tell the story, or do you feel like four seasons was sufficient?
I’ve grown so attached to being Brittany the last four years. I would play this character into her 80s! Can you imagine an ex-escort turned private eye living in a retirement home? Sounds like a great idea. But everything happens for a reason, good things end, and this fourth season wraps the story and characters up in a beautiful, elegant way. This final season is my favorite of all, I think. Brittany and Billy’s relationship was complicated, loving, beautiful, and sad but playing her all these years. What makes me truly happy is we left her in a better place than we found her in season one. She got her life back into shape, asserted herself, and fought her demons, in no small part thanks to Billy. They lived a beautiful story together, those two have a very special kind of friendship.

What is one thing you want viewers to remember about your character, Brittany Gold?
Her bravery, her humor, and her excellent taste in bandeau dresses.

Whom do you look up to in the industry?
Billy Bob Thornton. Hands down the coolest cat I’ve ever met. I’ve never had more fun acting with anyone ever, period. I marvel at what he can do, and how easy he makes it look. It’s whole other level of performance with Billy, it’s almost different to describe how magnetic he is. It’s been a privilege, honestly, it doesn’t get any better. On a more personal note, my buddy Arjen Tuiten is a FX make-up artist and his work is genius. He’s the hardest working person I’ve ever met and gotten to know in this business.

What is a show you would love to work on and an actor that you dream of working with?
White Lotus is hilarious. I’d love to work on something like Better Things. Pamela Adlon makes me laugh like crazy. My ultimate dream right now would be to get cast in Season 2 of Squid Game. I’m particularly obsessed with it, I was Player 067 for Halloween, anyone who says they’re a bigger fan than I can fight me on it. And Damon Lindleloff’s a brilliant writer and creator. I’d would love to work with him again.

What are the necessities that get you through a long day of filming?
I sleep a ton, it’s gross how much sleep I need. So, I’d say lots of sleep. And many candy breaks in between takes for a little pick me up. Movie sets are a treasure trove for all the best candy you don’t let yourself eat in your normal life. Also, the rule is calories on set don’t count. So, I definitely load up when I’m shooting, tootsie rolls and sour patch kids in my wardrobe pockets at all times.

It can be tough growing up in the industry, and you got an early start. How do you feel this has impacted you? I imagine you have a wonderful support system.
I’ve loved every aspect of this profession from the beginning. Even when I was kid preparing for parts, and going on auditions, even waiting rooms at casting calls were fun for me. Sure, there’s stress involved, it’s competitive and all that, but the feeling I get, doing my thing on set, collaborating with cool artists and writers and great actors. I’m so damn grateful!

What are your goals for the future?
I’ve gotta do a period piece, play a princess in a castle somewhere at least once, that’s on the bucket list. I can’t wait to travel more for work, I find shooting on location enchanting, and filming in a place I haven’t been yet always fuels me. It’s one of the reasons I think Lost felt so special. So yeah, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Turkey? Bring it on, movie gods. I’m looking forward to collaborating with directors I’ve loved ever since I can remember, Jim Jarmusch, Harmony Korine, Paolo Sorrentino, who knows whom I’ll work with next. That’s another thing that’s nuts about being an actor. I have no idea whom I’ll be playing next. A CIA agent in the Middle East? A high school teacher in Ohio? It’s always a surprise, every time.

This is the best job in the world.

What are your socials?
I’m on instagram @tania.raymonde

Source: photobookmagazine.com