Meghann Fahy Relates to The Bold Type Just as Much as You Do

Meghann Fahy’s journey sounds like a dream. She moved to New York City at age 18 to understudy the role of Natalie in tragic Broadway musical Next to Normal, ultimately playing the troubled, neglected teen for her own run until the show’s close in 2011. That open call, by the way, had been her first ever audition. Before completing that gig, she made her first of 81 appearances on ABC’s One Life to Live, in which her character Hannah stalked an ex-boyfriend and overdosed on painkillers. Not bad for a first stint on television.

But last year she truly broke out: in a much less angsty role, as The Bold Type‘s relentlessly relatable magazine assistant Sutton, who carves herself a position under fictional glossy Scarlet‘s fashion head through hard work and determination. The Freeform series has turned itself into a fashion (and fan) favorite; not since The Devil Wears Prada has the industry been represented with such insider glee, and this time it’s with even less caricature.

In season 2, Sutton has continued to stand out as the character who fights the hardest for what she wants. She faces slut-shaming and sexism from fellow closet assistants for her ability to nab the best assignments and styling credits, the kinds of experiences far too many women in the workplace might be able to recognize. This ultimately leads Sutton to decide not to pursue her relationship with sexy Scarlet board member Richard Hunter, concerned with how it will shape her reputation (cue a million sobbing emojis, especially from Richard). But that doesn’t mean she’ll let her colleagues’ mistreatment slide.

In one of the season’s most heroic moments so far, Sutton calls out fellow assistant Mitzi (Katharine King) for her passive-aggressive comments. “So this slut-shaming thing you’re doing…it’s gotta stop,” Sutton says, head held high. Immediately following the episode, a chorus of women on social media united in their appreciative response: “I want to be more like Sutton.”

Freeform

But Sutton doesn’t see herself the way viewers at home see her. In the latest episode, she continues to doubt her path. Is she falling behind, while her friend Kat (Aisha Dee) rises to the head of an entire department at just 25? Should she do anything to befriend a rich blogger whose life seems so much more enviable than her own, even if that includes paying a $500 charge for cocaine on her corporate credit card?

When I point out the differences between Fahy’s seemingly seamless path and and Sutton’s, she laughs. “What I actually found to be surprising is how many similarities I found between Sutton’s journey and my journey,” Fahy responds. “Did I get lucky with my first job? Absolutely. But after that, did I have years where I struggled and I was nannying and babysitting and working at restaurants? 100 percent. You get little wins here and there, but you still have to work your ass off.”

Fahy talked to ELLE.com about The Bold Type‘s second season, whether her on-screen relationship is truly over, and why you shouldn’t worry too much about Sutton’s latest struggle. Plus, watch her Insta-stalk her castmates in the video below.

Let’s start with Sutton’s moment of victory. The way she handled being slut-shamed and belittled at work was inspring. Have you faced any similar issues in the past that helped you pull that moment off?

I think most women would say that they’ve experienced that on some level. And I was so excited that we were talking about it on the show because I think we see a million different versions of that play out, most of them leaning toward the character who’s been burned, equally burning the other girl. There could have been a moment where Sutton goes up to Mitzi and knocks her down the way that Mitzi knocked Sutton down. But instead she’s like, “Hey, let’s just not do this to each other. Let’s be cool. Are we cool? We’re cool.” And I think [we’re not seeing that] reaction with three women on TV as much as we should. It’s not about breaking someone else down, you know?

In tonight’s episode, Sutton worries that she’s not far enough ahead in her career. Do you have any advice for viewers who are in the same position?

I honestly believe that the key to everything is perseverance. Someone else is going to give up, but if you’re the person who doesn’t, you’re going to be there when an opportunity presents itself. That, and also belief in yourself, which is kind of a hard thing to maintain. But if I could give my younger self advice, it would be: Trust your instincts. Don’t doubt them. You always think somebody knows better than you, someone’s smarter than you. And sometimes that’s true, but sometimes it’s not.

This season, The Bold Type has already tackled relationships in the office, a woman introducing her parents to her first girlfriend, and being biracial. What’s something you hope The Bold Type will address?

The writers always do what we hope they’re going to do. The one thing that we really, really want to talk about is not as much a political issue or current issue, but a throwback episode. Like, how did these girls meet each other and what were they wearing? Was it embarrassing? What was their first day at Scarlet like? What was it like when they first met Jacqueline? How did they meet each other—were they in a bar somewhere? What’s that look like? I think it would be so fun to see that play out.

Is that in the works?

I mean, I would like to manifest that. I’m hoping for the best. We have no idea what’s coming and we probably won’t know for a while, but I feel pretty hopeful about it. I feel pretty positive.

Left to right: Aisha Dee, Katie Stevens, Meghann Fahy

Kathryn Wirsing

I have to know. Is it truly the end of Sutton and Richard?

I will say that Sutton and Richard do have more interactions. I think Sutton gets a lot of perspective in the process of dealing with the decision that she made to not be with him. I think she gains a lot of perspective about what really matters to her in having decided that, and we will see that play out.

Whether or not they ever get back together, how did you feel when you realized Sutton was really putting her career and reputation before love?

You know, I feel really proud of her. I think it’s a very brave thing that she decided to do. It broke my heart a little bit because I think she deserves to have both and I think she’ll find a way to do both. But at this point I do support her putting herself first. But again I really do hope…I think women can and do deserve to have both of those things. So hopefully we’ll be able to put some light on that.

Sutton sort of sacrifices her relationship for her career, but then she goes and signs for that huge bill in Scarlet‘s name! Should we be nervous about her job?

I think we should have faith in her. I think she’s scrappy, and I think she’s honest, and I think that that the viewers will be proud.

Kathryn Wirsing

This interview has been edited and condensed.

The Bold Type airs Tuesdays at 8 P.M. EST on Freeform.