At 16,Mckenna Gracehas already had the kind of career most of us could only dream about.
Was it difficult portraying this character who’s based on a real person and telling their story?
It was very [difficult].
That was probably the most challenging part of the role.
It was scary to play a real person.
She was always open and honest with me and everyone on set, and that meant a lot.
She was so amazing and helpful and cooperative.
It feels like such a respectful portrayal because you have worked closely with the real Jan Broberg.
You’re not exploiting someone’s story; you’re helping to tell it.
That really comes across.
That was the most important part for me in my first meeting about the show.
My question was, “Is Jan involved in this?
How involved are Jan and her family?”
Because I don’t want to be telling her story for the sake of it.
I want to double-check that we’re telling it how she would’ve wanted.
You get to work quite closely with Colin Hanks andAnna Paquin, as they play your parents.
What was that like?
It was so fun to be able to work with them.
I don’t know many other people like that.
Colin Hanks I told him that I was going to say this the last day when I wrapped.
You are so cool."
Both shows are about women who were coerced and had to find their own voice.
What was it like going between those two shows?
We shot “A Friend of the Family” over the summer, so I turned 16 on set.
… On set, it is such a safe environment.
You have an intimacy coordinator and a counselor and all sorts of people looking out for you.
The first four episodes of"A Friend of the Family" premiere on Peacockon Thursday, October 6.
The remaining five episodes will drop weekly on Thursdays through November 10.
This interview was edited for clarity.
