Interview by Violeta Nicola
Photography by Benjo Arwas
Julieth Restrepo (pronounced Juliet Reh-strep-oh), is an award-winning Colombian actress and producer, who is currently starring in Shondaland’s highly anticipated limited series “The Residence, streaming on Netflix. In this thrilling mystery, Julieth plays ‘Elsyie Chayle,’ a housekeeper at the White House caught in a high-stakes murder investigation alongside Uzo Aduba, Barrett Foa, and Juliette Jeffers.
Some actors know acting is the path they want to follow while others discover their passion for acting along the way. What does your story look like?
I started doing theater when I was 13. I was part of a few plays growing up and it was definitely my happy place. At 17 I sent my first tape for a horror film called At the end of the Spectra, I got the part and while I was shooting the movie I realized I didn’t want to pursue anything else besides acting. It’s been 20 years since and I’m really glad I followed my instinct and I have devoted my life to this beautiful career.
Last year, people had the opportunity to see you in “Griselda”. The show accumulated over one billion minutes of viewership. What did being a part of such an incredible series feel like?
It felt new to me. I feel so lucky to be part of great projects in the past, but I don’t think I’ve been part of one as viewed as Griselda. It was really incredible getting so much love for a character that I had so much fun playing. I was very happy for having the chance to work with Sofia, the cast and crew, but seeing the show becoming a hit was the cherry on top.
Fans will be able to see you in the upcoming series “The Residence” by Shondaland. Shonda is known for creating incredible worlds in her shows, which fans love for decades to come. What was your reaction when you found out you would be a part of the project?
As soon as my manager called me and told me that they saw my tape and they were offering me the role I started crying. I couldn’t believe it. It was really surreal thinking that I was going to be part of the Shondaland family and that I was going to work with her and the geniuses behind those unforgettable projects. I was really excited, ready to enjoy and learn from this opportunity.
What is your favorite aspect of “The Residence”, from the set to the story?
How smart and entertaining the story is. Paul William Davis, the creator and show runner wrote this script in such a detailed way that we were so excited to shoot in every set because we knew we were unfolding the story together.
I fell in love with the details behind every character and the fact that we all have a moment to shine and reveal ourselves. It was a treat seeing The White House in a way we’ve never seen before.
Your character is a housekeeper at the White House caught in a high-stakes murder investigation. What can we expect from her?
She’s hard working and everybody loves her at the White House. She’s great at her job but she is definitely hiding something. Being involved in this mystery is not something she planned so you can expect her to defend herself and fight for what she thinks is right.
Not only are you an actor, but you also run your own production company “Blue Rabbit Films”. What was the vision behind the company? Was there a point where you knew you had to launch it?
Our company is about inclusion, community and diversity. I’m an advocate for talented and passionate people in this industry so I always knew producing was going to give me the chance to create with people I admire. The goal has always been to open many doors not only for us but for the people we want to work with so that’s why in 2020 it felt really natural to open our company and started making more dreams come true.
You tell such incredible and raw stories. Is there an ideal project you would hope to produce as part of Blue Rabbit Films?
My ideal projects need to have heart and be able to connect and engage with the audience to open a conversation. We’re currently developing a dramedy series and I’m co-writing a drama feature based on true events. It’s always a plus when I have a character that I play in them that challenges me which is the case for both projects.
In the future, is there any specific type of character you hope to portray? Maybe the story of a real-life person?
I don’t have anything specific in mind as long as it is a layered, complex, honest character. The beauty of that we do is that we can step in someone else shoes and build a life on its own where we can also feel reflected.
I would love to be part of stories where women are the center and are challenging stereotypes and breaking boundaries.
Who are some creatives (actors, movie directors, writers etc.) you would love to collaborate with in the future?
The list is really long but to name a few, I would love to be directed by Issa López and Denis Villeneuve. Eugenio Derbez is definitely on my list, he has played a role in my life as a mentor but we haven’t worked together yet and I hope I get the chance to work with the one and only Meryl Streep.
Drive is one of the biggest components of creating good art. What drives you to tell stories?
The need to connect and open conversations. Sometimes it’s easier to talk about uncomfortable or hard truths through stories that represent who we are as human beings.
When you look at a script, what do you look for in order to see if it is a good fit for you?
I need to feel connected to the material, to feel related in some way. I love when I get a script, and it questions me. I’m looking for a challenge, for a role that I haven’t played and the circumstances that justify what she does or the world she lives in.
What are some causes that are dear to your heart and you hope to bring awareness to in the future?
I care about protecting our planet so I strive to do my part every day and I support organizations that create awareness and spread the word about what we can do to make a difference. I’m also an advocate for women’s rights. I believe in the power of speaking up and supporting each other.
Is there a specific direction you want your career to go towards or do you want to see where the journey will take you?
I feel I have more control over my career as an actress now because producing gives me freedom and ownership. I hope to keep working on projects that add meaning to my life and the lives of the people watching them. Acting is my biggest passion and I always welcome new exciting opportunities.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
