Pop Culture Unplugged w/ Elias

Lucas Iverson joins Pop Culture Unplugged to talk about his breakout role as Dr. James Ogilvie in The Pitt Season 2. From his intense audition story to turning up Ogilvie’s arrogance on set, Lucas opens up about building one of the season’s most layered and talked-about characters. We dive into the shocking glass shard scene, Ogilvie’s complicated mentor relationships, and whether his confidence m...

Emma Pfitzer Price joins Pop Culture Unplugged to break down her powerful performance as Hannah on the hit medical drama DOC. In this in-depth conversation, Emma opens up about portraying one of the show’s most controversial characters, navigating intense fan reactions, and bringing emotional authenticity to a grief-driven storyline. We discuss: • Why Hannah isn’t a villain — she’s layered and com...

Rachel Stubington joins Pop Culture Unplugged to talk about playing Summer on the hit Apple TV+ series Shrinking. From landing the role through a simple self-tape audition to becoming a fan-favorite character, Rachel shares how Summer evolved across the seasons and what makes the show so special. She opens up about working alongside industry legends like Harrison Ford, learning from creator Bill L...

Erika Swayze joins Pop Culture Unplugged w/ Elias to talk about her breakout role as Livia on School Spirits Season 3. In this episode, Erika shares how she surprisingly landed the role without a callback, what it was like joining an already tight-knit cast, and why fans may have mixed emotions about her mysterious character. She also discusses acting alongside Jennifer Tilly, building tension-fil...

Laëtitia Hollard joins Pop Culture Unplugged w/ Elias to talk about stepping into The Pitt Season 2 as Emma Nolan — one of the breakout new characters of the season. Fresh out of Juilliard, Laëtitia shares how she landed the role, what it was like joining an Emmy-recognized cast, and how Emma’s overwhelming first day at The Pitt mirrored her own first day on set. We dive deep into Emma’s emotional...

Kevin James joins Elias on Pop Culture Unplugged during press day for Solo Mio to talk about what he calls the most personal film of his career. In this heartfelt conversation, Kevin opens up about stepping into a story that begins with heartbreak instead of comedy, why contrast is essential to great storytelling, and how friendship becomes the emotional backbone of Solo Mio. Kevin shares why play...

Kristian Ventura joins Pop Culture Unplugged w/ Elias to dive deep into School Spirits Season 3 and Simon’s most intense storyline yet. In this spoiler-aware conversation, Kristian opens up about playing Simon while trapped in the afterlife, navigating an entirely new cast dynamic, and how Season 3 flips Simon’s journey from saving Maddie to fighting for his own survival. He also discusses the emo...

Annabel O’Hagan joins Pop Culture Unplugged for an in-depth conversation about playing Steph Harper in Fallout Season 2. In her second appearance on the show, Annabel breaks down Steph’s emotional shift, survival instincts, and the trauma behind her character’s secret past. She discusses discovering Steph’s full backstory mid-season, why her performance became colder and more controlled this year,...

Ava Ryan joins Pop Culture Unplugged w/ Elias to talk about playing Georgia in Netflix’s hit comedy series Free Bert, which recently climbed into the Netflix Top 10. In this episode, Ava opens up about landing the role, instantly connecting with the script, and working alongside Bert Kreischer and Arden Myrin. She also breaks down Georgia’s emotional journey — from being the awkward new girl at sc...

Nadine Bhabha joins Pop Culture Unplugged w/ Elias to talk about her role as Elena in the hit hockey romance series Heated Rivalry. Nadine opens up about landing the role without a traditional audition, why she immediately connected with Elena’s personality, and how the character became the emotional anchor for Kip throughout Season 1. She discusses Elena’s “rough love” approach to friendship, the...

Scott Foley joins Pop Culture Unplugged w/ Elias for a powerful and emotional conversation about his role as Malcolm in the drama series It’s Not Like That. Scott opens up about portraying a grieving husband, devoted father, and faith leader who must find his voice again after devastating loss. He shares how his real-life experiences as a father shaped Malcolm’s parenting, why vulnerability was ce...

Arden Myrin joins Pop Culture Unplugged to talk about stepping into her first-ever leading role as LeeAnn Kreischer in Netflix’s hit comedy series Free Bert. In this fun and heartfelt conversation, Arden shares how she approached playing a real-life person, what surprised her most about working with Bert Kreischer, and why the show has more heart than viewers might expect. Episode Highlights: • Ar...

Fiona Dourif joins Pop Culture Unplugged w/ Elias for an in-depth conversation about The Pitt Season 2, her role as Dr. McKay, and the emotional weight carried by the series following the mass-casualty event. In this episode, Fiona reflects on realizing how big The Pitt had become, why Dr. McKay is the role closest to her real personality, and how Season 2 explores trauma, resilience, and quiet au...

Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova joins Pop Culture Unplugged w/ Elias for a deep dive into her breakout role as Svetlana in Heated Rivalry, one of the most talked-about series of the year. In this revealing conversation, Ksenia breaks down Svetlana’s true role in the story, addresses fan theories surrounding Jane and Shane, and explains why her character is far more than a romantic distraction. She opens...

Calista Craig stops by Pop Culture Unplugged w/ Elias to talk about joining Stranger Things in its final season and stepping into the world of Hawkins as Mary. In this episode, Calista shares what it was like entering one of the biggest TV shows of all time at the very end, keeping her role a secret for nearly two years, and navigating Mary’s emotional journey throughout the final season. She refl...

Kerry Frances joins Elias on Pop Culture Unplugged to talk about her breakout role as Tammy in Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery — the latest chapter in Rian Johnson’s acclaimed murder-mystery franchise. Kerry reveals how she returned to the Knives Out universe without an audition, why she instantly connected with Tammy’s calm, unbothered attitude, and how a simple granola bar became one of t...

Sydney Agudong joins Elias on Pop Culture Unplugged to dig into her emotional role as Aria in Netflix’s hit drama Ripple — a young woman navigating music, identity, heartbreak, and the ripple effects every decision creates. Sydney opens up about: Relating to Aria’s creative struggles and imposter syndrome  The powerful meaning behind “What It Means to Be Human”  The episode that left the entire ca...

Jon Heder Elias on Pop Culture Unplugged to talk about his latest film Tapawingo and his uniquely lovable character, Nate. In this conversation, Jon breaks down what drew him to the quirky indie script, how Nate fits into the lineage of characters fans love, and why this role allowed him to explore a quieter, more confident kind of hero. He also discusses the film’s offbeat small-town world, worki...

Adrianna Mitchell joins Pop Culture Unplugged w/ Elias for a heartfelt and inspiring conversation about her role as Jamilah in the Paramount+ comedy series CRUTCH. Adrianna opens up about her journey from Spelman College to Broadway to television, the setbacks that shaped her resilience, and why Jamilah’s “coming home and starting over” storyline resonated so deeply with her. She also shares behin...

David Tomlinson joins Pop Culture Unplugged w/ Elias to discuss stepping into the horror genre with Silent Night, Deadly Night, the reimagining of the cult classic holiday slasher. David breaks down his role as Max Benedict, a small-town police officer contending with a brutal series of murders unfolding around the holidays — and why the character is far more layered than he initially appears. Dur...

Michael Jai White joins Pop Culture Unplugged w/ Elias for an in-depth conversation about his latest film Exit Protocol, an assassin-driven thriller centered on loyalty, survival, and living by a personal code. Michael breaks down his role as Isaac, a character who’s always five steps ahead, and explains how he approaches playing men who operate in morally gray worlds. He also shares what first dr...

Van Crosby joins Pop Culture Unplugged w/ Elias to talk about returning as Kyle in The Family Plan 2, the hit action-comedy sequel streaming on Apple TV. In this episode, Van reflects on the massive success of the first film, how surreal it was realizing millions of people watched it worldwide, and what fans can expect from the Morgan family’s next chaotic adventure. Van dives into how Kyle has gr...

Ian Harding joins the Elias on Pop Culture Unplugged to talk about his new Netflix drama Ripple, where he stars as Nate, a wine bar owner whose life is turned upside down by an unexpected health crisis and a marriage falling apart. In this conversation, Ian breaks down Nate’s emotional journey, the meaning behind the show’s central idea of “ripple moments” — small decisions that quietly change the...

Claudia Black joins Pop Culture Unplugged to discuss her powerful role as Cossutia in Spartacus: House of Ashur. In this in-depth conversation, Claudia breaks down the emotional and political complexity of her character, the bold “what-if” direction of this new Spartacus chapter, and the intense pace of filming the series. She also shares the unexpected way she was approached for the role, how thi...

Emily Hall joins Pop Culture Unplugged for a festive, feel-good conversation about her breakout role as Sienna in Netflix’s holiday hit A Merry Little Ex-Mas. From landing the role through auditions to becoming the emotional core of the film, Emily shares what it really takes to bring heart to a modern Christmas movie. Emily opens up about working alongside Alicia Silverstone, Oliver Hudson, and M...