Pop Culture Unplugged w/ Elias

Sarah Drew sits down with Elias on Pop Culture Unplugged — and this debut conversation delivers everything fans could hope for.  In her FIRST interview with the show, Sarah opens up like never before about returning as Emily Lane in Mistletoe Murders Season 2, navigating the biggest emotional stakes yet, and why this series is the most meaningful job of her entire career. From brand-new flashbacks...

Mikkal Karim Fidler joins Elias to break down his role as Teddy in IT: Welcome to Derry. Mikkal talks about joining the Stephen King universe, the emotional weight behind Teddy’s guilt, and how real friendships off-camera helped shape the on-screen chemistry fans are loving. Hear Mikkal open up about the audition process, building Teddy’s layered mindset, and the intense stunt work that challenged...

Marisa Coughlan joins Pop Culture Unplugged w/ Elias to talk about her deeply personal new film Blue Eyed Girl, where she serves as writer, producer, and star. Marisa opens up about returning home to Minnesota, the emotional inspiration behind the story, filming heartfelt scenes with Beau Bridges, and why she felt compelled to play the role of Jane herself. We dive into how Blue Eyed Girl became a...

Kahyun Kim joins Pop Culture Unplugged to dive into her fan-favorite role as Serena on NBC’s St. Denis Medical. She shares why the show is her “dream job,” how Serena mixes chaos with confidence, and what fans can expect from her romance and character growth in Season 2. Kahyun also opens up about learning English through sitcoms, bonding with the cast, and why mockumentary comedy feels like home....

Actor Pierson Fodé joins Pop Culture Unplugged to talk all things A Merry Little Ex-Mas and his scene-stealing role as Chet in Netflix’s latest holiday hit. From wild improv to heartfelt moments, Pierson delivers one of his most candid and entertaining conversations yet. Episode Highlights: – Pierson shares why “My break is hanging out with you — and I love it.” – The hilarious behind-the-scenes s...

Jack Molloy Legault joins Elias on Pop Culture Unplugged to talk about his breakout role as Phil in HBO’s IT: Welcome to Derry! Jack opens up about the surreal journey from self-tape audition to becoming part of the IT universe, working alongside his real-life sister Matilda, and how he brought humor and heart to the horror-filled streets of Derry. 🎙️ Highlights include: – How Jack discovered his...

Sarah Cortez joins Elias on Pop Culture Unplugged to talk about her role as Dulce in the Western drama Long Shadows, premiering November 7. Sarah shares how she instantly connected with the character’s strength and vulnerability, the emotional challenges of filming, and the surprising twist that made her “throw her laptop.” 🎧 Interview Highlights: Why Long Shadows is a different kind of Western w...

Clara Stack joins Elias on Pop Culture Unplugged to talk about her breakout role as Lilly in HBO’s IT: Welcome to Derry. Clara opens up about landing the role through a self-tape audition, exploring Lilly’s emotional depth, and stepping into the Stephen King universe. She also discusses balancing real-world trauma with supernatural fear, meeting Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise, and the friendships for...

Maggie Lawson joins Elias on Pop Culture Unplugged to talk about her new role as Sarah Silver in Boston Blue! 💙 In this episode, Maggie dives into what it’s like stepping into the shoes of the youngest superintendent in Boston PD history, how Boston Blue honors the Blue Bloods legacy while creating its own identity, and her excitement about working alongside Donnie Wahlberg and Sonequa Martin-Gre...

Madeleine McGraw joins Pop Culture Unplugged w/ Elias, to discuss her powerful performance as Gwen in The Black Phone 2. Madeleine opens up about revisiting Gwen’s trauma, how the character has evolved since the first film, and what it was like reuniting with Ethan Hawke and Scott Derrickson. She also shares emotional insight into Gwen’s guilt, strength, and the unbreakable bond with her brother F...

Becca Breitfeller joins Pop Culture Unplugged with Elias to talk about her breakout role as Sasha in Hulu’s hit comedy Chad Powers! Becca opens up about her journey from film student to actor, the wild audition process that landed her the role, and why playing a loud, chaotic “mean girl” became one of her favorite experiences on set. She also shares behind-the-scenes moments with Frankie Rodriguez...

Australian actress Claire Lovering joins Elias on the Pop Culture On Point podcast to talk about her breakout role as Brenda in Shane Black’s new action-comedy Play Dirty 🎬 Claire shares how a last-minute self-tape audition landed her the part, what it was like working with Keegan-Michael Key, and the fun improv moments that made it into the final cut. She also opens up about her transition from...

Actress Simone Kessell joins Pop Culture Unplugged w/ Elias to talk about her captivating role as Sarah in Apple TV+’s new thriller The Last Frontier. 🎙️ Simone opens up about the emotional heart of the series — portraying a wife, mother, and survivor alongside Jason Clarke, who plays her husband, Frank. She shares how their relationship drives the story, what it was like filming in -25° weather,...

The one and only Cash Flo — better known as Bigfoot from Tulsa King — returns to Pop Culture Unplugged w/ Elias for an exclusive conversation about Season 3, working with Sylvester Stallone, and what’s next for one of TV’s most talked-about shows. In this new episode, Cash opens up about Bigfoot’s journey, behind-the-scenes moments, and the lessons he’s learned from being part of such a powerhouse...

Michael Iskander joins Pop Culture Unplugged to talk all about House of David Season 2. Picking up after David’s legendary battle with Goliath, the new season dives deeper into faith, leadership, and the pressures of power. Michael shares insight into David’s emotional and spiritual growth, his evolving relationships with Jonathan and King Saul, and how portraying such an iconic biblical figure ha...

Kaitlyn Bernard joins Pop Culture Unplugged to discuss her powerful performance as Rachel Jeffs in Lifetime’s Surviving My Father: The Rachel Jeffs Story. Based on Rachel Jeffs’ real-life memoir Breaking Free, the film follows her courageous escape from the control of her father, convicted cult leader Warren Jeffs. Kaitlyn opens up about: Preparing emotionally for such an intense and true story Sp...

Ariel Winter — you remember her as Alex Dunphy from Modern Family — joins Pop Culture Unplugged to talk about her exciting new role as Sabrina Grimm in Apple TV+’s animated fantasy adventure The Sisters Grimm. In this interview, Ariel shares what drew her to the series, how she connected with Sabrina, and what makes this magical, fairy-tale-meets-mystery world so special. We also dive into her voi...

Yuvi Hecht joins Pop Culture Unplugged w/ Elias to talk about his breakout role as Young David in A Big Bold Beautiful Journey. From self-tape auditions to working alongside Colin Farrell, Yuvi shares how he prepared for the role, the emotional weight of the story, and the advice that helped him bring authenticity to the character. Highlights from the interview: How Yuvi landed the role of Young D...

Kerr Smith (Jack McPhee from Dawson’s Creek) joins Elias on Pop Culture Unplugged to talk about the upcoming Dawson’s Creek Reunion Benefit for F Cancer, supporting James Van Der Beek, and why this event means so much to the cast. Kerr opens up about Jack’s groundbreaking storyline, emotional fan encounters, and how the role changed television history. He also teases his upcoming book that dives d...

Michael Chiklis & Mike Flynt join Elias on Pop Culture Unplugged to talk about The Senior, the inspiring true story of a man who returned to play college football at 59. Michael shares why this role moved him deeply and how the film is about so much more than sports — exploring redemption, family, and second chances. Mike opens up about seeing his real-life story come to the screen, the moment...

Rob Corddry & Mary Stuart Masterson join Elias on Pop Culture Unplugged to talk about The Senior, the inspiring true story of Mike Flynt — a man who returned to play college football at 59. They share what drew them to this incredible project, how the film balances humor, heart, and family, and why The Senior is more than just a sports drama. From tackling themes of second chances and resilien...

Jesse Kove returned on  Pop Culture Unplugged w/ Elias to talk about his latest action thriller President Down, now streaming on Tubi. Known for his role in Cobra Kai, Jesse opens up about stepping into the shoes of Agent Jacob Pike, why this film feels like a return to ’90s-style action, and what’s coming next in his career. Interview Highlights: Doing his own stunts, including an intense airplan...

Te Kohe Tuhaka joins Pop Culture Unplugged w/ Elias to discuss his role as Namakeʻ (Laʻamaikahiki) in the epic Apple TV+ series Chief of War. He shares how he landed the role, the cultural importance of playing a ritual-driven Hawaiian leader, and what it was like training alongside Jason Momoa. Te Kohe also opens up about his deep personal connection to the ocean, preparing physically and emotion...

Ezra Franky joins Pop Culture Unplugged with Elias to discuss her breakout role as Lucy in Netflix’s hit series UNTAMED. In this emotional and revealing conversation, Ezra reflects on Lucy’s powerful arc—from surviving trauma to reclaiming her own narrative—and how the role has impacted her personally and professionally. She shares how she landed the role through a self-tape, what it was like work...

In this episode of Pop Culture Unplugged w/ Elias, actor Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine joins us to talk about his powerful dual performances in Dexter: Resurrection (Showtime) and Smoke (Apple TV+). From his physical transformation—including shaving his eyebrows and dropping 40 pounds—for the role of Freddie Fasano, to stepping into the Dexter universe as Blessing Kamara, Ntare opens up about the emotion...