From stage to screen: that’s been the career trajectory of actress Meghann Fahy.

You may recognize her from The Bold Type, a millennial zeitgest show about three women working at the fictionalized version of Cosmopolitan in its heyday, but she actually kicked off her career in the Broadway show Next to Normal. Now, she’s starring in her breakout role as Daphne on HBO’s White Lotus—everyone’s favorite twisted dramedy of the year.

As Meghann landed her dream role and is entering the next phase of her career, I was interested to learn more about the actresses’s background and her hopes for the future as she continues to make waves—and maybe murders—on White Lotus.

As a natural empath, gifted performer and true girl’s girl, Meghann finds herself at one of those crossroads phase in life that requires a dedicated kind of self-compassion and patience that’s difficult to muster—but as we all know at least intellectually—necessary for growth. Read on to learn more about Meghann’s Buddhist discoveries, love of dark comedy, and why she thinks we all need to try more things and set more boundaries.

Where are you currently based? What are some of your favorite neighborhood spots?

I’m currently based in LA, but I’m usually in New York, so I’m still figuring out what my favorite spots are--though Beachwood Cafe is at the top of my list. It feels like a little oasis in the middle of the city.

You got your start acting on Broadway before landing your current role on The Bold Type. Do you miss the stage? Or are you pretty satisfied on screen? 

I miss the stage. Nothing compares to performing live and having the experience of starting and finishing something without stopping or redoing anything. That being said, there’s also so much gratification that comes from film and TV as well. It’s a very different set of muscles and I feel really lucky to have been able to do both.

What's one thing you wish you knew when you were 18? 

That I would survive—and thrive—if I didn’t accommodate every single person but myself!

What draws you to certain characters? Are there any types of characters you would like to play that you're a bit scared to try? 

Dark comedy. I love when a character can be vulnerable in their humor. When you watch something and feel like you can laugh and cry--that’s my favorite thing. What scares me is horror film acting and also playing a character that is based on a real person, which I actually just did for Unbreakable Boy, funnily enough.

What are your five essential beauty/skincare products?

1. Niacinimide by The Ordinary is a serum that changed my skin.

2. A moisturizer with SPF in it. 

3. Rosebud Lip Salve

4. Water (lame, but real!)

5. And I love the Kosas Skin Oil Foundation.

Tell me a bit about your upcoming role in the film Unbreakable Boy alongside Zachary Levi.

It’s a true story about a family whose first son is born with autism and osteogenesis imperfecta, also known as brittle bone disease. I play the mom and Zachary Levi plays the dad. We shot the movie in Oklahoma in the fall and i think it’ll be out in March 2022. It’s such a beautiful and uplifting story about what it means to appreciate life and how much we can learn from each other. The Larette’s, whom the film is based on, are an amazing group of people and it was such an honor to be a part of telling their story,

What's been interesting you lately? What's taking up the most real estate in your mind?

I guess I’d say being kind to myself. I know that sounds a little unoriginal, but with The Bold Type coming to and end, I haven’t really focused much on what I want to do from here. I’m in this great position to be still and intentional about moving forward and cultivating the kind of life I want to lead, but it can be hard for me to give myself that space—as I think it is for most people. I once read that Emma Stone said she tries to talk to herself like she would talk to her daughter and I really loved that. It helps me be more gentle and compassionate toward myself.

When you have to cry or act out a heavy moment, how do you go about accessing that feeling?

The empath in me has always triggered big feelings. I can usually connect pretty well when I just try to imagine what the character is really going through in those moments. Honestly, most things can make me cry. This has been true for me since I was a little girl. But also, I was once told that drinking a big glass of water before an emotional scene helps and I think that it does????

What's something you love about yourself?

I have a very large capacity to love and I wouldn’t change that about myself, but as I’ve gotten older I’ve learned to be a little more discerning with the people I give that love to.

Are you taking any trips this summer? 

I don’t have any trips planned, but Africa is at the very top of my list. I’ve also never been to New Orleans and can’t wait to go.

The Bold Type portrays women working together at a women’s magazine. What is something about female dynamics that you think is often stereotyped and that you've rarely experienced--or perhaps have experienced--in your life?

That all girls back stab and bully each other. One thing I love about The Bold Type is that it represents the kinds of friendships I have with women. They’re honest, loving and mutually supportive.

Life can sometimes be boiled down to just living through our phases. What's your favorite and least favorite phase? 

I listened to an episode of this podcast called The Secular Buddhist recently and the topic was discontinuing the pursuit of happiness. The idea essentially being that we spend so much time chasing happiness and no time chasing fear, anger, sadness or any other uncomfortable human emotion, yet we still experience all of them. So, if we stop chasing happiness, it will still come to us. Being uncomfortable is really hard, but it’s also completely inevitable. It always helps me to remember that everything is temporary. Even the good feelings.

Any advice for aspiring actresses? 

I got my first job from going to an open call. I know that those aren’t really happening nowadays, but the point is: you really never know what could lead to something cool—so try everything, but always trust your gut. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. Also, never be afraid to have boundaries. You can and will succeed without compromising your truth!

Describe your perfect party: 

My perfect party is one that someone else is hosting so that I don’t feel responsible for everyone else’s experience! It would include a fire pit, a cheese board and a portable speaker.