Actress Michelle Lukiman, known for appearances in Ordinary Joe, and Better Things, is set to appear in the much-anticipated Bosch spin-off Bosch: Legacy. The series premieres this May on IMDb TV. Lukiman can also be seen alongside Samuel L. Jackson and Dominique Fishback in the Apple TV+ limited series The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey. We caught up to discuss her career, current projects, and more!
Michelle, thanks for taking the time to speak to us about your work. How and when did you decide to embrace a career in acting?
Glad to be here! Even though I grew up in LA, my attraction to acting just simmered in the background. But on a whim my freshman year of college, I auditioned for a play and they cast me first/instantly, having my chemistry read with actors auditioning for the other parts. It was a great feeling of trust, and it got me believing that maybe I did have a knack for this.
A little later I also realized: if you don’t pursue it, you (probably) don’t do it. So, at the very last minute, I switched my focus to Theater & Dance, keeping English as my second major and my interest in education/psychology on the backburner. Not that those fields are mutually exclusive – I feel like acting still encompasses education and psychology in its own way.
Please tell us more about your initial training as an actor.
What do you look for when choosing a character and do you apply a particular methodology in researching roles?
There’s a lot going on in here – [points to self] – so I’m thrilled when I can tap into a less obvious side of myself. Like with Ordinary Joe: I get to bring out a sarcastic, sassier version of Michelle that has been around, but that you might not know from some of the softer roles folks see me in. I feel like sometimes my roles have chosen me –particularly those job offers I never specifically auditioned for – and it’s an exciting thing to feel like someone’s seen something in you without having it spelled out. That feeling of trust again. As for methodology, I will dive in from any possible angle. Visual inspiration helps a lot.
What has been the most demanding role you’ve had, and what have you learned from the experience?
I booked 2 shows within 24 hours of each other, and that made for a lot of chaotic ping-ponging between coasts in the middle of a pandemic (one shot in LA, the other in ATL). On top of that, my character on Bosch: Legacy is very raw, especially compared to the polished wit of Kokoro Rose, whom I was bringing to life on Ordinary Joe at the same time.
On Bosch, I stayed more reserved between takes than I’ve ever been. I also had to find ways to release my character’s energy once we wrapped, because I learned that sometimes we decide to move on before the mind and body actually have.
You’re set to recur in the much-anticipated Bosch spin-off Bosch: Legacy. What can audiences expect?
I don’t know how much I can give away! But it’ll be a loyal continuation of the – you guessed it – Bosch legacy 🙂
You recently appeared in the first season of Ordinary Joe (NBC), previously featured on FX’s critically-acclaimed Better Things alongside Pamela Adlon, and How to Get Away with Murder (ABC) with Viola Davis. Is there a role or performance you’re particularly proud of, if so why?
Ahh. I’m really proud of that sentence and I’m bad at favorites. I will say that it felt really special to be part of Better Things, which has been named one of the best sitcoms “of all time” and is in its final beloved season now.
It was an incredible experience as an actor. The booking was a direct offer and my Christmas gift. My first time in New Orleans was for our shoot on the streets of the French Quarter. I had a grand time with Pamela, Mather Zickel, Molly Shannon, and so many others. I’m not sure I had ever encountered so many fabulous women in leadership roles on one set before, and the whole production was very welcoming (and eco-friendly!); never underestimate the power of a genuine welcome email.
Our “New Orleans” episode was a love letter to the city, but it debuted during a trying time for NOLA and humanity (#2020). So I felt really weird sharing anything too cheery. But folks made their appreciation known; the consensus was that it was a perfect visceral escape, “just what was needed”. Actually, a writer I respect reached out just last month saying the episode was her favorite. Working on such a stand-out show and hearing that resonance has been really affirming.
Please tell us more about Apple TV+ limited series The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey. What was it like on set, working alongside Samuel L. Jackson and Dominique Fishback?
Yes! Ptolemy Grey is an aging man grappling with dementia, who makes a deal with the devil in order to find the truth and take care of his family. It’s based on the novel by Walter Mosley, and he and Mr. Jackson have waited something like a decade to bring this poignant story to the screen. As for me, this booking came FAST. An hour after my callback, I was told to get my bag ready and was on a plane the next day.
There was so much talent, so much energy, so many random musical outbursts on this set. To go from watching Samuel L. Jackson’s masterclass online to acting face-to-face with him was a moment I won’t soon forget. He was super friendly and very well-equipped to be the heart and soul of this project. Improvising lines with him mid-scene felt like the most natural thing. Working with Sam, Dom and so many other talented actors made it really easy to be present the whole time. I think the iterations of love are what I appreciate most in this story, and I’m really honored that, as Angela Liem, I get to be a part of protecting Ptolemy and Robyn’s.
Many actors explore working behind the camera and behind the scenes producing. Do you have such aspirations?
I spent several summer breaks interning behind the scenes as a way of getting a 360 of the industry. That crash course eventually evolved from PAing to 2nd ADing, script supervising, etc. and I’m glad it did; it’s so helpful to be familiar with other people’s jobs so we can make each other’s easier.
I’ve helped produce several projects, a highlight of which was a short film that made it to the festival circuit in Madrid, Spain, where I used to live. I’m a big fan of DIYing in all parts of my life, so I fall into a lot of unexpected roles. Nothing is off the table, aspiration-wise.
What are you focused on at the moment?
I’m excited to finally have these projects come out, and I’m doing my best to take in this moment. I’m also working on refilling my personal cup and maintaining balance. Oh and! A current dream is to figure out how to DIY a live-edge wood bench for my place – please let me know if you have a nice slab of a tree lying around!
Where can our readers find out more about you?
I pop up on IG: @lukimonster and Twitter: @MichelleLukiman !
Photo credit: Angela P Tafoya.
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