An Interview with Monica Raymund & Rebecca Cutter from ‘Hightown’

Photos of Monica Raymund and Rebecca Cutter courtesy of STARZ.

Monica Raymund is a highly accomplished actor that has appeared in a bevy of big-name television shows and Rebecca Cutter is an accomplished producer and writer that has also left her mark on the television landscape. Currently, Monica plays Jackie Quiñones on the STARZ series, Hightown, and Rebecca Cutter is the series’ showrunner and with the show coming to a close, we here at NTG had the distinct honor of sitting down with both of them to discuss all things Hightown.
 
John Betancourt: I would love to learn what this journey has meant to both of you.
 
Rebecca Cutter: Oh, wow. Well, I'm I am so proud of the show that we made. And I'm really proud of the final season. I think it goes to a really unexpected but also very satisfying conclusion. And hey, I learned how to be a show creator on the show. This was my first, this is my baby. So, it's been on a personal level, I've made so many friends and a real family and professionally learned so much. So, I honestly, I have nothing but gratitude for the whole the whole thing.
 
Monica Raymund: I second that. Nothing but gratitude.
 
John Betancourt: This is a story that features so much depth and so much messaging. I was wondering when all is said and done, what do you think the legacy of the show will be?
 
Monica Raymund: I think the storytelling is the most important. The writing for me, that’s what I'm most excited about in Hightown. That's why I want to do the job because the writing is so good. So, I hope the legacy is the experience of staying with these characters and seeing them going through incredible journeys and struggles and obstacles to hopefully come out and getting what they want. And the people who you know, find their redemption. Hopefully that happens. People who need to serve justice, hopefully that happens. So, I think that the legacy is really stays within the characters and their own personal journeys.
 
Rebecca Cutter: From a business standpoint, I'm really grateful that I got to tell such a very personal, nuanced, character driven story. And I hope that our business continues to encourage people, women, especially, to tell stories that are more personal and smaller, smaller, maybe. I hope that still is a viable business model moving forward because I think audiences really connect with character driven shows.
 
John Betancourt: Without offering up any spoilers, what are you most excited for fans to experience in this farewell season?
 
Rebecca Cutter: Oh, well, there's some big moments and you haven't even seen the finale yet. So yeah, I think just ride the Jackie goes on. But also, I think some real crazy pulpy exciting plot that will really blow your hair back. But also, that every character ends up in a place that feels, you know, satisfying. That's what I guess I hope people get from it.
 
Monica Raymund: It's like a bullet train. Like there's, there's so much happening. It's so fast. And you don't expect, there's just so much you don't expect, and like, like she said it’s like flipping your hair back. For me it like… left my jaw on the floor. Because you think one character is going to go one way and something happens. And they end up making a different choice and sometimes it's life or death. So, it’s just always exciting.
 
John Betancourt: What are each of you going to miss about working on this show?
 
Monica Raymund: I'm going to miss working with Rebecca and my co-stars, the people who are involved in telling the story, that's for me, that's one of the most important things about a job is who I'm working with. And so, I love that I got to work with like the best team in Hollywood, truly. But I'm gonna miss playing Jackie, I've been with her since day one. And I you know, I'm trying to give her hugs as I'm finishing season three because she's been through a lot but hopefully she's… whatever happens off screen in her future… hopefully that she has a little bit more of her identity and confidence.
 
Rebecca Cutter: A little bit of peace.
 
Monica Raymund: Yeah. A little bit of peace.
 
Rebecca Cutter: I think what Monica said, the people, the family. You know, it's especially you know, we went through COVID together. We moved from New York to North Carolina together. We've just been through a lot and it's such a good group of people. It's just a kind, caring, group of people, and they’re fun. So just that whole very, very special time in my life is what I think I'll miss the most.
 
John Betancourt: Last question I have for you today. If you could describe season three in one word, what would it be?
 
Rebecca Cutter: I want to steal her words, but it's two. Bullet train.
 
Monica Raymund: Fire.
 
This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.

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