An Interview with ‘Shining Girls’ Showrunner Silka Luisa

Silka Luisa is a talented writer that continues to make waves in Hollywood with her excellent scripts that challenge audiences like never before and currently, she is serving as the showrunner/lead writer of the new Apple TV+ series, Shining Girls, and we here at NTG had the chance to sit down with Silka to discuss this dynamic new show.

John Betancourt: This is one of the rare shows out there, that actually examines the lasting power of trauma, and it features so many messages and themes surrounding that. What is the number one message that you hope audiences take away from that?

Silka Luisa: Well, all of the mythology was designed to discuss the aftermath of trauma. So, Kirby's, that's the new piece that I added to the show from the book, all of her shifting reality was built to discuss that metaphor, you know, all these years later, after a violent attack, that violence still can up end your world from one day to the next out of nowhere, and you have no idea why, no one will believe you, you feel incredibly isolated, like you can't restart your life.

Hopefully, that even though this is playing, you know, as a science fiction element, that experience and you know, watching Elisabeth’s Moss’ incredible performance in that, really connects with viewers and feels real and feels authentic. Because as you watch her, you know, reclaim agency of her own life over the season, the hope is that you know, watching her resilience, watching her reclaim her narrative… that viewers feel emboldened by her character.

John Betancourt: As a writer, what are you most proud of when it comes to the body of work you’ve put together here?

Silka Luisa: I think as… I had so much respect for Lauren's book. And even though there's certain elements that have changed, structure, mythology, I feel like in the end, the show is really true to the ideas and the themes that really spoke to me as a reader, which is Kirby's resilience. Which is the importance of, you know, reclaiming your narrative and finding and taking some sense of agency. So, in the end, I think being able to articulate all of that over eight hours is what I'm most proud of.

John Betancourt: What does it mean to you on a personal level, to have written a show that is show timely and so progressive when it comes to what it has to say about mental health and trauma?

Silka Luisa: I can only speak to you know, what I set out to do for myself and you know, I hope other people connect with it. But I think being able to articulate and be authentic to what I wanted to say in the end. I'm very proud of.

This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.

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