Conversations with the Cast of ‘Mythic Quest’

There are few shows that have taken the world by storm the same way that Mythic Quest has. But it’s quality writing, incredible comedy and dynamic storytelling choices and top-notch cast… have cemented its legacy as of one of the finest comedies out there and to celebrate its return to the airwaves via Apple TV+, we here at NTG were lucky enough to sit down with several cast members to discuss what the journey has meant to them.
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So, without further ado, here is what… David Hornsby (Executive Producer/David Brittlesbee), Charlotte Nicdao (Poppy Li), Imani Hakim (Dana), Danny Pudi (Brad Bakshi), Naomi Ekperigin (Carol), Jessie Ennis (Jo) and Ashly Burch (Rachel) had to say about Mythic Quest!

John Betancourt: What does it mean to each of you, to be part of such a beloved and iconic show?

David Hornsby: (Points at Self) This show? (Laughter) Oh, okay! Yeah, it's great. It's, it's so much fun it you know, I get to work with my friends. I also work with them on Sunny, some of us, you know, came over to this show and work together there. That's really special, it's amazing to be able to know that we have a fourth season. It gives us you know, a little breathing room for story and things like that. And, look you get into a project and you don't know where it's gonna go, or how long it's going to go. And first seasons are always tricky, because you're trying to figure out the show, and what works and what doesn't work. And to kind of be here at the cusp of our third season is, knowing we have a fourth is really exciting. And I feel really, really grateful.

Charlotte Nicdao: That is, that's such a sweet thing to say. I mean, I think we came out our first season came out at a very strange time in the world, we aired at the beginning of 2020. And then like everybody else, I think all of us have been quite isolated in terms of understanding the impact that we've made, you know, you couldn't rely on online. But this year, we went to Comic Con for the first time. And getting to be in a room full of people that loved the show was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. It was really special. And the energy in that space… it was exceptional. And I feel really lucky to have been part of that.

Imani Hakim: Yeah, especially after doing the show for a few years at this point. That was our first in person, direct fan experience. And yeah, we had no idea how beloved the show actually was because it's just… we're getting our sources through online through Twitter, through Instagram, through TikToks, through Reddit, and it was just really nice to have people come up to you directly and tell you the impact that you've made.

Naomi Ekperigin: Oh my god! It's the dream, John! All right. I mean, look. I think we all hope whatever we do that we love it, and we get to do it all the time. But then when it's actually seen by people, and they enjoy it. Well, come on, that's all you want!

Danny Pudi: Yes! All these things! I think to, to be able to create and laugh with people and be part of something that I would actually, like, I know, I would watch and love too. Like, I love these characters. I love this group. And I love these people. So, to be able to do that. And to be able to share it and see that it's connecting with people. Yeah, it's the dream. It's awesome.

Jessie Ennis: That's such a nice question. Um, it's something I really am grateful for. My dad's an actor. And I did not grow up with a fantasy of making it in Hollywood, it was always kind of like you just work in Hollywood, if you're lucky. And so, getting to be on a show where we actually got picked up, we got a second season, then we got a third and fourth season, I've just been like, kind of shocked, I'm beside myself, and I'm thrilled. And then the fact that people watch the show is a whole other thing. And then when you get messages from people, or they feel represented, or they feel like seen in some way, it's just… it really makes me tear up a little bit. It's just. I'm really proud to be on a show that people watch and enjoy.

Ashly Burch: It’s so hard to wrap your head around the fact that people watch the show. I mean, I know that people do, they reach out to us all the time and say how much they love it. But it's just like, you know, working on a show’s so funny, because you're just like, in this weird little summer camp, all of you together making this thing and then you put it out in the world, and you don't really have a great way of gauging how many people, are what… you know, what they're engaging with, or what they like and, and so it's so nice to do stuff like this or like when we went to Comic Con and, and have people say like, “I love the show, I respond to it. I love the characters.” It's really gratifying because you know, we work, we have a lot of fun, but we work really hard. And we try, you know, to make the best show that we can. And so, it's so nice to see that people are responding to it.

John Betancourt: What does it meant to you as an actor to be part of a series that constantly challenges you and evolves?

David Hornsby: Well, it's, it's been great to be an actor on a show, I mean, you know, I, you don't always have the opportunity to write and act on a show, it has to be the right situation for a lot of people and so, you know, I've work on Sunny, and I get to act a little bit on that. But here, I get more of a part. And so, it's been, it's been really fun, to be able to stretch my wings a little bit and kind of work in an area, of this type of character and have a lot of material for it. So, we can keep evolving it. But I'm always interested in, you know, evolving it more. So, we're not repeating ourselves, even with my particular character or any of the characters. So, it's exciting to know we have another season as well to, you know, take it in new directions.

Imani Hakim: Oh, it's so awesome. It's really nice to know that, you know, in real life, we're always constantly growing and changing and evolving. And through a show, we get to have fun on Mythic Quest as well. And naturally, with a workplace comedy, you kind of reset each episode. And we don't really do that we just kind of blow everything up and then figure it out. (Laughter) So, it presents new challenges for us as the actors of like, who are we now? You know, how, how much have we changed and progressed? And how much have we regressed during this time. And it's really fun to discover new things with the writers because it's such a collaborative effort to create this story and create these characters together.

Charlotte Nicdao: Yeah, the show is so funny. And I think the show lets us do really silly things. Like I think that there are so many moments in season three, that even just being on set, I was like, “I can't believe that this is what I'm doing as my job. This is so funny, and so fun.” And at the same time, we get to delve into the deeper parts of who these people are, what they're struggling with those much more relatable and moving moments that the show has been lucky enough to touch on. We continue to do that in season three.

Danny Pudi: That's really what I'm drawn to. I love that about this show, is that I couldn't have predicted that we would do a standalone episode over quarantine from home. I couldn't have predicted watching an episode like “A Dark Quiet Death”, “Backstory!”, having an episode with Snoop Doggy Dog and my best friend Parvesh Cheena, that is weirdly emotional and also kind of like… “Is this really happening?” (Laughter) “Snoop is a room with you?” Like, all these things. It is evolving. And it is unexpected. And it is kind of a blend of tones. And I love that. Personally, I think it's great because it allows me to grow as an artist and kind of keep changing and making sure I try new stuff. And I think it pays off when we watch the shows when we watch the episodes, because then the show feels more meaningful and rich and kind of feels like we can keep stretching. We can kind of go anywhere, which is… that's really exciting.

Naomi Ekperigin: I echo everything Danny said and also just in general, I think particularly my experience with Carol, you know, she is… the first few seasons we've seen her you know, you know how Carol's gonna be. You know what she's gonna say, she's, it's a tried-and-true character game to have. And it is to me a testament to Megan, Rob, David that they said, “Let's see what else you, me, Naomi can do and also where else can we put Carol? Meaning, you know, I think once, they’re like, “Yeah, okay.” Once you’re funny they're, like, “Have at it!” Meaning like, let's try something new. Let's have you do some more stuff. Let's make things a little more complicated for your character. And then of course, all the fun in performing that and breaking it down, gotta love it!

Ashly Burch: It's so nice. I really think that our show runners are really invested in the idea of making a show that isn't afraid to take big swings, take risks and make changes. That to me is the most interesting thing, as a writer and as an actor, to not feel like okay, this is going to be a rinse and repeat. Like, every time we come back to the show, I'm going to know this person is going to say this thing, I'm going to say this thing and it's going to be kind of that. It's really nice to see that these are not just like… they're really funny characters, but they're also people that are being allowed to evolve and change and make mistakes and screw up and be triumphant. Be annoying, be lovable, you know, it's such a pleasure to be able to play characters that have those different sides to them. And, and for us to feel like we have ownership of these characters and that we get to contribute to that is really, really gratifying.

Jessie Ennis: Honestly, this seems… this is not an answer I would usually give but as Ashly was speaking, I was thinking about this thing that is kind of unique, because you asked as specifically as an actor. And in my experience, I go to different jobs. And I essentially get told, like your hair has to look exactly the same as it did when we wrapped the last season. And this is the first job where that is something I'm enforcing. And the hair department is just like, “No, you can do whatever you want. It's your hair, like, what would your character do?” Well, my character picked her hairstyle when she was 11 and has stuck to it. So, we're gonna have to match the hair exactly to how it looked when we wrapped. But there's so much freedom as to how our characters evolve. And the idea that our characters, of course, would continue to evolve between the months that our show is, you know, the month that we see our characters for, and I just find it really interesting that there's so much freedom and collaboration and it's really unlike anything else. And it's bizarre that the hair is the thing, but it really is. Like each character evolves so much. And so, it's really our choice what things we want to keep from changing.

John Betancourt: What are you most proud of when it comes to your time on this show?

David Hornsby: Well, I'm proud of just the fact that we, you know, we are outputting something that I can stand behind, you know, that I put myself into, I'm proud of the product. I’m proud when people connect with it, you know, so the consistency of putting out a bunch of seasons and being proud of what you're putting out. It doesn't always happen. You hope you work on something, and you feel fulfilled by it. So, it's the fact that we're making something that I enjoy and I'm proud to stand behind that's… no matter how hard sometimes it is, or fun it is, you know, all the ups and downs of it. I'm, you know, proud to be part of it.

Charlotte Nicdao: You know, the whole thing obviously has been a huge… I feel like it's a huge achievement for me personally just as an artist, but I always… I think that the quarantine episode that we made might be… like that might hold in my mind as one of the things I'm proudest of in my whole career, probably. But I also think that part of the reason for that is that it has really informed the rest of the show like we really, we were also committed to making something together that was going to reach people in that moment. And I think that has been a real touchstone of the way we've continued forward in season two and now season three.

Imani Hakim: Definitely the quarantine episode. That that is one of my favorite episodes to date. But one of the things that I'm most proud of with this show is just the representation we have. We have so many female leads on the show, women of color, and just specifically just me being a black woman, that is queer, in this space, being seen in the video game industry... is just so important to me. And I can only imagine the impact that that's having on other young women and young black girls who are coming up and watching this show.

Naomi Ekperigin: Hmm, wow. Um, I'm most proud of not getting so nervous that I hid in my trailer all day. You know? Not being “Oh God… can I do this!? Please. Help me!” But it is a welcoming fun space where you get to play, certainly given wonderful words on the page, but then also the chance to improvise within that and do what feels right. It's like, I don't know, just suiting up and showing up every day, John! What more? My God! (Laughter from all) I’ve lost my mind.

Danny Pudi: Hmmm, let's see here. That's hard to pinpoint one thing, because I think when you're on a show, you have moments that don't make it to camera, right? But it's just part of the work because we are… it's a workplace comedy, but we are a workplace, as actors rolling into set and hanging out, you know, like, so there are moments there that I will cherish if I was just kind of like hanging out. And then there's the filming part of the show. And then there's like the third wave, which is the actual episode when it's released and how people respond to it. And that's kind of out of our hands. But that's what a joyful thing when people are commenting on certain lines or scenes that they really vibe with. So, two things I will say this season for me to be able to direct was something that I just feel like I got a chance to do that on a show that I love with people that I love. And that was awesome to be able to be part of that in this environment. Because I think a lot of people their first time, they're probably directing on a show that they don't know the people well and that was like a gift I think because I got to know everyone here and I got to do that. And then like I said last year Snoop Dogg episode with Parvesh. That to me just feels like this weird fever dream that's just… did it happen? Um, but that's like two, you know, it's Parvesh and Snoop crashing, and my brother and it was just like a very weird, amazing episode.

Jessie Ennis: Oh boy. Um, I feel like I've really stepped into myself as like an adult working in my industry. I think I always felt kind of like, “Wow, this is happening to me!” And this is the first job where I really feel fully in control of my craft. And so that's been… it's been really empowering. And I'm just really grateful for that.

Ashly Burch: That's a great question. Man. Um, I think I feel really proud of the ways that I've challenged myself in this project. I think, you know, I was really terrified of directing for a long time, I didn't think it was going to be something that I would ever want to do. And this year, I asked Rob, if I could direct an episode. And the amazing thing about Rob is that he went, “Yeah.” It’s just like such an open environment. And so, you feel safe and empowered to do stuff like that, to make choices that are going to challenge you and push you as a creative person. And I have the benefit of also being on the writing staff. And I felt like I've been pushed a lot in that context as well. So, for me, it's just been such a, like, amazing bootcamp mix. It sounds like it wasn't enjoyable. It was very enjoyable, but I feel like it's, it's made me progress as a creative person so much faster than I would have otherwise. And I have a lot of gratitude for that.

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Bonus Question with David Hornsby

John Betancourt: What are you most looking forward to fans experiencing this season?
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David Hornsby: Well, I think it's, you know, selfishly? I think my storyline. I'm excited for them to see me trying to bag a beefcake in Joe Manganiello for the movie that we get greenlit to make of Mythic Quest: The Game. So that's, that's always fun. And I'm also excited for people to see Carol more. You know, we brought Carol up more as a character this season more than the last two and, and Naomi's just so funny, and so I'm excited for them to see her as a character more.

This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.