An Afternoon with Life Unexpected

Life Unexpected

Last month the non-profit organization IBG, Inc. sponsored a special conversation series featuring Life Unexpected Executive Producer Liz Tigelaar and the show’s stars Kristoffer Polaha (who plays Baze) and Shiri Appleby (who plays Cate). The moderator for the event was E! Online’s Meg Masters, who introduced the panel guests and started off the event with asking each member a big question. Which team are they on? Baze or Ryan. After sharing laughter with the audience, each panelist ended up with the same answer: Baze.

The conversation then turned more serious with Liz explaining the origin of Life Unexpected, stating “As a writer you pitch show ideas about what’s going on in your life.” With that thought in mind, Liz continued, “I hate babies, but I love teenagers so I based Baze on my boyfriend from high school, college and beyond.” She further explained how she is very much like Cate and because of her being adopted, she based the life of main character Lux (played by Britt Robertson) on herself. Liz also said, “I always idealized who my real parents were and (the show) blossomed from there.”

Shiri Appleby

The conversation then turned to the casting process with Liz saying that Britt Robertson walked in and “we loved her.” But, Liz was concerned that they couldn’t simply go with Britt not because she wasn’t talented or not right for the part; but simply because she was the first person they saw. But, in the end, it became clear that Britt was Lux and that “she was perfect.”

As for Kerr Smith, who plays Ryan, he was cast at the last minute. Initially, the character of Ryan was never to be a huge part of the show, but Kerr wanted to be a series regular. Obviously, the decision to make Ryan a much bigger player in the series was a good one as a love triangle was created.

Kristoffer was one of the first actors who came in for the role of Baze and after having a studio test, it became apparent that he was the right man for the part. The chemistry read with Britt also cemented their decision.

Shiri had a more interesting path to playing Cate. First, she described her audition, where she felt she was dressed to fit the part, wearing jodhpurs and a classy jacket, as she was to look sexy, but obviously her idea of sexy and the casting department’s idea of sexy were two different things. She was offered the role, but pulled out as she had never played a mother before and wasn’t sure if she could pull it off. So she took a vacation, but her thoughts kept going back to the part of Cate; and after having a talk with her dad, who told her that her doubts about playing a mom were actually what she needed to play the part. Eventually, she agreed to do the role and started shooting a few days afterwards.

When asked if either of the cast members felt their work on Life Unexpected would affect their futures, Shiri quickly stated, “the show has done nothing but great things for us,” to which Kristoffer agreed as did the audience.

Kristoffer Polaha

The panel then turned to discussion of the episode that aired that week with both actors talking about the weight of the story arc (the child abuse suffered by Lux) was on Britt; but because the entire cast quickly banded together – almost like a real family – they handled the shocking aspects of it all very well. Shiri commented that Britt shot most of her scenes by herself, as it was somewhat easier for her to handle the subject matter if she didn’t have her “on screen” family watching.

In talking about Cate and Ryan, Liz stated, “that they really are flawed people,” but that depiction is honest. However, in order to be picked up for the second (current) season they were told by the network to add new characters, be less redundant and to have less Cate and Ryan. Liz battled for a while, as she didn’t like losing the family element to the show, but she attempted to remain professional and the cast and crew worked around the mandate as much as possible.

One interesting anecdote made by Shiri was that they had wrapped the show before Thanksgiving, but they all decided to stay in Canada to celebrate the holiday together before going home, reiterating that they developed the family dynamic “right away, from the pilot”.

Liz Tigelaar

Liz shared that she will take a short time off and then will probably pursue work on a feature and perhaps go on to another show. She said she will steer clear of TV for a while, though, but she will probably develop another show, but not right away. Meanwhile Shiri is going to enjoy the break by working on the new house she recently bought. She said that she “is excited being home and would like to do a comedy next”. And Kristoffer has a holding deal with CBS, but he has to wait for the call from the network for his next job.

While Life Unexpected will not be returning for a third season, the network is airing the final two episodes tonight on the CW at 8 and 9 PM.

About IBG, Inc. (Inspire. Believe. Give.): This non-profit focuses on utilizing the power of philanthropy through the arts with that afternoon’s event benefitted the Portland Boys & Girls group.