After Free Bert premiered on Netflix, actress Lilou Lang became its breakout star. The up-and-coming actress spoke with NYOTA about auditioning for the role of Ila, working with Bert Kreischer, and the project she’d love to take on next.

Free Bert was your very first audition, which led to your first TV role! What do you remember most about that audition process, and how did it feel landing a major role?

I first sent in a tape I filmed with my mom. When they called me back in, I got to go on the Universal backlot, which was cool. Bert and I read with multiple moms and Georgia’s. Ava Ryan and I clicked immediately in the waiting room. I remember they told us to improvise a fight. I knew it was going to be Ava and me in that moment because it felt like when I’m home with my real sisters. I had candy cigarettes and smoked them through the whole audition. No one ever even addressed this… and I got to say bad words, which I’m never allowed to in real life. When I got the call that I booked it, I was screaming my head off. A whole summer of getting to be crazy, yes, please.

You were fantastic on the show; you have such natural comedic instincts. How did you prepare for the role and get in the headspace for comedy?

Thank you very much! I didn’t know much about the real Ila because I’m not allowed to watch Bert’s stand-up, so I just made her into what I envisioned Ila to be from the script. 

We’ve heard you were doing improv during the shoot. What was it like to have the freedom to put your spin on the character and flex your creative muscles?

It was my first thing, so I didn’t realize that this isn’t how everything shoots. We literally just came on set and played every day. Ila gets to say the things no one’s supposed to say out loud. It was the best summer of my life.  

Your character, Ila, shares a close bond with her parents, especially Bert. What was it like working with Bert Kreischer and Arden Myrin, and how did that on-screen chemistry come about?

I could talk about each of them for a year straight. Bert is my child, and I just love him so much. We met at the audition, and he was so fun from moment one. He’s the nicest person in the whole world and will always be my second dad. He asked if he would be coming to my wedding, and I said only if I get to go to your funeral. I will keep in touch with him for my entire existence, whether he likes it or not. 

Arden gave the best advice and helped me so much. This was my first time working on a set, and she taught me about continuity. There’s so much you don’t realize goes into things when you’re watching TV. She taught me that if you hold a drink in your hand and take a sip on a certain line, you have to do the same thing when they change the camera angle. She keeps everyone happy on set and pumps everyone up when energy gets low. I truly love them both with all my heart and then some.

One moment that stood out was your monologue in Episode 2, where you gave Bert a pep talk. What was your approach to that scene?

That’s the fun thing about acting. For that scene, I didn’t prepare, and whatever comes out is what comes out. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. We did each take differently for that monologue. That take I kissed him… on another one I slapped him, haha. I don’t even know, man. 

Before Free Bert, you also appeared on Drunk History. How was that experience for you?

I got to work with my Uncle Derek on that, which was so fun. I love him so much. I also got to meet the voice of Felix from Wreck-It-Ralph, which was a huge deal to me. He was so sweet to me. I will remember that forever. 

The projects you’ve been in so far have been in comedy. Has comedy always come naturally to you, or was that something you discovered through acting?

That was something I discovered through acting. Free Bert was such a great learning experience. I learned that sometimes being the most serious one in the scene can be funny. Even just sitting silently not responding, can also be funny, or yelling when everyone is supposed to be quiet can make Bert laugh.

Looking forward, what kinds of roles or projects are you most excited to explore next?
My dream role would be to play Sophie Foster in Keeper of the Lost Cities. It’s my favorite book series.