XO, Kitty’s Anna Cathcart explains how she has stepped into a leading role.

Video transcript

ANNA CATHCART: It feels very surreal and, like, an honor [LAUGHS] to be back and to be back with this character that I've played for a while and have so much love for. But now, even though it's the same character, it's like a new time of her life. So that definitely brings a lot of relearning her and, kind of, reintroducing myself to her, while also keeping that spirit that she had in the movies and that I love and know so well.

So it was so much fun to come back. And it was just very surreal 'cuz I could have never predicted this many years ago, when I was first auditioning, as a 13-year-old, for the first "To All the Boys" movie. It's very crazy.

I didn't even think it was real. I fully thought it was like-- like, they were just saying ideas, and I was like, oh, that's a cool thought. But I didn't think it was actually gonna happen. So it definitely took a while for it to hit me. And I don't think it was until I was, like, on the plane, going to Korea-- And

- [LAUGHS]

ANNA CATHCART: --and I was like, "Oh, like, there's no going back. We're doing this." So, yeah, it definitely was just a lot to wrap my head around. And it was such an honor, as well, that they wanted to continue this story and that they thought that it was worth telling and that kitty was a character worth exploring.

I think, in general, "XO, Kitty" is a story about growing up, and finding yourself, and taking chances, and figuring it all out. So I'm really excited for people to see it because I think there's something that people can relate to in different ways. Because there's so many different storylines, as well. So I really can't wait for it to be out.

- Yeah, it's a show of, like, multiple cultures, multiple backgrounds.

ANNA CATHCART: Mm-hmm.

- It's a show of an entirely API cast. And we're uplifting voices of stories that haven't necessarily been told, yet. So, yeah, I think it's a show that is, hopefully, for everyone. I think there's something anyone that's watching can take away from it.

I think it's extremely important. [LAUGHS] I mean, I have been acting since I was five years old. And in all fairness, this is the first time I've played a character where I feel 100% completely represented. This is the first character where I feel like I'm portraying, like, absolute authenticity with because he is exactly what I am-- half Filipino, half Iranian.

And, you know, I've done this my whole life, and I've never really seen any opportunities for a lot of mixed Asian people. So I feel like, for me, it's such an honor. But, also, to be able to provide that representation for the viewers who look like me or are mixed race--

ANNA CATHCART: Mm-hmm.

- --who haven't seen the representation in media before, I think that's what's really exciting about the show, for me. Because, I mean, just last night, we had a screening and it was-- to see how, like, people received my character was so special--

ANNA CATHCART: Yeah.

- --and extremely-- like, just an honor, that's the best way I could put it.

ANNA CATHCART: It's the impact.

- The impact, yeah.

ANNA CATHCART: And those moments are when it really, like, hits harder. I'm like, wow, we're a part of something that's actually impacting people.

- Yeah.

ANNA CATHCART: And changing people's mindsets, and views, and how they feel for the better is so cool to-- and like you said, just an honor to be a part of something like that for others. And the reach can be so large, which is also amazing and--

- And exciting, yeah.

ANNA CATHCART: --really cool to think about it.

- And it's not every day, as an actor, you get an opportunity to make something so meaningful, like this. It's definitely a blessing for me. And I hope that people watching are able to see that and be excited to see characters like this on screen.