Mary Elizabeth Ellis Talks Ted Danson, Taylor Swift and Her Heartfelt New Netflix Show (EXCLUSIVE)

Actress Mary Elizabeth Ellis is certainly a household name. Born in Mississippi, the actress has worked on things like It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, New Girl and Taylor Swift’s “Anti-Hero” music video. Now, the mom of one is gearing up to release her next project, a Netflix TV show entitled A Man on The Inside. 

Created by Michael Schur, the show follows a retired professor named Charles (Ted Danson) who gets a second chance at life after being tasked with going undercover at a retirement home in San Francisco, California. Ellis plays Charles’ daughter Emily and now the actress is opening up about how filming the show was for her and what she really thinks about Danson. Keep scrolling for more. 

Woman’s World: Let’s start with your new show, A Man on the Inside. What was filming that project like for you? 

Mary Elizabeth Ellis: A Man on the Inside has been so much more than just a job. It was the absolute most fun to shoot, because the cast is so incredible. Every time I read a script, I was like, ‘“Oh my god, this is so good.” 

It’s based on The Mole Agent, a documentary from Chile. The documentary is so good and special and hits on such important themes. Michael Schur and Morgan Sackett took that and turned it into this incredible, beautiful television show. 

I luckily have very healthy parents, but I have a 97-year-old grandmother who is dealing with a lot of health issues, so I got to explore these things that are actually happening in my real life in this incredible, loving, optimistic, hopeful environment that is the show. 

WW: You worked with some pretty hilarious stars on it, such as Ted Danson. What was that experience like? 

MEE: It was such a joy to turn up every day on set and have Ted set the tone for the day, because he’s so kind. He’s so generous. He shows up having all his stuff unlocked, which is incredible because the man’s in his 70s, and he has a lot to say in the show. 

He’s like, so obsessed with his wife [Mary Steenburgen]. He talks about her all the time. 

WW: What connection did you feel to Emily as a character, and what elements did you bring to her? 

MEE: I’m experiencing the same things that she’s experiencing, where she is between caring for her kids and her older dad. I also want to talk everything out all the time. Always. And sometimes I feel like my parents are, like, “Hey, can you just give it a rest and enjoy the food that we’re all having at Thanksgiving together, instead of getting into everything and figuring it out and working out and making sure everybody’s good?”  And that’s definitely what Emily wants to do. 

 I’m really excited for people to see this show, because it’s easy for us to sweep aging people under the rug or not look at the aging process because it’s scary. But this show holds it in such love, joy and optimism, that I really hope people will watch this and make some reconnections in their families and get excited about what’s next in their lives.

WW: What do you want viewers to take away from A Man on the Inside? 

MEE: I really hope people will watch this, reconnect with their families, and get excited about what’s next in their lives.

There are a lot of forces driving wedges into connections and really highlighting our differences. This is the kind of art that we need right now, reminding us that no matter who we are and what we believe, we all get older and we’re all dealing with family members who are going through things. So just reconnect and show up for each other.

WW: Aside from this show, you have been in so many other great projects like It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, New Girl, Masterminds, Santa Clarita Diet and even a Taylor Swift music video! What were all those experiences like, and how do you think they helped you become the actress you are now? 

MEE: I really fell in love with theater when I was in fourth grade, and when I was in high school, I knew it was what I wanted to do, so I dreamed about it a lot. And I think that I thought that it would always be an upward trajectory as you get started, and every project gets you further and further and toward better roles. And that’s just not the life of an actor.

 I’m insanely grateful for the career that I’ve had. I’ve gotten to work with some of the most wonderful, hilarious, amazing people, and I’m excited to see what’s next—hopefully, a season two of A Man on the Inside. 

WW: Would you ever work with Taylor Swift again? 

MEE: That woman is incredible. I just kept telling her, “How are you not a monster? I would be such a monster if I were you.” She is so genuine and real, grounded and funny and smart. She’s so smart. So, yeah, I’ll do anything for Taylor. 

WW: What’s next for you?  

MEE: Immediately, Red One, which is the Christmas movie with The Rock, Chris Evans and Lucy Liu. I hope people go and see it in the theater. 

I wrote and directed my first short film this past year, so I’ve been doing film festivals with that. I just finished writing a feature that I would like to direct, so that’s out to producers right now. I’m really hoping that someone gets excited by that and if I get to direct a feature film, that would be a lot of fun. 

I’m always open to working on great projects with good people, but I have my eye on something that involves action.