Most recently on screen, Frankie McNellis played Young Avery (Phillipa Soo) in an episode of new ABC series Doctor Odyssey, and prior to this, she was in the cast of the 2022 Netflix screen adaptation of 13: The Musical as Lucy Hallman, and she attended the New York screening event at The Paris Theatre, reuniting with her fellow cast members including Eli Golden (Evan Goldman) and Gabriella Uhl (Patrice). For Frankie’s first role in a feature film, she played Alex in Honey Girls as co-lead with Ava Grace as Charlie and Aliyah Mastin as Maya, with the film based on a top-selling line from Build-A-Bear Workshop. As a voice artist, Frankie voices Emma Emo in the series and films of LOL Surprise! Family, and Devi Cuadra in Series 2 of DreamWorks animated series Curses!, which released last year on Apple TV+. Frankie has recorded a Christmas song for the animated film Glisten and the Merry Mission, and songs for the soundtracks for 13: The Musical and Honey Girls, and is currently working on her own music for future release. Talking with us, Frankie told us about working on an episode of Doctor Odyssey, being in the cast of 13: The Musical for Netflix as Lucy Hallman, her co-lead role of Alex in Honey Girls and voicing Emma Emo in LOL Surprise! Family.
You have recently played Young Avery (Phillipa Soo) in an episode of the new ABC series Doctor Odyssey, what was the character like to play?
I had so much fun working on this! When I was asked to audition, I immediately started binge-watching the show and taking notes on any mannerisms Phillipa had. It was challenging at first, but the episode’s director, Paris Barclay, was so kind and supportive of all my choices.
How was it filming for Doctor Odyssey and being involved with a new medical drama series?
It was so cool! I’ve always wanted to be on a medical drama. I’m a fan of the show, so getting to see the ship set in person and meeting Pippa was so surreal.
In 2022, you were in the cast of the screen adaptation of 13: The Musical on Netflix as Lucy Hallman; how much did you know about the musical before auditioning, and how would you describe Lucy?
I was a big fan of the show growing up. I’ve always idolised Ariana Grande and Liz Gillies, so getting to be a part of 13 was a dream. Lucy is a very determined girl. Yes, she likes Brett, but the real reason she does what she does is because she wants her best friend back. She’s misunderstood and feels like she’s losing Kendra to Brett.
How was it getting into character as Lucy and how did you prepare for playing her?
I loved playing Lucy because she’s more than just a typical mean girl. She has a soft side that only her best friend and the audience get to see. When preparing for the role, I studied Liz’s version of Lucy while also pulling inspiration from Regina George, Sharpay Evans, and honestly, a little Rachel Berry.
How did you feel attending the New York screening event at The Paris Theatre, and what was it like watching the completed film for the first time?
The screening was so emotional because I got to see not only myself, but all of my friends, on the big screen for the very first time. I’m just so proud of everyone and all of our hard work.
What are some of your favourite memories from filming 13: The Musical and working alongside the rest of the cast?
Since we filmed during COVID, we weren’t allowed to hang out with people outside of our crew, so us kids got really close. I loved getting to know the cast off set! We would always hang out at each other’s houses or go to the parks nearby. We even went on a hike once! It’s funny because even after spending a full day on set together, we’d still make plans to hang out or FaceTime as soon as we got home!
For your first role in a feature film, you played co-lead character Alex in the 2021 release of Honey Girls (based on a top-selling line from Build-A-Bear Workshop); do you remember how you felt finding out you’d booked the role?
I dropped to the floor in tears! I actually documented the whole audition process on my phone, recording my reactions to every email and callback. I haven’t shared those videos with anyone except my sister, but maybe I’ll post them in the future!
How did you find the experience playing Alex and filming with your fellow leads Ava Grace and Aliyah Mastin?
I had so much fun! The girls and I actually knew each other before booking the roles, so seeing each other on set every day was so special. I remember when the three of us were first put on a Zoom call together, the director, Trey Fanjoy, immediately knew we had great chemistry. We couldn’t stop laughing, it was so perfect!
What was it like on set of Honey Girls and what did you enjoy most about filming this project?
I loved getting to sing with Aliyah and Ava. Those girls are so incredibly talented, and getting to grow with them was the most rewarding thing. In between takes, we’d randomly burst into songs and harmonise with each other.
You recorded a Christmas song for the animated film Glisten and the Merry Mission, and also recorded songs on the soundtracks for both 13: The Musical and Honey Girls, what were they like to record?
Singing for Glisten and the Merry Mission was such a cool experience. Since it was just me on the song, I got to do all the harmonies and add my own sparkle to it. Recording for 13: The Musical was so surreal because I got to work with Jason Robert Brown and Harvey Mason Jr., and record the same music Ariana Grande and Liz Gillies grew up singing! Honey Girls was also really cool because we got to work with Mark Nilan Jr.
As a voice actor, you currently voice Emma Emo in the LOL Surprise! Family series and films, can you tell us about your time working on the franchise so far?
Aw, the LOL dolls are so cute! Growing up, I always wanted one, so getting to be the voice of Emma Emo is so special. Everyone involved is so sweet, and I can’t wait to see what’s to come!
What is Emma like to voice, and what does a typical day in the recording studio look like for this role?
I’m usually in the studio for about an hour per episode. Emma’s a really fun character to play because her voice doesn’t always match her facial expressions. I do multiple takes of each line to give different reads. Sometimes she’s super monotone, while other times she’s loud and crazy!
What was it like taking on the role of Devi Cuadra in Series 2 of the DreamWorks animated series Curses! for Apple TV+ last year?
This was such a cool experience because I got to see the animation in different stages for the first time. My favourite thing about Devi is that, even with all the crazy spooky situations, she stays so accepting and cool about it.
Where does your love of acting and singing come from, and how did you get into both?
I get my singing from my dad! I’ve been singing ever since I could talk. My mom put me in piano, voice, and dance lessons when I was five. When I was around nine or ten, I competed in a talent competition where I met my manager. I told her I wanted to be on Disney, so she suggested I try acting. She sent me my first audition, and the rest is history!
What are some of your favourite films and TV shows to watch?
This is such a tough question. I love Pitch Perfect and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. My all-time favourite TV show is Glee! My dream role is Rachel Berry. I also love Mean Girls, MAMMA MIA!, Hannah Montana, and Victorious.
We understand you are also a dancer, can you tell us about this side of your career?
I’ve been dancing since I was five. I grew up competing in Arizona, and when I moved to California, I joined the Millennium Dance Complex company team for a year. I still train, just not as much as I used to – I usually just take a class whenever I feel like it.
How do you like to spend your free time?
I’m usually either doing homework or playing/singing piano! I also recently started golfing. I go with my mom and cousins a lot.
Do you have any projects coming up that you can talk about, and what are you hoping 2025 brings?
I’m actually working on music! I’m really excited to start releasing music soon. Stay tuned and follow my new journey on TikTok and Instagram. I’ve also been working on a couple of animated projects. I can’t say much yet, but I will say that my characters are super cute and I can’t wait to share more!
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