Interview with Stephanie Drake

April 24, 2015 | Stephanie Drake has been playing Meredith, the receptionist turned secretary in "Mad Men", since season 5. In our interview she talks about the end of the series, the atmosphere on set an her plans for the future.

German translation of the interview.

Foto: Stephanie Drake - Copyright: Dana Patrick
Stephanie Drake
© Dana Patrick
Note: © myFanbase 2015 - The interview is exclusive to myFanbase and may not be published on other websites or the like. You may share the first two questions (up to 180 words) if you link back to this site. Translations other than English and German may be posted with full credit including the link to this site.

1. How did you land the role of Meredith in "Mad Men" and how much did you know about the character when you booked the role?

All I knew about Meredith was that she was in her early 20’s, All American, and a receptionist. That’s it! Names and situations were changed for the audition scene, that’s how secretive they are. I had a pre-read with the casting director in the afternoon, was called back for the producers session later that day, and got the part that night. I was on set a week later.

2. Meredith belongs to the exclusive circle of Don Drapers' secretaries, a position which has often been dogged by bad luck for most of the girls maybe except for Megan. Is Meredith aware of that or is she just happy to get promoted?

I’m his 9th secretary! I don’t think Meredith thinks about Don’s past secretaries. She is so happy to be on his desk and only worries about doing a good job and keeping him on track.

3. Meredith is one of those "Mad Men" characters who puts a smile on our faces. Was it the same for you when you read the scripts or did you rather feel protective towards her?

Every episode I was in, I would first read through the script quickly to see if Meredith gets fired. Then I would go back and find my scenes and they always put a smile on my face… A smile that grows even wider when I see them on TV.

4. Meredith had quite a few exceptional scenes like with Joan and the model aircraft or when she tried to seduce Don. What were your personal favorite moments in the show?

Both of those scenes are definitely favorites of mine. Another scene I love is the first time we see Meredith as Don’s secretary. I walk into his office and tell him he shouldn’t be eating a candy bar because he’s so trim. I love that Meredith starts taking care of him immediately, or at least tries to. I think that’s so funny and it was really fun to start working with Jon Hamm.

5. In the recent episode #7.08 Meredith looked very professional. Can you talk a little about what has happened for her in the 10 months between #7.07 and #7.08?

10 months is a long time for Don to hold onto the same secretary! So clearly, Meredith has to be doing a great job. Beyond that, I’m not sure what she’s been up to. Hopefully having some fun in her personal life. She did have to leave at 5:00 on the dot during episode #7.08!

Foto: Stephanie Drake - Copyright: Dana Patrick
Stephanie Drake
© Dana Patrick

6. Will we get to see more of Meredith in these final episodes? What was it like to shoot these final scenes and say goodbye to cast and crew?

You’ll just have to wait and see! It was hard saying goodbye, but luckily we just had a big premiere party for the final 7 episodes where I got to see everyone. I keep in touch with the other secretaries too. We meet for coffee and lunch and have become good friends.

7. The "Mad Men" cast seems to be a great group of people. Who did you like working with most and who did you learn a lot from?

I liked working with everyone, but my scenes with Christina Hendricks were always my favorite. She is talented, friendly, and so much fun to talk to. I learned from her that it’s totally normal to be nervous on set. My very first day was her first day back from a year and a half hiatus. She told me she was nervous and that definitely put me at ease. By the time I started working with Jon, I was crazy nervous, but I don’t think he could tell. Or maybe he could. Or maybe he was nervous too?!

8. What was it like working on a show that has so much love for detail, e.g. the costumes by Janie Bryant. Meredith does have a signature look like all the different characters.

I loved going in for costume fittings. Getting to try on cute dress after cute dress was the best, and then getting to set and finding out which one I was going to wear that day was always a fun surprise. Meredith’s dresses were always stylish and colorful. I was partial to the dresses with long sleeves because it was always so cold on set.

9. Do you have new projects you can talk about, now that "Mad Men" is over?

I’ll be on an episode of "CSI: Cyber" in mid-May. I got to work with Oscar winner Patricia Arquette and my high school celebrity crush, James van der Beek. A dream come true!

10. Since myFanbase is an online magazine about U.S. television shows, we would like to know what your favorite shows are?

Currently, my favorite shows are "Better Call Saul", "Girls", "House of Cards", "Marry Me", and "The Following". I loved "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" too. I also watch reruns of "The Office" and "I Love Lucy" whenever I have a chance. Can you tell I love Television.

Thank you for the interview, Stephanie, we wish you all the best for your future!

Cindy Scholz - myFanbase

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