Character Study
Tracing the evolution of our favorite TV characters from script to screen.
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The Character:Kelli Prenny, the fourth corner of Issa Dees close college friend group.
Rothwell then spoke with creator and star Issa Rae and showrunnerPrentice Penny.
She was the first writer hired forthe writers room, before Kelli was even the seed of an idea.
Once the room was assembled, writer Ben Dougan helped formulate the origins of Kelli Prenny.
Then we started using the phrase eye-roll friend in a different way: like the friendyouroll your eyes at.
Establishing Kellis voice was crucial to understanding the character and her function within the larger story.
In the episode, Issa and Lawrence decide to throw a party to prove that they are adults.
Not in a mean way, but in a loving way that only a friend could, says Dougan.
Rothwell never had aspirations to join the cast.
Even though writers in the room often read for different parts, somehow, Kelli always belonged to Rothwell.
I started reading for Kelli in every episode she appeared in.
I wasnt suspicious or even excited about the prospects.
I had pretty serious blinders on, Rothwell recalls.
Rothwell not only managed both, but thrived while pulling double-duty.
The character we were initially brainstorming … wasnt one-note, exactly, but served a specific function.
She took the ball and ran with it.
Both have filters, but Kellis is more porous than Rothwells.
Still, Rothwell had to establish her actor boundaries separate from the characters.
I spoke with her, Rothwell remembers joking.
However, set pieces occasionally made it into the script without her express approval.
When we got to the page that it happened, they just started laughing.
I was like,Its too good not to do.
Youre just reacting to the world around you like they would.
It doesnt require a lot of exposition, and youre not forcing a joke.
Youre just responding organically and honestly.
Do you hear yourself?
Kelli retorts, Of course I do, I have a podcast.
Issa started that improv run by saying Do you hear yourself?
So I was like,Whats the most Kelli response possible?Of course, Ive got a podcast.
I thought it was just a throwaway.
I had no idea it would actually make the episode.
Years later, fans were delighted when the podcastPrennys Preguntasgot its own scene in theseason-five premiere.
Season two made Kelli into a meme.
Supportive, Kelli remarks, You know what that is?
Growth, with a hand gesture that resembles a flower blossoming.
But director Penny, sensing a winning bit, encouraged Rothwell to follow her instincts after the third take.
But Rothwell and the other writers wanted to check that Kelli was more than just the wisecrack.
Infusing her with depth was critical.
I didnt want her to be the butt of a joke, Rothwell says.
I never wanted her to be hypersexualized.
I didnt want to fall into cliches or stereotypes.
But at the end of the day, she is deeply kind and caring, she says.
For Dougan, striking this balance was one of the harder parts of writing for the character.
Its easy to take things too far.
The biggest challenge was pulling back and remembering that Kelli is a real person.
We didnt go all the way, and it was more satisfying as a result.
The final season has seen substantive growth for all characters, including Kellis own journey toward enlightenment.
I was super excited to have Kelli shepherd us into that idea for the last season.
