Ana Lucasey plays the role of Dylan in The Secret Life of the American Teenager. She originally had this role in the pilot for another show written by Brenda Hampton, but the pilot never got picked up. However, six months later she was asked to bring her character to The Secret Life — the character and its background remained the same. Dylan is Ben’s on-again/off-again girlfriend with a love interest in Henry, as well. “She’s a liar, a troublemaker…controlling, but she’s fun – young and careless.” Ana doesn’t have much of Dylan in her but loves to play the part. “You always need a bad guy – otherwise it’s no fun to watch!” Dylan is going to a different high school, but claims she’ll be back, and she must decide between Ben or Henry. Personally, Ana would love to get back together with Henry. “He’s such a gentleman. Ben is a mess”.
Ana loves working with her fellow actors, especially Shailene Woodley. “She’s so talented. Her future is great.” When asked who she would love to act with in the future, her immediate response was Amy Adams. “She’s one of my favorites. She can do light comedies like Enchanted and The Muppet Movie and then get Oscar Noms for Doubt and The Fighter. She’s talented and adorable.” Then Ana quickly added – “we’re both redheads. Maybe we can play sisters!”
As a child, Ana Lucasey took piano and music lessons. Her career started at 10 years old when she auditioned for musical theater and got the part of the understudy to Annie in Annie Warbucks. Now, she has just finished filming She Loves Me Not, a movie about a middle aged author filmed in three sequences, following the author’s career and the different women in his life. Ana plays the daughter of one of these women.
When asked whether she has any advice for those interested in becoming actors, her response was clear. “Make sure you are completely passionate about acting and pursuing that as your career. Have patience and perseverance. It’s a hard business. You have to be really dedicated and sometimes it takes a long time – sometimes it doesn’t. Continue to work on you craft. Make connections. Surround yourself with people who believe in you! It’s impossible without them.”
Ana loves to read and is currently reading Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston. “It’s a classic that I missed reading in high school and college. It’s a coming of age story about a black woman living in the 30’s, figuring out her spiritual life and what love is – dealing with society imposing certain values on her – figuring life out. It’s beautifully written.”
It was a pleasure speaking with you, Ana. Thank you for taking the time to speak with us and good luck to you in all your future endeavors!
-ML