Top + Sweater by Rachel Comey
Sculptural Straw Woven Hat by Kimberly Ortega Label: Soakartstudio

Georgie Murphy stars in NBC's new mockumentary style comedy Stumble alongside TV veterans Taran Killam and Kristen Chenoweth. “Stumble is a true underdog story,” shares Murphy. In an interview with PhotoBook Magazine, she says she’s long wanted to take on a role like Sally, a character she describes as resilient and endlessly optimistic.

The new series follows a junior college cheering team as they chase unlikely success. With many familiar faces and fresh talent, Stumble is “packed to the brim with jokes, heart-felt moments, and high flying stunts,” gushes Murphy.

**Left:**
A Sophisticated Mini Dress with Long Sleeves and an Elegant Deep V-neck. by L'AMOR
Earrings by Vintage
**Right:**
Dress by Ailiere at Flying Solo
Earrings by Vintage

Stumble is NBC’s highly anticipated, mockumentary style comedy. What initially drew you to the character of Sally?
I just love her heart, from the first time I met her (read the pilot) I knew she was someone I really wanted to play. She’s so full of life and brightness, she always sees the best in people, and she has an incredible ability to never quit. I learn a lot from Sally every day, I know this may sound cliche—but she’s a lot of things that I am not, but I want to be! I actually initially auditioned for the role of Peaches”, and I knew immediately that I wasn’t the right fit. But when Sally came across my desk, I really felt like I had a grasp on who she was, on how she saw the world. I get to watch Taylor Dunbar play Peaches and I’m in awe of her ability, everyone on this show is perfectly cast!

How would you describe Stumble, to anyone that has yet to watch it?
Stumble is a true underdog story. It’s packed to the brim with jokes, heart-felt moments, and high flying stunts. If you’re a cheerleading lover, you’ll absolutely fall in love with this show. But even if you aren’t a cheer fan, this story will still have something for you. We have amazing veteran talent like Jenn Lyon, Taran Killam, and Kristen Chenoweth! But, we also have a bunch of new faces that bring these beautiful characters to life—and I happen to be one of them! I would love this show even if it wasn’t in it, and I’ve got great taste in television.

Did you have to prepare yourself physically for any of the stunts on the show?
I remember when I first got the role I took myself straight to a trampoline park to see if I could still flip. I grew up as a gymnast, but it’s been many years since I did any of my skills. We work with one of our executive producers, Monica Aldama, and our choreographer Dahlston Delgado — who just happened to be the best in the cheerleading world. While I perform all of the choreography, I don’t do any of the high flying stunts, we leave that up to our amazing cheer doubles. I actually just learned to do a “Show and Go,which is when you get thrown up in the air! That’s the kind of stuff I live for. As mentioned, I was a gymnast growing up,but I always wanted to be a cheerleader. It seemed like such a fun world! I’m definitely getting better at cheerchoreo and smaller stunts. One of my goals is to do a basket toss!

Upcycled Men’s Ties Dress by COLE RENNER
Boots by Michael Kors
Top + Skirt by TARA BABYLON
Earrings by Vintage

What surprised you the most about the junior college cheerleading environment?
How quickly everyone became like family! I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this, and I really wanted people to like me. I was intimidated by everyone, but after the first day I was like: “oh, I absolutely adore all of these people.”

To prepare for the role did you have any prior knowledge of cheerleading? Was there any media you consumed such as cheerleading films or shows for inspiration?
Absolutely! I watched Bring It On, Bring It On: All or Nothing, and Bring It On: In It to Win It. I watched Cheer on Netflix twice all the way through. So I was pinching myself when I got to meet Monica and Dahlston! I would also go on Youtube and just watch hours of Allstar routines. I fell down a whole Allstar Cheer World Championship rabbit hole!

What was it like working with comedy icons like Kristin Chenoweth and Taran Killam
They are the best. I’ve had lots of scenes with Taran, and he is such a wonderful scene partner. I felt like such a newbie standing next to him, but he couldn’t have been more patient, funny, and kind! Our characters have a special bond and I can’t wait for the audience to see it. Kristen is also such a gem. Seriously people— I say meet your heroes!

Do you have any behind the scenes highlights that you can share with us?
Endless moments of laughter. Oh, and also a Bunny! I don’t think I can say what the Bunny was for, but I was expecting a tiny woodland creature out of a story book. No, this was a massive white rabbit with red eyes...I was freaked out. I had to pep talk myself in the corner before I could go near it, and when I finally did it pooped in my hand...anyways, I ended up really loving that Bunny—Dennis, she was a girl!

What was the creative environment like with veteran comedy showrunners, Lizz and Jeff Astrof?
Liz and Jeff Astrof have created such a warm and welcoming environment. They are both one-of-a-kind people, and I’m extremely grateful to be a part of their project. They are such goofballs in the best way, it encourages everyone else to be playful and relaxed! Their writing is so specific, and their passion for this world is incredible. I remember when I met them for the first time I was super intimidated, and now I actually know them! Okay, maybe I’m still a little intimidated.

**Left:**
Dress by Vintage Yves Saint Laurent
Jacket by Dolce & Gabbana
Shoes by Dolce Vita
Earrings by Vintage
**Right:**
Top + Sweater by Rachel Comey
Sculptural Straw Woven Hat by Kimberly Ortega Label: Soakartstudio

Georgie, you played Ally (Bushmaster) in Gen V. What does your process look like when approaching a new character?
Well I start with the script, because it really is my road map. And then I start building a character based on that. I journal, listen to music, think a lot, read the script, read the script, read the script, and I work with my wonderful acting coach Aimee Deshayes. Then I try to putall that away and have a little fun when I get to set! Ally was a tough character to crack, I definitely didn’t find as much freedom in her as I do with Sally.

What do you enjoy most from working on different genres like action, drama, and comedy?
I love the pace of comedy, I love how you have to make a bold choice and just do it. Drama isgreat for really sinking your teeth into a script, for letting material breathe. And Action is awesome because you get to work with amazing stunt coordinators, those people are the coolest.

With the release of Stumble, what kind of roles or genres are you excited to tackle next
I’m really open to anything! I would love to do a period piece, I’ve binged a lot of period shows recently. I would also love to do a coming-of-age romance,maybe a coming-of-age-romance-period-piece? I also want to continue to hone my comedy chops! I’m really just drawn to whacky, off-beat, eccentric characters; I want to continue to play roles like that!

CREW CREDITS:
Talent: Georgie Murphy
PhotoBook Editor-In-Chief: Alison Hernon
PhotoBook Creative Director: Mike Ruiz
Photographer: Flaminia Fanale
Fashion Stylist: Alison Hernon at Exclusive Artists
Hair: Erin Piper Herschleb at Tracey Mattingly Agency
Makeup: Mariko Arai at Tracey Mattingly Agency
Fashion Stylist Interns: Laura Pico, Cassie Murphy
BTS: Fernanda Páramo
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
Interview by Leonor Moreira, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine

Georgie Murphy and the Underdog Spirit of Stumble