Eris Baker has delighted This Is Us fans for six seasons as Tess Pearson. Now that the popular NBC hit television show is coming to an end, Eris Baker talks final chapter of filming This Is Us. Take a look at what she has to say below in an exclusive interview with wegotthiscovered.com and make sure to tune-in to the final season. The last episode is expected to air in May 2022.
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What is your favorite thing about bringing Tess to life? Baker: That’s a hard question. However, I think just learning how to be vulnerable and communicate. That is something I struggle with as a person, so seeing Tess continue to open up to her family, especially Beth, has been a lot of fun. Definitely a teachable moment for me.
Do you think the actors and actresses you worked with on the show impacted the choices you’ve made even in your personal life?
Baker: Not only have their characters impacted me, but the actors have even more. They’ve impacted me as an actor and the different choices I want to make in a scene, but even more as a person. How to be kind and patient. How to make people feel welcome in big environments and how to live in the moment.
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Tess, Deja, and Annie are sort of a “big three” of their own. What is your favorite part of the bond they share? Baker:
It’s funny because I told them we should start calling ourselves the Big P’s (P for Pearson) because the Big 3 is already a thing, but our bond is just as strong. I love the connection they each have, especially in season six. We see them share more with each other and just further that bond on-screen. I love that they can all be going through individual troubles but still be there for each other.
Tess’ storyline has been honest, and we’ve seen really vulnerable moments from you; what has been the most rewarding part of Tess growing up? What has been the most challenging part of her life to film?
Baker: The most rewarding part of Tess growing up is her finding her confidence in who she is and finding answers to all the questions she must have for herself. The most challenging is still the most fun for me. I had to do research on the beautiful community she’s a part of. I only say it was a challenge because I wanted Tess to be a good role model for others going through the same thing at a young age. Just that pressure I put on myself. But it’s been so much fun reading stories, finding out how Tess’ storyline can be similar yet her own, and overall learning with her.
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Tess’ relationship with her mother has been an eye-opening experience for viewers at home. How do you prepare to tell that story for fans who may be experiencing coming out and “changed expectations” with their own parents?
Baker: Working with Susan has been one of the best experiences I’ve had on the show. I love their relationship because it’s honest and real. A conversation on this topic can go one way or the other with parents. But Tess was so comfortable yet in a way terrified to tell her mom how she was feeling. I think what helped me prepare was honestly reading stories of people who went through the same things. That fear of acceptance within a household is terrifying because home is the one place where people should feel the most comfortable. I believe that’s what Tess wanted most- not to hide who she is.
As season 6 progresses, we’re all reminded that this is the final chapter. We’ve experienced a lot as a world in the last five years; sitting down to watch This Is Us feels almost like a therapeutic experience for us at home — is the experience similar for the cast and crew behind the scenes?
Baker: I love that it’s therapy for some people! Everyone needs a good comfort show. The cast and crew, of course, are aware that it’s the final chapter, but I believe that just makes us want to hold onto these memories more. The amazing thing about television is that we can easily re-watch this anytime and be reminded of those memories that we never wanted to end. Making this show, I believe, feels like therapy for the cast and crew. Everyone just loves what they’re doing and comes to work with a smile on their face. For me especially- hard days would come but knowing that I have work tomorrow just makes it 100% better.
What do you hope to see Tess achieve in season six? I know we can’t ask for spoilers, but if you could choose a specific part of her storyline to experience — what would that look like?
Baker: Already knowing what Tess is going to achieve, I’m excited for the viewers to see the more positive sides of her relationship with Beth and her sisters. Her and Randall (Sterling K. Brown)have always been cool. The one thing I hear people saying is like ‘Beth and Tess don’t have a good relationship.’ But they do, they just got into a few arguments and hit some bumps along the road, but that’s with every relationship. Those rocky moments shouldn’t define them, and I’m excited for everyone to see the good side with them.
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To read the remainder of Baker’s interview, click here. Make sure you watch the final season. This Is Us airs on NBC on Tuesday nights at 9 EST/8 CST.
