NBC’s criminal profiling and behavioral science series, The Irrational, attracted 3.811 million viewers during its season one premiere last September, making it the network’s #1 new show in total viewers last season. Luckily for fans, the hit series is back! The Irrational’s second season just premiered on October 8. In preparation for all that season two has in store, we sat down to chat virtually with Travina Springer, who plays the bubbly and tech-savvy Kylie, the younger sister of the main character, Alec.
Travina, as Kylie
We were eager to learn everything about Kylie through Springer’s eyes during our conversation with the actress. The hardest part about playing Kylie for Springer is that, “Travina doesn’t know enough about computers or hacking.” Along with Kylie and Travina’s different understandings of technology, there are some personality differences, too. “In some ways she’s bolder and braver than I am,” Springer admitted. When it comes to Kylie’s free spirit, optimism, and loyalty, though, “I resonate and align with that,” Springer said.
Springer says she finds the majority of the overlap between herself and her role as Kylie through self-expression, saying Springer aligns with “at least half of [Kylie’s] wardrobe.” Springer credits this to her costume designer, Kate Main, “who is just really open to collaborating with me,” and Springer’s makeup artist, Krista Hann, who “is just really fantastic too.”
“I get to have a lot of input about what Kylie wears and what she looks like,” Springer shared. To Springer, this collaboration opens up doors of exploration to “push boundaries about how [Kylie] gets to show up in the world.” This further allows Kylie to blossom as an individual and as a co-star on the show.
Brotherly and Sisterly Love: On and Off-Screen
Throughout the filming of The Irrational, Springer has gotten to work very closely with network television legend and Broadway musical actor, Jesse L. Martin. On the show, Kylie and Martin play siblings with an indestructible bond. Springer says that her relationship with the highly credited actor is equally strong off-screen. “Jesse L. Martin is just such a gem of a human and a wonderful lead on the show,” Springer said. “He’s accessible and kind and just really generous and professional.” Off-screen, Martin “definitely plays a big brother role to me.” Springer feels grateful to work with him as an actor, but also as a person. “That relationship is embedded for years,” she said.
Behind the scenes, Springer and Martin have pitched and worked together on improvised scenes, like one of Springer’s favorite improv scenes with Martin from season 1, episode 4. “It was scripted for me to be singing in the kitchen while I was cooking dinner and it was just supposed to be me and then Jesse pitched the idea that he came in and joined me singing,” she shared. “It was completely improvised…and I’m, like, in it, like, ‘oh my gosh I am singing with Jesse L. Martin’.”
Season Two is Here!
When we asked Springer what she was most excited about for season 2, she had so much to say! Primarily, Springer is excited about audiences seeing Kylie “more involved in cases and also getting to explore her own internal struggle and challenges with her new position working for the FBI,” as well as people seeing “the relationships she has explored” outside of her sibling bond with Alec. Springer is also loving “how much bigger this season feels.” As fans, we are beyond excited to see where season two takes Kylie and the rest of the cast of The Irrational.
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