Source: PopGurls (Online Archive)
Published: November 23, 2003
Author: Amanda
Jake Epstein has a cold, but he doesn’t want to elaborate on it other than to tell me that he had a fever yesterday and spent a lot of time lying around. That’s fair, I guess, since what I really want to know from this sniffling boy is, “Why did Craig have to cheat on Ashley?”
Two seasons into his stint as Degrassi: The Next Generation’s Craig — a Canadian teen drama, shown in the U.S. on cable channel The N — Jake is working hard to keep himself grounded and find time to do the stuff normal kids at his school do. Like playing in a band and getting the lead in the school musical. He’s also writing plays, directing plays, and portraying one half of Degrassi’s most popular couple (his Craig, to the aforementioned Ashley). He may be 16, but he’s already got one heck of a jumpstart on a career.
With a three-hour time difference between us, Jake and I chatted via phone about the stuff that matters. And also, of course, the stuff that doesn’t.
When you auditioned for the role on Degrassi: The Next Generation, were you familiar with the original series?
Yes. (hesitates) I would lie if I said I was a huge fan. I had seen it before. Actually, during my audition, Pat Mastroianni, who played Joey Jeremiah on the original series, read with me and I didn’t even know who he was. I thought he was just this weird guy who wanted me to practice lines with him.
But you knew that the series had a huge fan base.
Yeah, yeah. I knew — all my friends were fans. It has this huge cult following.
Did that make it intimidating for you to come into that situation?
Oh, you know. You have nothing to lose when you go into an audition.
What about when you were cast?
I was really happy.
Did you read for any other roles?
I just read for Craig.
Are there any other characters on the show that you would rather have played?
Spinner is probably my favorite character. He gets all the jokes. He’s funny.
Since you joined in season two, was it hard to settle in with the cast?
It’s hard to be the new kid in any situation. But everyone is so nice on the show.
Do you ever try to lighten things up on set?
We all joke around all the time. Working on the show is like summer camp. We go out there and we have a really good time.
If there were a Degrassi blooper reel, what would we see?
In the season two finale, there was this really intense scene where Craig snaps and tears down a banner. I ran away and tripped, falling flat on my face. Everyone was laughing because I went from screaming and crying to just wiping out completely.
If Craig were your friend, what advice would you give him?
I’d be like, “What are you doing, man?” I’d tell him to choose one girl, or no girl at all.
Which girl would you choose?
Personally? Ashley. I never really understood the Manny/Craig relationship.
You won a Gemini Award for “Tears Are Not Enough.” What was that like?
It was pretty cool! I really didn’t expect to win. I didn’t even have a speech prepared — and I forgot to thank my parents.
Do you draw on personal experience for emotional scenes?
No, definitely not. I’ve had a really good upbringing. That’s what I love about acting — you get to be someone you’re not.
How much of you is in Craig?
I think the artistic side is something we share. He’s in a band, and I’m in a band.
Why did you start playing guitar?
To impress chicks. (laughs)
Do you consider yourself a normal teenager?
Yeah, totally. The only way to stay grounded is to not take it too seriously and hang out with friends as much as possible.
Do you see yourself moving to Hollywood?
I have no clue. I didn’t plan on getting into acting in the first place.
Do you want to go to college?
Absolutely. My parents would kill me if I didn’t.
— Amanda
Archival Note: Originally published November 23, 2003 on PopGurls.com. Preserved via the Internet Archive for historical and fan-archival purposes.
Tags: Jake Epstein, Craig Manning, Degrassi: The Next Generation, The N, Interviews, PopGurls