Miranda Rae Mayo talks Stella in Chicago Fire Season 6 and cute kids with Severide
Miranda Rae Mayo is the woman to watch on Chicago Fire. Stella came in, stealing our hearts and continuing the reminder that women can be firefighters (and damn good ones, to boot).
Stella Kidd has stolen our hearts and all we want is for her to be happy on Chicago Fire Season 6. She managed to step in as another female firefighter, without coming across as a threat to Gabi. Although, she certainly holds her own now that Gabi is back on ambo. And we have to admit that she has excellent chemistry with Kelly Severide, right? That’s a good thing, considering the thoughts running through her mind when Severide jumped from that building!
Miranda Rae Mayo took some time out of her active schedule to share her thoughts on current storylines, her hopes for the future for Stella, and what it was like to join the series part way through as “one of the guys.” Oh, and she also has dream roles that we need to see her play (even just for an episode) right now! Here’s the exclusive interview with Hidden Remote.
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Hidden Remote: I’ve adored you in Chicago Fire since your very first episode. What’s it been like coming into a series part way through but finding your place in the hearts of fans so quickly?
Miranda Rae Mayo: Wow, what a compliment! I appreciate you! I really have to thank the writers for that one, the creators called me when I first booked the role and said “If the family from 51 loves you, it’s a lot easier for our fans to love you” and so that’s how they wrote my intro. And I guess he was right!
HR: What’s it like playing ‘one of the guys’ but showing that women can certainly be firefighters (and damn good ones)?
MRM: It feels empowering. Number one, it’ feels like second nature to play “one of the guys” that’s genuinely how I am with all those guys offscreen, but it’s an honor to get to play such a noble and skilled professional. I’m grateful the writers continue to show Kidd as a leader on truck and I’m immensely grateful that Monica Raymund laid the groundwork down with her idea to put Dawson on truck. If it weren’t for that storyline I doubt very seriously that Kidd’s character would’ve been written with as much power or competency.
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HR: Stella has had a lot of screen time recently, both with the issues with Hope and now Zach/Severide storyline. What’s it been like jumping between these two storylines and is there one of the two that you’ve preferred?
MRM: Both Eloise Mumford and Daniel Ditamasso were the most excellent scene partners. Getting to work with them was such a pleasure and they both really challenged me to step up my game to meet them at their level. I enjoyed both so much I don’t think I can pick a favorite. I honestly hope the show brings both their characters back.
HR: Stella was clearly worried about Severide when he jumped from that building. What was running through her mind during the rescue?
MRM: “Please don’t be dead. How long was he under water? Did anyone see how he landed? Please don’t be dead, God we would’ve had such cute kids.”
HR: Can you give us any spoilers of what’s next for Stella once the initial adrenaline rush and shock is over from the events of that fire? Any hints about a potential Stella/Severide/Zach love triangle?
MRM: The connection between Stella and Kelly is definitely not lost on Zach and he finds a time to confront her about it next episode…
HR: What storyline would you love for the writers to create for you moving forward?
MRM: I really want us to learn more about how Kidd’s parents died and I want her to be mixed like me! I think there is such rich storytelling that can be done regarding racial identity and the writers touched on it with Mill’s character back in Season 3, but I think it’s time to jump in again and really explore some of what Stella went through as a young adult without her parents.
HRL If you could do any role at all after Chicago Fire, what would it be?
MRM: Black Panther 2 as Shuri’s assistant, Okoye’s apprentice or some kind of Queen on Game of Thrones…. some fantastical superhero warrior of some kind. 🙂
Next: Will Sarah Shahi's return to Chicago Fire bring Severide and Stella together?
We could certainly see her step in as a queen on Game of Thrones; one to take down Cersei Lannister at the very end and maybe claim the Iron Throne for herself, bringing a huge twist to the series?
Catch Miranda in Chicago Fire, which returns with new episodes on Mar. 22 in an exciting but tense two-hour movie event.