Interview: Anna Konkle on the origins of ‘PEN15’ and how she became more comfortable as a writer [VIDEO]

Anna Konkle seems astonished by all the adulation and the large following she’s developed due to her work on Hulu’s PEN15.

To her, it’s about the process that both she and her creative partner Maya Erskine go through and about being authentic about the early teen topics that no one talked about in the 1990s and giving it voice now. She realizes that her work is an example for other female writers and takes that responsibility seriously. 

I spoke with the two-time Emmy nominated actress, producer and writer about her work on PEN15 where we touched on a variety of topics ranging from the origins of the show and her writing process. We also discussed some of the harder episodes and most memorable episodes to make. Konkle also mentions how scary it is to be that open to the world and takes time during our chat to give writing advice to someone who submitted a question for her via social media.

The second half of season two of PEN15 is currently streaming on Hulu. Anna Konkle is Emmy eligible for Outstanding Comedy Series, Lead Actress in a Comedy Series and Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series.

Photo: Jessica Brooks/Hulu