5 minutes with ‘We Were Liar’s Esther McGregor and Joseph Zada.

Get in, winners—a new series to obsess over during summer just dropped. We Were Liars on Prime Video is an adaptation of E. Lockhart's bestselling book. There are lies, of course—but there's also an overflow of beautiful people, fresh and familiar faces—all against the backdrop of an aspirational life on the coast of Massachusetts, at the Sinclair family's estate. It's all very Kennedys. Did I mention it takes place during the summer months?.

Leading the charge of Julie Plec's adaptation are four core "liars"—Emily Alyn Lind, Esther McGregor, Joseph Zada, and Shubham Maheshwari. American Studies spoke to two of the liars, Esther and Joseph, who play Mirren and Johnny Sinclair, respectively. Read on for a wildly fun and delightfully chaotic exchange that is sure to have you wishing these two were some of your close friends.

We Were Liars  is about memory, love and the secrets we keep. I was wondering if there was any moment that kind of hit either of you deeply?

Esther McGregor: Actually one of your moments hit me quite deeply with you and your mom.There's a beautiful scene between the two of you when you confront her.

Joseph Zada: oh, Yeah..

Esther McGregor: It was personally also something that I've seen before and dealt with before.

Joseph Zada: I don't know if there's a whole lot that I could say I personally dealt with. But I'd say your scenes as well, your scene with your mom. That one with the, in the, you know… We're not allowed to, I don't know if we're allowed to…

Esther McGregor: It's hard to talk about this project 'cause there's a lot of things we’re not allowed to say..

Joseph Zada: [Laugh]. Yes,

Of course. Duh. That makes sense. 

Esther McGregor: It’s really exciting.

No, your guys are killing it. That was great. 

Esther McGregor: “That One time with your mom”  [Laugh].

Joseph Zada: They’ll get it.

Courtesy of Prime Video

Outside of your character, you're at the Sinclair property. It's the first day of summer. What's the song on your playlist and What's in your bag or what are you reading?

Joseph Zada: Ooh, what am I reading? I was reading JD Salinger, Three Love Stories.    

Esther McGregor: I love JD Salinger. I was reading this French book. The Butterfly and…I don’t even remember. 

Joseph Zada:  Then for a song. I listened to one song a lot, Lady Hear Me You know that one?

Esther McGregor: Oh yeah! There was one that we kept on playing before scenes, hyping ourselves up. What was that one? 

Joseph Zada: The Dave song! ‘No Words’

Esther McGregor / Joseph Zada: “I don't wanna dead no beef. I don't wanna sort it out”

Hilarious. If your characters had a notes app entry that we didn't see, what would be?

Esther McGregor: Oh, I feel like there was like a million that Merrin probably had. Do you mean, What would it be about?

What would it be. Is it a list of random songs or? 

Esther McGregor: Oh I see.

Joseph Zada: Mine would be like a bunch of things that I need to stop doing. 

Esther McGregor: It would be a rant. Like I'd be ranting about something. 

Joseph Zada: Yes! 100% A rant. A message that you never send. 

Esther McGregor: Cuz I don’t have the balls to do it. 

Like a draft?

Esther McGregor: Yeah, like just something that I need to get out.

Joseph Zada: Yeah, I think Johnny’s could be a list before bed of things that I have to get done tomorrow–that just never gets done. 

Esther McGregor: That’s a good one. 

What's a lie that you believed for way too long growing up?

Joseph Zada: That's so embarrassing. I definitely got some bad ones.

Like a Santa’s real kind of thing.

Esther McGregor: I don't remember if I ever believed in him. Which is kind of sad.

Joseph Zada: Yeah, me too. 

Esther McGregor: That one wasn't like a shock. Tooth fairy–I also knew it was my mom. Hopefully there aren't any kids watching [Laugh]. Ruining childhoods. 

Joseph Zada: [Laughs]

Esther McGregor: A lie. That's a really good question, but such a hard one.

Joseph Zada: I’m blanked. 

Esther McGregor: Love is real. 

Joseph Zada: [Laugh] Jesus. 

Esther McGregor: I’m kidding! [Laughs]. That you need a degree to do good in life. 

Yes! Period.

Joseph Zada: I didn’t even finish high school. 

Esther McGregor: [Laugh]. Don’t go to school and the tooth fairy is not real.

Joseph Zada: [Laugh] Don’t go to school and Santa’s not real 

You guys are so funny. I'm dying inside. Describe the series in three moods?

Esther McGregor: The thing is, I think that this show also encapsulates so many different kinds of emotions.

Joseph Zada: It's hard. 

Esther McGregor: I'd say the generalized ones would be..

Joseph Zada: Say it… Upbeat, very upbeat.

Esther McGregor: Happy.

Joseph Zada: And then it gets confusing.

Esther McGregor: That's not a mood.

Joseph Zada: Is it?

Esther McGregor: Then it gets uncertain. Uncertainty? 

Joseph Zada: Hmm.

Esther McGregor: Then it gets uncertainty [Laughs]

Joseph Zada: That’s a great mood. That's my favorite mood. 

Esther McGregor: Is that a mood? 

Confusion?

Joseph Zada: Confusion!

I mean these days anything’s a mood, so..

Joseph Zada: Exactly!

Esther McGregor: Okay, yeah. The mood is confusion, and then…deep sadness, don't you think? 

Joseph Zada: Horror.

Esther McGregor: [Laugh] Horror. Yeah.

Love that. What's the first feeling that comes up when you think of your time on the show?

Esther McGregor: Oh, it was the best thing in the world.

Joseph Zada: The best time ever. We had so much fun.

Esther McGregor: Complete and utter happiness.

Joseph Zada: And I say this a lot, but, I feel like you can see it when watching the show– like how much fun we're having. 

Esther McGregor: Yeah. We're very lucky, and surrounded by amazing people. 

Last question–Joseph, where are your shoes from?

Joseph Zada: Chanel. 

Very nice.

Esther McGregor: Ohh—Chanel boy. 

Joseph Zada: They’re not on camera–but they’re cool. 

Thank you guys—this was so fun.

Esther McGregor: Thank you so much, that was amazing.

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