Actress, writer, producer, and director Julia Wackenheim takes a decisive step in her career with the release of the pilot Ethel & Ernie, a project she both wrote and developed. With over a thousand live comedy performances on iconic stages in Los Angeles, the British artist has already shared the stage with big names such as Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Jason Sudeikis, in addition to her recent roles in Fear the Walking Dead and ABC’s Live in Front of a Studio Audience. Now, she expands her path as a writer and producer, while continuing to balance her artistry with social activism through her work in initiatives supporting domestic workers’ rights and community justice.
Julia, you move between acting, writing, producing, and directing. How do you balance so many roles without losing your creative essence?
Thank you so much for having me – it’s an honor. Well. There’s a constant internal scream happening 24-7 inside my brain. JK. JK. I’m certain there’s a yoga metaphor here somewhere, but until I figure it out – I’ll say that I’ve found that staying present (or as present as anyone can in 2025) and focusing on health and happiness keeps me going. Joking around with my son, exercising, naps, clean eating, reading, yoga, my dogs, my cat-dog (a cat who is more dog than cat) – all of this helps me remember what’s important. And that is the iCalendar. And coffee. Really strong coffee.
The pilot Ethel & Ernie seems to be a very special project. What does this creation mean to you at this point in your career?
Ethel & Ernie is a convergence of all things I love: sitcoms, women comedians, social justice issues, and fart jokes. Growing up watching Cheers and Wings gave me the foundation to structure the story I wanted to tell. My show is based on my experiences working for caregiving rights. [Caring Across Generations is a wonderful nonprofit that lays out issues that affect us all.] Hearing stories of what it’s like to be a caregiver and what it’s like to receive care inspired me to use my experience performing and writing comedy and create Ethel & Ernie. The fart jokes…well, they’re never not funny.
You’ve shared the stage and screen with some of the biggest names in comedy worldwide. What have you learned most from those experiences that you carry into your own projects?
– Three big lessons I’ve learned have been: be kind, be professional, and have fun.
In Fear the Walking Dead, you acted alongside Colman Domingo. What was it like to portray a character in such an intense series with such a wide international reach?
When I auditioned, and then booked, the role of “Della,” I was so excited. Typically on tv shows with top secret plots, the producers write “fake sides” – scenes and characters that are similar to the role/plot an actor is auditioning for, but not from the actual script. I didn’t know Della’s story, other than she was a “tough woman with a mama-bear vibe.” Once I got the script, I was shocked to find out I would play one of Strand (portrayed by Coleman Domingo)’s apocalyptic backup bunch. Mr. Domingo is one of the funniest and most welcoming actors I’ve ever had the privilege of working with – also has an amazing “bend and snap.” Fear was a well-oiled machine and I’m honored to have had a chance to work on it. Oh – and killing zombies is as fun as it looks.
Beyond your artistic career, you are very active in social causes. How does your involvement in this area influence your art—and vice versa?
Art feels intrinsically tied to activism – in order to create meaningful work every artist must possess some amount of empathy. As actors, we walk in someone else’s shoes. As writers, we create what it could be like from another person’s point of view. There are a lot of social injustices across every topic, no matter race, political party, religion, gender, or age. Working on caregiving justice – the right to dignity in receiving and working in the care industry – was very compelling. We will all need care at some point of our lives, no matter our demographic. My wish as an artist is to help leave the world a little better. Even if that only means a well planned pratfall.
Looking back at your journey so far, if you could give one piece of advice to the Julia who was just starting out on comedy stages, what would it be?
Believe in yourself so much you take huge risks.
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