Paramount+’s Rise of the Pink Ladies is an exhilarating and nuanced journey back into the Grease franchise. Taking place four years before the original Grease movie, Rise of the Pink Ladies delves into the origins of Rydell’s iconic greaser group before Frenchy, Rizzo, Jan, and Marty take charge. With a fresh cast, original musical numbers, and impressive choreography, Rise of the Pink Ladies captures the essence of what made Grease great while giving it a modern twist.

Thanks to its talented ensemble cast, Rise of the Pink Ladies offers a multifaceted perspective on Rydell High’s entire student body, not just the Pink Ladies. Each character in Rise of the Pink Ladies is complex, but none more so than Buddy, the student council president portrayed by Jason Schmidt. Buddy’s character arc provides a sympathetic angle to the often antagonistic popular kids at Rydell, even though he makes mistakes along the way.

FilmmakerFocus spoke with Jason Schmidt about his role in Rise of the Pink Ladies and the evolution of Buddy’s character in the Grease prequel.

Jason Schmidt on Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies

FilmmakerFocus: Buddy is an intriguing character in Rise of the Pink Ladies. He plays both ally and antagonist, adding depth to the story. When approaching the role, how did you personally view Buddy? And how do you hope audiences perceive him?

Jason Schmidt: It was fascinating to see the audience’s reaction to Buddy in Rise of the Pink Ladies. Initially, he goes through a jerk phase, but as an actor, I always approached Buddy with positivity. He’s a character with a huge heart, even though he makes mistakes and struggles to find his identity and beliefs. Even in difficult moments, I portrayed Buddy from a good place, and I’m glad people received it as intended. I hope audiences appreciate the complexity of Buddy, a teenager trying to navigate life.

A major theme in the series is the pressure to maintain a perfect image, which we see with characters like Buddy and Susan. However, in episodes 7 and 8, we start to see this facade crack. How do you think Buddy views his own image, and why do you think this concern of a breakdown emerges?

Jason Schmidt: On set, we discussed how Buddy and Susan are products of their parents. They’re not the villains; the 50’s era is. Buddy’s view on image stems from his dad, who is running for mayor. His dad constantly emphasizes the importance of maintaining an image to appear as a family of leaders.

He has a complicated relationship with this image, and I don’t think he fully understands it yet. In episodes 7 and 8, he starts questioning this view on image, and it’s tough to watch him go through that. Episode 8, in particular, shows Buddy in a dark place. But I believe you have to hit a valley before you can climb the mountain, so he’s going through a necessary journey.

As the truth about the rigged student council election comes to light, it becomes a significant turning point for Buddy’s character. Can you give us any hints about how this revelation will impact the rest of the season?

Jason Schmidt: You’ll have to wait and see. What I can say is that Buddy didn’t truly know who he was before discovering the truth. His identity was based on his accomplishments and his father’s words. Now, he’s questioning everything. It’s a transformative experience for him.

As a football player and class president, I may not know who Buddy is, but I understand that those things are a part of him. However, when Buddy’s dad reveals that those accomplishments were not solely his own, Buddy suddenly loses his sense of identity. He realizes that he doesn’t even know who he is beyond his achievements. Now, he must navigate the journey of discovering what comes next for him and whether he will define himself or let others define him.

Speaking of the musical numbers in “Rise of the Pink Ladies,” one of my favorites so far is Buddy’s big number, “Pulling Strings.” It’s a powerful and captivating performance. Do you have a favorite song from the show?

In response to that question, Jason Schmidt, who plays Wally, shares that his favorite song is Wally’s number with Hazel, “Land Don’t Look So Bad.” He praises the beautiful cinematography and reveals his surprise at discovering Maxwell Whittington-Cooper’s incredible singing talent. According to Jason, the song perfectly blends the Grease genre with the Rise of the Pink Ladies genre, creating a beautiful harmony.

Now, let’s touch on the original Grease movie. In Grease, the popular kids aren’t as prominently featured as they are in Rise of the Pink Ladies. This leads to the question of what exploring characters like Susan and Buddy adds to the Grease universe.

Jason believes that the beauty of a series lies in its ability to delve into each character’s story and provide a deeper understanding of their motivations and struggles. By exploring Susan and Buddy’s lives and their relationships with their parents, the show adds complexity and layers to the ’50s era and the teenage experience. It goes beyond the surface-level tropes and allows viewers to connect with the characters on a deeper level.

Moving on, Jason is asked about the most fun scene to shoot in Rise of the Pink Ladies. He mentions that his own number, “Pulling Strings,” was incredibly enjoyable due to the energetic dancing and the emotional depth of the song.

Overall, Rise of the Pink Ladies offers a fresh perspective on the Grease universe, delving into the lives of characters who were not as prominently featured in the original movie. Through captivating musical numbers and complex character development, the show adds depth and complexity to the iconic ’50s era.In Episode 8 of Rise of the Pink Ladies, there’s a scene where Buddy gets a little tipsy at the dance and starts talking to the camera. It was honestly one of my favorite moments to film because I got to let loose and be wild. Our director, Annabel, told me to just make choices and do whatever I wanted. So, I ended up grabbing someone’s drink and devouring a cupcake. It was so much fun!

What do you love most about being a part of Rise of the Pink Ladies and the Grease franchise? And what’s the biggest challenge?

Jason Schmidt: The best part for me is the incredible energy on set. These characters are all so positive, even when they have their down moments. It’s like Ted Lasso, you know? They all have good and bad in them, and the show allows us to showcase both sides. Plus, it’s Grease! It’s not some depressing drama. It’s upbeat and fun, and that’s what makes it special.

The challenging part is telling the tough stories of the ’50s. I’m grateful that our show tackles these issues in a beautiful way without being too heavy-handed. It reminds us that people are still dealing with similar struggles today, and I think that’s important to address.

Speaking of Buddy’s storyline, especially in Episode 8, it’s clear that Buddy’s dad has a specific plan for his future. What do you think Buddy will do after Rise of the Pink Ladies?

Jason Schmidt: Hmm, I think Buddy has a talent for acting. After conforming for so long, I believe he’ll crave some freedom and looseness. Acting gave him a taste of that, even if he wasn’t the best at it. His natural charisma helped him shine. So, maybe he’ll head to Hollywood. Rydell is in Southern California, after all. It would be a blast to see him in movies!

That would be amazing, especially if Buddy ended up in a big movie. Do you think being in the play was the first step for Buddy to break free from his father’s expectations? Was it a way for him to be his true self?

Jason Schmidt: I think the relationships Buddy formed with the people in the play, like Hazel, helped him embrace his true self. I’m not sure if he’s falling in love with acting, but he’s definitely experiencing a sense of freedom. It was his choice to join the play, unlike football or student council. He finally had the opportunity to do something for himself, and he loved every moment of it. Maybe he’ll look back and realize that he actually enjoyed it and pursue it further!

Lastly, what do you hope viewers take away from Buddy’s story in Rise of the Pink Ladies?

Jason Schmidt: I hope viewers understand the complexity of being a teenager. Buddy is going through so much and trying to figure himself out. If you’re a teenager watching, I want you to know that it’s okay to be unsure and make mistakes along the way.

What’s important is that Buddy has the courage to reflect on himself and acknowledge when he’s not living up to his own expectations. Making the decision to change takes bravery, and I hope Buddy’s story inspires people to have the courage to alter their own paths if they feel it’s necessary.

About Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies

Get ready to travel back in time with the musical series, “Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies”! Set four years before the original “Grease,” this prequel takes place in 1954. It’s a time before rock ‘n’ roll ruled and before the T-Birds were the coolest in school. In this rebellious tale, four fed-up outcasts decide to have fun on their own terms, sparking a moral panic that will forever change Rydell High.

Check out our other interviews for Rise of the Pink Ladies here:

  • Justin Tranter (songwriter) & Jamal Sims (choreographer)
  • Ari Notartomaso (Cynthia) & Tricia Fukuhara (Nancy)
  • Jason Schmidt (Buddy), Madison Thompson (Susan) & Shanel Bailey (Hazel)
  • Angelina Kekich (costume designer)
  • Marisa Davila (Jane) & Cheyenne Isabel Wells (Olivia)
  • Madison Thompson (Susan)

New episodes of Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies air Thursdays on Paramount+.

Ava Lockwood

Ava, a film history enthusiast from Chicago, holds a degree in Film and Media Studies from Northwestern University. Her fascination with the Golden Age of Hollywood and her extensive research into the lives of iconic filmmakers like Alfred Hitchcock and Stanley Kubrick inform her engaging articles on film history and analysis.