The "Unusual" Amber Tamblyn

We first took notice of auburn-haired actress Amber Tamblyn when she played the God-stalked "Joan of Arcadia" on TV each week. This was one spunky girl, not thrilled to be ordered around by a higher power. Then she scored as documentary filmmaker Tibby in the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants films. This new TV season on ABC (starting this coming Wed. the 8th) you can catch spunky Amber in her return to TV as Casey Shraeger who has just been transferred to the NYPD's Homicide unit from undercover Vice work in "The Unusuals". These cops all have personal secrets, wild senses of humor and work on.. well....unusual cases.

In real life, the actress is a writer and active poet, determined to keep the art alive in a modern, high tech world. Coming up, in the film world. you can see Amber in an update of the classic 50's film Beyond a Reasonable Doubt, opposite Michael Douglas. She will also be seen in Spring Breakdown, co-starring Parker Posey, Amy Poehler and Rachel Dratch.

After playing a high schooler or young college coed, it was refreshing for Amber to join a hot ensemble cast and play a decidedly "adult" role. We asked her about her choice in returning to TV and what she likes about her new character.

TeenHollywood: How would you describe this show "The Unusuals"?

Amber: In the same vein that 'Joan of Arcadia' was a drama that had a lot of humor to it, she was a very Lucille Ball type of character, within this strange realm, this show has a taste of that with a harder edge and the humor in it is very unique. We're going to coin actual terms for things that are really funny and unique about precincts and cops, and the things cops find [during a day's work]. Everything from prostitutes to people who dress up in hot dog costumes. It's really, really a character-driven show. That's the best part about it, for me. The procedural part is the secondary aspect. The cases are secondary to actually knowing about the characters and trying to figure out the characters' pasts, their secrets and the things that they're hiding. It's more about the people.

TeenHollywood: Would you call this an ensemble?

Amber: Absolutely, yeah. It's an ensemble because they're all strong characters. There's not one that's there strictly to support another one.

TeenHollywood: Is it an easier pace, being part of an ensemble rather than the center star of a series?

Amber: No. I still work a lot. It's the exact same thing. I would not come back to television for anything other than this. It's amazing.

TeenHollywood: Does your character have secrets, and do you know what those secrets are?

Amber: Yes. She's got a couple. And, she even has a couple that will lead the audience to think they know, but they won't. It's even well-plotted to me, where I'll read something and go, 'Wait a minute! What?,' and then I'll text (executive producer) Noah [Hawley] and go, 'This is crazy!'

TeenHollywood: Do you feel closer to Joan or this character?

Amber: I don't know. Joan was awhile ago. This feels like it has more of my sense of humor. She's one of the only girls in the boys' club. The guys outnumber her. I like it! It's an all-male precinct, and she's got some really great, funny, sarcastic, smart-a** lines. That's what drew me to it.

TeenHollywood: What do you like best about your character Casey?

Amber: I like that she's a lot like me, in that she's a smart-a** and tough and tomboyish and fun, and still has an air of innocence and honesty about her. Not that I'm innocent and honest, because I'm not! But, it's a show that's primarily about people's quirks and secrets and problems, and how those leak into cases and how the cases leak into them. It's really great. There's not one actor on it that doesn't serve a purpose and doesn't have a very concise, clear character, which is great.

TeenHollywood: Is there anything supernatural about the show?

Amber: I don't know. I really don't want to say. We're going to find out. You have to watch it and figure it out for yourself. I don't even think we know yet. To be honest, I think it's definitely got an air of being a little bit like "The Wire", "Lost" and "The Office". The comedy usually stems from something that happens, where you just can't help but laugh at it because that's life. Sometimes, even the most dramatic things have to be funny.

TeenHollywood: You are a California girl so how do you like working in New York?

Amber: I love it a lot! I've loved the cold. I've lived in Venice [California] my whole life and I got used to 12-degree weather.

TeenHollywood: Is your character going to have a romantic relationship on the show?

Amber: Oh, yeah! Yep. Yeah, that's going to happen. It's ABC. They like that stuff.

TeenHollywood: Do you know who is playing the guy?

Amber: I do.

TeenHollywood: Can you say who it is?

Amber: [grinning] Absolutely not!

TeenHollywood: Do you do anything eco-friendly for the environment?

Amber: Yeah. I have solar paneling. I'm a big, crazy recycling person. Light bulbs, all that kind of stuff. I do as much as I can. I take the subway in New York. That's actually how I work out. I don't have a trainer or anything. I take the subway, the bus, or I walk. I don't ever take taxis. It's very rare, unless I'm really, really late for something. That's been the greatest part of working in New York for me, especially growing up here in L.A. I am obsessed with the subway.

TeenHollywood: You look really nice today. Who are your style icons?

Amber: I don't know. I really like Jennifer Connelly. I think she's pretty cool. She's pretty slick.