Getting to Know You: Morgan Dudley in A TOURIST'S GUIDE TO LOVE
With a Broadway debut in 2021, a Netflix film in 2023, and a Disney prequel on the way, we're positive Morgan Dudley is one to watch. A Tourist's Guide to Love premiered in Netflix on April 21, 2023, which Morgan stars in opposite Rachel Leigh Cook, Ben Feldman, Scott Ly, and fellow Broadway alum Andrew Barth Feldman. The film is a love letter to Vietnam where Rachel’s character travels to as an executive on work assignment, where a free-spirited tour guide helps open her eyes to a beautifully adventurous way of life. Morgan’s character is part of the tourist group that Rachel’s character finds herself in and Morgan also explores a love interest with an unexpected tourist.
For Theatrely’s interview series, Getting to Know You, we sat down with one of the film's stars, Morgan Dudley. Dudley made her Broadway debut as Frankie Healy in Jagged Little Pill, and can be seen in Netflix's The Prom directed by Ryan Murphy. Morgan is currently wrapping production on Disney’s The Pocketwatch (now titled Descendants: Rise of Red). The film will be a prequel to the popular Descendants series and will be the franchise’s fourth film. She will star as Ella, also known young Cinderella, opposite Brandy Norwood who will be reprising her version of Cinderella.
Learn more about Morgan, A Tourist's Guide to Love, and Descendants: Rise of Red below.
How did A Tourist’s Guide to Love come into your life? What did that audition process look like?
A Tourists Guide to Love came into my life pretty unexpectedly. I read the script, submitted an audition for the film, and 2 weeks later, I was informed that they wanted to offer me the role. I was absolutely thrilled, said yes, and the rest is history!
In the film your character ends up with an unexpected love interest--what was the most unexpected part of working on this film?
I suppose it is pretty ambiguous, huh? Haha! Actually, while filming, Andrew & I always said that Robin and Alex just turned out to be good friends in the end. It’s been really interesting though to see that interpretation! To me, the most unexpected part of filming would have to be how much our cast operated like a family! It’s not every day you get to travel a foreign country for a job with 8 strangers AND love each other as much as we do.
What was it like filming in Vietnam? How does that differ from projects you’ve shot in the U.S. like The Pocketwatch?
Filming in Vietnam was so different because the whole movie was shot on location! Also, because it was a travel movie, most of my scenes were filmed in order, which is definitely usually not the case. When filming The Pocketwatch (now Descendants: The Rise of Red), some parts were filmed on location, and some were filmed on a soundstage where sets are literally built from the ground up, and we filmed it completely out of order!
Speaking of The Pocketwatch, what is it like to play the younger version of Brandy Norwood? Were you a fan of her rendition of the character in the film Roger’s and Hammerstein’s Cinderella?
Of course, I was a fan of Roger’s and Hammerstein’s Cinderella! So, playing Ella for this film, alongside Brandy, felt like huge shoes to fill. However, I’m just excited to be a part of the merging of generations with this movie & hopefully both provide nostalgia for those who knew Brandy’s Cinderella while also bringing something fresh to the screen!
Beyond performing, what are some other projects you’re working on?
There are some really exciting things coming up soon that I can’t wait to share with everyone! I can’t really say yet, but definitely stay tuned.
We’re obsessed with social media here at Theatrely. What side of TikTok are you on? What does your For You Page look like?
My FYP is FULL of recipes, cute animals, people recommending NYC restaurants, and travel. It’s the absolute best!
Ok, let's do a Speed Round. What's your hometown?
Hiram, Georgia
Favorite hobby?
Astrology
Latest TV binge?
The Glory
Any book recommendations?
The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake
What’s your favorite Instagram account to follow?
Next destination you want to travel to?
Thailand
If you could describe your experiences with A Tourist’s Guide to Love and The Pocketwatch so far in just one word, what would it be?
Adventurous!
A Tourist's Guide to Love is now streaming on Netflix.
