Amye Gousset talks The Purge’s Lena Dash, Urge2Purge App (Interview)

The Purge’s Amye Gousset discussed NFFA radio guest Lena Dash featured on The Bobby Sheridan Show, the Urge2Purge app’s death threat popularity system, and much more with The Natural Aristocrat.

Amye Gousset played The NFFA’s Purge-positive radio guest Lena Dash on The Bobby Sheridan Show during The Purge’s “Happy Holidays” cold open. A devout, morally righteous NFFA party member or a public relations spin apologist, depending on how you look at it. Are certain people predisposed to Purge or simply a product of their environment? The Natural Aristocrat asked Gousset about her own feelings of the Nature Vs. Nurture argument towards Purging… A line which is quickly blurring following last episode’s (“Hail Mary”) youngster Ben revelation.

Did Ben Gardner always have violent tendencies or did Purge sanctioned TV like Ms. Lorelei’s Corner act as a proverbial stepping stones? Speaking of blurred lines, Gousset commented on Lena Dash’s ‘Death Threat’ popularity system on the show’s Urge2Purge App as postmodern social media commentary, Ivory Road, and using her own Southern accent as a character choice.

Interview with Amye Gousset on The Purge’s Lena Dash:

The Purge Season 2 Episode 6 (“Happy Holidays” – From left to right: Bobby Sheridan [Dermot Mulroney] and Lena Dash [Amye Gousset] – Screenshot Photo Credit: USA Network

The Natural Aristocrat [Nir Regev]: Lena Dash bragged on The Bobby Sheridan Show that she broke a million ‘death threats’ on the Urge2Purge App (1,284,715 to be exact). That “It’s been great” for her brand. How do you feel about this very postmodern social media commentary? Purge TV specific or a glimpse into the future?

Amye Gousset: Social media is obviously very prevalent in the lives of most people in modern society. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, they all have a system for letting someone know they “like” what they read, or who the person is. I think the “death threat” tracking in the Urge2Purge app fits in very nicely with where society currently is in the Purge universe.

It makes sense that, with the annual purge being the “event of the year”, that those who more people want to harm would be considered celebrities. However, I feel that is completely for just The Purge universe only, I don’t see it as the direction social media is headed in the real world.

Dash makes no qualms about throwing the aggressor (Ben Gardner) under the bus as having a history of depression rather than blame the NFFA’s system. Explaining away Gardner’s off-Purge acts to innate issues, nature rather than nurture.

Last episode’s (“Hail Mary”) cold open showed a young, impressionable Ben having Purge-like tendencies early but also impacted by the children’s show, Ms. Lorelei’s Corner. What are your thoughts about the blurred nature vs nurture argument when it comes to Purging?

From my perspective (not my character’s), I don’t think you can say it is just nature or just nurture. I could see some people wanting to participate in the Purge because it is just something they want, it feels comfortable to them, or maybe something inside them is broken. But, given how the purge has become this annual event, that is almost celebrated, depending on how people are raised, or who influences them growing up in that world, the idea that purging is “nurtured” into people also has to come into play.

Photo Credit: Amye Gousset

Do you feel Lena Dash’s veiled threat toward Sydney Rivera on-air to personally help her experience The Purge “up close and personal” next year was legitimate? Essentially, where does playing up for The Bobby Sheridan Show end and reality begin?

I’d like to flip that question back on you. How did YOU interpret the delivery of that line? 😊

Is Lena’s authentic sounding Southern accent your natural speaking voice? I’ve read you employ several different accents (BBC British RP, Australian, NY, Southern) as an actress but Mississippi born and raised. I felt the Southern accent really added something special to the Lena Dash character, sold it as more morally righteous in a way. Reminiscent of Donnie Darko’s teacher Kitty Farmer by actress Beth Grant.

Thank you! Yes, that is my real accent. I’m a born and raised southerner. I can say that playing her with a southern accent was a choice I made for the role. It just felt right for Lena and I’m so glad Jen McGowan (the Director) agreed. And Donnie Darko is a great movie!

The Purge Season 2 Episode 6 (“Happy Holidays” – Lena Dash more than hints at showing Sydney Rivera The Purge up close and personal next year – From left to right: Bobby Sheridan [Dermot Mulroney] and Lena Dash [Amye Gousset] – Screenshot Photo Credit: USA Network

What memory or memento stayed with you the most from shooting that Purge cold open? Whether on-camera or behind the scenes with fellow cast members.

I heard some great tales from Dermot [Mulroney] about off screen antics on his other films, including one of my favorite movies, “My Best Friend’s Wedding“.

Really funny guy. And yep- I always take a little something from set…shhh! But I can’t tell you what exactly- That would make me seem too weird.

The Purge Season 2 Episode 6 (“Happy Holidays” – From left to right: Sydney Rivera [Hannah Alline], Bobby Sheridan [Dermot Mulroney], and Lena Dash [Amye Gousset] – Screenshot Photo Credit: USA Network

Bobby Sheridan tells Sydney Rivera off-air, “The truth is, you’re nobody in America unless somebody wants to Purge you!” What are your thoughts about this line?

Trivia: Are you aware Bobby Sheridan’s phrase appears directly inspired by the song “You’re Nobody (Til Somebody Kills You)” by The Notorious B.I.G?

I think it ties back into your first couple of questions. The more people who want to purge you, the more “celebrity” status you have. I think it sums up social media, influencers, and The Purge universe very well. And no, I did not tie that phrase back to the Notorious B.I.G. song. That is an interesting takeaway.

Scream 4 was one of the first horrors to usher in social media commentary to the mainstream but The Purge has really pushed the envelope with extraordinary modern spoofs like Ivory Road. What does it mean to you to be part of a series that’s on the bleeding edge forefront of the underground?

I actually think it is kinda neat! Obviously it is very exciting to be involved with this TV Series, and The Purge universe. And I find it very interesting that they are taking some real-world concepts, and fictionalizing them into the series, as they did with Ivory Road. It provides just enough “real world” authenticity to make viewers go: What If? What if the world went the direction of the Purge universe.

What projects are you currently working on that fans can look forward to? Would you like to return as Lena Dash on a future season or film of The Purge franchise?

I have a film called “The Favorite” with John Schneider that releases this month. It’s based on a true story. A nice family film.

And heck yeah! I would love the chance to continue to bring Lena Dash to life, either in a future season or film. That would be a dream come true! I love that gal.

Thanks Amye!

Thank you!

Relive The Bobby Sheridan Show:

Revisit Lena Dash’s confrontation with Sydney Rivera [Hannah Alline] on The Bobby Sheridan Show above! The cold open aired on The Purge Season 2 Episode 6 (“Happy Holidays”).

Catch up with Amye Gousset:

Amye Gousset Headshot Photo – Photo Credit: Amye Gousset

Visit Amye Gousset’s official website and check out her versatile video reel!

Featured Coverage of The Purge on The Natural Aristocrat:

– Interview with Joel Allen on Ben Gardner, The God Mask, and the intense scenes in The Purge Season 2!

– Recap of The Purge’s latest episode “Hail Mary” (Season 2 Episode 9).

– Breaking News: Ethan Hawke to reprise James Sandin on The Purge Season 2 Finale

– Be sure to watch my interviews with The Purge’s Paola Nuñez, Rochelle Aytes, James Roland and Krystal Houghton Ziv!

Catch more of The Natural Aristocrat’s coverage of USA Network’s The Purge in The Purge category section.