Samantha Cutaran
In this interview, actress Samantha Cutaran discusses her role as Renee in JUST ONE LIFE, her acting journey, Filipino representation in Hollywood, and the importance of community, connection, and resilience.
1. In JUST ONE LIFE, you portray Renee, a gifted violinist who has spent years caring for her mother and finds herself disconnected from her passion and uncertain about her future. What drew you to this character, and which aspects of her emotional journey resonated most deeply with you?
I was immediately drawn to Renee’s internal struggle and the way she sees the world in JUST ONE LIFE. Her skepticism, independence, and vulnerability make her such a deeply human character.
Like Renee, I’m a very independent person, and I know that sometimes my own skepticism can keep me guarded. I think a lot of us can relate to how life’s hardships can make it difficult to open ourselves up and connect with others. We don’t want to be disappointed or risk losing someone we love, so sometimes it feels easier to push people away.
That’s what resonated with me most about her character. Beneath that independence and guarded exterior is someone who’s experienced a lot and is still trying to find her way forward.
2. Renee’s unexpected relationship with Sam gradually transforms her perspective on life, love, and second chances. How did you approach portraying that emotional transformation, and what was it like building that on-screen connection with Willie Mellina?
Willie is so charming, so all I really had to do was be present and play off what he was giving me!
We were fortunate enough to have a couple of rehearsals with our director, Sunny, about a week before filming. We spent a lot of time talking through what our characters were feeling and working through some of the more emotional scenes together. On set, Sunny was also wonderful about giving me the time and space I needed to get into the right emotional state for each scene.
Renee is someone who’s experienced life’s challenges and is trying to figure out what comes next. She doesn’t have all the answers, and she’s not necessarily looking for someone to give them to her.
What I really appreciate about Renee and Sam’s relationship is that they approach life from very different perspectives, particularly when it comes to faith and purpose. I love that the story doesn’t require every character, or every viewer, to share the same beliefs. It’s really about what can happen when two people with different perspectives are willing to genuinely listen to and learn from one another.
3. You’ve appeared in a wide range of television productions, including Abbott Elementary, Criminal Minds, Home Economics, and Murderville. How have these diverse experiences shaped your approach to acting, particularly when transitioning between comedy and emotionally driven drama?
My approach to acting is always the same, regardless of the genre. I start by identifying what my character needs and why they need it.
For example, in JUST ONE LIFE, Renee is searching for purpose. She gave up so much of her life to care for her mother, and now that her mother is gone, she’s left wondering what to do with her own life. That’s where I begin. From there, I build my character’s history by piecing together the information I’m given and filling in the blanks with my imagination. That backstory shapes how they see the world and how they interact with the people around them.
With comedy, the biggest differences are usually the tone and pacing, but the stakes are just as high as they are in drama. No matter the genre, the character’s needs and motivations have to feel real.
4. As an Asian American actress and the first person in your family to pursue a career in the arts, what challenges have you encountered in the entertainment industry, and how do you feel opportunities for authentic Asian American representation have evolved throughout your career?
When I first started, I often felt like I didn’t quite fit what casting was looking for. I’d audition for “Asian” roles, but that usually meant Chinese, Korean, or Japanese. As a Filipino, I sometimes felt like I wasn’t “Asian enough,” and I rarely saw roles specifically written for Filipinos.
Over the past few years, though, I do feel things have gotten better. There are more opportunities, and the roles are starting to get bigger. I’m so happy to see three Filipino nurses on The Pitt!
I’d still love to see more Filipinos in leading roles, which is one of the reasons playing Renee in JUST ONE LIFE feels especially meaningful to me. Representation matters. The more we see Asian Americans in leading roles, the more opportunities there will be to tell our stories.
5. You’re actively involved with FilipinX Actors Barkada, a community dedicated to supporting Filipino actors in Hollywood. How has this collective influenced your personal and professional journey, and why is creating supportive spaces for fellow artists so important to you?
FAB holds a very special place in my heart. Before joining, I personally knew only a handful of other Filipino actors in the industry, and I was usually the only Filipino in my acting classes.
When I found FAB, it felt like finding a family. Not only did we share the same cultural background, but they understood exactly how I felt because so many of us had gone through similar experiences.
What’s so special about this community is that even though we often audition for the same roles, there’s no sense of competition. There’s just support. In fact, when we hear about auditions, we share them with the group instead of gatekeeping opportunities. We’re genuinely rooting for one another, which can be hard to find in such a competitive industry. When one person wins, it feels like a win for all of us.
Acting can take an emotional toll. You’re constantly taking risks, putting yourself out there, and pouring your heart and soul into your work. That’s why it’s so important to have a community that lifts you up, encourages you, and reminds you that you’re not doing it alone.
6. JUST ONE LIFE explores the idea that even when life doesn’t unfold as planned, unexpected connections can open doors to new possibilities. What do you hope audiences will take away from Renee’s story, particularly those navigating their own experiences of loss, uncertainty, or personal reinvention?
If JUST ONE LIFE connects with even one person and makes them feel seen and understood, then I feel like I’ve done my job. We all experience challenges in life, and sometimes what helps us through those darker moments is simply knowing we’re not alone.
I think what makes this story so special is that it reminds us how much of an impact we can have on someone else’s life, sometimes without even realizing it. Even the smallest moments of connection can mean more than we know.
I hope people watch JUST ONE LIFE with someone they love, have a conversation afterward, and maybe even reach out to someone who’s made a difference in their own life. To me, that’s really what this story is about.