VIDEO EXCLUSIVE: Constance Zimmer On Working With Jaden Michael On YA Series ‘Shelter’

Constance Zimmer, an actress who is currently starring in the new Prime television series Shelter, discussed working with co-star Jaden Michael in an exclusive uInterview.

Zimmer plays Shira Bolitar, the aunt to Michael’s character, Mickey Bolitar. Shira acts as a parental figure in Mickey’s life, as he has just lost his father and put his mother in rehab.

“I think she’s trying to figure out how to assume that parental role for a kid who clearly despises her and is struggling with a lot of grief and depression,” Zimmer told uInterview exclusively. “She is probably the last person that he wants to talk about anything emotional with, so therein lies rub which makes it a little difficult. But I think she is doing the best she can with what she’s been given, and she is struggling with her own issues of grief and secrecy.”

When asked to recall her favorite moment while working with Michael, Zimmer drew parallels between the characters and the actors.

“I think what’s interesting about these two characters is that they are constantly trying to figure each other out. What’s funny is I think that’s also what Jaden and I are doing, getting to know each other,” she explained. “We would goof around and have so much fun off camera, and then be on camera and have to not get along and be awkward around each other. It’s always fun to have that juxtaposition… So that to me has been the most fun, to watch that switch happen.”

As an adult in a young adult (YA) series, Zimmer explained why she was drawn to the show and what she believes is the beauty of television made for this audience.

>WATCH JADEN MICHAEL’s uINTERVIEW NOW!

“Who doesn’t want to see a version of themselves represented in entertainment? The YA stuff is rooted in the fact that today’s generation of kids is making a movement, speaking out for themselves and not taking ‘no’ for an answer,” Zimmer said. “I think what’s great is that this is shown in entertainment… it’s a nice coming-of-age story. When you can have a coming-of-age story that is YA but also shows adults… figuring out who they are, you realize the similarities and it allows for so many different age ranges to enjoy the characters… It opens up these two worlds and they are allowed to combine and exist together instead of being separated.”

Shelter premiers on Amazon Prime Video on August 18.