Katelyn McCulloch

Katelyn, Everybody’s Meg feels like a show that truly challenges the myth of the “perfect timeline” that idea that by your 30s, you should have everything figured out. What inspired you to explore that theme so honestly? 

Myself and my fellow co creators Maddy Foley & Becky Swannick wanted to explore in a very honest and real way the nuances of being an anxious female millennial because we’ve all experienced it!  We first made a short film of Meg trying to write her own reference letter and trying to compliment herself which threw her into a meltdown. There was so much excitement from audiences about how relatable it was so when Maddy and I went into writing the entire season we just leaned even more into all the anxious and weird thoughts we have and followed the comedy from there.

For me personally- I started filmmaking after having a substantial career in theatre and circus artists so I have felt behind in this industry. While that has given me a lot of drive, it used to make me feel very anxious and like I needed to figure things out. What I’ve learned through making this show and getting older- there is no perfect timeline. I have to follow my instincts and trust my own path!

Do you think shows like Everybody’s Meg are helping to rewrite what success looks like for millennials and Gen Z especially in a world where detours and restarts are often seen as “failure”? 

Yes. AND, I hope it’s showing that everyone struggles with anxious thoughts, feeling lost and trying to find themselves in this wild world. Meg is not alone and YOU are not alone. It’s easy to get caught on our phones or stuck in our heads but if you look up, look around you I hope you see that there is support and someone else who understands how you’re feeling better than you think. If no one is around- I hope that can be Meg! She certainly has been for me when I’ve needed a laugh and a moment to remind myself that we are all just humans trying our best out here!

This new season takes Meg on such a relatable journey: therapy, saving for a solo trip, trying to take control. Only to have life throw everything off course again. What part of that chaos felt the most personal to you? 

I write with our star of the show Maddy Foley who plays Meg and it really is a combination of our lived experiences mooshed together followed. However, for me personally- I feel very connected to the anxious feeling of trying to keep it together when I can feel it all falling apart. Sometimes you need to actually let everything fall apart so you can see who and what is left and rebuild something stronger from those pieces. Everything ultimately has to fall apart this season for Meg to gain the strength and awareness of what really matters, who really matters and how she wants to show up to her life. All done in a very Meg-esque way of course!

You’ve said before that you “take being silly very seriously.” How does that philosophy guide your storytelling, especially when you’re mixing humor with really vulnerable, human moments? 

I think it’s so important to prioritize play when you are making a comedy and also just in life! I think we get stuck in the mundane and the stress of adulting that we forget we are also supposed to ENJOY ourselves on this planet.  Prioritizing play isn’t frivolous- it’s essential to creativity, connection and living an authentic life.

I also strongly believe that laughter is an entry point to feel our deepest truths and connect to our deepest self and each other. My favourite kind of comedy is when you are laughing one minute and crying the next and truly on the rollercoaster with the characters. In Meg we aim to keep the funny going but always find ways for Meg to reveal her truth and hopefully that connects with someone in the audience. 

Everybody’s Meg and Shenanigans both highlight women being unapologetically funny, flawed, and real. Why is it so important for you to create spaces where female-driven comedy can thrive? 

Everyone wants to feel like they belong.They want to feel like they matter and that their work matters. I wanted to feel like my work had a place to unapologetically be itself and realized very quickly that other female creatives in the feel-good/funny space felt the same. The tone of the event is big and loud and audiences cheer and laugh out loud and really SHOW UP for the filmmakers.

I hope by having this platform women feel like they can make straight up commercial comedy or tell warm & fuzzy feel good stories and that it will have a place to be enjoyed! I think particularly in Canada artists are thinking about how to get government funding or how to sell to our limited buyers rather than making the thing that really makes them laugh. I hope by creating a space for this style of work to thrive,  people who have been afraid to really own their comedic voice feel inspired to go for it!

With Shenanigans returning to Halifax, it feels like you’re building more than a show you’re building a community. What makes that event so special to you, and what do you hope audiences experience there? 

We really are!  We are also expanding beyond Halifax and into Toronto and heading back to LA in 2026. 

I hope that filmmakers and audience members alike get to have the most fun night at the movies they’re ever had! The dress code is Extravaganza and the vibes are all about shining like the damn star you are. I’m tired of people feeling like it’s cool to be jaded or who think it’s cringey to stand out! It’s your life baby- show up and SHOW OFF!!

You’ve had such an incredible year Canadian Screen Award nominations, festival wins, new projects on the horizon. When you look at all of that, what are you personally most proud of right now? 

I am most proud of my ability to continue to put the show first no matter what.

Indie filmmaking is not for the faint of heart – everyone is wearing multiple hats, there is never enough time or money but I believe that is also where the most fun and creative ideas come from. As the director and showrunner I often have to compromise my vision for the sake of time and budget but by always asking myself; what is best for the show? I’m able to find creative solutions that keep the story at the forefront. I firmly believe when you prioritize story over ego, and creativity over fear (even with limited resources) you can make something to be proud of.

And finally, if someone watching feels like they’re “behind” in life, like Meg often does, what would you want them to take away from her story and from your own journey? 

There is no behind. There is only here and now. Be kind to yourself, prioritize play and trust that you have everything you need within you to take the next step of your life.