Nasim Pedrad has been asked that question before: So what's it like to be a woman in comedy? "Today, I'd imagine it's a lot like being a male comedian, except you get that question a lot," she says.
Not that she actually has time to answer: Before she starts working on her deal with Fox to develop and write a show (which she'll star in, too) Pedrad will appear in Ryan Murphy's latest, Scream Queens (a horror-comedy series set on a college campus premiering this fall on Fox), surrounded by good female vibes—Emma Roberts, Lea Michele, Abigail Breslin, Ariana Grande, to name just a few. Oh, and did we mention original scream queen herself Jamie Lee Curtis?
If you've ever laughed during a scary slasher flick, you know that the two genres perfectly overlap: "I feel like comedy and horror are cousins to each other," Pedrad says, "They both rely so much on timing."
On set, Pedrad's working on her detective skills: "We still don't know who the killer is, we're finding things out as we get the scripts." Which means there's a chance that Pedrad will be the last girl standing, or better even, the killer.
It's a good thing she's had practice playing egomaniacs on Saturday Night Live: "Someone recently asked me [how] I would do Kim Kardashian differently now. I laughed—like, 'Has that much really changed?' I wouldn't suddenly give her a Norwegian accent! Maybe she'd wear more of Kanye's Adidas line."
A version of this article appears in the August 2015 issue of Marie Claire on newsstands July 21.
-
The Perfumer Behind Last Year's Most Talked-About Fragrance Just Released Another Perfect ScentAqua Media Cologne forte embodies a feeling of balance and harmony.
-
'Yellowface' Is Our June Book Club Pick
Read an excerpt from R.F. Kuang's latest novel, here, then dive in with us throughout the month.
-
I Scoured the Summer Runways—Here Are the Six Shoe Trends Actually Worth Buying
Hit the ground running this season.
-
Sarah Hyland and Adam Devine Play 'How Well Do You Know Your Co-Star?'
The 'Modern Family' stars reunited for the 'Pitch Perfect' spinoff series.
-
The 78 Best Celebrity Couple Halloween Costumes of All Time
Honestly, we're impressed.
-
Super Rare Photos of Queen Elizabeth as a Young Woman
From childhood snapshots to portraits as a young princess, beautiful and rare photos of the late Queen Elizabeth as a young woman.
-
King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla's Relationship: A Timeline
With the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, Charles has ascended to the throne as king.
-
Who Is Next in Line for the British Throne, Explained
And yes—Harry and Archie are still in the line of succession.
-
The Metamorphosis of Mindy Kaling
The actress, writer, and producer has transformed Hollywood. But her most fulfilling project yet is happening behind the scenes—as a mother, mentor, and mogul.
-
Who Is Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's Fiancé Riley Roberts?
AOC's husband-to-be is an "easygoing redhead" who lives with her in D.C.
-
68 Times the Kardashians Posed Fully Nude and Owned It
And we mean fully nude—as in, not a shred of clothing.
