Carla Jimenez Talks THE MICK in Exclusive Interview

The titular character of Fox’s THE MICK is Mackenzie “Mickey” Murphy, played by Kaitlin Olson. But Alba, the loyal, naive, but determined nanny, is the MVP of the show.

I recently talked to actress Carla Jimenez about her experience bringing to life the hilarious series, centered around a dysfunctional family.

How does it feel to be one of the main characters of a new show, versus guest starring?

It’s really awesome. When you come as a guest star you have to accomplish a specific vision. With this, you have an outline, but you can shape the character and the show with your own ideas.

In a way, the show is making fun of the ignorance that still exists in this country regarding Latinos. For example when Mickey’s sister says that your character is speaking “a secret language” with the little boy while you are speaking Spanish.

A little bit. In the case of Mickey’s sister in the pilot, she doesn’t really care. She doesn’t want to learn. It could be any language. She only thinks about her money. Mickey is more street smart than book smart.

Your character has been raising these kids by herself pretty much. Right?

She has raised them as her own kids. Most of them have started to ignore her, except for the little one that really pays attention to her.

How much fun was to shoot that scene in the nightclub when Alba is drugged?

That has to be my favorite episode. You’ve never seen someone that plays a nanny or a maid, do that on TV. That was a great bit of comedy.

Alba and Mickey have a great dynamic. How is your relationship with Kaitlin?

She is awesome. She gives you a lot of things to play with, and it is very open to other people’s idea.

Did you have to adjust to the tone of the show and its dark humor?

That’s my sense of humor. The great thing about The Mick is that the show doesn’t take place in reality. It’s so absurd and that’s what makes it funny. We don’t want to teach a lesson, we want to have fun.

Watch THE MICK, Tuesdays 8:30/7:30c on Fox.

THE MICK is a no-holds-barred single-camera comedy that gives new meaning to the phrase “dysfunctional family.” MACKENZIE aka “MICKEY” (Kaitlin Olson, “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”) is a brash, two-bit hustler from Rhode Island who has spent her entire life shirking any semblance of responsibility. Lacking any drive, but in constant search of the next easy payday, Mickey is not without her charms. She’s smart, she’s fun, and despite all appearances, her head’s always in the game. She just needs a big win. That win kinda, sorta comes true when, looking for a handout, Mickey visits her estranged sister and billionaire brother-in-law in Greenwich, CT, but gets more than she bargained for, as this absurdly rich couple flees the country to escape federal fraud charges. In a surprising turn of events, Mickey must assume guardianship of their three high-maintenance and ill-parented children: SABRINA (Sofia Black D’Elia, “The Messengers,” “Gossip Girl”), an ambitious, 18-going-on-30-year-old who is a worthy adversary to Mickey; CHIP (Thomas Barbusca, “The New Normal,” “Grey’s Anatomy”), 13, an arrogant, entitled neo-con-in-the-making with an extremely punchable face; and BEN (newcomer Jack Stanton), seven, an adorably fragile nerd. The life that Mickey has wanted for so long now is within her reach – the mansion, the convertible, the swimming pool, the walk-in closet full of designer clothes. But as Mickey is well aware, nothing in life is free. The price? Transforming these outrageously spoiled children into honest, hard-working, decent members of society – something this foul-mouthed, debaucherous and completely out-of-her-element woman knows absolutely nothing about. Being a mother was never in Mickey’s game plan, but these kids desperately need a parent. And as irresponsible as Mickey has been her entire life, she may discover that responsibility and motherhood aren’t the buzzkill she always thought they would be.