Filipino-American actress Frankie McNellis was recently seen in the ABC series "Doctor Odyssey" as Young Avery, the younger version of the character of played by Phillipa Soo.

Prior to "Doctor Odyssey," McNellis  appeared in "Black-ish" (Hulu and Disney+), "13: The Musical" (Netflix), "Honey Girls" (Sony Pictures), and various Dreamworks animated series.

When asked how she got the role, McNellis replied that she had to go through the same audition process as any other Hollywood actress.

“It was actually a brief audition process. My agents provided me the audition, which I taped at home with my mother. They approached me a few days later and offered me the role,” she said via press release.

“My mother and father have always supported my career. My mother encourages me to be authentic and strive for excellence in all acting roles. I do not believe there is such a thing as a small role. It's really how you make every role memorable,” she added. 

Critics applauded McNellis' interpretation of her role in the series, describing her as a young artist to watch out for in 2025 with a strong screen presence.

“To prepare for the role, I binge-watched the entire series. I wanted to ensure that I captured every feature and mannerism of Phillipa Soo's character. Before shooting, I collaborated with the director to ensure that we got every aspect and viewpoint correct,” she shared.

“I learned a lot from my director and co-stars. They have demonstrated professionalism, which is extremely crucial in the entertainment industry. I was fascinated by how they accomplished it. They know exactly what they're doing,” she added. 

McNellis highlighted the beauty of acting, saying, “There is no way to accurately express it. I just adore acting because it allows me to see life from many characters' perspectives.”

McNellis also discussed her experience on set, particularly meeting Soo, who told her she could be her younger sister.

“It was so much fun. The guys and I discussed school and the realities of juggling our acting schedules. I really met Phillipa while having my hair done. She was very polite, and we were surprised at how similar we are,” she said. 

McNellis is proud to represent the Filipino-American community in Hollywood. She also stated that she hopes to get the support of fellow Filipinos as she forges her own path in the entertainment industry.

“While I live in America, I am always proud of my Filipino heritage. Being Filipina is a part of who I am, and I will never leave the values that have been instilled in me. Surrounding myself with my family allows me to be the most authentic version of myself. I can understand Tagalog and Kapampangan, but I only know a few words,” she proudly shared.

The young singer-actress also revealed that she is currently working on new songs and animations.

“I am working on music. I recently began teasing a few tracks on TikTok. I'm excited to see what the future holds for myself and my music. I've also been working on some animations. I can't reveal too much just yet, but I'm very thrilled for you to meet my characters,” she ended.