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Even though she still hasa few weeks to gobefore thebirth of her first child,Gina Rodriguezis already a pro at being a working mom.
On top of readying for first-time parenthood with husbandJoe LoCicero, theJane the Virginalum is currently gearing up for the Feb. 8 debut of her new seriesNot Dead Yet.
“That’s what life is,” the 38-year-old actress — who’s pulling double duty as a star and executive producer on the ABC comedy — exclusively tells PEOPLE. “It’s everything, everywhere, all at once, right? I lovethat movie, but also the title is just so apropos to life itself.”
“It’s all the things. It’s all the things, all at once. And I’m just trying to let go,” she continues. “At some times, successfully letting go. At other times, gripping too hard.”
In fact, hernew seriesis all about embracing change — her character Nell Serrano is fresh off a breakup and returning to her California roots. Though she feels disappointed and stuck when she returns to her former employer in a new role, she isn’t prepared for the unexpected ways in which the new position will transform her life.
Temma Hankin/ABC
Rodriguez says that it’s been “a phenomenal experience making this television show, but also pretty monumental in my existence.”
“I really love playing this character that is flawed but trying so hard and wanting so badly to fix or to feel better or to just be happy after this,” she explains. “You’ll end up seeing over the course of the series why — what she went through, what sent her off on this new journey. I really just love that.”
In describing the series as a whole, Rodriguez says she believes “it’s about self-reflection, and it’s about growth, and it’s about friendship, and it’s about the power of self-healing.” But she also teases thatNot Dead Yetis sure to put viewers through a mix of emotions.
Being a part of a series like this has alsoallowed Rodriguez to reflecton how she’s living her own life — specifically when it comes to being mindful of appreciating what’s right in front of her.
“This has been something I’ve been working on for years, but obviously because of the pandemic as well, is just really appreciating everything that is and not what I want it to be,” she shares. “Really accepting the story that life is unfolding in front of me versus the story I want or the story I think it should be or the story I think it should be telling. That’s how I think I’ve been living life to the fullest.”
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Not Dead Yetpremieres Feb. 8 on ABC.
source: people.com
