Paula Pell Says Thomas Doherty Became “A Really Good Friend’ After ‘Girls5eva’ Season 3 Role

A familiar face joined the Girls5eva cast as a teeny-bopper singer yearning for something more.

Created by Meredith Scardino and produced by Tina Fey, Girls5eva follows the fictional titular girl group from the ’90s as they reunite in the present after a young rapper samples one of their songs.

The all-star cast includes Sara Bareilles as Dawn, Renee Elise Goldsberry as Wickie, Busy Philipps as Summer, and Paula Pell as Gloria.

The third season hit Netflix on Mar. 14, 2024 and follows Girls5eva on their comeback tour following the release of their new album.

At the top of the season, Gloria meets the extremely famous singer Gray (Thomas Doherty) at the roadside chain restaurant Macaroni Rascals. However, she doesn’t recognize him as he’s disguised as a trucker to keep a low profile. A sweet friendship between them blossoms, and Gloria gives him the nickname “Mad Dog.”

Fast forward a few episodes and Girls5eva are eating at Macaroni Rascals. Gloria spots her new friend and points him out to her bandmates, who immediately want to mooch off his fame.

“The Gray Holland storyline was so close to my heart because I love that Gloria didn’t know he was a huge pop star and still bonded with him,” Pell told Decider on the red carpet at the Girls5eva premiere in NYC. “She got this great friendship with him this season. I thought it was so touching that she finds out he’s a big star and she’s embarrassed.”

When asked about working with Scottish actor Thomas Doherty, Pell called him a “dreamboat” and said everybody on set was “12 years old when he was around.”

Pell said, “He became a really good friend. He’s beautiful and such a great singer and actor. [He’s a] really funny comedy actor.” Coming from a comedian of Pell’s caliber, whose award-winning work includes Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock, that’s a major compliment.

“Guys that look like that aren’t always the funniest comedy actors,” Pell continued. “And he came in and we were like,’ Jesus!’ I mean, I’m like 3% straight and I was like, ‘He’s handsome!'”

Before Doherty’s turn in the comedy musical series, he appeared in Disney’s Descendants 2, the Gossip Girl reboot, and the 2022 horror movie The Invitation.

According to IMDb, Doherty’s next two projects are thrillers, but hopefully he takes Pell’s words to heart and lines up another comedy! If all else fails, we’d love to see him in a potential Girls5eva Season 4. Even though his storyline reaches a twisty conclusion, stranger things have happened in that fictional universe.

Girls5eva is currently streaming on Netflix.