Daniella Monet spoke out about her Victorious spinoff Hollywood Arts changing a major detail from the original show.
In season 1 of Netflix’s Hollywood Arts, which is streaming now, Monet’s character, Trina, had a reunion with Robbie (Matt Bennett). They were nearly set up on a date before Trina shut it down … but eventually changed her mind.
Trina and Robbie couldn’t be together — for now — as he was moving overseas after accepting a job in New Zealand. Fans of Victorious, however, had questions about Robbie showing interest in Trina after being romantically involved with Cat (Ariana Grande).
“[Matt’s appearance] unfolded in its own way because originally we did two [episodes together] and there’s some more down the pipeline,” Monet, 37, exclusively told Us. “It just happened in a way.”
Monet was excited to explore a new onscreen dynamic with Bennett, adding, “Matt himself is just such a charming and good human. I love him to his core. So to see him play Robbie today, I feel like there’s a little bit of Matt in there. And there’s nothing but love for that kid.”
She continued: “So when he was up there like playing Robbie, I felt like, ‘What’s not to love?’ I think anyone would be silly not to see that side of him and think, ‘Wow what a guy.’ So I’m happy that Trina got to see that and I’m excited to see where that dynamic goes.”
Despite Robbie’s history with Cat, Monet could see why he and Trina worked.
“Something about that dynamic and just you see it in real life too,” she noted. “Where there’s a more passive guy and a more headstrong girl. They kind of balance each other out. And I get it. I think he has respect for Trina and she softens with him.”
Nickelodeon’s Victorious, which aired from 2010 to 2013, followed aspiring singer Tori Vega (Victoria Justice) who enrolled at the performing arts high school Hollywood Arts after unexpectedly taking her older sister Trina’s place in a school showcase. Hollywood Arts picks up years later as Trina returns to the school as a teacher.
“We’ve all had time to talk about what this could look like if this were ever to come back. We were all open to it for the most part,” Monet told Us about possible cast returns. “So I’m like, ‘This is a world where it is, in a way, coming back.’ It’s different, but it’s similar. And so I think now it starts to get real for people. I want everyone to feel like they have a stake in it as well and that they can sort of figure out what that looks like for their character. So far it’s just been so fun to be able to share it with them.”
Hollywood Arts is streaming on Netflix.
