Internally struggling with the question of who you truly are, and how your identity influences your most important relationships, can be a dauntingly emotional process for everyone, no matter what point you’re at in life. So mixing comedy with the existential question of who we are as people, and humanity’s inherent need to immediately define others mainly based on their personality, can be an even more harrowing process. But director-writer-producer-actor Seth MacFarlane effortlessly intertwined humor and emotional sentiments into his title character’s drive to end identity stereotypes with the help of his new wife, who’s played by Jessica Barth. in the anticipated comedy sequel ‘Ted 2,’ which is set to be released on Friday in theaters nationwide.

‘Ted 2’ follows the title character as he marries the love of his life, Tami-Lynn (Barth) and the two set out to happily build their lives together in Boston. But the contentment is short-lived, as the two have become bitter towards each only a year into their marriage, and they agree that the only way to improve their connection is to have a baby. Despite the rejuvenated satisfaction between the spouses, Ted becomes distressed again when he realizes that his best friend, John (Mark Wahlberg), is still pining for his ex-wife, Lori, even though they got divorced a year-and-a-half prior.

Ted and Tami-Lynn’s rekindled happiness is further crushed when the Commonwealth of Massachusetts declares Ted isn’t actually a person. Since he’s been identified by property by the government, he’s therefore ineligible to adopt a child with his wife. His grief is further extended when he’s fired from his job at the local grocery store, and is informed that his marriage has been annulled, as a result of being declared property.

Angry at the recent unexpected turn of events in his life, Ted asks John to help him sue the state for his civil rights. So they hire a young new lawyer, Samantha L. Jackson (Amanda Seyfried), to serve as their counsel in court. But they lose the case, as Ted’s biggest fan, Donny (Giovanni Ribisi), enlisted the help of his employer, Tom Jessup (John Carroll Lynch), the CEO of the toy company that created the bear, to deny him his rights. While Donny thinks it would be easier to steal Ted if he’s considered property as he begins to plan his abduction strategy, the title character, his best friend and his lawyer are still determined to protect the bear. So the three travel to New York to persuade legendary civil rights attorney Patrick Meighan (Morgan Freeman) to take on their appeal. The group hopes that if they win, they can finally prove that Ted isn’t a teddy bear, but actually a person who deserves the same freedoms as his fellow Americans.

Barth generously took the time recently to talk about filming ‘Ted 2’ during an exclusive phone interview. Among other things, the actress discussed that she was interested in reprising her role of Tami-Lynn in the sequel, as she liked the idea of being able to more fully showcase the relatable problems she was now experiencing than in the original ‘Ted,’ as well as highlighting important identity and legal issues in an R-rated comedy; and how she enjoyed participating in the movie’s physical comedy, particularly when she was improvising with MacFarlane, who trusted her creative abilities as an actress to instinctively further develop the wife of the title character.

ShockYa (SY): In the upcoming anticipated comedy sequel, ‘Ted 2,’ you reprised your role as Tami-Lynn, who marries the title teddy bear in the beginning of the film. Why were you interested in playing her again in the follow-up?

Jessica Barth (JB): I was really excited to stretch Tami-Lynn in ways that I hadn’t previously been able to in the original film. She’s now dealing with being a wife to Ted, and they’re having marital problems. The story then goes on to her trying to become a mother, while she also stands with Ted throughout this whole journey to prove that he’s a person.

I also like how there are relevant and significant themes that are being examined in an R-rated comedy. I think this film has a lot of heart to it. The characters have also really grown, and I was able to flush Tami-Lynn out as a character. I adore her, so it was really fun to play her again.

SY: Like you mentioned, while ‘Ted 2’ is primarily a comedy, it also focuses on important life issues, including granting equal civil rights to everyone, and supporting friends and family during difficult times, no matter what’s happening between them. What was the process of balancing comedy with the more emotional struggles Tami-Lynn and Ted are experiencing throughout the sequel?

JB: It was something I was really looking forward to doing. Tami-Lynn is a type of character you don’t see very often. I think a trap some actors would fall into would to play her on the surface, and not really get to the heart of who she is. So I tried really hard to show her depth and heart, and that she really loves Ted. That was a process I loved to do during the more emotional scenes.

I love to act and create the characters, and go to that emotional point. Having crying scenes is a challenge that I love to do as an actor, and it’s one of my favorite processes.

SY: With ‘Ted 2’ being the first sequel you appear in and reprise such a main and integral character to the plot, what was the process of reconnecting to her mindset and personality as you began filming?

JB: One of the most important aspects of reconnecting with Tami-Lynn was getting back into her wardrobe and dialect, and doing her mannerisms, like chewing gum and doing her nails. As far as continuing in the sequel, I was able to do so much more work with her, and take her further. The comedy’s still there, but you see her for her heart and love for, and commitment to, Ted. I was happy to show more than one side to her in this film.

SY: Speaking of approaching the physicality of Tami-Lynn, including her dialect and costumes, did that aspect help you in your approach in continuing to expand the character’s arc and emotions?

JB: Yes, and I was even more involved in those aspects with this film. I contributed to the look of her hair, make-up and the outfits she wore, as well as such things as how much gum she chewed. (laughs) It really was a collaborative process between the costume designer, the make-up designer, the hair stylist and me.

For the first film, the inspiration for Tami-Lynn’s hair came from me looking at the girls on ‘Jersey Shore.’ Now that she’s a little more evolved as a character, I looked to the Kardashians for inspiration for her make-up. Her clothing is now really colorful and bold. So all of those aspects, combined with me re-exposing myself to her Boston dialect, really made the character come to life even more.

SY: The film features a mixture of jokes the characters tell each other with physical comedy. What was the process of creating that physical comedy for the movie-do you enjoy doing stunts?

JB: Yes, I love physical comedy. One of my favorite scenes to film was the fight between Tami-Lynn and Ted. Seth and I filmed the scene over the course of a day, and we really just went for it during every take. Something new would happen during each take, and it was really fun. We just let go, and did a lot of improv during that scene. There weren’t any boundaries of what she could do; if she got mad, she could throw a frying pan, and then a toaster oven and a beer bottle. (laughs)

Whatever Ted gave her, she gave back, which is something I love about her. She’s a strong character, and she’s not going to let anyone say or do anything that she doesn’t want. If they do it anyway, there are going to be repercussions. (laughs) I really like that about her. In that sense, the fight scene was also really fun to film.

SY: Speaking of improvising, as the helmer and one of the scribes on the comedy, how much creative freedom did Seth give you and your fellow actors during your scenes on both films?

JB: Seth’s open to anything, and he allows you to play, suggest things and ask questions. With a script like this one, which was so well-written by three of the top comedic writers, you don’t really need to improv, as the comedy’s already there. But if a joke wasn’t working, he would give you an alternate right on the spot, since he’s so brilliant. (laughs)

You also really have to trust the other actors you’re working with, and we had a really great cast to go along with the fantastic script. So we really didn’t need to do much improv.

SY: Besides directing and co-writing the sequel, Seth once again voiced the title character of Ted. With the comedy being a live-action film, what was the process of working with Seth during Tami-Lynn’s interactions with Ted? How did going through the process in the original movie influence your acting together in the follow-up?

JB: I think it was even more of a comfortable relationship. Seth trusts me as an actress as much as I trust him as a director. So when we were filming our scenes, I almost knew what he was going to say when he would walk over to me. He doesn’t need to say that much for me to understand what he wants me to do. That’s the advantage of working with someone you’re friends with over and over again. I also trust his comic genius, so I’m willing to do whatever he asks me to do creatively.

SY: You previously worked with Seth on his animated show, ‘Family Guy,’ on which you have voiced several characters. Since he also stars, writes, produces and co-created the series, how did your experiences with him on the show influence the way you worked together on the ‘Ted’ films?

JB: My work on the show actually didn’t have any influence on me becoming involved in the ‘Ted’ movies. Seth actually didn’t want to cast me as Tami-Lynn when he first began looking looking for actresses to play the role, because he didn’t know if I could do the dialect. (laughs)

He really didn’t even know me as an actress until I auditioned for him. He said, “You have the acting part down, and you’re the best by far, but I just don’t know if you can do the dialect.” So they were considering hiring someone who was from Boston, but wasn’t an actress. But there’s no way to hire someone who’s not an actor for this role, because it’s so challenging to work opposite nothing. So I eventually got the role. We obviously got closer through filming the show, but that had nothing to do with me getting this role.

SY: What was the experience of filming the majority of both ‘Ted’ films on location in Boston, where they’re set? Do you prefer shooting in the actual places where the story takes places-does it help you connect to the character and story?

JB: I loved filming in Boston, as it definitely helped me get into character. I was able to hear people talk, and go into the bars and restaurants and see how people interacted. A lot of our crew was from Boston and the surrounding areas, including my driver, who was from Medford. He would help me with any word I was stuck on, s well as the physicality. That process definitely helped flush out the character.

SY: Besides ‘Ted 2,’ do you have any other upcoming projects lined up that you can discuss? Since you have also appeared on such shows as ‘Parks and Recreation’ and ‘CSI,’ is television something you’re interested in pursuing, in addition to films?

JB: I would love to make more films. I prefer acting in movies over television series, but I would do more TV series. I would like to make another comedy film next, as I just finished (acting in, and producing,) a horror movie (‘Tell Me Your Name’). It’s a totally different genre and character from this film, obviously, (laughs) so making another comedy would be great!

Written by: Karen Benardello