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How to Get Away With Murder Set Is Drama-Free: Shonda Rhimes' ''No A--holes'' Policy Is ''Brilliant''

"I think it has changed the face of television," Karla Souza told E! News of the hit ABC series

By Alyssa Toomey Feb 27, 2015 10:09 PMTags
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HOLY, How to Get Away With Murder

That was the only appropriate reaction following last night's season finale when we finally learned who killed Lila Stangard and officially had our minds blown when it was revealed [spoiler alert!] that Rebecca (Katie Findlay) has been murdered in Annalise Keating's (Viola Davis) basement. 

Of course, her shocking death sets the stage for season two—yes, the series has been renewed—but unfortunately, we have awhile to wait before any of our questions are answered. 

So, in the meantime, we caught up with Karla Souza, who plays Laurel on the hit show, to chat about the comradery amongst the cast (spoiler: they actually like each other!) as well as her newfound role model, Cicely Tyson

READ: How To Get Away With Murder's killer speaks!

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"I think it has changed the face of television. Network television, forever, actually," she told E! News of the hit ABC series at the 8th Annual Women in Film celebration last week. "The fact that Viola was able to do that scene with the wig…as she said when she won the SAG [Award]…how women that are like her normally aren't cast as the sexy, mysterious woman, and the fact that ABC has allowed this change to happen." 

She added of HTGAWM: "A lot of the other writing in the show has also been groundbreaking…TV is changing and diversity is now not just the cool thing to do, but it's actually just how it's done." 

Born in Mexico City, Souza's star is most certainly on the rise thanks to the show's popularity, and the 29-year-old actress is clearly honored to work with such notable talent. 

MORE: Viola Davis reveals HTGAWM finale's alternate twist ending

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"I would say Cicely Tyson," she said when asked whom she looks up to in Hollywood. "Now that I've encountered her behind the cameras—because sometimes you have an idea of who the person is…and then you meet them... But she's a woman who I respect, her art and her values and her integrity. And I'm lucky to have a woman like that in this industry." 

During our chat, we also grilled Souza for spoilers, but she remained tight lipped, due in part because she didn't even know how season one would end! 

"They filmed a few alternate endings, so I have no idea which one they chose," she admitted (safe to say she had a similar reaction as us). 

MORE: HTGAWM is officially coming back for season two!

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Viola Davis, Charlie WeberAlfred Enoch, Liza Weil, Jack Falahee, Aja Naomi King and Souza are all expected to return for season two, and while the show may see the cast butting heads on screen, Souza insists they all get along behind the scenes. 

"I think the non-asshole policy that Shonda Rhimes has is brilliant," she said, referencing the showrunner's previous interview with The Hollywood Reporter during which she stated she has a "no a--holes policy" thanks to her infamous fallout with former Grey's Anatomy's star Katherine Heigl. "She [Rhimes] was so clever in picking the people she picked because we all get along and I know that's sort of her mastermind behind the operation, having a team that she picks that she knows is going to get along. We also have a very respectful work ethic…we had to pull the death of Sam throughout nine episodes and it was very taxing for all of us. And so to have all of us take care of each other…it's very nurturing." 

Can't wait for season two! 

PHOTOS: HTGAWM renewed...but what about your other favorite shows?