NEED TO KNOW
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Danielle Fishel played Topanga Lawrence on the show «Boy Meets World» from 1993 to 2000.
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In a new documentary about the series and an accompanying podcast Pod Meets World The 45-year-old actress reflects on her professional decisions after the show ended.
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Fishel recalls that at 19, she was unsure whether she should pursue an acting career.
As a teenager, Danielle Fishel played the role of Topanga Lawrence.
The actress, now 45, landed the role when she was just 12 years old. The series «Boy Meets World» aired from 1993 to 2000, and she was 19 years old when filming ended. Her co-stars, Will Friedle and Rider Strong, call Fishel "the most changed" in the new documentary,« Doc Meets World» , which chronicles the trio's tour in support of their podcast,« Pod Meets World» .
«"By the end of the series «Boy Meets World» "We really grew apart. I think Danielle was going through a period of instability as a person. I felt like she was like a little sister to me, someone I needed to distance myself from," Strong recalls in the documentary.
Fishel explains: «When I finished filming in the TV series "Boy Meets World"« In 1999, I had no idea where I would be two years later, much less where I would be 30 years later.".
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Danielle Fishel in 2003. Photo: SGranitz/WireImage.
Friedl tells Fischel: "She was always on a new journey. She was a different person. I've known many Danielles. They were all necessary for her to become who she is today.".
«"Meeting you during filming of the series "Girl Meets World"« »It was a completely different experience than it is now,” he added, and the actress agreed.
«"No, I've lived many lives. And I've liked them all. Well, some more than others.".
In a conversation with her mother, Jennifer Fishel, they discuss what happened to the young actress after the original series ended in 2000.
«"Basically, I spent seven years in the entertainment industry knowing nothing, and if I hadn't been a teenager but an adult, I really could have used those seven years to understand how the industry works. But I didn't," she shared.
«"I felt like I didn't know how to act. I knew how to play Topanga the way Michael liked. And then the show ended, and I didn't realize, 'No, now is the time to keep auditioning.'".
Jennifer noted, "I tried to explain it to you. I tried to explain it because you didn't want to do anything. You didn't want to audition, and I just said, 'Danielle, you have to strike while the iron is hot.'".
Fishel admitted she didn't remember the moment, adding, "I was completely exhausted.".
«"I didn't want to do it at all. I don't think I felt bad… I just didn't feel comfortable on set. I don't think any of us felt like we were enjoying what we were doing," she explained.
«"And so I think if the experience of filming the last few seasons had been different, maybe I would have been more excited. But I just thought, 'I don't even know if I like this.'".
Daniel Fishel, 1999. Photo: Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty.
During a recent interview with PEOPLE, Fishel was asked what she would tell her 12-year-old self when she was competing on Season 1 if she could go back in time.
She replied, «I guess what I would say is, first of all, this moment, this opportunity to play Topanga in the series "Boy Meets World"« It feels just as powerful now as it does now. When I found out I was going to play Topanga, I was like, «What? This is going to change my life.» And it really did. And it really did. It literally changed my entire life. This moment is as important as I feel it is, so yeah, celebrate how you do it, live it, enjoy it, be proud of it.».
«"But secondly, your acting career won't be your only identity. You'll have many roles at different stages of your life, and they won't just be acting roles. In fact, there will only be two, and both will be related to Topanga," she laughed.
She continued, "But your career will have many stages and changes, so you shouldn't get stuck in one place. And I think that's exactly what I would do.".
World premiere film "Doctor Meets World"« will premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on Saturday, June 6.
Read the original article on People.