Party foul: 'Under the Bridge' takes viewers into the hidden world of young girls accused of murder

Surprises are always around the corner — just ask Vritika Gupta.

The teenager wasn’t prepared for the accolades that stepping into the shoes of Reena Virk would have in the Hulu series “Under the Bridge.”

“For me, originally when I auditioned I had no idea that it was a true story,” Gupta says. “I hadn’t known about the case. I really did feel like I was able to know what Reena was going through.”

Party foul: 'Under the Bridge' takes viewers into the hidden world of young girls accused of murder

The series, which is streaming its entire first season on Hulu, stars Gupta, Lily Gladstone, Chloe Guidry, Javon “Wanna” Walton, Izzy G., Aiyana Goodfellow, Ezra Faroque Khan, Archie Panjabi and Riley Keough.

“Under the Bridge” is based on Rebecca Godfrey’s book about the 1997 true story of 14-year-old Reena Virk, played by Gupta, who went to join friends at a party and never returned home.

Through the eyes of Godfrey, played by Keough, and local police officer Cam Bentland, played by Gladstone, the series takes viewers into the hidden world of the young girls accused of the murder — revealing startling truths about the unlikely killer.

The series was adapted for the screen by Quinn Shephard.

Gladstone picked up an Emmy nomination for her role as Bentland for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie.

Gladstone was touched by the nomination and thanked her cast.

“(The cast), who brought such deep compassion and unmatched talent to telling Reena Virk’s story,” she says. “Every beating heart on screen gave so much of themselves to honor her legacy, and I’d especially like to thank Vritika, Archie and Riley, I’m so inspired by you all.”

The series also marks Gupta’s first TV role.

“There were so many great moments and memories throughout filming,” Gupta says. “I learned so much and I was able to have so much fun.”

Gupta describes Virk as a self-conscious, yet uneasy, bold loner searching for a group of friends she can call her own.

Being able to bring Virk to life on screen was a challenge, yet rewarding for Gupta.

She says the series does a great job at exploring Virk’s life as she tries to escape her strict Jehovah’s Witness household for the far more exciting world of the Seven Oaks Youth Home in Victoria, Canada.

Virk wants to be part of the youth home because there are no parents, few rules and she could be with her friends.

She finds out that her “friends” are part of CMC – the gang of girls from the other side of town.

Gupta says Virk is determined to prove that she’s hardcore in her quest to fit in.

“I really wanted to make sure the audience understood Reena as a rebel,” she says. “Being able to connect my real-life experiences was something that I worked hard to do. I was thankful that I was playing a teenager during my own teen years. I could draw on the feeling of being part of something.”

Gupta did find some common ground with Virk.

“Reena has a soft spot for her uncle,” Gupta says. “When it comes to my uncle, I know I can talk to him about anything. That was something we both had in common.”

Gupta spent time with the script in finding understanding through Virk’s family dynamic.

She also developed her own way to get into Virk’s psyche.

“I made a Reena playlist and I would listen to it to get me into character,” she says. “One of the songs is ‘California Love’ by Tupac. When I heard that song, I could feel my inner Reena coming out.”

Being on set with Gladstone was a dream come true, Gupta says.

“We were able to be on set a lot,” Gupta says. “There were moments when she would give me advice. There are so many layers to what Lily does that I was there to soak it all in.”