Photographer Antoine Verglas
Emily, Sunfish has been hailed as a refreshingly nuanced portrayal of
growing pains. Robin, your character, is a sister on the verge of a big
life transition. What was it about her that you found so compelling, and
how did you tap into that quiet, poignant energy?
Oh boy, there was so much about Robin that I found compelling. What stood
out most to me was her kindness and the deep love she has for her
sister…that’s something I connected to right away when I read the script.
She has this quiet, steady presence that felt really refreshing to embody. In
real life, I’m not as calm, so stepping into her composed, almost serene
energy was actually a grounding experience for me as an actor. It wasn’t so
much about manufacturing that quietness as it was about letting myself lean
into her stillness and the strength that comes from it.
There’s a certain magic in the way Sunfish captures the unsung beauty
of everyday moments. Was there a particular scene or line in the film
that made you pause and reflect long after the cameras stopped
rolling?
It’s interesting because we didn’t shoot at the same time as the other
vignettes, so while I read the whole script, I only got to be there while we
filmed our vignette. And in ours, the fight that happens and Blue storms out
really stayed with me. It reminded me that arguments are rarely about the
object or the thing at hand; there’s almost always something deeper
underneath. That really made me reflect on how often in life we forget that.
Sierra Falconer’s direction feels almost intimate, like we’re invited to
witness these characters' most vulnerable moments. How did you and
Sierra collaborate to create such a tender, yet quietly powerful
atmosphere on set?
Yes, totally. Sierra created such a wonderful playground where it felt like we
could just exist with her already great writing. The way she communicated
was simple, clear, and incredibly grounding, which truly goes such a long
way. Nothing ever felt forced or overly ‘directed.’ From the moment you
stepped onto set, the atmosphere she cultivated was calm and beautiful, and
because of that, things flowed so organically. It never felt like acting, it felt
like living in those moments.
This film embraces the unspoken and the unsung—how do you
think Sunfish reinvents the coming-of-age genre, especially for an audience
that’s saturated with flashy, plot-driven stories?
Oh, that’s such a good question. Sunfish never tries to be flashy or in your
face…it really allows the audience to take what they need from each story.
What’s so beautiful is that every vignette feels relatable in its own way,
because you’re simply watching people at different stages of life move
through these moments. I think that’s where it reinvents the coming-of-age
genre. Usually, we see a character’s full arc neatly tied together, but here
you’re just dropped into a period of different people’s lives. And that feels so
true to reality because not everything resolves perfectly.
In A Merry Little Ex-Mas, you share the screen with two iconic
stars: Alicia Silverstone and Oliver Hudson. How did their presence influence the chemistry between your characters, and how did you all navigate the delicate balance of comedy and family tension?
Oh boy, I mean, both of them are just incredible to work with, and I learned
so much. Alicia and Oliver each brought such a unique energy, but what they
shared was this ability to create a really safe, fun space for everyone to play
and explore. That made it easy for us to take risks, try new things, and find
those little moments that made the comedy and the family dynamics feel sonatural. The set had such a light, collaborative atmosphere that the balance
almost happened organically.
Holiday rom-coms usually embrace the glittery chaos of the
season, but A Merry Little Ex-Mas has a bit more of an emotional tug
beneath the surface. What was your approach to layering those deeper
moments amidst the chaos?
Well, I work with this amazing coach, Warner Loughlin, who really helped me
find the freedom within the comedy while still staying grounded in Sienna as
a human being. We build out her whole backstory and do these memories
you make up in your imagination, which is so helpful. And because we
improvised a lot on this set, and Steve Carr, the director, created such a
collaborative environment that allowed for that silliness to thrive I feel like
knowing who Sienna is on a foundational level really helped me.
After diving into the nuanced, almost poetic world of Sunfish, stepping
into the holiday rom-com genre is quite the shift. How do you find
balance between playing Robin’s grounded, emotional depth in Sunfish
and the lighter, comedic tone of your A Merry Little Ex-Mas role?
I love exploring different genres. It’s so fun! And this movie actually made
me want to explore comedy more. For me, ultimately, it’s about letting go of
ego to really allow myself permission to really play. I also treat each project
as practice, which keeps me open to dropping into very different tones,
whether it’s the grounded depth of Sunfish or the lighter energy of A Merry
Little Ex-Mas.
You’ve carved out a niche for yourself across film and television—Loot,
Wrong Numbers, Leverage: Redemption. Each project feels distinct,
yet your performances are always compelling. What draws you to roles
that defy easy categorization?
Thank you, that’s so kind. For me, it always comes down to story and
character. I’m drawn to roles that spark ideas about who a character is
beyond the page, so their past, their relationships, and how they navigate
the world. I love exploring how different people respond under different
circumstances, and that variety keeps me excited about roles that don’t fit
neatly into one box.
With so much creative range under your belt already, what kind of characters or worlds are you itching to explore next? Is there a particular genre or creative direction you’ve yet to venture into that excites you?
Oof, that’s a good question. I don’t like to limit myself…I get curious about
all kinds of roles and love a challenge. But I’d especially love to dive into a
darker series that’s really centered on character exploration.
