Interview by ALLIE KING
Sadie Stanley, American actress, is no stranger to action, as the star of the Kim Possible reboot. Now, with training in fighting and stunts under her belt, Stanley takes the lead in recent Netflix film, The Sleepover. You can also see Stanley in Season 2 of the award-winning Netflix show Dead To Me, and The Goldbergs.
AK: First, I’d like to recognize that we are currently living unprecedented times, including the COVID-19 pandemic and civil unrest in our country. How are you holding up? How do times like these affect you creatively?
SS: Honestly, I just feel really grateful to be in the position that I’m in. I got to slow down and spend some time back home in South Carolina with my family and it was really nice. Looking back, I got to be there for my family during some important life-moments and I wouldn’t take that back. It also renewed a sense of creative freedom and expression in me. I was creating just for the fun of it, not to meet a particular goal or deadline. Just for myself, because I enjoy it. Painting, writing, singing, playing piano and guitar were things that I didn’t set enough time aside for before. I also just feel incredibly excited and thankful to be working again. I’ve missed it so much, and I appreciate every day on set even more now.
AK: You did theatre productions growing up. What originally drew you to acting when you were so young? With multiple acclaimed projects under your belt, is it what you thought it was going to be? How has your relationship with the profession changed?
SS: I was actually a pretty shy kid, but something about singing and performing in general really excited me. I got started in my school plays as early as kindergarten and it just progressed from there. I joined a small local community theatre and I loved every second of it. I started watching a lot of film and television, especially with my dad. I became obsessed with different actors and movies and would watch hours of behind the scenes videos to see what the process of filming was like. It all felt so magical and beautiful and I wanted to be a part of it so badly. In some ways, I still feel that way. I still feel like it’s a magical beautiful thing to create something special with other people, whatever that may be. I try to keep that excitement I felt in the beginning; that hopefulness and naivety I had when I first started out. However it is different now, but maybe in a good way. I understand the world and the industry now. I know the good and the bad and how to navigate that. I still love it just as much. I don’t think that will ever go away.
AK: Your first LA audition was for the live-action remake of Kim Possible, which you got! What did you learn from Kim Possible being your breakthrough role? How has it affected your performance since?
SS: I knew close to nothing about acting or filming before I did Kim Possible. It was my first job, my first time on set as a real actor with lines to say or a character to portray so it was very overwhelming. I just soaked it all in. I knew I had to get my footing quickly and I did my best to be what I thought a lead actress was supposed to be. Looking back, I had so much growing to do. I’m proud of that project and my work in it, but I have learned so much since, even though it was only a few years ago. I’ll hold that experience in my heart for the rest of my life. Everything I’ve done since has been building upon the foundation of that work.
AK: You have also joined the cast for a few different television shows — as a guest-star or recurring actress — including, The Goldbergs, Room 104, and Dead To Me. Are these shows that you were a fan of previously? Is it a challenge fulfilling the role of a new character in an established series?
SS: I was a huge fan of Season 1 of Dead To Me. So I couldn’t have been more excited to get to join the cast of Season 2, even for a few episodes. I had never seen any of Room 104 before I booked that role. And I had been a fan of The Goldbergs for a while because of Sean Giambrone. It’s definitely a different experience to jump into the middle of an already established show. You kind of just have to figure out what your character’s role in the story: What they are there to do and how they move the story along. It’s always super fun, especially when you are joining a cast and crew who are welcoming and warm which has always been the case for me thankfully.
AK: In just two years, you have had a ton of projects come out. Are you able to take time to celebrate your accomplishments? How do you celebrate the wrap of filming or a release? How was this different releasing The Sleepover during COVID-19 restrictions?
SS: That’s a tricky question. Practically speaking, I definitely take those moments to celebrate what I’ve done. My friends and family always help with that. I have such a great support system that is always excited for me and any of my projects. I think, mentally, I tend to move quickly, always thinking about what’s coming next and what I can do better. Sometimes I have to remind myself how far I’ve already come and to be proud of that. I had to kind of rethink the way I pictured the release of The Sleepover. It was obviously very different with no premiere or in-person press but again, I just feel so lucky. I just hope it can bring an ounce of joy to people during this hard time.
AK: You are clearly drawn to action and comedy. Do you have a favorite between these two genres? Do you see yourself exploring other genres in the future?
SS: Yes, I love comedy and action! However, it’s kind of funny that the majority of movies I watch in my free time don’t necessarily fall into this category. I’m super into psychological thrillers, dramas, artistic indies — That sort of thing. So I’d love to branch out into other genres, for sure. But comedies and action movies are so much fun to film, so I can’t complain.
AK: What about The Sleepover script and the role of Clancy excited you originally?
SS: The first time I read The Sleepover script, I laughed out loud, which is rare when reading a script for me. I really loved the dynamic between the four kids and how their different personalities complemented each other. I loved the character arc that Clancy goes through in the film. She reminded me of my younger, early-high school self. She’s reserved and a little insecure, but she has this passion for performing and music bubbling inside. She’s just so scared to take that leap and put herself out there. I think that’s something a lot of people can relate to. But when I read the script, her and her specific story just really struck a chord with me. I’ve been there. I got through it.
AK: Clancy, your character in The Sleepover, has an internal battle over bravery. Ultimately, she steps into the role needed to save the day. Do you think it is important for films to create strong female roles and show females, like Clancy and Margot, be the heroes?
SS: Absolutely. That’s one of my favorite things about this film. It’s full of heroic female leading characters. It’s also written by a woman and directed by a woman. I think it’s so important to continue to show female characters like these saving the day, calling the shots, being brave, and inspiring, but also being real. It’s only authentic when you can see all the different layers to a person, specifically a woman. They aren’t just one thing — brave, smart, etc. My favorite thing to see in a character is real depth and dimension. I think it’s especially important for people to see that in female characters because we haven’t always gotten that.
AK: I enjoyed this film so much. One thing that stood out to me while watching was how much fun it looked like you all were having. What was your favorite scene to film? Least favorite?
SS: This might sound crazy, but I think one of the scenes I’m thinking of was both my favorite and least favorite to film. The scene when we arrive at the dock after swimming in the harbor was a very interesting one to shoot. It was freezing in Boston at night and we were drenched. In between takes, we’d get hosed down, even more, to make sure we looked like we really had just come out of the water. I have never been colder in my life. I’m not exaggerating. It was kind of miserable but also a huge bonding experience for the four kids. When we were done we felt like we had really been through something together and we all laugh about it now. Another scene I love — which was cut down a lot for time — was the scene between Clancy and Mim walking down the tunnel. They have a really sweet heart-to-heart and Mim is such a good friend to Clancy. It was just a nice one to film, especially because Cree is amazing.
AK: What kind of preparation goes into the action roles you have taken on? Both Kim Possibleand The Sleepover have a lot of impressive action scenes.
SS: I did a lot of stunts and fight training for Kim Possible. The actions scene were much more demanding, so my work in The Sleepover felt like a breeze. I love doing the stunts. It’s one of my favorite things about the movies I’ve done.
AK: In your time in the industry, you have already worked with a variety of seasoned actors: Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini, both Emmy-nominated for Dead To Me. As well as Malin Akerman, Joe Manganiello and Ken Marino. What do you learn from working with them? Have they given you any advice that stands out to you?
SS: I felt like I learned a lot from working with Malin, Ken and Joe. They are all such leaders and set the tone every day on set. Working with Ken was essentially a masterclass in comedy and improv. Malin was warm, nurturing and had amazing advice about the future of my career. She’s such a generous person and actress and I look up to her a lot. I really just wanted to soak up as much of the experience as I could, and hopefully be able to hold my own on a set with such established actors. The same goes for Christina Applegate. She absolutely hilarious and a lovely person to work with.
AK: What can we look forward to from Let Us In? Is it similar or different from what we have seen you in thus far?
SS: Let Us In is a little different than some of my other projects. It’s a sci-fi thriller, based on an old folklore about something called The Black-Eyed Kids. It was a kind of last-minute, fun project I got to throw in and was super fun.
Quick Questions
AK: Your current favorite album?
SS: That’s such a hard one. I’ll always love “Pony” by Rex Orange County. Recently, I’m into Dominic Fikes new album “What Could Possibly Go Wrong.” Corinne Bailey Rae’s first album. “Circles” by Mac Miller. I can’t choose. I’m terrible at quick questions because I’m a relatively indecisive person but I’m going to try!
AK: Quarantine hobbies?
SS: Painting/sketching/crafts, piano, guitar, decorating my apartment, online shopping — oops! On a different note, I’ve been setting aside time to educate myself about the history of white supremacy and systemic racism in America. It’s important to me to be engaging in the fight against certain social injustices happening in the world right now and doing what I can to help.
AK: What is one book you would like to be turned into a film, that hasn’t already?
SS: “I Am Still Alive” by Kate Alice Marshall
AK: What actors inspired you from a young age?
SS: Jennifer Lawrence, Shailene Woodley, Woody Harrelson, James McAvoy, Uma Thurman, and so many more.
AK: What is the first thing you want to do when COVID-19 restrictions are lifted?
SS: Maybe an amusement park. Maybe travel somewhere far away and explore. Working on more sets. Creating things with people.
AK: What is the last thing you binge-watched?
SS: Love Island UK
AK: What are your cat’s names?
SS: Gobble and Copa! I kept the names they were given in the shelter.
AK: If you got another cat today, what would you name it?
SS: I’ve always thought it would be funny to name a cat chicken. Though I already call Copa that sometimes. Probably something silly. I’d need to see what they looked like lol.
AK: What is next for you?
SS: Next is Season 8 of The Goldbergs. I went back to work on that a few weeks ago and feeling so grateful. A few other things are in the works but we will see. Just living and experiencing as much of life as I can. I’m so excited about the future and what’s to come.