Interview by Carol Wright | Photography: Becky Thurner Braddock
We got to chat with actress Sophie Guest about her role in the Amazon original show Them and what she did to step into her character Doris’ shoes.
You have been acting since a young age. Has performing always been something that came naturally to you?
I would say yes and no. The acting industry kind of found me. My oldest sister used to be a model, and her agent knew she had a younger sister and asked me to audition for Jack Reacher, and I got the part! So, in that way, yes, it came naturally to me!
For my audition for Jack Reacher, I wasn’t aware it was an unusual audition at the time, but when I look back now, I realize how much I’ve learned! The audition was with the casting director Donna Belajac and director Christopher McQuarrie. They asked me how to make blueberry pancakes… and that was the audition! As a 6-year-old, I was eager to answer the question and didn’t think much of it. In retrospect, that was probably the easiest audition I’ve ever had!
Tell our readers a bit about Them and what drew you to the project?
Them is an anthology series that will premiere on April 9th on Amazon Prime Video. Set in the 1950s, the series follows the Emory’s, an African American family as they migrate from the South to East Compton, and the terrors they face on a daily basis upon their move.
What do you do to step into your character Doris’ shoes?
It was all about the way she carried herself. To become her, I would make a shift in my posture and walk. Because Doris was the belle of the ball in the 50s, if you will, she held herself very elegantly. The makeup and costumes helped a lot too. It was much easier to step into character with the pros that are Howard Berger and our costume designer Mari-Ann Ceo on deck.
Them has a full cast of great actors. Did you soak up a lot of knowledge from your co-stars?
Definitely! I mainly worked with Shahadi and Deborah, but it was so cool watching them become their characters. It definitely makes a big difference being on set with such exceptional actors.
The pandemic caused the tv and film industry to press pause and now things seem to be getting back to normal. During this time have you been able to pursue other interests and creative outlets?
Yes! I started to run and play soccer, which was nice to get in the habit of. But I also started to play the guitar! This has been so fun because it not only keeps me busy, but it’s another way of expressing myself creatively.
What advice do you have for aspiring actors?
Don’t give up. The acting industry is tough, and it can tear you down. You face rejection daily, but trust me when I say, you are not alone. Most of the time it isn’t even about your acting abilities! I’ve had several auditions where I don’t get the part because I’m too tall or too far away from the location, but that just means I got another opportunity to meet a casting director who can now keep me in mind for another project down the line.
I watch a lot of interviews that other actors do, and I remember one of them saying “go into every audition like someone you admire or someone who could launch your career is going to see it.” That has helped me a lot in persevering, along with remembering what I’m working towards in the end. Sometimes we forget the bigger picture and get caught up in the little things, so it’s important to check on yourself too and remember why you’re pursuing this career in the first place. For me, that’s being on the big screen one day, and hopefully inspiring some young boy or girl to do the same!