Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with The Flash’s Natalie Sharp

Things are heating up on The Flash, and that’s thanks to actress Natalie Sharp and her character, Sunshine, a supervillain who can harness the sun’s energy to wreak havoc. Making her debut in the recent episode titled “The Exorcism of Nash Wells,” Sunshine made history as the first ever non-DC Comics-inspired metahuman to appear in the series. But as with many who have tried to overtake Central City, Team Flash put that to a streaking halt. Or have they? Pop Culturalist caught up with Natalie to chat about this groundbreaking character and whether we’ve seen the last of Sunshine.

Career

PC: You’re an actress, musician, producer, and writer. How did you discover your passion for the arts?
Natalie: I have always been incredibly impacted by stories and inspired by self-expression. Growing up, when my parents read to me, I would always imagine that I was the protagonist. I always wanted to be the hero in the story, fight off the dragons, and save the princess! It’s really funny to me that I’m currently playing a villain. [laughs] I fell in love with the idea of playing pretend—in someone else’s world, reality—fighting for something bigger than me and experiencing what it would be like to go on that adventure.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Natalie: My parents and all of my teachers and mentors who supported me and guided me along the way. Whether it was a dance instructor, singing coach, or drama teacher, they always pushed me and believed in me. Their passion was extremely motivating and fed into my own. It really made me feel like the arts were my whole world growing up, and I thank them for giving me that.

PC: You’ve had a lot of success already in your career. When you look back, is there a particular moment that stands out?
Natalie: I was in university at the time, and I was completely absorbed in the university life—sorority, classes, homework, parties—and then I get this audition to play Ria in the Untitled Jason Alexander Project. My first question was “Who is Jason Alexander?” It was quite embarrassing! I am going over the audition in class, reading the pilot in class, getting overwhelmed by my song choice and what I should wear, while also trying to study for finals and write however many essays, and I realized, “Wow, Natalie. You are stressed. But also, you aren’t daydreaming anymore. You are actually doing it.” I went straight from class, learning about how to audition, to an audition in Hollywood, reading opposite Jason Alexander and singing for a room full of producers and writers. In that moment, it felt like I had made it. I’ll remember that feeling forever.

The Flash

PC: You recently debuted on The Flash as the first non-DC Comics-inspired metahuman. Were there any nerves heading into that project, given the milestone?
Natalie: I was more excited than nervous. The Flash is such a fun show, and I knew I would be given the liberty to really play. The fact that I get my own villain name, suit, and powers is definitely a dream! I also didn’t have the pressure of matching a character from the comics; getting to create the character from scratch was such a fun creative process. I couldn’t wait to get started. But also, I get to work with Grant Gustin? Pinch me.

PC: What should audiences know about Millie/Sunshine?
Natalie: Millie is ex-military. She was in the special operations and therefore is very tactical and is an incredibly skilled fighter, which makes her a force to be reckoned with as Sunshine. Now Sunshine, her villain persona, is sadistic, playful, and a wee bit on the cocky side. I like to call her the “Human Microwave” because she harnesses energy from sunlight and can, well, burn people alive.

PC: How did you prepare to play Millie/Sunshine? As an actress, is it more fun to play the villain? Is there more freedom?
Natalie: It was so exciting to feel like there was a real collaborative process in creating Sunshine. I was on set for a week before actually shooting for makeup and hair trials, wardrobe fittings, and so I was getting ideas for the role piece by piece. Having had those discussions, and the visual in my mind, there was nothing to really question. I could focus entirely on the character and not have to worry if my ideas would clash with the rest of the team.

Villains are fun because they are naturally already outside of the box. As an actor, I think it is easier to give yourself the artistic liberty to make bolder choices when you know you aren’t playing a normal real-world character. There was also a lot to think about in creating her, which expanded my whole world of thought: her costume, how she moves in it, style of fighting, her powers and how it makes her feel when she uses them, knowing her backstory of being in the military, thinking about Millie’s purpose and how she fell off of the hero path. Having all of this information really helped me decide on her tics, motivation, and personality.

PC: At the end of your episode, we see that the Flash and Killer Frost help capture Sunshine. Is that the last that we’ve seen of her? What can you tease about her arc?
Natalie: Just make sure you grab some good ole SPF.

To keep up with Natalie, follow her on Twitter and Instagram, and catch new episodes of The Flash every Tuesday at 8/7c on the CW.

Photo Credit: Bobby Quillard Photography