Exclusive Interview: Malachi Barton and Freya Skye Talk ‘Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires,’ Joining the Iconic Franchise, and More

The Zombies franchise is hitting the road. In the fourth installment of the hit Disney series, Zed (Milo Manheim) and Addison (Meg Donnelly) set out on a summer trip that quickly takes a turn when they end up at a camp caught in the middle of a new monster rivalry: Daywalkers vs. Vampires. What was supposed to be a break from the chaos turns into another challenge to bring peace between supernatural groups—this time with even more at stake.

Joining the story are Nova and Victor, two strong-willed newcomers on opposite sides of the conflict. Played by Freya Skye and Malachi Barton, the characters push each other to question everything they’ve known. With help from familiar faces like Eliza (Kylee Russell) and Willa (Chandler Kinney), they’ll have to figure out whether it’s possible to move past old grudges—or risk losing everything.

Pop Culturalist sat down with Malachi and Freya to talk about joining the Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires universe, working alongside Milo and Meg, and what it was like stepping into roles that carry the franchise forward. They also shared their favorite scenes, the lessons they took away from the experience, and what they hope fans connect with most.

PC: Malachi, Nova sees Victor as a leader and believes in him, even when he struggles to believe in himself. Has there been someone in your own life who’s done that for you—held space for your growth and potential? Did you channel that into their dynamic?
Malachi: That’s a tough one. My pops. I love my dad. We’ve always had such a close relationship. I’ve looked up to him for as long as I can remember. Both my parents have always been in my corner—they’ve been such a great support system. So I’ll say my mom and my dad. But on a brother level, I’m going to say my pops.

PC: Love that. Freya, Nova’s journey is so much about carving out her own identity beyond what her parents expect from her—a journey I think so many young kids will relate to. What did stepping into her shoes teach you? And what do you hope audiences take away?
Freya: Wow. Honestly, I feel like I learned so much from stepping into her shoes and seeing the world through her eyes—especially the way she has big hopes and dreams for her people. She’s willing to think beyond herself and beyond the fear and prejudice she’s been taught toward vampires. That was really inspiring to me: questioning the norm and challenging the way we’ve been conditioned to think.

I hope what people take away from Nova’s journey is that if there’s something they feel passionate about, they should follow their heart. That’s something Nova really struggles with—asking herself, “Do I do this, or do I do what I’ve been told is the right thing?” But if it’s something you believe in deeply and it feels right in your heart, then that’s what you’re meant to do.

PC: That’s such a powerful message for audiences of all ages. Malachi, Zombies 4 feels like Milo and Meg are passing the torch to the two of you. What has it been like being part of this franchise? Did you learn anything from working alongside them?
Malachi: It was amazing. I’m so, so grateful to be a part of this franchise—it was such a great experience. Meg and Milo are both incredibly talented, and they know this world inside and out.

I keep trying to think of one specific piece of advice, but honestly, it was more about the continuous lessons I picked up from them on set. They’re like older versions of us—they were our age when they filmed Zombies 1 and 2, so they’ve gone through a lot of the same things, both on set and in life. They’ve always been there for us, and I’ve known them for a really long time, so it’s been really cool to have this full-circle moment. Getting to come back and work on a project together—getting creative with creative people—it doesn’t get better than that.

PC: The torch has been passed to the two of you—and you more than hold your own. Freya, this is your biggest role to date. Congratulations, by the way—you’re such a scene-stealer. What was the most surprising part of this experience? The film feels like such an elevated version of Zombies. What scene are you most excited for audiences to see?
Freya: Wow. There are so many different scenes. This film is a bit of an emotional roller coaster—there are a lot of highs and lows and so many layers to it. One scene that really holds a special place in my heart is the one with me and Julian [Lerner]. It was the first time I felt like I’d fully lost myself in a scene. Acting alongside him, I was just so present in the moment.

I remember a producer came up to me and said, “In this take, get angry and frustrated with him. Lean in as much as you can.” And I did—I really took that on. It was the moment I felt most connected to Nova. But there are so many others. The “Dreams Come True” scene, right before we sing the song, is another favorite. It’s such a sweet moment where we’re all being really vulnerable. That one was amazing too. Honestly, the whole film was an incredible opportunity—getting to do my first movie, and for it to be Zombies 4, which is such a beloved franchise, was surreal. I’m so grateful for how welcoming the fans have been and how much fun the entire experience was.

Make sure to follow Malachi (Instagram) and Freya (Instagram). Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires premieres on July 10th on Disney Channel and next day on Disney+.