Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with 1883’s Emma Malouff

Emma Malouff is a rising young talent who has caught the industry’s attention with her uncanny ability to disappear into a character. Earlier this year, she delivered a breakout performance in Ryan Murphy’s Impeachment: American Crime Story, and followed that success landing a coveted role in Taylor Sheridan’s 1883. Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to speak with Emma about her incredible 2021.

PC: How did you discover your passion for acting?
Emma: Ever since I can remember, I have been in love with acting and the art of filmmaking. When I was younger, I would shut myself in my room and transform into the characters I saw on screen, memorizing scenes and creating new ones that I would then play out.

My imagination has always run wild. I was the girl that transported herself to magical worlds during recess. Acting gave me the chance to be whomever I dreamt I could be. I have always loved writing stories and developing characters that meant something to someone, whether that be a courageous superhero fighting for the freedom of her world or a young woman yearning to find herself.

I crave the chance to daydream, tell stories, and play characters that allow audiences to experience a deep level of connection and a sense of wonder and excitement. For twelve years, I studied ballet while taking acting classes on the side. I chased the thrill that came with performing on stage, and finally, I realized that it was the acting side of ballet that I adored so much. So at age fifteen, I moved to Los Angeles for pilot season and never left, falling more and more in love with the art of acting and storytelling.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Emma: Pursuing this career is one big endless adventure, and I am looking forward to all that is in store. I am so thankful to my team and family for their constant support, guidance, and for encouraging me to chase after my aspirations. None of this would have been possible without them.

At the end of the day, my parents have been the biggest influence on my career. They have pushed me to be better and to run faster than I ever thought I could. They ask me the hard questions, challenge me to grow on my own, and speak only the truth into my life. I love my parents with my whole heart, and I am so thankful for them!

PC: You’ve had a lot of success already in your young career. Is there a moment that stands out?
Emma: Does this whole year count? 2021 has been one of my most exciting and challenging years yet. At the beginning of the year, I began filming on Ryan Murphy’s incredible Impeachment: American Crime Story (where I play Allison Tripp, the daughter of Linda Tripp portrayed by the brilliant Sarah Paulson), turned eighteen, moved in with roommates for the first time, started paying bills (adulting at its finest) [laughs], and learned more about myself and who I am than ever before.

I also booked the role of Mary Abel Dutton, niece to Margaret and James Dutton, played by Faith Hill and Tim McGraw in Taylor Sheridan’s 1883. When I glance back on this past year, my heart is filled with so much gratitude for everything and everyone that helped me grow as both an actress and individual. There were definitely a fair amount of tears, questions, growing pains, and discomfort, but also so many laughs, smiles, memories, and experiences I will never forget.

PC: Speaking of 1883, tell us about the series, your character, and what drew you to this project.
Emma: Let me start by saying Taylor Sheridan is an absolute virtuoso. 1883 is one of the most beautiful scripts I have had the privilege to read, and I am forever grateful to have even had the opportunity to audition for Mary Abel, let alone bring her to life on the screen. Taylor’s storytelling is pure poetry, and my time on 1883 was unlike any other. The cast and crew were among some of the most talented and genuine people I have ever met. It was like we were one big family, creating a beautiful, thrilling story together.

1883 is the prequel and origin story of who we now know to be the Dutton family. From my first audition, I could tell this project was something special. When I began working, it surpassed all my dreams and expectations. Mary Abel Dutton is the niece of Margaret and James Dutton, portrayed wonderfully by Faith Hill and Tim McGraw. This story is larger than life, and it follows the journeys of endearing and complex characters including the legend himself Sam Elliott as Shea Brennan, LaMonica Garrett as Thomas, Isabel May as Elsa Dutton, and Dawn Olivieri as Claire Dutton, my on-screen mom.

PC: You were a fan of Yellowstone. Did that bring any pressure heading into 1883?
Emma: When I first discovered Yellowstone, my grandma and I binged all three seasons over just two days. It definitely jumped right into my favorite shows ever list. When I tell you we did nothing but sit, eat snacks, and watch, I’m not kidding. We were absolutely hooked! So, of course, when the opportunity for 1883 came across I was ecstatic for the chance to be part of Taylor’s world. I think having just come off Impeachment and having learned so much there, I was more relaxed and confident for this audition than I would have been without that experience. Certainly, more than I was in past auditions.

PC: What can you tease about Mary Abel’s arc?
Emma: Mary Abel is someone who, I hope, you are going to hate and love all at the same time. She comes from a broken place, so there is a reason behind her actions. She does as her mother says and despises her cousin Elsa and Aunt Margaret for their freedom. Mary Abel is a complex girl who has had more than her share of pain before this journey starts, and I had the most fun embracing her.

PC: You’ve said in previous interviews that Mary Abel is completely different from you. Is that more or less challenging? What was your character development process like?
Emma: Yes! Playing Mary Abel was unlike anything I’ve ever done before. It was a challenge in the best way possible. She is a completely different person from who I am. She is jealous, caustic, and quite frankly very rude, and she is living in a time filled with danger and adventure.

In preparation for this role, I had the privilege of working with a dialect coach, incredible costume designers, hair and make-up artists, and so many more talented individuals who helped me bring Mary Abel to life. There was something so surreal about lacing up my corset, speaking with an accent, and embracing the beautiful scenery and sets that helped me ground myself into my character. I pinch myself at the fact that I will forever be a member of the Dutton family.

PC: You’ve also said that there were many scenes that you had to dig deeper than ever before. How did you prepare for those scenes in particular?
Emma: When I was in elementary school, Laura Ingalls Wilder was one of my favorite authors and her Little House on the Prairie books were among my favorites. My school friends and I used to play Little House on the Prairie every day at recess, reenacting all of the dramatic adventures the Ingalls family survived. I always wondered what it would be like to live in that time, and now I have the slightest glance into that world.

One of the challenges I faced while filming 1883 was the balance between reality and pretend. There was a day where this was particularly difficult. I don’t want to go into too much detail to avoid spoilers, but on this specific day, there were a lot of guns, a lot of horses, and a lot of tears. I had to dig so deep to experience the emotions and fear that Mary Abel was feeling that when we finished filming the scene I cried again for another few minutes to release everything that I had tapped into, slowly trying to get back to reality. Dawn Olivier, who plays my mother, Claire Dutton, was a huge inspiration in my preparation for this scene. Her fearlessness pushed me to dig deeper with each take.

I am so thankful to the amazing cast and crew who hugged me, cried with me, and comforted me in those moments. To have played a piece in the telling of this breathtaking story was an experience I will never forget, and I can hardly wait for audiences to witness the dedication and hard work of the talented cast and crew behind this project. It was an honor to work alongside them and grow as an actress and individual.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Emma: Definitely The Office or Parks and Rec!

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Emma: Anything remotely related to Jane Austen: Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Emma (of course), and this fantastic little gem of a movie called Austenland. If you haven’t seen it let me just say—Keri Russell and Jennifer Coolidge.

PC: Favorite book?
Emma: Where the Crawdads Sing is one of the most beautiful books I have ever read!

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Emma: Phantom of the Opera has been my favorite since I was in middle school!

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Emma: I mostly listen to film scores, but an artist I recently discovered is Laufey. Her voice is so beautiful, and her songs make you feel like you are in a movie.

PC: Dream role?
Emma: My dream role is to either play Audrey Hepburn in a film about her life or to play one of her iconic characters in a remake of one of her films.

To keep up with Emma, follow her on Instagram. Watch 1883 on Paramount+.

Photo Credit: Dylan Perlot