Pop-Culturalist.com

Sam Littlefield is a fresh face in Hollywood who’s making major strides on the small and silver screen. Last year, he landed his breakout role as Jonathan Cartwright, a.k.a. Mouse, in the CW’s Batwoman, terrorizing the citizens of Gotham City as a member of the Wonderland Gang. His transformative performance caught the eye both of audiences around the world and of the writers, who eagerly expanded his arc on the show.

On the film front, Sam is one of the stars, writers, and producers of the indie film Mother’s Little Helpers, which follows four estranged children who return home to do right by a mother who has always done them wrong.

Pop Culturalist caught up with Sam to chat about both projects and his career.

Career

PC: How did you discover your passion for the arts?
Sam: I come from a family that appreciated and loved the arts. My parents were big Deadheads, and my grandmother was this incredible opera singer that had a debilitating stammer. She taught me about music and poetry. I wrote a play when I was in third grade called How Magic Came to Be, and that led me to a professional production of Nine, the musical. From there, one thing led to another, and I moved out to Los Angeles when I was eighteen. I’ve been working on it ever since.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Sam: I would say my grandmother. She really emphasized the importance of the arts.

PC: In addition to your on-screen work, you’re also a director, producer, and writer. How has your work behind the scenes made you a stronger actor and vice versa?
Sam: Working all areas of production helps you understand where everyone else is coming from. It allows you to be a better team player and see it from the other person’s perspective. It gives you a more in-depth language to communicate with others. I feel like it helps people understand you better.

PC: Having been a part of the industry since you were eighteen, what’s one thing you know now that you wish you knew when you started your career?
Sam: To trust myself and my instincts. When I was younger, there was a lot of people-pleasing going on. You do one take and you’re like a little puppy with your tongue hanging out, waiting for someone to tell you that you did a good job. I’ve learned to listen to myself more. When something feels right and I feel like I’m telling the story, that’s the only thing that matters.

Mother’s Little Helpers

PC: Your new film, Mother’s Little Helpers, is out on demand. Tell us about the film, your character, and what attracted you to this project.
Sam: It’s a strangely relevant film. It’s about four adult millennials who go home and are stuck in isolation with their boomer mother who is dying, and they’re all losing their minds. It’s really strange that it’s coming out now. I feel like it’s speaking to the experience that the world is having right now. But what really interested me was the people involved in it. Kestrin Pantera, our director, put together the coolest group of people. We’ve been on this journey for now coming up on two years. I love absolutely every person that was a part of this project. I’m so proud of everybody’s work. Everyone brought their A game. We all came up with something that I think everyone universally is proud of.

PC: You’ve said in previous interviews that it was a “bring yourself, bring what you have” atmosphere. Tell us about that process and the biggest takeaway from this project.
Sam: Kestrin called me one week before and she said, “I want to make a movie. I’m just doing construction on my house. I’m losing my mind. I can’t pay you anything. Are you in?” [laughs] I was like, “Sure. Let’s do this!” We ended up shooting in Milana Vayntrub’s house, which became our hub and our home. But it was one week of production. It was eight days of filming with no script. We made it up as we went along. The biggest takeaway was the power of true collaboration. Everyone’s commitment was to the story and not to themselves. I feel like when you watch the film, you feel that. Everyone inspired one another to do that. I’m really proud of it. I love this movie.

PC: Mother’s Little Helpers has made its way around the festival circuit and been well received. What do you think is resonating with audiences the most?
Sam: In every devastating moment in our loves, there’s always somebody that’s going to break out laughing inappropriately. I feel like that’s the crux of what this film is about. It’s about finding that humor—the humor in the devastation and in the loss.

Batwoman

PC: You’re also starring as Mouse in Batwoman. As we approach the end of Season 1, is there anything you can tease about your character and his arc?
Sam: I’m really looking forward to what audiences are about to discover in Mouse. He’s gone through a real journey this season, coming to terms with his past and discovering himself in so many ways. I love what the writers came up with for the end leg of this journey.

PC: Did you feel any pressure heading into the project, given the fact that you’re joining the DC family and there were high expectations for the series?
Sam: I was originally only supposed to be in two episodes. I was lucky enough to have the writers continue to write for Mouse. I was a little naïve to the whole world of the DC Universe and these comics. In a way, that helped me. But along the way, I’ve come to realize how high these stories are held. I try not to let pressure dictate my life. If I did that, I wouldn’t be able to get out of bed. So all I can do is try and honor it the best I can. But it’s pretty nutty that I ended up being in this world with a character that is pretty significantly featured but never existed before until now.

PC: If the series is picked up for a second season, where would you like to see Mouse’s storyline head?
Sam: I feel like audiences see Mouse as unlovable. I’d love to see him find a love interest. I’d like to see the evolution of a human in whatever ways that might be. When you meet him, he’s an overgrown child who hasn’t learned to be a real human outside of his relationship with Alice. It’s a compelling journey to see somebody come into their own.

PC: What’s surprised you most about Mouse or your journey with the show?
Sam: I guess what’s surprised me is my relationship with Rachel Skarsten. She’s such a lovely, generous, giving scene partner. We really became partners in crime. You never know what you’re getting on a show and who you’re working with. There are so many different personality types in our industry. I think whenever someone enters a project, they feel a bit guarded. You have to see what the climate is like. Rachel was there for me. I mean, this is a big experience being in this big-budget, nutty world of Gotham.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Sam: RuPaul’s Drag Race

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Sam: Waiting for Guffman

PC: Favorite book?
Sam: I just finished Man’s Search for Meaning. It was pretty awesome. I also read Hillary Clinton’s What Happened. Winter’s Bone—I really love that book.

PC: Favorite play or musical
Sam: I love Nine, the musical. I love Tommy, the musical. Jesus Christ Superstar really is great. And for plays, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Sam: Grateful Dead. I’ve been to over thirty Grateful Dead concerts with my dad before he passed.

PC: Who would play you in the story of your life?
Sam: Tilda Swinton

To keep up with Sam, follow him on Instagram. Watch Mother’s Little Helpers today.

Photo Credit: Nic Padron