Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Them’s Sophie Guest

Sophie Guest has emerged as one of the most exciting young actresses of her generation. This year, she’s blowing audiences away starring opposite Deborah Ayorinde, Ashley Thomas, Shahadi Wright Joseph, and Melody Hurd in Amazon’s critically acclaimed horror anthology series Them. Set in 1953, the series follows a family who moves from North Carolina to an all-white, tree-lined, seemingly idyllic Los Angeles neighborhood. The family’s west coast dream quickly turns into a nightmare plagued by malevolent forces that are both real and supernatural.

Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to chat with Sophie about getting her start in the industry, how she prepared to play a character who’s completely different than her, and we learned about an exciting project coming out soon.

Career

PC: How did you discover your passion for acting?
Sophie: I was around six or seven years old when I first started. My oldest sister, Megan, who’s twenty-five now, used to model here in Pittsburgh when she was around my age. Her agent knew she had a younger sister. They asked me to audition for a film here and I ended up getting the role as “Little Girl” in Jack Reacher.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Sophie: That’s a great question. The person who’s had the biggest impact on my career was definitely my mom. She’s been with me through all of this. She’s always been my right-hand woman. She’s supported me through all of this.

The film that’s had the biggest impact on me is definitely Jack Reacher. I learned so much from that set. For example, on my first day, my mom and I were in the hair and makeup trailer. I was getting my hair done. I was six at the time. I didn’t know what was going on. I was just there for the ride. This little girl walks in. She looked around my age. We were wearing the exact same clothes. I started to get scared. I thought they had fired me! My mom thought the same thing. [laughs] I asked the girl who was doing my hair, “Am I not going to be in the movie?” She was like, “No, honey, that’s your body double.” [laughs] I was like, “Oh my gosh. That’s great.” I thought I was getting kicked out, but of course, I wasn’t. That’s a funny story.

PC: That’s a great story. You’ve had a lot of success already in your young career. When you look back, is there a particular moment that stands out to you?
Sophie: Something that stands out is The Great One. It was my first lead. It’s not out yet. It’s in post-production. It’s the first time that I truly felt like an actress. There was a scene where I’m crying. I’m bawling at my dad and he’s trying to calm me down. While preparing for that scene, I truly became the character. I didn’t realize I was doing it at the time, but that was probably the moment when I was like, “Wow. I’m an actress.”

Them

PC: You’ve got a new series out now. Tell us about us Them, your character, and what drew you to this project.
Sophie: Them is an anthology series on Amazon Prime. It follows the Emorys, who are an African American family who migrate from the South to East Compton, and all the terrors they face on a daily basis.

My character, Doris, befriends Ruby Lee, the daughter in the Emory family. She becomes her first friend at high school. I’m the quintessential California girl. But I’m not as nice as I seem.

When I first auditioned for the role, I only got a brief character description. I got the sides, but I didn’t get the script. After I auditioned, I learned more about the project. I got the full script and it really intrigued me—the idea of playing this person, this manipulative girl. It isn’t who I am, so that really intrigued me.

PC: When you’re playing a character who’s so different from you, is that easier or more difficult? What is that preparation like?
Sophie: It’s a lot more fun. It’s fun being someone you’re not. It’s like you’re playing dress-up. It’s like you’re playing house or something like you would when you were younger.

As far as preparation, it involves understanding that I’m not this person—I’m not manipulative—and so I separate the character from the actor.

PC: This is your first big horror project. Did anything surprise you about the experience? What was the biggest takeaway?
Sophie: I learned a lot about the ’50s, segregation, and racial inequality. Of course, I knew about that already, but I fully dived into it. I learned so much about racial covenants, redlining, and inequality, and how terrifying it is that it’s still in effect today.

PC: In addition to Them, you have a couple of other projects that you’re working on. Are there any you can talk about at this time?
Sophie: For sure! In between episodes of Them, I worked on a film with Sadie Sink called Dear Zoe. That’s set to come out later this summer. I’m excited for everyone to see that.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Sophie: Probably The Office. I’ve watched it so many times. I know it by heart.

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Sophie: I’m a sucker for rom-coms: 13 Going on 30 and Clueless.

PC: Favorite book?
Sophie: I read this book called Along the Infinite Sea by Beatriz Williams. It’s so good. It took me to a different time. I loved it so much.

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Sophie: Wicked for sure. I got to see it from the front row when it came to Pittsburgh. It was such a cool experience.

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Sophie: I love Mac Miller.

PC: Dream role?
Sophie: That’s such a good question. I’m not sure. I don’t know what the future holds, but as of now, probably something in a coming-of-age film.

To keep up with Sophie, follow her on Instagram. Watch Them on Amazon Prime today.

Photo Credit: Becky Thurner Braddock