Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with V Wars’ Kimberly-Sue Murray

At the age of nine, Kimberly-Sue Murray was bitten by the performance bug. Since then, she’s built a thriving career with credits including Shadowhunters, Being Human, Rookie Blue, Killjoys, and Designated Survivor, along with dozens of others. Currently, she’s sinking her teeth into Danika Dubov in Netflix’s V Wars and we chatted with her about the role.

Career

PC: How did you discover your passion for acting?
Kimberly-Sue: I was always performing as a kid, as I started dancing and figure skating at age four. One day, I was playing with my cousin and she told me that those people on TV are actually professional actors pretending, and that just blew my mind. That day, I decided to be an actor and I’ve never questioned it. My mom did admit to me last year that she thought it was a phase and that I’d grow out of. Boy, was she wrong!

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Kimberly-Sue: My brother really inspired me when I first started my career and was struggling with daily rejection. He always wanted to go to med school but was rejected a handful of times. He didn’t have the best grades in college, but he was so passionate, so determined, resilient, and skillful. He busted his ass off for years, earning many degrees along the way, and just kept reapplying until he eventually got in. My entire family cried when we found out. Now, he’s one of the top surgeons in his year heading to Oxford for his fellowship. He’s taught me to never give up regardless of what people say or think of you. He also taught me to be stubborn and unapologetic about what I want for myself. Thank you, big bro!

PC: What’s one thing you know now that you wish you knew when you started?
Kimberly-Sue: I wish I had known that it takes about a decade, really, to be good at anything. That would have taken the pressure off!

V Wars

PC: Tell us about V Wars, your character, and what drew you to this project.
Kimberly-Sue: V Wars is a new Netflix Original series based on Jonathan Maberry’s anthology and comics. It’s about an ancient pathogen that leaks from the melting glaciers and infects whoever has the mutated gene. The victims suddenly turn into vampires and, after a series of brutal attacks, a war erupts between them and humans, who want them gone.

I had the pleasure of portraying Danika Dubov, who’s also a vampire. She goes on quite a journey alongside Michael Fayne [Adrian Holmes]. Danika isn’t like other Bloods (vampires). As a Verdulak, she can only feed on people she is somewhat connected or attracted to without killing them, unlike Fayne and Ava, for example, who can kill anyone in a split second. She’s a huge asset to Blood Nation and has a great influence on Michael Fayne.

PC: V Wars is being adapted from a popular comic book series. How familiar were you with the source material?
Kimberly-Sue: I wasn’t familiar at all. Someone on set, I forget who, got their hands on the comics, so I got to take a look. I actually read the anthology when I first got cast and was immediately hooked. I knew the show would be a hit!

PC: How similar or different are you to Danika? What can you tease about her arc this season?
Kimberly-Sue: Danika is selfish in all aspects of her life: she avoids committed relationships, keeps her sister and mother at arm’s length, and is aggressive in her career as a realtor…I’m the polar opposite of that. When she turns, though, she finds solace in reconnecting with Michael—that vulnerable side of Danika, I share. I’m also resourceful and strategic like her.

PC: What can you tease about the dynamic between Danika and Michael throughout the first season?
Kimberly-Sue: Insert the fire emoji. [laughs]

PC: The series tackles a variety of topics including borders, racism, and security. Is the preparation different when you’re working on a project that’s so timely?
Kimberly-Sue: I remember reading the scripts and thinking “Wow, this is literally happening right now in the States!” It just makes the stakes real. All of a sudden, this isn’t really a genre series about vampires. It gives the characters and storylines a lot of weight. I’m proud to be part of a show that doesn’t shy away from exploring relevant social and political issues.

Pop-Cuulturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Kimberly-Sue: Queer Eye

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Kimberly-Sue: Hocus Pocus

PC: Favorite book?
Kimberly-Sue: Daring Greatly by Brené Brown

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Kimberly-Sue: Romeo & Juliet

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Kimberly-Sue: Linkin Park. I was obsessed as a teenager.

PC: Who would play you in the story of your life?
Kimberly-Sue: Claire Foy. Perfect casting.

To keep up with Kimberly-Sue, follow her on Twitter and Instagram. Stream Season 1 of V Wars on Netflix today.

Photo Credit: Kourosh Keshiri