Disney star Meg Donnelly, best known for her roles in the “Zombies” franchise and “HSMTS” season 3, knew all too well the pressures associated with entering the sacred space of beloved franchises like The Supernatural. CW. The actress will direct the prequel series “The Winchesters”, playing Mary Campbell, the possible mother of fan favorite characters Dean (Jensen Ackles) and Sam (Jared Padalecki).
“Playing Mary was a lot of fun,” Donnelly told TheWrap in an interview. “I think I learned a lot about myself in the process. It was really nerve-wracking at first because he’s so different from me in real life, so I was like, Am I able to do something like this?,
Outside of Disney, Donnelly appeared in the 2016 ABC sitcom “American Housewife,” which ran for five seasons, and opposite Sis King in the 2017 independent drama “The Broken Ones.” But “The Winchesters” also marks her first major role, with a performance that leans heavily on interiority and, of course, on the acrobatics that accompany a fantasy genre series (her favorite part of her).
,[‘The Winchesters’ is] certainly much more mature and [has] A much heavier topic than any other project I’ve done, “he said.” I think I’ve matured a little bit with that. It’s a different approach because most of the characters I’ve played before were very lighthearted, and I just said what I had in mind and it was jovial. [But] Mary is very demanding on what she says, everything is very calculated and hides a lot. It’s very cold. It was really interesting and as we were shooting the episodes it became easier to do. I have so much fun doing it – it’s so human. ,
During the audition process, Donnelly said she was immediately struck by the show’s plot and the duality of her character: her ability to balance both vulnerability and advantage. “Because she’s been through a lot, she’s got a hard shell,” she explained.
When he landed the role and read the chemistry with his stage partner, Drake Rodger (who plays John Winchester and his character’s lover), “it felt like he was meant to do it,” Donnelly said.
“Supernatural” is just a fantastic franchise and it’s part of that franchise, but then playing iconic characters like Mary and John Winchester, and that was in the ’70s too – I was like, OK it’s good.,
To prepare for the role, she DMed on Twitter with Samantha Smith, who debuted as Mary in the 15-season original. Then, of course, there was the frenzy of typical “supernatural” episodes, particularly the first season, from which the spinoff mainly draws its lore.
“Our show dates back to the past and pays a lot of tribute to the first season,” Donnelly said. “Watching specific episodes in all seasons, especially just to get to know some of the demons and jargon they use, especially Latin exorcism, helps a lot.”
Ackles, who was the omniscient narrator of his parents’ romance on the show, was also on set to help out with Robbie Thompson, who executive produced the show and produced “Supernatural.” have been heavily involved in.
“It was just great having Jensen on set the whole time,” said Donnelly, “but Drake too – Drake is a huge ‘Supernatural’ fan through and through. He is also like my mentor.
It was 1972 when “The Winchesters” began with John’s distraught return from the Vietnam War. At a party, as he tries to rebuild his place in the world as a veteran, he meets a demonic figure and Mary, who saves him from certain doom. Raised to be a hunter, lone wolf Mary is on a mission to find her missing father and is reluctant to accept John into her circle. But John, in a similar quest to discover his origins, is adamant in rejoining the magical world that was hidden from him. However, as evidenced by the series trailer, he still has a long way to go before meeting Mary in battle.
“I really hope people see Mary as a very strong and confident woman,” Donnelly said. “He’s wonderful and I’m so honored to have had the opportunity to play a character like him. Whenever we do an episode or read scripts and all, we always have “supernatural” fans in mind, since, What would they think? It’s definitely our take on the “supernatural” universe, but I really think people will love it. And we are very open to feedback and we really care about the opinions of the fans because we are fans too. ,
Off screen, Donnelly has embarked on an illustrious musical career, having been named one of Radio Disney’s Next Big Thing artists and releasing her debut album “Trust” in 2019, starring Fetty Wap and Kota. There are songs with The Friend. She has also performed for artists such as Steve Aoki, the Jonas Brothers and Avril Lavigne, as well as Alessia Cara.
Although the singer said it can be “difficult” to balance acting and music, “she wouldn’t do it any other way.” Between filming “The Winchesters” in New Orleans, Donnelly is making sure to schedule music sessions on Zoom and hopes to release new material later this year.
“I try to make time for both of us because music is also something that I am very passionate about,” he said. “Whenever I go on vacation here to shoot ‘The Winchesters’, I do a music session and try to get him to come. Music really helps me to let off steam, so it works. But at the same time, it’s definitely like therapy. It’s part of my daily routine to do just that.
In and out of the firm, Donnelly is a strong advocate of mental health awareness, having worked with nonprofits and hospitals such as the Children’s Health Fund and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals as an ambassador.
The musician said she suffered for a long time from anxiety and panic attacks, which were “really bad” when she was eight. During the pandemic, she noticed that more and more young people were starting to think about their own well-being for the first time and she decided to speak up.
“Everyone was locked up and the kids were starting to understand what they were going through, and it’s so scary,” Donnelly explained. “I was never really open about my anxiety or panic attacks or anything like that, and then I was like, Well, maybe if I can talk about it, if I can only help one person, maybe it will be worth it.,
in January 2022 Trends Report The American Psychological Association compiled a list of surveys and research data indicating that children’s mental health distress and inability to access services are at a “record level”.
“I never thought in a million years that I would do what I do. I thought [my anxiety] I would be so paralyzed that I couldn’t really do anything, ”Donnelly concluded. “I just want to be sure [that] Especially young children know that it can definitely take a little more work because not only are you struggling with the things in life, at work and school, but also in your mind, but it is 100% possible and [can] Improve with help … and you can achieve anything you want.
“The Winchesters” will debut October 11 on The CW.
