'BIG SKY’S’ NATALIE ALYN LIND TALKS ABOUT THE SHOW’S UNIQUE APPROACH AND FILMING SHOWS IN 2020
NATALIE ALYN LIND plays Danielle Sullivan in ABC’s ‘BIG SKY,’ a detective crime drama series presented by David E. Kelly (Big Little Lies). The story centers on two sisters who have been kidnapped by a truck driver on a remote highway in Montana.
Natalie came from a family of artists and is the oldest among the Lind Sisters (Alvia Alyn Lind and Emily Alyn Lind). Her mother is an actress and her father is an LA based producer.
PHOTOGRAPHER: NOAH ASANIAS
Dress: FOR LOVE & LEMONS, loves: STYLIST ARCHIVES, Earrings: MEJURI
“My family has an ongoing joke that I started acting in the womb. My mom was pregnant with me while she was still filming her TV show. And my dad is a producer. So I was very involved in the industry at a very young age.”
Among her numerous acting credits, Natalie can also be seen as Dana Caldwell in ‘The Goldbergs,’Ashley Rose Pruitt in ‘Tell Me A Story, and Lauren Strucker in ‘The Gifted.’
In this exclusive interview, the 21 year-old actress opened up about her dream project, the favorite character she played, what kept her busy during quarantine, the value of patience, living with a family of artists and a glimpse into navigating the filming and creative process in 2020.
FASHION STYLING: DOROTHY YEUNG, MAKEUP ARTIST: MINJEE MOWAT USING FACE ATELIER, HARISTYLIST: JADE KUGELMAN USING SURFACE HAIR
How was your 2020 so far?
Well, this is a loaded question to say the least. 2020 has been a year of discovery for me. I’ve learned so much about myself, and the world that we all live in. 2020 will be a year that’s in the history books. So many awful events occurred and that finally, we have started uproar of change. I’m proud to see my generation involved and passionate about politics. We’re creating a planet that we’re proud to live on. With COVID, I’ve never felt more connected to the world. Everybody is struggling, and navigating. Nobody’s alone. It’s a weird thing- by having to stay apart; I think it’s actually brought us all together.
How were you able to navigate throughout the pandemic?
Even Waze wasn’t able to help me through this one.
The only way to navigate a global pandemic I would say is to lead with compassion. Caring about a complete stranger’s health and safety is how I make it through. That’s the thing with COVID - we’re really all in this together. I’ve been in Canada for the past 5 months filming my new show, BIG SKY. Because of health precautions taken on set, I’ve been in my own little bubble. I’ve never spent so much time alone. And there’s something surprisingly magical about that. Although I miss hugs more than I can tell you, I’ve found a way to make myself my own best friend. Meditations work wonders lol. I’ve also watched every Netflix show out there. Zooming my family and friends has been the biggest blessing of all.
Sweater: ALL SAINTS
Let’s talk about BIG SKY. What makes the show special and why should the audience watch it?
BIG SKY is totally different than any primetime network show you’ve seen. I like to compare it to a blend of TWIN PEAKS and TRUE DETECTIVE with two strong, badass female leads. Our show tackles strong subject matter that leaves the viewers uncomfortable and on the edge of their seats. David E Kelley has created these multi-dimensional characters that are not typical stereotypes. BIG SKY has also made history by casting my extremely talented costar Jesse James Keitel - the first non-binary series regular on a network show. I’m very proud to be a part of this groundbreaking show.
How would you describe Danielle Sullivan’s evolution throughout the show?
When you first meet Danielle Sullivan, she is a headstrong, independent young woman who is skipping through life, only thinking of herself. When she is kidnapped, Danielle is thrust into a life-or-death situation and finds herself only caring about protecting her sister. She has to focus on someone other than herself for the first time in her life, and ultimately finds compassion and strength to escape the clutches of her abductors.
What’s the best part about playing her character?
My favorite part about playing Danielle is her spunk. Although the show is serious and the situation our characters are in is terrifying, David E Kelley has written Danielle as the comic relief. I try to play her as unaware as possible, which has been fun experimenting with. I really have never played a character like her.
LEFT: Blazer: ALL SAINTS, RIGHT: Dress: ALL SAINTS
What are the challenges and the highs that you experienced during filming?
Filming during a pandemic has been by far the biggest challenge. There are mandatory extreme protocols that everyone must abide by to assure our health and well-being while on set. Our directors and crew are required to wear PPE gear around all of the actors, and the entire cast must stay apart while not filming. I’m finding that this takes away an emotional connection not only between actors but with the entire crew. Fortunately, I happen to be working with some of the most incredible cast and crew out there. During our two week mandatory quarantine arriving into Canada, we would have daily zoom chats and game nights to check in on each other and to get to know one another.
How did you manage to rise above these challenges?
Managing the challenges of COVID are easy when I remember how lucky we are. Being able to film during these times is something I’m so grateful for. Anytime I become discouraged, I remember what a blessing this show has been. And how cool it is to be in homes on people’s screens every Tuesday night when people need a distraction or an escape. Big Sky was one of the first shows that was able to start production. Having the support of David E. Kelley and ABC network makes it all worth it. Especially after seeing how the audience loved it after the first episode aired.
Tuxedo Jumpsuit: CHIARA BONI, Gloves: MAISON MARGIELA, Sandals: ALEXANDER WANG, Earrings: ALEXANDER MC QUEEN
How did acting start for you? Was it something that you’ve always wanted from a young age?
My family has an ongoing joke that I started acting in the womb. My mom was pregnant with me while she was still filming her TV show. And my dad is a producer. So I was very involved in the industry at a very young age. Ever since I was little, I was extremely passionate about acting and storytelling. I always knew this is the career I wanted for myself.
Out of all the roles that you’ve played, is there any role/character that resonated with you the most and why?
My character, Ashley Rose on “Tell Me A Story” is a role that has continued to resonate with me. Ashley is a country pop star who has the entire world at her fingertips, until she’s in a tragic accident. She escapes with her life, but is left with burns on more than half of her body, including her face. During this process, Kevin Williamson, our incredible show runner, put me in contact with several burn victims. Hearing their stories changed my perception on life and made the entire experience so real for me. Representation in roles like this is so delicate, I felt very blessed for the responsibility and opportunity to bring this character to life.
What’s your dream project?
My entire family is in the industry. Our house is full of artists. Anytime I have questions or worries about a project, I lean on them. My dream project would be one where my entire family would create together. (That Owen Wilson and Steve Carell would star in) (I’M A HUGE FAN).
Tuxedo Jumpsuit: CHIARA BONI, Gloves: MAISON MARGIELA, Sandals: ALEXANDER WANG, Earrings: ALEXANDER MC QUEEN
Aside from acting, what else keeps you busy?
Cooking has always been a passion of mine. During quarantine, my family members and boyfriend were my testing subjects. I would have them try all of my new recipes. I like to have themed nights and cook dinners from all around the world. I’ve also started to develop projects of my own in my off time from filming. My goal is to not only act, but write, direct, and produce my own film and television projects.
What’s a valuable lesson that you’ve learned that you always carry with you?
Patience. The most incredible and important things that have happened in my life, I’ve waited for. The best things in life don’t come easy. Learning to trust yourself and the process is key. If something is meant to happen, it will. If it doesn’t, it wasn’t meant to be.
If you were a book, what book would you be and why?
If I were a book, I wouldn’t be your typical story that starts with a beginning and ends with an end. I would be “The Collected Poems” by Sylvia Plath. Every day in my life is its own story. There are ups and downs, and never a clear ending or path. Every page is something new. I love this book. I like to open it every day, and somehow the page I land on always explains and helps me through what I’m feeling.
