PopHorror Let's Get Scared
Every once in a blue moon, I get to interview a kid in the filmmaking industry. It’s always a privilege and a unique and fun perspective in general. I recently had the opportunity to chat with actress Viola Abley, who has a reoccurring role in the new kid-friendly Halloween series, Scaredy Cats, which is streaming on Netflix. Learn what inspired Viola to become an actress, how she get involved with Scaredy Cats, what her character is like, favorite episodes, and more!
PopHorror – Hi Viola. How is 2021 treating you so far?
Viola Abley – Hello! Thanks so much for having me. 2021 has been okay but I was hoping that the pandemic would be over by now but I’m still managing to do my schooling and other activities. All of my auditions are done at home by self-tape. I would like to travel more next year.
PopHorror – Of course, we’re lucky to have you! Also, I feel the same about the pandemic. It’s a bummer. What inspired you to become an actress?
Viola Abley – When I was five, my mother asked me if I wanted to try acting and modeling. I thought modeling was building ships or trains but when she explained it to me I told her I wasn’t interested. But when I was 7 and listening to a lot of Taylor Swift and Katy Perry, I told her I wanted to sing but I thought that acting would be a good first start.
PopHorror – That’s awesome. I saw you were in NOELLE. What was that experience like with so much talent?
Viola Abley – I was around 8 when I filmed NOELLE and it was an amazing set because they reproduced a mall from Arizona in a Vancouver film studio. Anna Kendrick and Bill Hader were nice and I enjoyed meeting them. I didn’t know that they are celebrities when I met them because I was 8 and hadn’t seen their work yet. I just thought they were normal people.
PopHorror – That’s actually pretty cool. How did you get involved with the new Netflix series Scaredy Cats?
Viola Abley – I got involved by auditioning – doing the regular steps that actors go through. I had auditioned for that production team for another series earlier last year but didn’t book a role. I think they liked me because they asked me to audition for other roles and finally a role came up that “fit”.
PopHorror – Can you tell us about your character?
Viola Abley – My character is Blaine who is the class president and is suspicious that something odd is going on. I think she likes to be in charge and likes attention. She’s in for a surprise during the series. She was very fun to play and she had a great wardrobe!
PopHorror – That’s exciting. Could you relate to her at all?
Viola Abley – Yes! She has great style and she is smart. I like to do well in school and dress up when I can. She has more attitude than I do though.
PopHorror – Haha. I haven’t watched much of the series yet, but the parts I did see were fantastic, you were phenomenal, and I also loved your wardrobe. Was this series fun to work on?
Viola Abley – I loved working on the series and hanging out with the other actors, around my age, on set. We all stayed at the same hotel (the series was filmed in Victoria, BC) so we also hung out around Victoria as well. It was nice to see people my age while the pandemic was happening because we kept safe.
PopHorror – That’s awesome. I’m glad you got that experience. Do you have a favorite episode?
Viola Abley – Yes, episode 5, The Upside Down Classroom, is very fun. You’ll see my character, Blaine, going through something unusual.
PopHorror – I’ll have to check it out. What type of characters would you like to do in the future? Any dream ones?
Viola Abley – I really enjoy action-comedy shows (like Brooklyn 99). I would love to work on a series that is funny and smart.
PopHorror – I hope you get to do that! Any upcoming projects?
Viola Abley – I worked on an animation series for Apple TV+ and Dreamworks. I voice a strong female character and I think a lot of kids will like that show. I think it should come out later in 2022.
PopHorror – That’s awesome. I’ll be sure to check it out when it does. Well, Voila, you’ve been awesome to chat with and I really appreciate you taking the time to do so. I hope you have a great rest of the year.
