Audrey Grace Marshall has quite the resume and her acting credits are sure to impress. You may recognize her as Lilah from the Netflix movie The Last Summer. Now, she plays the role of a young Kaley Cuoco on HBO Max’s The Flight Attendant. In her role as Young Cassie, Audrey Grace Marshall is mixing dark comedy with drama, mystery, and suspense. YEM spoke with Audrey Grace Marshall about her new role in The Flight Attendant, The Last Summer and her impressive career!
Young Entertainment Mag: What made you decide to become an actress?
Audrey Grace Marshall: I used to be very shy and my parents wanted to help me overcome my lack of confidence. They tried a lot of things, dance, gymnastics, cheerleading, etc. but nothing worked. At that time I was 7 years old and obsessed with the Disney show, Liv and Maddie, so for fun, I said I wanted to be on TV. My parents got me an audition from actors access and I booked my first job, a lead role in an indie film. I had an instant love of the craft and have never looked back. Needless to say- it worked. I’m no longer shy, lol.
YEM: Are there any movies or actors that inspire you?
Audrey Grace Marshall: La La Land by Damien Chazelle inspires me more than any other movie. It’s the perfect love story about Hollywood and of dreaming big and staying true to yourself. Seeing people reaching for bigger and better things, not putting limits on what they can achieve is so inspiring. Anytime I’m feeling down, I watch it and I’m instantly in a better mood.
YEM: Tell us about your role as Young Cassie in The Flight Attendant.
Audrey Grace Marshall: I play young Cassie when she’s around 10 years old. She grows up in a traditional household in the sense that she has a mom, dad, and a brother who all share a home. But she doesn’t have a normal upbringing. Her relationships with her family, and her father in particular, are pretty dysfunctional. It was a dark role which was really fun to play.
YEM: The Flight Attendant is a dark comedy thriller with some intense moments. How did you prepare for the role?
Audrey Grace Marshall: I read the book as soon as I booked the role. I wanted to learn as much information as I could about Cassie and her upbringing. As a child she dealt with a lot of adult issues and instability which is very different from my normal life. However, I tried to find moments of my own that I could use to relate to young Cassie’s life, in order to feel what my character was feeling. I’m an emotional person and I have a lot of empathy, so it wasn’t too hard for me to do. But it was emotional.
YEM: In 2019, you played Lilah in Netflix’s The Last Summer. What was it like working on that project?
Audrey Grace Marshall: The Last Summer was amazing! I really loved working with Netflix and on such a great project. I mean…KJ APA??? need I say more??? It was a dream come true!!
YEM: You worked closely with Sosie Bacon in The Last Summer. Tell us a little about that.
Audrey Grace Marshall: Sosie was awesome to work with. She was kind, funny, and just a really lovely person to be around. I learned so much watching her act. She’s so natural and believable.
YEM: What was a favorite memory from being on set?
Audrey Grace Marshall: Probably working with William Bindley, the director of The Last Summer. He was really supportive and he trusted my ability to portray Lilah as I saw her. He allowed me to make creative choices. Lilah was the only child in the storyline in the entire film and I really loved that I had the opportunity to bring her to life.
YEM: In The Last Summer your character Lilah struggles with being a young actor. As a young actor yourself, why do you think it’s important to enjoy what you do but also take time to be a kid?
Audrey Grace Marshall: Like most things in life, it can’t be all or nothing. Balance is important. I think it’s important to make time for yourself.
YEM: Do you ever relate to the pressures put on Lilah? Why do you think it’s important to represent Lilah’s story of standing up to her mother’s demands to a young audience?
Audrey Grace Marshall: It’s hard for me to relate to the pressure put on Lilah because in her situation her mother was the one who really wanted to be an actress. Her mom was living her dream through Lilah. My dreams are my OWN, not my parents. So I don’t feel the same kind of pressure. I feel pressure to work hard and do my best, but it’s pressure I put on myself. I’m a perfectionist…
I definitely feel it’s important to show that Lilah should stand up for herself. It doesn’t matter what age you are, it’s ok to have your own thoughts and feelings and opinions. People are individuals and that should be celebrated.
YEM: What are some dream acting roles you’d love to have in the future?
Audrey Grace Marshall: I’d love to be the lead in a dramatic feature or television show. I really want to book a role that is recognized by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. After all, an Oscar IS on my dream board!
YEM: Tell us more about the charity you work Susie’s Senior Dogs. Why is adopting senior dogs so important?
Audrey Grace Marshall: I am obsessed with Susie’s Senior Dogs. I actually saw them on Instagram, I’m in New York City and so are they! Although I’m not involved in a hands on way, I love them and love what they do.
It is a nonprofit organization that helps find senior dogs forever homes. Sometimes people are worried about adopting an older dog, but they have so much love to give and make incredible pets. You can check out their Instagram @susiesseniordogs to see some seniors up for adoption or follow the link in their bio to donate.
YEM: What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working?
Audrey Grace Marshall: I’m a creative person, so I tend to do things in the arts. I study ballet, I paint and draw. Plus I read a lot. Also I love making short films. I write scripts and then drag my family around to film in different locations. It’s been a wonderful way to pass the time during quarantine.
