Both projects may tell very different stories, but they have one thing in common: the dazzlingEliza Bennett.
That’s very nice.
I think you might be the only person that’s ever said that to me, so thank you.
You deserve to hear it.
Working with Helen Mirren at 14 not many people can say that.
That’s the definition of peaking early.
Your first gig was “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” at 9 years old.
You ha[ve] this 20-year long career.
It’s hard, sometimes.
I was very lucky that I had an incredibly good experience being a child actor.
I don’t particularly have much trauma.
Having a very normal life outside of working really helped me.
My 20s was when I was more insecure actually.
You get a little bit more confidence in yourself when you get older.
There’s a really rough few years in there.
I’ve talked to a lot of young actors and it’s a hard industry to venture to navigate.
You seem to be doing exceptionally well.
There were rough years, I promise you.
Honestly, I credit that largely to my family, to my parents and to my siblings.
They would never put up with s*** from me, which really helped.
I credit that largely to them, honestly.
I got to talk to Austin [Abrams] who was in that film…
You did, fun!
He’s so good in that movie.
Tell me a little bit about that.
What was that production experience like?
I know your appearance is more of a cameo, but what was that like?
That show is very special to me and to anyone that is involved with it.
I said, “Yes, when and where?”
It was honestly a true joy to work with Sophie Turner, who is so funny in the film.
I will always say yes when Jen asks.
That cast hit it out of the park.
I am Gen Z but I’m not.
It’s got one character from every popular Gen Z show on TV right now.
Gen Z has a very specific branding to their entertainment and to what they consume on social media.
It’s really fascinating.
I grew up without social media until I was about 15 or 16.
That’s quite a different experience from what this next generation will have.
They’ve had phones in the palms of their hands since they were 8 years old.
That changes your childhood a little bit.
What was it like for Eliza to work with A-list actors in her teen years?
I want to go back a little bit to when you worked with Helen Mirren, you were 14.
It’s funny if I got that opportunity now.
That’s what I grew up watching.
During filming “Inkheart,” she won the Oscar for “The Queen” while we were shooting.
She’s worked forever.
She is lovely to everyone.
You watch her walk on set and everyone in the crew is in love with her.
She’s magic to be around.
Largely, the fact that I was untarnished by the downsides is because I have these great examples.
Especially at 14, that’s a really pivotal time of development for anyone.
That’s difficult when you’re a kid actor, because runners and PAs are constant.
If you want sweets, they’ll get you sweets, or candy.
No, yo don’t do everything for her."
What inspired Eliza’s forthcoming EP?
I want to move forward a little bit and talk about your EP, “Late Twenties.”
The premise of the EP was a surprise to me.
We’re not on a set in Georgia, but everyone’s done a long distance relationship.
Everyone’s had friendships that have gone sideways.
It’s such a relatable experience that so many of us are currently going through.
I was so obsessed with not having…
I really hate conflict.
It can be a jarring cultural shift for sure.
There are pros and cons to honestly everything.
That’s a really fun detail.
What was that experience?
What should fans expect to see from that?
It’s very wholesome.
This is probably as wholesome as it’s going to get from me.
I sent my whole EP to Liz, who I met working with on “Dynasty.”
The song is called ‘Visit Me in Georgia,’ it has to be here.
Would you do me the honor of directing it?"
She was like, “100%, I’m on board.”
I had so much fun.
My makeup artist [and] the DP were both from “Dynasty.”
It was a cute little “Dynasty” squad it’s great.
Music videos are becoming slightly irrelevant now, but I love having a visual to a song.
It amplifies the experience.
It makes me fall in love with songs more.
I love music videos.
Yeah, and they’re a labor of love.
Take me through that experience and how “Dynasty” set itself apart from your other creative work.
“Dynasty” is its own beast.
It is unlike any other show it has its own unique style.
It was like finding a lake after a desert of no work for two years.
We all had to go straight into a 22 episode show, so it’s been a wild ride.
Honestly, the show’s tone is created by what she does with [her character] Fallon.
I’ve had such a good time.
The crew is incredible.
It gives all of us a lot of joy.
It’s always fun when it’s Netflix release day.
What was it like to go back to the set?
Did you find it jarring?
Did it throw you off your rhythm, or were you itching to get back to work?
They’re not that popular in the UK.
They’ve all really stretched me …
I did a lot of British dramas growing up, and they’re so different from “Dynasty.”
What’s coming next?
You’re on British TV, what can fans anticipate?
You’ve got music, you’ve got TV, what’s next?
It’s a gritty East London crime drama.
It’s very exciting.
I’m having such a good time.
The cast is incredible and it’s been really fun to work back home and be with my family.
“Do Revenge” and “Dynasty” are both available to stream on Netflix.
Eliza’s latest music video, “Visit Me In Georgia,” is now available onYouTube.
you could follow her on Instagram @elizahbennett.
This interview has been edited for clarity.
