10 Things with Zibby Allen
You’re originally from the Bay Area. Not being too far from L.A., was it a foregone conclusion that you would be in the entertainment industry?
It’s probably more accurate to say it was a foregone conclusion that, I’d at least be trying my luck with the entertainment industry, no matter where that took me. I would have gotten myself to Timbuktu, if that’s what it took. Conveniently, I didn’t have to travel that far when the time came for me to leave my hometown to do the whole in-pursuit-of-my-dreams thing. That being said, while being close in proximity, the S.F. Bay and Los Angeles are absolute worlds apart. When I decided to head down south, I recall my friends and family feeling more dread than excitement for me. There’s a quote by author Geoff Dyer about L.A. that might best explain their dread: “L.A. can be a place of torment because the rewards are so huge, but the difficulties of getting your hands on those rewards is so great.” So, I do think I feared what L.A. was before I moved there, but back then (and even now) I felt the potential difficulties I might face, wouldn’t be nearly as tormenting as the idea of never having tried.
Which actors body of work has impressed you and made a positive impact on your career?
I’m inspired by other artists constantly. I’m that person googling the actors in a show while watching because I just need to know more about the person behind the performance! That said, there are a few actors that hold a special place in my heart; Helen McCrory, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, and Jeff Bridges.
Helen was one of the most compelling actresses I’ve ever watched. Her work was always pregnant with life, deep feeling and profound nuance. Whenever I start to feel lazy or self-conscious as an actor, I truly think about McCrory and do my best to summon the passionate bravery I so admired in her work.
Phoebe Waller-Bridge is one of those actor-write-directors that will go down in entertainment history as having helped reshape the female voice in entertainment. For me (and for so many others, no doubt) Phoebe serves as this iconic example of a self-made creator. As an actor-writer-producer myself, I look to her body of work and the career she’s paved so far as permission to keep on creating as authentically, and unashamedly as possible.
Last, I don’t have any regrets in life so far, but I might if I don’t get to at least meet Jeff Bridges. (Of course, working with him would be a literal dream come true, but I’d settle for a handshake followed by an embarrassing moment of me overly fawning.) Jeff’s body of work is so very diverse, yet the authenticity he brings to everything he does is effortlessly consistent. I love how openly humanistic and spiritualistic he is. I admire his curiosity as a seeker… I imagine that quality is inextricably linked to his creative expression. At least from afar, he seems to march to the beat of his own inner rhythm… and it’s a rhythm I harmonize with I think. It’s hard to articulate really, but if I’m being honest, my admiration for Jeff Bridges serves as this kind of sentient presence whenever I’m on a job (as dorky as that sounds), and that presence always puts me at ease.
You’ve done a variety of roles throughout your career thus far. Which type of roles do you gravitate to and get excited to play on screen?
I love variety in my work. It keeps me engaged and a little bit uncomfortable, which is good for me I think. If anything, I gravitate toward enticing experiences more than specific roles or genres. I tend to feel that roles and projects choose me, less the other way around. Every new job and character I get the chance to play with has something to teach me… which is maybe why I prefer to stay open to the variety and just kind of avail myself to whatever new experience and lesson beckons.
Currently, you’re on the NETFLIX series, “Virgin River”. How were you first introduced to the series and what made you excited to jump on this project?
Like so many hundreds of times before, my agents sent me an audition request. This time it was for Virgin River – a show I hadn’t yet seen, I was to self-tape from home because it was the height of the pandemic so no one was holding in-person auditions. Before taping, my husband and I sat down to watch a single episode for research… and we ended up binging the whole first season in one night. We genuinely loved it. I remember my husband saying “I could totally see you as Jack’s sister!” The next morning I taped my audition (for Jack’s sister,) sent it off, and then did my best to forget about it. Six weeks later I got a call from my agent saying the part was mine. It was a particularly thrilling offer because by then I was officially a fan of the show. It felt surreal to suddenly be invited to essentially move into this (now not-so) fictitious beloved town called Virgin River.
On the show, you play the role of Brie Sheridan. What can you tell us about her personality, character, and what you enjoy most about bringing her to life on screen?
Brie Sheridan is sister to Jack, the show’s leading man (played by the wonderful Martin Henderson.) When Brie arrives in Virgin River (starting season 3), she’s carrying a very painful secret about her recent past and is working very hard to avoid her own trauma and keep her truths tucked away. Brie’s an accomplished lawyer and a bit of an overachiever. She’s smart, hard-hitting and proudly upholds that Sheridan family ethos of being ‘fiercely independent.’ What I love most about Brie is that for as tough as she is, she’s also got this deep desire for connection, trust, and the vulnerability that comes with relying on someone else. So that inner conflict of hers is fun and super interesting for me to play with.
How exactly does Brie fit in with the other characters on the show?
Virgin River is made up of folks who’ve all come from somewhere else and have moved to this quaint little town to start their lives over, or to heal, to find themselves, to find love, find solace, find community… Brie is no exception. She arrives in Virgin River from Sacramento, California, on the heels of a sexual assault which has thrown her whole sense of self into question. She has no plans to stay, but no plans to return to Sacramento, she’s kind of lost. Virgin River slowly and sweetly starts to give Brie the chance to come back to herself and find love and healing in the most unexpected ways. I think every character has their own version of that in VR.
As the new season approaches, what can we expect to see from Brie’s character development and the rest of the cast?
There will definitely be more Brie and Brady (or “Briady,”as the fans have coined them) However, in season 4 Brie is going to put on her lawyer hat to get involved with Brady’s case, post his arrest. In doing so, Brie will find herself inadvertently caught up in Calvin’s criminal web, as well as forming a closer relationship with Mike.
Also we’ll see Brie just start to deal with her assault in a very imperfect but meaningful way. Her reality is one that women all over the world face on an all-too frequent basis, so I’m honestly very honored to be able to carry that part of Brie’s story. And I’m glad the writers of Virgin River are willing to go there…
As for the other wonderful Virgin River characters, there’s still Jack’s question of paternity, a handsome new doctor comes to town who’s in the market to start a family of his own, Hope and Doc have to navigate the aftermath of Hope’s car accident… and much more. It may be a small sleepy town on the surface, but stuff is always going down with the good people of VR. I’m excited to share this coming season with everyone.
When it comes to fashion, which designers and styles fit your personality the most?
I like my wardrobe to feel effortless and functional while still finding ways to flatter my figure and keep it sophisticated. I love pieces that are timeless and can be paired with multiple items in the closet! I’m also very interested in eco-friendly fashion. A few brands that I have major crushes on right now: Sézane, Reformation, Aday, and Christie Dawn! Sustainable fashion is truly the way forward and I’m so impressed with these brands who are managing to make really gorgeous clothing while keeping it ethical.
Mental health has been something often talked about in our society. As an actor, how do you ensure optimal mental health for yourself when you’re away from set?
Mental health is arguably my number one priority. Because of this, I’ve spent most of my adult life working with various therapies, lines of self-enquiry, reading self-help books, learning about different therapeutic methods and modalities, learning meditation practices, etc. I understand inherently that my work as an artist directly benefits from my ability to see myself, harness self-awareness and understand my own humanity. The more I take care of myself, continue to cultivate self-compassion and offer myself an unconditional curiosity, the more available I am to offer the same to my creative work as well as my relationships.
Thanks for taking the time to chat with us. Besides “Virgin River” on NETFLIX, what other projects do you have coming up in the near future?
I’m in a movie called “Lies Between Friends” which will air on Lifetime in the U.S. on July 31st. It’s a thriller movie for TV – with just enough creepiness to keep you at the edge of your seat and a touch of camp to make for a super fun watch.
Instagram: @ZibbyLoo
Photos: Storm Santos
Makeup: Cat Sherwin