A Conversation with Alix James: The Rising Star of Alien: Earth

Alix James, the talented young actress behind the critically acclaimed series Alien: Earth, sat down with us to discuss her latest project and share some behind-the-scenes insights into the making of this sci-fi epic. “It was amazing, actually,” she says, reflecting on her experience working on the series. “We got to work with a movement coach who kind of helped us find what that physicality would look like, marrying the synthetic with those human features. We also worked with child psychologists, with military specialists, a bunch of people to kind of build what we all were going to be.”

This is not the only renegade teen role James, 26, has excelled in as part of her diverse acting resume. She started her career as a supernatural saviour in the Margaret Mahy adaptation The Changeover and went on to play a stranded teen survivor on hit Netflix show The Wilds.

1. Her breakout role in The Changeover helped her gain confidence in her acting abilities.
2. The role of a stranded teen survivor on The Wilds showcased her ability to play complex characters.
3. She impressed critics and audiences with her performance as an oppressed young girl fighting against a broken system in the film festival favourite We Were Dangerous.

Alien: Earth is set two years before the disastrous Nostromo incident of the original 1979 Alien movie and features a brand-new set of cast and characters dealing with a new threat to mankind. Hawley, of Fargo and Legion acclaim, pays tribute to the style of the films with a focus on physical effects and tactile visuals.

“I’d never been in like a sci-fi universe before, so I think stepping onto set and seeing the world that’s been created in front of us by the production designer, and then also seeing what the plan would look like down the line was amazing.”

— Alix James, on her experience working on Alien: Earth

A longtime admirer of Hawley, James said the director’s respect for the Alien IP was incredible, and he had done “something very special with the franchise”. She praised the director’s ability to pay tribute to the style of the films while also introducing new elements to the story. “It’s maybe something a little different to what people might expect. People should go in with an open mind,” she says. “Hopefully, you’ll have some of those feelings that you might have felt the first time you saw the Alien films, if you were a fan.”

1. James is a fan of Hawley’s work, particularly Fargo and Legion.
2. She praised the director’s ability to pay tribute to the style of the films while introducing new elements to the story.
3. She encourages fans to go into the series with an open mind.

Now coming up to 10 years in the acting business, James admits she still feels “very new to the industry”. She credits acting coach and Kiwi theatre legend Dame Miranda Harcourt and her classes for helping fuel her passion from a young age.

1. Dame Miranda Harcourt helped James develop her acting skills.
2. James credits Harcourt’s classes for helping her gain confidence in her acting abilities.
3. She still feels “very new to the industry” despite having 10 years of experience.

“Honestly, it feels like what got me into acting was sort of The Changeover. I kind of didn’t think too deeply about it, and then when it ended up happening, it just felt really cool. I didn’t know if I could keep doing it or if I wanted to keep doing it, but then obviously here we are,”

James is based in Melbourne but grew up in a rural area of Whangārei, where her folks still live. Her love for her Northland home remains as strong as ever. “It’s an amazing place to grow up,” she says. “I’m over in Melbourne now and I love it, but nothing beats the naughty north.”Highlights of her childhood include watching classic films and playing sports.

The first two episodes of Alien: Earth premiere on August 13 on Disney+. “Personally, I prefer [the act of death by] Xenomorph because of the drama. I think the adrenaline, the spike in all your cortisol, and like all of those reactions, it’s quite iconic,” she says. “But personal preference in terms of what I would rather experience? Facehugger, because you don’t know what’s going on, and you’re done.”James’s favorite way to experience the Alien universe would be to die by Xenomorph, but she prefers the surprise and uncertainty of the Facehugger.

“I think the adrenaline, the spike in all your cortisol, and like all of those reactions, it’s quite iconic,” she says. “But personal preference in terms of what I would rather experience? Facehugger, because you don’t know what’s going on, and you’re done.”

Alix James is a rising star in the acting world, and her latest project Alien: Earth is set to captivate audiences with its unique blend of sci-fi and drama. With a diverse acting resume and a passion for the industry, James is an exciting talent to watch in the years to come.