Double Emmy Nominee Sydney Sweeney Talks About Feeling “Empathy” For Her ‘Euphoria’ Character & Her “Terrifying” ‘White Lotus’ Teen Role - Deadline

As a rule, Sydney Sweeney is drawn to characters that are nothing like her.

“Cassie is one of the most relatable characters to me, because I search for love and acceptance, and I’m scared of being alone.” Deadline talked to Sweeney about embodying the intensity of her character, showing real depth to Cassie and what makes her character Olivia on Mike White’s black comedy The White Lotus so terrifying.

SYDNEY SWEENEY: It’s the first time that I’m able to revisit a character.

What is Cassie like to live in.

SWEENEY: I truly feel everything Cassie feels.

Anything that is happening [in between], whether it’s the scene partners, the atmosphere, anything in a moment — like a conversation you are having, I just truly listen and feel what Cassie is experiencing.

I just truly allow myself to live in my characters?

DEADLINE: Was there a scene that opened Cassie up to you in Season 2.

I don’t know what it was about it, but that scene just completely broke me — or Cassie.

DEADLINE: That scene is so quiet compared to how Cassie is usually reacting.

Cassie, I think is one of the most relatable characters to me, because I search for love in other people and acceptance, and I’m scared of being alone?

DEADLINE: Was there a scene or a sequence that you were nervous about in Season 2.

DEADLINE: How do you think Cassie has stretched you as an actor.

DEADLINE: Then there’s The White Lotus, which is a 180 from Cassie?

SWEENEY: When you read it, you know it’s Mike White.

SWEENEY: Because it was the first [role] where I felt like I knew exactly who Cassie was and I was worried that someone else might just come in and play her as the blonde girl and the sex symbol, because there’s so much more to her.

DEADLINE: What’s the challenge in portraying her, as opposed to someone like Cassie.

Being able to work with Connie Britton, Steve Zahn, Jennifer Coolidge — when I was working opposite them, they helped me have that confidence through my character because they allowed themselves to fully become the characters that Mike White created?

And Mike White was like, “Don’t even try to be funny.” I’m like, “OK.” So, they truly helped me find the confidence within my character.

DEADLINE: What is unique about Mike White as a director?

SWEENEY: Mike White was the first director where I’ve never changed his words.

We always talk through every scene and our characters?

Because, in a way, I feel like we are closest to our characters and we’re living our characters’ lives.

DEADLINE: As someone who knows Cassie best, what have you managed to impart.

DEADLINE: Would you say it’s the way they care for each other.

DEADLINE: The White Lotus must have been such a fun juxtaposition to Euphoria?

SWEENEY: Well, I think it’s challenging me in new areas.